An Anglo Concertina Workshop with English Traditional Master BRIAN PETERS

Saturday , April 28, 2007
11:00 am - 4:00 pm
Location: Elderly Instruments
workshop ($65)

"Brian is well established in the English folk music world as a singer of traditional ballads and songs,... but to concertina afficianados he is best-known as an eclectic performer of Anglo music and a popular teacher." - cdroots.com

A widely popular Anglo concertina instructor, Brian Peters has plumbed the depths of this delightful dance-evoking little instrument and clearly enjoys imparting relevant technical--and historical--information. "The Anglo-concertina is the kind where each button produces a different note depending on whether you're pushing or pulling the bellows," he explains, adding (with typical dry British wit), "None of the other sorts does that, so at least we've put clear blue water between us and them."

"This push-pull system is often held to imbue the music with intrinsic rhythm.... the common conception is that the Anglo is good for bouncy dance music,..." he continues, clarifying the distinctions between Anglo and English concertinas. "I love my Anglo and wouldn't swap it for anything."

Brian's five-hour hands-on workshop, titled "Anglo Concertina in the English Style" {not to be confused with the English concertina, which is another different breed of box entirely), requires that students have an Anglo concertina in the keys of C/G, preferably (though not essentially) with 30 or more keys. The course is designed for intermediate-level to advanced Anglo concertina players.

Brian's style, he explains in order to assure that the workshop attendees are aware, is to play right-hand melody accompanied by left-hand chords. Prior ability to pick out tunes on the right-hand buttons "will be an advantage, but is not essential."
Players who are accustomed to finding melodies on both hands (as in the Irish style) are welcome to join the class but "may have some radical rethinking to do," he adds.

The repertoire drawn from during the workshop will be based around English social and morris danc music, exploring some the the alternative key signatures available. Then, time permitting, the workshop will also address different kinds of music, and will also consider song accompaniment if there is student interest in doing so.

Described as "one of British folk music's finest ambassadors," Brian has been a professional performer of English traditional music and song for twenty years, playing stages and conducting workshops all over the world, from Quebec to Australia. He is recognized as one of England's leading players of the Anglo concertina, specializing in the great British ballads, dance tunes and song accompaniments, but also branching out into other styles including ragtime and slow airs.

Brian performs regularly as a duo with guitarist/flautist/singer Gordon Tyrrall, plays dances with the Rising Sun Band, indulges his "more eclectic musical leanings" with hillbilly rockers The Rocky Mountain Ploughboys, and has performed with Sara Grey in The Lost Nation Band. He is a reviewer for several traditional-music magazines and is in demand as a teacher of instrumental technique and singing skills. He teaches at Witney's Hands On Music weekend, tutors residential courses for Folkworks and others, offers festival workshops, and gives private lessons. Brian can be seen in concert on April 27 at the Ten Pound Fiddle or on April 28 at the Grand River Folk Arts Society.

Brian is also well-known as a singer and player of guitar and button accordion, but for the most recent of his seven solo CDs, Anglophilia, he focuses exclusively on the concertina, and has received excellent press:

"A masterclass in taking the Anglo beyond its usual boundaries... a serious musician's album..." - The Living Tradition

"A richly-varied selection that reflects both Brian's seriously eclectic musical personality and his gleeful propensity for taking on challenging musical assignments...." -

"Another subperb CD from Mr. Peters. He seems to explore more and more of what that little box can do. For anyone who thinks the Anglo-concertina is an instrument with limitations, I beg you to get this CD." - Folk Northwest

"He has been a mover in the creation of a distinct identity for Northern English dance music. He has also become known for daring forays into ragtime, blues and rock 'n' roll on his squeezeboxes." - Country Dance & Song Society

Check out recordings we carry featuring Brian Peters