At the heart of English folk
Whether you want to learn to play from scratch, or improve your technique and musical confidence, come and enjoy high quality teaching from professional folk musicians at Cecil Sharp House.
"Totally brilliant - my favourite Saturdays! Great teaching from a great player, in a dynamic class." Student
Run by the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) since 2008, our Saturday Folk Music Workshops promote the musical traditions of the British Isles and beyond through affordable group classes in a range of folk instruments and song.
Fun, welcoming and expertly taught workshops at different levels in accordion, banjo, fiddle, guitar, melodeon, penny whistle and mixed instrument classes, led by our team of expert folk artist tutors including Hazel Askew, David Delarre, Beth Gifford, Ed Hicks, Paul Hutchinson, Jacquelyn Hynes and Laurel Swift.
Saturdays at Cecil Sharp House, variable dates and times, from 10.00
The academic year will run from September 2017 - April 2018
Autumn Term 2017: 9, 23, 30 Sept | 14, 21 Oct | 4, 18 Nov | 2, 16 Dec
Spring Term 2018: 20, 27 Jan | 3, 17 Feb | 3, 17, 24 March | 14, 21 April
Timetable and fees
Termly fees: £113 | £90 concessions*
Advance booking required
Annual Enrolment
We recommend enrolling for the whole year (Autumn and Spring term). We offer a 5% discount if you choose to pay for the whole year at the beginning of the autumn term. Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details.
Annual fee: £210 | £172 concessions*
*Concessions are available to people who are in full-time education; in receipt of Job Seekers Allowance; in receipt of Income-Based Benefit (such as Income Support, Housing or Council Tax Benefit, Working Tax Credit, Pension Credit). To book concessionary rates please call the box office on 020 7485 2206. The box office is open between 9.30 and 17.00 Monday to Friday. Evidence of concession will need to be provided before the start of term by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with a copy of your supporting documentation.
Please note that we only accept complete beginners during the Autumn term. For more information about classes and levels visit the individual class pages via the menu on the left.
To book your place, please select your instrument from the menu on the left for further information.
We run classes in Accordion, Banjo (five string clawhammer), Fiddle, Guitar, Melodeon (D/G with at least two right hand rows) and Song, with a mixed instrument class: Ceilidh Band.
Our tutors are all inspiring and friendly professional folk musicians who regularly perform, tour and teach.
See the individual class pages for more information - click the menu on the left.
Level descriptions
Instrument specific information is available from the individual class pages to the left.
LEVEL 1 (absolute beginners)
No need to have picked up the instrument before.
LEVEL 2 (beginners)
For those who have some basic knowledge of playing the instrument and want to develop their skills
LEVEL 3 (improvers)
For those who can play the basics on the instrument and want to improve and expand their knowledge of traditional folk music.
LEVEL 4 (intermediate)
For those who are confident on their instrument, have some knowledge of the traditional folk repertoire and who want to extend their skills to extend their skills.
Please select your instrument from the menu on the left to book.
Please note that we only accept new absolute beginner students in the autumn term. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 020 7241 8953, before enroling if you have any queries.
We have limited numbers of banjos, accordions, guitars and melodeons available to hire for a small fee plus a deposit. If you would like to hire an instrument please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | 020 7241 8953
Promoted by the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS)
It is a policy of EFDSS not to refund participants for missed classes.
Refunds are only given:
- If your course is cancelled or closed early.
If you enrol on a course but decide after the first session but before the second class of term that it is not right for you then you can either:
- transfer your booking from one instrument to another (depending on availability). If the course of your choice is full then we can reserve a place for you on the following term.
- or have the course fees refunded to you minus an administration charge of £15 (as long as you contact us before the second class of term).
These terms and conditions only apply to Saturday Folk Music Workshops.