Learning Resources

Welcome!

Welcome to Folk Music Starting Points, created by National Youth Folk Ensemble music leaders Miranda Rutter, Rob Harbron, Sam Partridge and Grace Smith.   

Who is Folk Music Starting Points for?

This film series is for young musicians and their music teachers and leaders. Pitched at young musicians who play any instrument, the resource is suitable for people new to folk and experienced folk musicians who wish to re-cap folk specific techniques. 

What is Folk Music Starting Points?

The films aim to demystify folk music by providing ways in to learning by ear, introducing folk specific techniques, and suggesting ideas for adding chords and harmony to folk tunes.

How does Folk Music Starting Points work?

The films will take you on a step-by-step learning journey. There are three films in total – please watch them in order. To view them, click on the links below or download them to your device. The accompanying PDF summarises each of the workshops and, in some cases, provides alternative notes for transposing instruments. 

Film 1: Learning a Tune by Ear with Sam Partridge and Grace Smith

Film 2: Bringing a Tune to Life with Miranda Rutter and Rob Harbron

Film 3: Going Beyond the Tune with Rob Harbron and Miranda Rutter

Audio: The Drummer

What do you think?

The English Folk Dance and Song Society would love to hear from you about how you have found this resource and if you have ideas about how to improve or develop its content. Drop them a line: [email protected]

What is the National Youth Folk Ensemble?

The National Youth Folk Ensemble brings together talented young musicians from across England to create inspiring new arrangements of folk music. Ensemble members experience intensive residential courses, receive expert tuition and guidance from leading folk musicians, and perform at arts venues and festivals.

Each May half-term the National Youth Folk Ensemble creative team delivers free Youth Folk Sampler Days for 12-18 year old instrumentalists. They are a chance for young musicians to play by ear, explore folk music and develop their creativity, and the route into the Ensemble for those (aged 14+) who wish to audition. 

Our Youth Folk Engagement Programme aims to enable young people throughout England to discover, play and love folk music. We help foster the growth of local and regional opportunities to play folk music, particularly where there is currently little provision, and we support music educators to enable this to happen.

Find out more at efdss.org/youthfolk

This resource (films, PDF, audio files and website content) can be used and shared free of charge for non-commercial educational use only. Permission must be sought from EFDSS for any other use of this material.