EVENTS
We run regular sessions and workshops across Birmingham as well as one off events. You can find more details on how these events are run and how to book below. If you are interested in us hosting a Birmingham Folk workshop or session at your festival or event, do contact us for further information about the type of events we offer.
UPCOMING DATES:
04 OCT 2025
Workshop: An Introduction to Chinese Traditional Music with Max Gitting
10am-1pm, Cotteridge Quaker Meeting House
05 OCT 2025
Global Session, Old Moseley Arms 6-9pm
02 NOV 2025
Global Session, Old Moseley Arms 6-9pm
15 NOV 2025
Workshop: Trad Fiddle Style and Technique with Ruth Lindsay
10am-1pm, Cotteridge Quaker Meeting House
07 DEC 2025
Global Session, Old Moseley Arms 6-9pm
01 FEB 2026
Global Session, Old Moseley Arms 6-9pm
01 MAR 2026
Global Session, Old Moseley Arms 6-9pm
05 APR 2026
Global Session, Old Moseley Arms 6-9pm
WORKSHOPS
Our workshops run throughout the year and take a more focused approach to tune learning. Workshop leaders will teach by ear slowly and break tunes down with stylistic considerations such as ornaments, phrasing, rhythm, articulation, bowing etc. These workshops are a chance to dig into some more cultural and historical considerations about the music we are learning.
We believe that it is important to recognise how all music is part of a tradition of playing and we need to understand this to play with more sensitivity and consideration. We regularly have guest expert tutors from different folk backgrounds come and lead workshops to give us more insight into the tradition they know best.
Our workshops are open to all ages and are suitable for musicians at an intermediate or above level. Book a spot at one of our upcoming workshops below.
Saturday 15th November
Workshop: Traditional Fiddle Style and Technique
Join fiddle player Ruth Lindsay in exploring traditional Irish fiddle style and technique. Ruth will offer tools and techniques to breathe life in to your playing and connect with the rhythmic fire of traditional music.
As well as learning a few traditional tunes together by ear, we will look at rhythmic bow work, ornamentation and sound production as well as having an open discussion around how to make the transition from other violin styles over to fiddle and how to get the most from trad sessions and other folk music settings.
This workshop is suitable for intermediate to advanced fiddle players who are looking to build on their existing trad technique as well as violinists who are curious about trad.
All ages welcome, under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
10.00-13.00 Cotteridge Quaker Meeting House, B30 1JB.
Tickets £15, £5 conc. for non earners
Global Session
1st Sunday of the month | 18:00 - 21:00
Old Moseley Arms, Tindall Street, B12 9QU
This free monthly session is accessible for all levels and all instruments. The premise is that the first hour is slower paced with the focus being on melody learning; anyone is invited to lead a tune from anywhere in the world, played slowly until the group has (mostly) picked it up by ear. Then once we are familiar we’ll build it up to a faster tempo. We collect the names of tunes that are shared in the first half of the session and compile a playlist of recordings on our YouTube channel so that in between sessions, everyone can revisit their favourite tunes in their own time.
The second part of the evening is an open session, where session goers are free to start any folk tune at a more moderate tempo, usually including tunes from our shared repertoire with accompaniment and harmonising encouraged. Afterwards we’ll probably have a curry and then keep playing until last the lights go out!
The idea of this session is that we’ll build upon a growing repertoire of tunes from around the globe, sharing and learning as we go. Find a list of our current repertoire below:
“A really inviting group of folks, excited to share tunes from all over the world. Really broadened my horizons”
— Ruari