Bert Jansch - Origins, Influences and Techniques
a music workshop by Renbourn Guitar Workshops in association with The Bert Jansch Foundation.
Tuition based on Bert Jansch's songs and instrumentals
Tutors John Renbourn, Wizz Jones, Remy Froissart and Mike Walker
Presented by Renbourn Guitar Workshops in association with the Bert Jansch Foundation - a one week workshop was held at Gilwell Park in Essex.
The week was busy with 21 Bert Jansch guitar pieces and songs on the study list!
Small group and individual sessions allowed students to tailor the week to suit their particular interests.
There were also sessions providing insights into Bert's early influences with many "war stories" from John and Wizz about those halcyon days in the 1960's when Bert was in his heyday and Folk Baroque was on the rise.
We were also fortunate enough to be joined by Paul Wassif who collaborated with Bert later in his life.
We set ourselves a formidable list of Bert's pieces as a study list and the week was hugely enjoyable. We were blessed with great weather and there were many breakout sessions in the open air.
There were a few spooky moments - a study group on Bert's song Reynardine was checked out by a passing fox and a session on Bird Song in the Garden was interrupted by the arrival of a magpie in the middle of the circle followed closely by a dragonfly!
We were joined by the winner of the youth scholarship place - Zach Coombes from Canada.
Zach was a worthy winner but we had so many great applications from around the world it was really hard to pick just one.
Great to know that the Folk Baroque style of playing is alive and well and being played around the world by so many talented young musicians.
We resolved to follow this initiative up with further incentives for young players - so watch this space.
The building we had for the main sessions was very appropriately called the Swan Centre and sported a handpainted Black Swan as it's sign - a sign indeed!
The week was nicely rounded off by a small concert featuring John, Wizz and Paul as well as some of the students and staff.
Gilwell Park, set in 108 acres of woodland and is owned by the Scouts Association. WE chose it for our Bert workshop because it had already proved to be a really pefect location for a Guitar Workshop.
We were once again overwhelmed by the welcome and kindness shown by everyon there. We are particularly grateful to them for donating accommodation for our scholarship winner absolutely free of charge.
The White House at Gilwell Park