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 from Britain and beyond. The affordable classes for small groups cover a range of folk instruments and song.
Fun, welcoming and expertly taught workshops at different levels in accordion, banjo, fiddle, guitar, melodeon and mixed instrument classes, led by our team of inspiring and friendly professional folk musicians who regularly perform, tour and teach.
For everyone aged 16 and over; and open to young people aged 12 to 15 when accompanied by a responsible fee-paying adult.
We run classes in Accordion, Banjo (five string clawhammer), Fiddle, Guitar, Melodeon (D/G with at least two right hand rows), Song, with a mixed instrument class: Ceilidh Band.
See the individual class pages for more information.
Saturdays at Cecil Sharp House, variable dates and times, from 10am.
Each workshop lasts 90 minutes.
Autumn Term: Sept 14, 21 | Oct 5, 12 | Nov 2, 9, 23, 30 | Dec 7 (9 week term)
Spring Term: Jan 18 | Feb 1, 15, 29 | Mar 7 14, 28 | Apr 4, 18 (9 week term)
NB: Saturday Folk Music Workshops do not run during the Summer Term.
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.
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Kennedy Hall
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Trefusis
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Storrow
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Committee Room
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| 10:00 - 11:30 | Song
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Fiddle 1 & 2
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Accordion 2
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Guitar 1 & 2
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| 11:45 - 13:15 | Melodeon 1 & 2
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Guitar 3 & 4
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Accordion 3 & 4
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Fiddle 2 & 3
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| 13:45 - 15:15 |
Melodeon 3
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Melodeon 4
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Banjo 3 & 4
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Fiddle 4
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| 15:30 - 17:00 | Mixed Instruments: Ceildh Band
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Banjo 1 & 2
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Annual fee: £220 | £175 concessions*
Termly fees: £118 | £95 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.
*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.
Instrument-specific information is available from the individual class pages.
LEVEL 1 (absolute beginners - offered in the Autumn term only)
No need to have picked up the instrument before. Please note that there is no Accordion Level 1.
LEVEL 2 (beginners)
For those who have some basic knowledge of playing the instrument and want to develop their skills. For Accordion players, basic sight-reading skills and an experience of the piano keyboard is essential.
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.
We have limited numbers of banjos, accordions and melodeons available to hire for a small fee plus a deposit.
£24.00 | £48.00 charge (term/annual hire fee)
+ £150.00 deposit for Accordion and Melodeon
£24.00 | £48.00 charge (term/annual hire fee)
+ £100.00 deposit for Banjo
The deposit is refundable upon the return of the instrument at the end of the hire period, minus any cost involved in restoring the instrument to the original condition (due to damage incurred by the student, excluding reasonable wear and tear).
The hirer will accept liability for the care of the instrument throughout the time they are out of storage and will be expected to have suitable insurance arrangements in place. The hirer is expected to keep the instrument in good condition and return it in the exact condition in which it was hired.
If you hire an instrument from us for the Autumn term you will need to return it on the last class of term. If you would like to keep the instrument over the Christmas holidays you will need to re-enrol for the Spring term, ensuring you pay the next term’s hire fee at the same time.
Options for booking and paying for instrument hire are offered as add-ons once you have selected the workshop/s you would like to book onto and progress through to the payment page. Alternatively, you can book via the Box Office in person or on 020 7485 2206.
Promoted by the English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS)
We cannot refund participants for missed classes.
Refunds are given only 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 apply only to Saturday Folk Music Workshops.