Scandinavian Music

Esbjorn's Band Syndens Kapell

Esbjorn’s Band Syndens Kapell

Description

A six week course for all musical instrument focusing on Swedish and Scandinavian dance music. The course is taught by clarinet and melodeon player Esbjorn Wettermark, who has many years of experience as a dance musician and music educator. Focus will be on melody, chord players are welcome but will be encouraged also to try to play the melody.

 

Contents

We will learn about the main tune types and dances used in Scandinavian traditional music (i.e. Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland). There will be an emphasis on Swedish tunes but we will also look at specific tunes from the other Scandinavian countries.
The ambition is to learn one new tune each session (at least 6 tunes) as well as doing some arrangements together in the group. If there is interest we might also do a bit of singing and dancing, to get a better feel for the rhythms of the music.

The tunes may include: Different forms of Swedish Polskas and Hambos (even), Waltz, Schottis, Polka, and Danish and Norwegian specialities such as Halling and Sönderhoning.

At the end of the course we are hoping to arrange a workshop/concert with the Swedish music group Synden’s Kapell, which will allow the course participants to play on stage with some experienced Swedish folk musicians

Level

You should be able to get around your instrument on your own, but there is no requirement to know any Scandinavian tunes. Generally Scandinavian music uses a wider range of keys than English traditional music, and its good if you can play in a few different keys, however we will primarily be moving in violin and melodeon friendly keys during this course.

Videos:

Syndens Kapell playing for a dance in Sweden:

Fiddle legend Nils Agenmark playing a polska:

Folkrock band Hoven Droven playing a polska:

Fiddler Lena Jonsson and folk cellist Jonas Bleckman playing a Polska and an American Oldtime tune: