Button Box Course with Robert Nairn and Fergie MacDonald

Dates: 08/07/13 - 12/07/13
Price: £180 (£110 for students)
Tutor: Robert Nairn & Fergie MacDonald
Eiligible for ILA funding: No

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For the second year running we are delighted to welcome back Robert Nairn and the legendary Fergie MacDonald together for this unique course at Sabhal Mòr Ostaig.  Both are Gaelic speakers hailing from Moidart in the Western Highlands of Scotland and both men are acclaimed dance band leaders.

This 5 day course is primarily for anyone who plays the button box, from beginners to more accomplished players and is especially suited to those with an interest in playing Highland and Gaelic originating music. The course is taught in a very informal setting and the general course contents is tailored as much as possible to suit the requirements and interests of the participants. Throughout the week participants learn new tunes which are selected to suit all abilities as well as learning new playing techniques, fingering, embellishments and left hand accompaniment.  Additional instruction and advice will be available from Fergie such as different playing styles, particularly the West Coast style which Fergie MacDonald is renowned for.  There will also be the opportunity to have one to one instruction from the master himself.

Robert Nairn grew up listening to Fergie playing the box but also received instruction from an early age in the piano accordion from renowned Lochaber accordionist Dougie Hunter.  At a later date he received tuition from Meantime box player Calum (Malky) Munro and fell in love with the button box which is his main instrument of choice now.  As well as playing with many other groups, this young man has gone on to form his own dance band and can be heard regularly at Wedding dances, hotels, bars and ceilidhs throughout Scotland and beyond and has also made regular appearances on TV programmes and Robbie Shepherd’s famous BBC Scotland radio show – “Take the floor.”

Fergie MacDonald needs little introduction in Scottish Traditional music and has long been a star of the Scottish music scene and inspiration to generations of Lochaber, Highland and indeed international musicians.  This master of his art has also achieved success in the regular music charts scoring a number one hit during the time of such bands as the Beatles!  A man of many, many, talents and stories, this is a unique opportunity to come and learn from a Highlander who has done it all!

During the week, a piano accordion course led by musical wizard Addie Harper Jnr. will also be based at the College and all three maestros will give a special night of music during the course week.  In the evenings, there will therefore be plenty of opportunity to swap tunes with fellow students and a session or two in the College bar. .For more information on Robert Nairn, click here and to learn more about the extraordinary man that is Fergie MacDonald, please click here.