Tuesday 7 May  7.30-9.00pm (Berlin time)

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For whom is it?
The KlezmerPlaybook CLUB is an online international learning community for everyone who has a copy of the Klezmer Playbook and wants to go deeper into playing in a klezmer style. It’s also an opportunity to meet and play music together in a friendly, encouraging and informal setting. The sessions are taught by Szilvia Csaranko (accordion/piano) and Susi Evans (clarinet), the authors of the Klezmer Playbook!

What are we doing?

This is a regular online workshop on Zoom where you learn about things that are not written in the score ie. how to make it ‘sound’ like klezmer music. We’ll work on two tunes from the book in each session and go into detail. Such as:

○ ornaments, tips & tricks, for all instruments!
○ klezmer style, phrasing and artikulation
○ ideas for harmony and tenor lines
○ accompaniment & rhythm parts (also for melody players!)
○ historical recordings as a source of inspiration

What do I need?

You need an internet device with Zoom,  your instrument and your copy of the Klezmer Playbook. PDFs and digital copies are not available, so you will need to purchase the book before you sign up in time for us to post it to you. You are still welcome to attend without the book but you will need to work by ear.

How much does it cost?

The KlezmerPlaybook CLUB workshops are donation based and you can attend them all or just come occasionally. We suggest you contribute 15,00 € per session you attend but feel free to give more or less. We want the KlezmerPlaybook CLUB to be open to everyone who wants to be there. Please come even if you can’t pay very much or can’t afford it every time.

What language do you teach in?

We are an international community and we teach the workshops in English language. Most of our participants are from Germany and the UK but also from Kanada, USA, Switzerland, Austria, France, Chile, Sweden, Belgium, Czech Republic or Finland. Sometimes we translate a few things to German as well.

What if I miss a workshop?

We aim to record each workshop and we've created a (not public) video archive on youtube including links to worksheets, materials and zoom chat protocols of all the past workshops since January 2021. If you want the link to any of these videos please email us.

What else?

Due to popular demand we have created some extra events for you in addition to the Sunday CLUB workshops:

Slow Playalong Session

approx. 1x month Wed or Thu 7.30-8.30pm (Berlin time)

Not much talking, just SLOW playing through the tunes we’ve studied in recent workshops plus a few more, all from the Klezmer Playbook of course. Susi on clarinet and Szilvia on piano or accordion. We will send a tune list in advance so you can prepare. Email us your favourite tunes to include in the list!

Open Jam with Friends

occasionally on a weekend day 8.00-10.00pm (Berlin time)

Play some klezmer music with us! Take out your instrument and your Klezmer Playbook and grab a drink. You can request your favourite tunes from the book and we’ll play them. You can lead a tune if you want to and you could invite other musicians to play with you at home. The only condition is that the tune you lead needs to be in the Klezmer Playbook so everybody can join in. You can also join the jam just to listen if you like. Dancing is allowed! This meeting is open to family and friends.

Sounds good?
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Sun 7 January 6-7.30pm – CLUB online workshop
Sun 28 January 6-7.30pm – CLUB online workshop
Wed 31 January 7.30-8.30pm – Slow Playalong Session
Sun 11 February 3-4.30pm – CLUB online workshop
Mon 19 January 7.30-9pm – CLUB online workshop
Wed 28 February 7.30-8.30pm – Slow Playalong Session
Sun 3 Mar 6-7.30pm – CLUB online workshop
Sun 17 Mar 6-7.30pm – CLUB online workshop
Wed 20 Mar 7.30-8.30pm – Slow Playalong Session
Sun 7 Apr 6-7.30pm – CLUB online workshop
Sun 21 Apr 6-7.30pm – CLUB online workshop
Tue 7 May 7.30-9pm – CLUB online workshop
Tue 21 May 7.30-9pm – CLUB online workshop

then we do a Summer break...

In Summer 2021 we asked the members of the KlezmerPlaybook CLUB to record themselves playing No.30 Keshenever Bulgar.

The result is just amazing! Well done everyone :-)