The melodeon (or diatonic button accordion) is an instrument that has become particularly popular in the folk music of Britain, Ireland, parts of Europe and America. It differs from the piano accordion in that it is smaller and lighter, has buttons rather than keys and the notes change when the bellows are pushed and pulled. The rhythmic effects of this push-pull action are especially well suited to the lively rhythms of dance music from various traditions; although it can also be played in the smoother cross-rowed style, which is particularly suitable for song accompaniment. These classes will focus mainly on music from the British Isles, but will also cover traditional playing styles from other parts of Europe.
This course will cover the playing of D/G melodeons with at least two rows – please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions about the instrument.
Melodeon classes
Beginners (Level 1)
This course starts from absolute beginner level in the Autumn term and progresses throughout the year. We will begin with the basics, learning the layout of the buttons on both hands and exploring simple tunes. The classes will cover both one-row and cross-row styles and we will be working on right hand melodies as well as left hand accompaniments from the start. Music will be taught by ear with music notation and mp3s available after the sessions.
Please note that we only accept complete beginners during the Autumn term; there is no Level 1 class in the Spring; Level 1 becomes Level 2.
Improvers (Levels 2 & 3)
This course carries on from the beginner first year. The course will continue learning tunes by ear at a moderate pace and start to explore more challenging keys, techniques and left hand rhythms as the year progresses. The classes will cover both one-row and cross-row styles. Music will be taught by ear with music notation and mp3s available after the sessions.
Intermediate/advanced (Level 4) - ONLINE
This course is for players who can already play both hands together with reasonable fluency. We will be exploring more unusual and challenging tunes, as well as adding more musicality to your playing - including dynamics, phrasing, and harmony - as well as tunes that require a little more right hand dexterity. There will be some self-directed tasks where students will be encouraged to develop their own chord pattern.
In the academic year 2021/22 the melodeon 4 class will be taught online. You can join this course from anywhere in the world as long as you have a working internet connection.
Pre-entry level requirements
Beginners (Level 1)
The classes are progressive and will be suitable for absolute beginners at the start of the Autumn term. Students need to own or hire a melodeon in D/G with at least two rows.
Please note that we only accept complete beginners during the Autumn term - there is no Level 1 class offered in the Spring term.
Improvers (Level 2-3)
This course is for people who have already learnt the basics of the melodeon, have some knowledge of playing in different keys and are able to play two hands of the melodeon together slowly. Students need to own or hire a melodeon in D/G with at least 2 rows.
Intermediate/Advanced (Level 4)
This course is for people who have a solid understanding of playing the melodeon and are confident playing different rhythms on both hands fluently and in a range of keys. Students need to own or hire a melodeon in D/G with at least 2 rows.
Who leads the course?
Melodeon Levels 1 and 2-3 will be taught by Hazel Askew.
Melodeon Level 4 will be taught by Dave Gray.
Hazel Askew is a London based singer, musician and workshop leader. She has worked as a performer on the folk scene for many years, most notably with BBC Radio 2 Folk Award nominated vocal trio Lady Maisery and traditional English folk duo The Askew Sisters, with whom she won Best Female Singer at the 2011 Spiral Earth Awards. Hazel grew up with the folk scene, participating in many youth folk education programmes and now frequently works as a folk educator and workshop leader. She frequently leads projects for EFDSS on adult, youth and schools projects, most recently delivering three of the London based The Full English Education projects. She has also led workshops and courses for organisations including Barbican Creative Learning, Folkworks, Aldeburgh Young Musicians, Dartington Summer School, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre and various festivals around the country.
Dave Gray grew up in Lincolnshire, where he took up the melodeon at an early age. He started having lessons with the melodeon-maestro Andy Cutting and has never looked back. Dave continues living in Newcastle where he is a highly skilled and enthusiastic educator who has experience teaching on the Folkworks programme at Sage Gateshead and at Folkworks Summer Schools; tutoring at Newcastle University; Ethno world music courses in Sweden, France, Estonia and England; He has taught at a number of National Youth Folk Ensemble residential courses. Dave performs with Katie Doherty & the Navigators, Varldens Band, Jim Boyle & Dave Gray and a French dance trio 'Cri du Canard'. He is well known for his enthusiasm and presence on stage.
How can I take part?
2021-22 Dates
Autumn term: 11, 18 September | 2, 16, 23 October | 6, 20, 27 November | 4 December (9 sessions)
Spring term: 8, 22, 29 January | 12, 19 February | 5, 12, 26 March | 2 April (9 sessions)
Saturday Folk Music Workshops do not run during the Summer Term.
Timetable
Melodeon Level 1: 11:45–13:15
Melodeon Level 2 & 3: 13:45–15:15
Melodeon Level 4 (ONLINE): 10:00 - 11:30
Fees
Termly fees: £118 | £95 concessions
Advance booking required
Concessions are available to people who are in full-time education; in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance; in receipt of Income-Based Benefit (such as Income Support, Housing or Council Tax Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Pension Credit). For concessionary rates please call the box office on 020 7485 2206. The box office is open between 9.30 and 17.00 Monday to Friday. Evidence of concession will need to be provided before the start of term by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with a copy of your supporting documentation.
Covid-19 Statement
We are continuing a phased return to face-to-face teaching and expect that all of the advertised sessions will take place in person at Cecil Sharp House from September 2021. If for public health reasons we are unable to run classes in person, we intend to move sessions online using the Zoom-based model which we have been refining since the start of the pandemic.
We are a COVID-19 Secure venue. For more information, please visit our Covid Secure webpage.
Terms and Conditions
We cannot give you a refund for any missed classes, including absence due to self-isolation.
Refunds are given only if your course is cancelled or closed early.
If you enrol on a Saturday Folk Music Workshops course but decide after the first session but before the second class that it is not right for you, you can either:
- transfer your booking to another instrument. This depends on availability; if the course of your choice is full then we can reserve a place for you on the following term.
- or have the course fees refunded to you minus an administration charge of £15 (as long as you contact us before the second class of term).
Due to Covid-19 related restrictions, if all or part of this course is not able to take place at Cecil Sharp House, it will take place online instead.
For more information, please visit our Terms & Conditions
Instrument hire
We have a limited number of accordions, banjos, guitars and melodeons available to hire for a small termly fee plus a returnable deposit (subject to availability).
Hired instruments will be ready for collection on Saturday 11th September, the first session of term.
Hire fee: £24 per term
A £150 deposit is also required. This is refundable upon the return of the instrument at the end of the hire period, minus any cost involved in restoring the instrument to the original condition (due to damage incurred by the student, excluding reasonable wear and tear).
The hirer will accept liability for the care of the instrument throughout the time they are out of storage and will be expected to have suitable insurance arrangements in place. The hirer is expected to keep the instrument in good condition.
If you hire an instrument for the Autumn term only, you will need to return it on the last class of term. If you would like to keep the instrument over the holidays you will need to re-enrol for the Spring term, ensuring you pay the next term’s hire fee at the same time.
Options for booking and paying for instrument hire are offered as add-ons once you have selected the workshop(s) you would like to book onto. Alternatively, to reserve one of our instruments click here, or you can book via the Box Office in person or by telephone on 020 7485 2206.
We run Saturday Folk Music Workshops in Accordion, Banjo, Fiddle, Guitar, Melodeon Song and Ceilidh Band. Why not do several on the same day?
