THE MANDOLIN ACADEMY
Concerts and Seminars in Venice
MANDOLIN SEMINARS IN VENICE
Seminars for Mandolin and Ensemble
MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE COURSES AT THE
MANDOLIN ACADEMY
Various forms of teaching are used at these
seminars. Working in a group has many
advantages. It is psychologically very useful,
because no single person needs to feel under
pressure. We all learn unconsciously by seeing and
hearing other people. Also, much music-making
requires group skills, such as observing
appropriate rhythm, sound quality, balance - and
always: communication.
Sometimes though, a participant might want to talk
about a particular technical or musical matter, and
it can then be very useful if that person has
individual time with the teacher.
Group Work
1.Basic questions such as body use and efficient
left and right hand technique will be treated in
detail.
2.The underlying issue is always sound – how to
use the mandolin to express musical ideas.
3.The approach is not to insist dogmatically on a
certain hypothetical “correct” way of doing things.
Rather, the aim is to increase awareness of the
issues involved, and to help you integrate
whatever you find useful into your own music
making.
4.Group activities and discussions provide a
pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. You try new
and refined skills, and discuss and compare with
other participants. The teachers know very well
how to use the dynamics of the group to help the
learning process.
Individual Lesson Time
1.
One very useful form of teaching is sometimes
called “forum teaching” or a master class.
It consists of individual discussion between a
participant and the teacher, whereby other
members of the group observe what is going on.
The subject may be technical or interpretative, or
very often a combination of the two.
2.
If the person having the “lesson” likes the idea,
it can be very informative to have group
discussions at the end of the lesson.
3.
Of course there is no pressure at all. Some
people don't feel good if other people are looking
on, so a completely private lesson as an
alternative to an open forum-style lesson is
always possible.
The MANDOLIN ACADEMY believes strongly that
playing music is a joyful activity, and that everybody
plays best when they are relaxed and happy.
(Course languages: English, Dutch, German)
Course Material
Course material in the form of suitable technical
information, practical exercises and musical
examples will be provided. Of course you are also
welcome to discuss areas which particularly
interest you. If something concerns you, it probably
concerns other people too!
Many people are surprised at how fascinating and
enjoyable it is to pay attention to details which may
well have been neglected in the past. It is exciting
to expand one’s own boundaries, and discover
untapped potential. The seminars help you to
discover and develop your own possibilities.
An important activity is actually applying the
information discussed to playing appropriate music,
and much attention is paid to the various issues of
playing in an ensemble.
IDEAS AND POSSIBILITIES
We are at home in the music world of Venice. If you
have ideas of your own about the subjects for
teaching courses, please let us know, and we can
discuss possibilities.
Marina Eckhardt - Mandolin and Guitar
Marina Eckhardt is a graduate of the Fontys
Conservatory in Tilburg, Netherlands and a
seasoned performer. She plays in various chamber
music ensembles, and works with other
mandolinists, and also with players of other
instruments like the accordion, guitar, piano and
organ. She is well-known as a teacher of both
mandolin and guitar, and as director of several
regional mandolin ensembles in the Netherlands.
She is particularly interested in contemporary
music, and Venetian mandolin music by Antonio
Vivaldi, Giuseppe Paolucci and others. Another
important part of her work in the Netherlands is to
promote the mandolin by holding workshops in
schools.
THE TEACHERS ARE KEITH HARRIS AND
MARINA ECKHARDT
There have been enormous developments in the
field of mandolin playing and research in recent
decades. Marina and Keith have been part of this
process, so you can be sure you get the latest and
best information available. The Academy will hold
courses for mandolin lovers from all over the world.
The courses will contain cutting-edge information,
in particular in the areas of sound and technical
efficiency. See More Details About The Courses At
The MANDOLIN ACADEMY below.
Keith Harris - Mandolin Pedagogue, Conductor,
Composer and Author
Keith Harris has been involved with the mandolin
for very many years. From teaching for pocket
money at the age of twelve in Sydney (Australia) in
the 60s to holding a teaching commission at the
Music University in Heidelberg (Germany) in the
90s and giving seminars and master classes all
over the world, he teaches students of every level
and ability. For some years now, he has been
offering online teaching, and has students all over
the world. The students range from complete
beginners to professionals.
Keith Harris' international
reputation as performer
and teacher guarantees
his unsurpassed
knowledge of the
instrument. But it is his
insight into other
people's problems and
remarkable skill in
offering individual
solutions that particularly
make his teaching
outstanding and unique.
For more information,
click on the button to
visit his website.
For more information, click on the button to visit
her website.