Wattle Day is a day to celebrate all things Australian. To stimulate an interest in music, the Victorian Folk Music Club Inc. is presenting a day of music-related workshops and sessions on Saturday 5th September 2020.

Sessions (see table below) are free, on line, and each workshop lasts up to an hour. Attend either session 1 or 2 and as many workshops as you would like, and later, the Family Bush Dance. When you book your ticket, the on-line access details will be sent by email.

There will be two Zoom sessions running simultaneously, and time will be allowed to change to other sessions if you wish. Bring a pen and paper and your instrument, all tuned up. You may wish to have refreshments handy too.

Zoom Session 1

Improve Your Zoom experience Bill Buttler
Zoom will be with us for quite some time as its usefulness becomes apparent in family get-togethers, informal discussion groups or just touching base with friends. Here’s some tips on how to get the best out of Zoom.

Finding Chords For A Tune Bill Buttler
Learn how to identify the key and mode of a tune and how to fit basic chords to it. This workshop concentrates on standard anglo-celtic and Australian session tunes. Suitable for any chord instrument - guitar, ukulele, keyboard, accordion etc.

What’s A Dulcimer? Bill Buttler, Ken McGregor This information session covers two quite different instruments, the Appalachian Dulcimer and the Hammered Dulcimer. It provides background and shows how they are played and how to get one if interested. Dulcimer players are encouraged to join and share a tune or two.

Australian Songs Session Ray Mundy and Friends Enjoy a session of singing traditional and contemporary Australian songs.

Dance Tunes Workshop Maree Buttler, Joan Mundy This workshop explores various dance tune formats such as the waltz, reel, jig, march etc. All instruments are welcome to join in on this session.

Zoom Dancing - a practical introduction Norm Ellis
Norm Ellis from TSDAV will give tips and guidance to enhancing your enjoyment of dancing, online - “alone at home”. Pull up the carpet, this should be fun. 

Family Bush Dance Blackberry Jam Bush Band In the evening the Blackberry Jam Bush Band will host the monthly Family Bush Dance,
online for you to enjoy at home. 7.30 til 9.30pm.

Zoom Session 2

Slow Session For Fiddlers Ellen Hundley 
This session will inspire the budding fiddler as it introduces some not-too- difficult tunes to play along with at a moderate tempo. Scores included. Ensure your fiddle is in tune and ready to go. Other melody players are welcome to join.

Activities for kids Jane, Maree
Make an instrument, wattle craft, learn a dance and sing a song about Wattle Day. You will need something to bang, bash or shake. Some handy things to have nearby: wattle, ribbon, hat or headband, sticky tape, stapler, paper or cardboard, plastic bottle and uncooked rice.

Tin Whistle Workshop Maggie Somerville
The tin whistle is perhaps the cheapest musical instrument you will find, and it is pretty easy to play. This workshop will set you on the right track to get a tune out of the penny whistle. Requires a whistle in the key of D.

Ukulele Jam Don Fraser
Whatever your age or musical experience the ukulele is a great way to get into music or extend your abilities. They are light, inexpensive and easy to play. For all ages, this jam covers easy songs in a number of keys. Guitarists are welcome too. Ensure your instrument is tuned and you have a neck strap.

A Brief Overview Of Latin American Music Bill Desailly, Ellen Hundley Join this fascinating discussion of the music of Latin America by two highly experienced exponents. Explores the cultural influences that created the vast range of creole mixes and invented styles of this huge continent.