Rally Reviews
and polka, were
used to reinforce
prior exercises as a
prelude to the main
piece, Ottawa March,
composed by the
late Joe Morley in the
1920s. Here the group
was split into first and
second banjo sections,
but alas, only the first
movement was accomplished as the one hour period expired. The
dedicated band of Classic Banjo players were very appreciative of
Elias’ patient and thorough tuition. The remaining movements of
course exist as homework! David Wilson, Fareham
• Elias Sibley – Come and Try Classic Banjo
Elias gave a friendly and relaxed introduction to classic banjo and
we were provided with a great selection of banjos by Tom Ryan who
also helped out. This session was well planned and catered for the
varied group of guitar, mandolin and ukulele players as well as one
complete beginner to fretted instruments. We were taken through
basics of playing position and picking technique before being treated
Grimshaw, which after a few simple exercises to find our way around
the banjo using tablature, we were playing as a group by the end
of the session (albeit not to quite the same standard …in my case
anyhow!) This was only my second time attending a BMG Federation
Rally and I do think the ‘come and try’ sessions for different
instruments are a great way of rounding off a day of workshops.
Collette Cross, Midlands Fretted Orchestra
• Cathy Jones – Drumming Workshop
This was my guilty pleasure! I had contemplated workshops on
technique, relaxation, things I absolutely needed, but this one
stood out as something I didn’t need but just had to try. Cathy was
inspiring and very patient! First we stood to clap and sway to the
rhythm, quite difficult for reserved mandolin players. We attempted
to copy complicated rhythms, nervously at first, but very quickly she
had us playing different rhythms on surdos,
snares, tamborims and improvised shakers.
She taught when to come in and when to
pause, and when some unwittingly developed
their own rhythms, she cleverly brought us
back! Bemused faces popped up at the door to
see where the noise was coming from. As an
unbiased participant, I have to say we learnt a
lot and achieved a great dea [