Join Anna Brooks (saxophone) and Iwan VanHetten (trumpet) for a practical, hands-on workshop exploring the essentials of funk playing for wind players.
Through listening, demonstrations, guided improvisation and group playing, you will explore what to play, when to play, how to play and how to make your funk playing really groove!
What you will learn:
Rhythm and groove
Develop your funk feel, explore syncopation and the use of space to make simple ideas effective.
Improvisation
Build confidence in your solos by learning just a few suitable scales that you can use in combination with your ears to create funk-driven phrases.
Sound and expression
Bring your playing to life through the use of articulation and specific expressive techniques.
Funk vocabulary
Take inspiration from great funk players, explore some funk riffs and licks and learn how to develop them to create authentic improvised funk melodies of your own.
Playing together
Listen, respond and lock in with other musicians through ensemble playing and guided jams.
Who is it for?
This workshop is open to saxophone, trumpet, trombone, flute and clarinet players of approximately Grade 4 standard or above, age 16+. You should be comfortable playing your instrument and able to read basic music, but you don’t need to be a confident sight-reader or have previous experience of funk or improvisation. If you’re unsure whether the workshop is right for you, or if you play a different wind instrument to the above and wish to attend please get in touch.
Testimonials
“It was a brilliant weekend, I learnt so much”
“I was particularly impressed by the way Anna and Iwan managed to get around all of us and keep us all together”
“Very impressed with the tutors. I’ve taken away a lot of stuff to work on.”
Workshop Timetable
Saturday 20th March 2027
Arrival: 9.30am onwards for a 10am start
Session 1: 10am–11.15am
Morning break: 11.15am–11.45am
Session 2: 11.45am–1pm
Lunch: 1pm–2pm
Session 3: 2pm–3pm
Afternoon break: 3pm–3.30pm
Session 4: 3.30pm–4.30pm
Saturday 20th 7.30 - 8.30pm at workshop venue: Performance by Anna & Iwan (free admission for workshop participants)
Sunday 21st March 2027
Arrival: 9.30am onwards for a 10am start
Session 1: 10am–11.15am
Morning break: 11.15am–11.45am
Session 2: 11.45am–1pm
Lunch: 1pm–2pm
Session 3: 2pm–3pm
Afternoon break: 3pm–3.30pm
Session 4: 3.30pm–4.30pm
useful info & faq
Where can I stay?
Book a Room at Woolacombe Bay Hotel (Workshop venue)
Airbnb Accommodation in Woolacombe
What should I bring?
Bring your instrument, a music stand, a pen and pencil and a willingness to get stuck in! An instrument stand is useful but optional.
Will there be opportunities to socialise?
Absolutely. Getting to know other players is part of the experience, with plenty of time to chat during breaks, over lunch and around Saturday’s evening performance, which is also located at the workshop venue.
Where can we eat?
Food is available to purchase at the hotel, with plenty of places nearby for lunch and evening meals.
