Gavin Atkin

Barry - I'll try to remember your request. What kind of thing are you thinking of? Gav

Btw - If you are coming, please let me know so I have some clue - and particularly if you're going to need me to give you sheet music to take away! Cheers, Gavin

We've decided to set up a regular class and session for people who would like to play but who don't yet feel confident enough to join a session. If that sounds like you, please come along. Traditional music classes Learn to play traditional tunes for music sessions and dancing in the company of other beginners. Play slowly and practice whatever's causing difficulty for you. Join multi-instrumentalist Gavin Atkin at the Gun & Spitroast pub at Horsmonden, Kent (TN12 8HT) on the SECOND and FOURTH Wednesdays of each month from now until the summer, starting at 8pm. We'll have a class for an hour and a half, followed by whatever playing people feel like, or even just chatting. Admission is free. Typical instruments might be melodeon, fiddle, concertina, mandolin, whistle or banjo, but we'll be just as happy if you pitch up with a triangle, a saxophone or a piano. Reading music isn't necessary, though it definitely helps! The first class and session starts at 8pm on November 24th. Please tell your friends and especially anyone who's starting to play and needs to know! For information, call Gavin Atkin on 07985 522734

Don't forget this Sunday's Frittenden Session features anglo demon Alan Day, Concertina.net regular and one of the brains behind the excellent International series of CDs. He's appearing with his regular musical partner, guitarist Mike Ainscough. The event is the regular old fashioned and trad Frittenden Sessions, which take place at the Bell & Jorrocks pub, just south of Maidstone. The fun starts at 8pm, and continues until it's time for Nellie Dean! There's no entry fee. For information, ring Gavin Atkin on 07985 522734, or email gmatkin@gmail.com.

Good evening everyone! This Sunday (the 26th) we're looking forward to the first Frittenden session of mixed songs, tunes and step dancing of the new season, in the company of singers Gordon Brenchley and Malcolm Watson from Whitstable. Don't worry if you're not a singer - the format we follow at Frittenden will ensure plenty of time for playing tunes, dancing and storytelling - or anything else that's entertaining and legal that you might have to give us. The Frittenden sessions take place at the Bell & Jorrocks pub at Frittenden, Kent, and start at 8pm and continue until it's time to sing Nellie Dean and say goodnight. They're informal and free, with lots of old fashioned and traditional songs and tunes, and a big emphasis on variety, humour and entertainment generally. In fact, there's usually quite a bit of concertina concertina playing. As we like to say, if you liked your pub the way it was before the telly and the computer came, this is the event for you. We look forward to seeing you again on Sunday! Gavin and Julie Atkin For information see http://frittendenfestival.com/sessions/ or ring us on 07985 522734.

Too many good things on one night John? I'm sure you can be forgiven. Stand by for the next one on the 26th September though!

Excellent! It would be great to see you both! Gav

We've decided to organise an extra middle-of-summer Frittenden session because we're all been missing them so much! The usual blurb is below - I should just add that Frittenden can be found on the map just south of Maidstone, and that all the indications are that we'll have a good turnout! The regular Bell+Jorrocks old fashioned and traditional music sessions continue to be informal and free, with lots of old fashioned and traditional songs and tunes, and a big emphasis on variety, humour and entertainment generally. The sessions take place at the Bell & Jorrocks pub at Frittenden, Kent, and start at 8pm and continue until it's time to sing Nellie Dean and say goodnight. They're informal and free, with lots of old fashioned and traditional songs and tunes, and a big emphasis on variety, humour and entertainment generally - as we like to say, if you liked your pub the way it was before the telly and the computer came, this is the event for you. For information etc, email me at gmatkin@gmail.com

I hope a last-minute reminder is forgiveable! If you're in the area, don't forget the Frittenden session on Sunday evening features our good friend and local anglo and melodeon star Tony Dunn! The evening starts at 8pm and as usual finishes when it's time for Nellie Dean. Details on the Frittenden Fest sessions homepage: http://frittendenfestival.com/sessions/.'>http://frittendenfestival.com/sessions/. Gav

The last Frittenden session before the summer break is approaching fast - so if you're likely to be around please put it in your diary! Who have we got to feature on the night? No less than our good friend Tony Dunn, a great local concertina and melodeon player, and a man who deserves every box player's support. The May session, the last regular session this season until we meet again in September, will be chaired by another enthusiastic friend and supporter of the Frittenden sessions, Roger Resch. The format we follow at Frittenden will ensure plenty of time for singing as well as playing tunes, dancing and even old-fashioned storytelling if that's your bent. The Frittenden sessions take place at the Bell & Jorrocks pub at Frittenden, Kent, and start at 8pm and continue until it's time to sing Nellie Dean and say goodnight. They're informal and free, with lots of old fashioned and traditional songs and tunes, and a big emphasis on variety, humour and entertainment generally - as we like to say, if you liked your pub the way it was before the telly and the computer came, this is the event for you. Gavin and Julie Atkin For information see http://frittendenfestival.com/sessions/ or ring us on 07985 522734.

It's good to hear it's gone to a good home. At 55 buttons I imagine it's a small-sized box rather than the 58-62 button biggies you come across. I still have a 62 that I played for some time before I acquired my current 52-button box (with Nigel Chippendale's help - many, many thanks once again to Nigel!), and I have to say the few small ones I've played have beaten the big ones hands-down for playability. Overlap is nice, but a bright and responsive lightweight box is more important, at least to this Jeffries duet player. Gav

Julie and Gav go . We trust you enjoy it! Gav

There's a letter missing in the link. Try this: http://frittendenfestival.com/. Jim I'll (we, my sympathetic lady and I)) will be passing through your town around lunch time on Tuesday 16th. on our way to Esbjerg ferry. Gavin. Sorry my friend. It was planned, but have to spend some time with daughter as well, whilst I'm over there.. Your daughter!?! Well now, that puts a completely different complexion on the situation. I know how it is and how it must be; happily I have one too! Gav

That treacle's particularly good on a cheesy waltz, as you know... G

I've added the Frittenden Festival on the weekend of the 20th March to the calendar. Frittenden Festival - sing, dance and play kicks off on Friday the 19th with another old fashioned and traditional session in the bar of the Bell & Jorrocks, Frittenden, Kent, starting at 8pm and finishing when it's time for a couple of choruses of Nellie Dean. There will be serious, sentimental and silly songs, lone and group tunes playing and step-dancing, and there's also likely to be another of our classy cheesy waltz moments. A respected friend recently described the sessions we have at the B&J as being the best he knows, so don't miss the one's we're organising over this weekend! There will also be a concert, stepdancing workshops, and a village hall barn dance. I can't think of anywhere that will be having more fun over that weekend... Concertina players will include Andy Turner and Gavin Atkin, and - rumour has it - Will Duke and Tony Dunn. For those who don't know deepest, darkest Kent, Frittenden is a few miles south of Maidstone, so it's just off the M20. It's also a legendary place for treacle mines. For details of the festival artists, see http://frittendenfestival.com . Gav

I've added the Frittenden Festival on the weekend of the 20th March to the calendar. Frittenden Festival - sing, dance and play kicks off on Friday the 19th with another old fashioned and traditional session in the bar of the Bell & Jorrocks, Frittenden, Kent, starting at 8pm and finishing when it's time for a couple of choruses of Nellie Dean. There will be serious, sentimental and silly songs, lone and group tunes playing and step-dancing, and there's also likely to be another of our classy cheesy waltz moments. A respected friend recently described the sessions we have at the B&J as being the best he knows, so don't miss the one's we're organising over this weekend! There will also be a concert, stepdancing workshops, and a village hall barn dance. I can't think of anywhere that will be having more fun over that weekend... Concertina players will include Andy Turner and Gavin Atkin, and - rumour has it - Will Duke and Tony Dunn. For those who don't know deepest, darkest Kent, Frittenden is a few miles south of Maidstone, and is a legendary place for treacle mines. For details of who will be at the festival, see http://frittendenfestival.com . Gav

I can't /believe/ the miles you're prepared to travel to avoid being at the Frittenden Festival Chas! I say see http://frittendenfestival.co, and reconsider... Gav

Good noticing! Congratulations from us too Geoff! You don't look 150...

Gorblimey! When I made my throwaway Youtube videos I had no idea they might be deployed as evidence in a debate. The argument that it is poor taste to take a composed piece and play it on a different instrument is often made, but in formal music it's common to do this nevertheless. So I'd say that if anyone playing a duet tina wishes to try playing pieces made for other instruments, they should go ahead and do so. I've found that it's a lot of fun, and I'd also say that the classical guitar and perhaps the simpler end of the harpsichord repertoires are good sources. Hopefully, some of the remarks made in this thread won't put people off giving these playable but often challenging types of music a try, and I hope also that people won't be discouraged from sharing their playing via Youtube. I look forward to hearing some great performances over time... [edited for grammar and for sense!]

The 31st's only a few days away now. If you're in the area, don't forget! Gav

The Bell+Jorrocks old fashioned and traditional music sessions continue on Sunday the 31st of January - and of course we'd love to see lots of locals and visitors on the night! This month our featured performer is singer and accordionist Howard Millen. If the name is familiar, it's because he's a leading member of the famous local traditional harmony singing Millen family; on his own, however, he's an old fashioned singer and musician with a great sense of fun and some very entertaining songs. But there's no need to worry that other interests will be left out - there will be plenty of play-along country dance tunes, and sing-along choruses from regulars who often include singers, stepdancers, and fiddle, melodeon and concertina players, including ourselves. The sessions take place at the Bell & Jorrocks pub at Frittenden, Kent, and start at 8pm and continue until it's time to sing Nellie Dean and say goodnight. They're informal and free, with lots of old fashioned and traditional songs and tunes, and a big emphasis on variety, humour and entertainment generally - as we like to say, if you liked your pub the way it was before the telly and the computer came, this is the event for you. Gavin and Julie Atkin - for information, and details of some of the session tunes we play see http://frittendenfestival.com/sessions/ or ring 07985 522734.

The regular Bell+Jorrocks old fashioned and traditional music sessions continue on Sunday the 27th December - and once again we'd love to see interested folks from this forum on the night! The sessions are held at the Bell & Jorrocks pub at Frittenden, Kent, and start at 8pm and continue until it's time to sing Nellie Dean and say goodnight. They're informal and free, with lots of old fashioned and traditional songs and tunes, and a big emphasis on variety, humour and entertainment generally - if you liked your pub the way it was before the telly and the computer came, this is the event for you. Once again we've decided to feature a good friend, and this time it's Nigel Hobbins from Whitstable. Nigel's a charming singer and player of string-things, and has a particularly nice collection of songs he recorded and learned from mhis grandfather. But there's no need to worry that other interests will be left out - there will be plenty of play-along country dance tunes, and sing-along choruses from regulars who often include singers, stepdancers, and fiddle, melodeon and concertina players, including ourselves. Gavin and Julie Atkin - for information see http://frittendenfestival.com/sessions/ .

It's true. I haven't mentioned him because he isn't a tina player - but at these sessions we usually have a featured guest who generally does three sets of three of whatever they do during the course of the evening. It's much less of the featured star than you get at a folk club, but we think it brings something different and special to each night. I should add that John is an excellent singer and has a real pedigree - for those who are interested in these things he sang on Shirley Collins legendary Anthems in Eden album. It happens that he's just launched a new album, and the plan is that those who make it to Frittenden will be rewarded with a piece of cake to celebrate! But, as I say, there should alo be plenty of the usual musical fare, including concertina playing. Gav