Easy-Level Events

Easy-level, ‘prepare in advance’ workshops

Small, friendly workshops carefully designed to introduce late starters to the joy of making music with others. Music available to participants to practise in advance.

Very Easy Puffalong (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon…and more)

A VERY easy wind equivalent of a traditional music ‘session’, with most participants playing the tune together. Ideal if you’ve only recently taken up your instrument and are looking to reinforce reading skills and build fluency. Find out more

Tentative Tootlers (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon)

An easy-level group music-making opportunity aimed primarily at players with 8 or more notes up to around Grade 3 standard.  Find out more

Happy Honkers (Clarinet, Saxophones, Brass)

An easy-level group music-making opportunity aimed primarily at players with 8 or more notes up to around Grade 3 standard.  Find out more

Easy Festive Blow (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, Saxophones, Brass)

Easy group music-making with a festive flavour.  Aimed primarily at players of Grade 1 – Grade 3 standard.  Find out more

For all workshops, players will require their own instrument and should bring a music stand if possible.  Advance booking is essential.

Very Easy Puffalong (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon…and others)

When and Where?

Two possible venues:

Birnam Arts Centre, Station Road, Birnam, Dunkeld, PH8 0DS

  • Sunday 7th September 2025, 11 – 11:45am £10
  • Sunday 2nd November 2025, 11 – 11:45am £10

Bridge of Allan – Honeyman Hall, Bridge of Allan Parish Church, Keir Street, Bridge of Allan, FK9 4AT

  • Tuesday 30th September 2025, 6:45 – 7:30pm £10
  • Tuesday 28th October 2025, 6:45 – 7:30pm £10
  • Tuesday 18th November 2025, 6:45 – 7:30pm £10

Come to one workshop, or to several, as you prefer!

Would it suit me?

The idea behind the Very Easy Puff-Along is to provide comparative beginners with a low-stress opportunity to make music with other enthusiastic but not-yet-competent late-starter musicians! Ideally, you should be able to manage a range of about 8 notes or more.

Music will include simple tunes and rhythm exercises which we will play through in unison, or in very straightforward two-part arrangements. We’ll be aiming for a nice pedantic speed and plenty of repetition!

Great for motivation, as well as introducing basic ensemble skills, such as tuning up, keeping in time and not stopping or going back if you make a mistake. Music available to participants to practise in advance.

Space permitting, saxophones, brass, recorders and even non-puffing instruments like bowed strings are welcome to join the Very Easy Puffalong. Please be aware, however, that keys and note ranges will be chosen primarily to suit beginners on orchestral woodwind instruments.

(If you are already a fluent sight-reader, Very Easy Puffalong will be too easy for you…so please consider coming along to one of the other workshops instead!)

Do I get music in advance? 

Practice parts for some of the pieces will either be made available to download, or e-mailed out in PDF form a couple of weeks beforehand.  Please give details of your ‘comfort’ range of notes, plus any previous musical experience when booking, to help ensure appropriate music.  If in doubt, err on the side of caution.  Until you are used to it, playing along with others can prove quite distracting. It helps if the notes are relatively straightforward, so that you can give more of your attention to staying in the correct place! 

What do I need to bring?

  • Yourself
  • Your instrument, plus any relevant accessories (e.g. strap/harness, spare reed)
  • Your practice copies – especially if you have covered these in helpful annotations
  • Soft pencil and eraser
  • Music stand (if possible)
  • Reading glasses (if required)

How do I book?

Just e-mail info@blowandblast.co.uk putting ‘Very Easy Puffalong’ and the venue/date in the subject line.  Please let us know your name and some information about your instrument and standard – e.g. the range of notes with which you are comfortable, particular problem areas, any previous musical experience. 

Tentative Tootlers (Flute, Oboe, B-flat Clarinet, Bassoon)

When and where?

Sunday 26th October 2025, 1 – 2:30pm, BIRNAM £35

Birnam Arts Centre, Station Road, Birnam, Dunkeld, PH8 0DS

Would it suit me?

This workshop caters for adult learners or ‘returners’ who play flute, oboe, clarinet in B-flat, or bassoon.  A mini ‘adult beginner band’ just for woodwind, Tentative Tootlers is aimed primarily at those with a minimum of 8 notes or so, up to about Grade 3 level.  Perhaps you’ve never played in any kind of group before, or you’ve tried an amateur band or orchestra, only to find yourself overwhelmed – so are looking for something slower-paced, with easier music and more individual attention and support.  Tentative Tootlers is also ideal for those returning to their instrument after a long gap, who would like some easy-level group playing where there is no need to feel embarrassed by occasional squeaks or memory lapses about fingerings.

What will we cover?

General playing skills: Holding an independent musical line, maintaining a steady pulse, rhythmic accuracy, dynamics, articulation, etc.

Ensemble skills: Tuning up, following a conductor, understanding musical jargon, coping with rests, balance, ensemble etiquette.

By the end of the workshop, you should have a better understanding of the skills and terminology involved in playing with others.  Group music-making is very motivating, as well as providing excellent reinforcement of individual learning.  Participants benefit from the requirement to play at a steady speed, regardless of errors, and from being encouraged to observe details of dynamics and articulation.

Do I get music in advance? 

Practice parts for some of the pieces will be e-mailed out in PDF form a couple of weeks beforehand.  Please give details of your ‘comfort’ range of notes, plus any previous musical experience when booking, so that we can aim to give you appropriate music.  If in doubt, err on the side of caution.  Until you are used to it, playing in a group can prove quite distracting. It helps if the notes are relatively straightforward, so that you can give more of your attention to staying in the correct place! 

What do I need to bring?

  • Yourself
  • Your instrument, plus any relevant accessories (e.g. strap/harness, spare reed)
  • Your practice copies – especially if you have covered these in helpful annotations
  • Soft pencil and eraser
  • Music stand (if possible)
  • Reading glasses (if required)

What does it cost?

The fee for this workshop is £35

How do I book?

Just e-mail info@blowandblast.co.uk putting ‘Tentative Tootlers’ and the venue/date in the subject line.  Please let us know your name and some information about your instrument and standard – e.g. the range of notes with which you are comfortable, particular problem areas, any previous musical experience. 

As this workshop is tailored to those taking part, payment will be required to confirm your booking – we will send you out a link (or BACS details) to enable you to do this online.

Closing date for bookings:

To be in a position to send out appropriate music for players to practise in advance, it helps if participants book early – ideally by the end of September. However, please don’t be deterred from applying after this point.

Cancellations

Uptake for easy-level events can be very variable and, as part of the point is the group experience, these workshops may be cancelled in the event of poor enrolment.

In the event of the workshop being cancelled (with or without notice), any fees paid would be refunded in full.  However, Blow & Blast accepts no liability for other costs incurred.  Players should be aware that they make their applications on this basis.

Should you be obliged to cancel after making your booking, please let us know as soon as possible.  If your place can be filled by someone on a waiting list, we would then refund the fee, less an administration charge of £10

Happy Honkers (Saxophones & Brass)

When and where?

Sunday 28th September 2025, 1pm – 2:30pm, BIRNAM £35

Birnam Arts Centre, Station Road, Birnam, Dunkeld, PH8 0DS

Would it suit me?

Happy Honkers caters for adult learners or ‘returners’ who play clarinet, saxophone or a brass instrument.  A sort of adult ‘beginner band’ workshop, Happy Honkers is aimed primarily at those with a minimum of 8 notes or so, up to about Grade 3 level.  Perhaps you’ve never played in any kind of group before, or you’ve tried an amateur band or orchestra, only to find yourself overwhelmed – so are looking for something slower-paced, with easier music and more individual attention and support.  Happy Honkers is also ideal for those returning to an instrument after a long gap, who would like some easy-level group playing where there is no need to feel embarrassed by occasional squeaks or memory lapses about fingerings.

What will we cover?

General playing skills: Holding an independent musical line, maintaining a steady pulse, rhythmic accuracy, dynamics, articulation, etc.

Ensemble skills: Tuning up, following a conductor, understanding musical jargon, coping with rests, balance, ensemble etiquette.

By the end of the workshop, you should have a reasonable understanding of the skills and terminology involved in playing with others.  Group music-making is very motivating, as well as providing excellent reinforcement of individual learning.  Participants benefit from the requirement to play at a steady speed, regardless of errors, and from being encouraged to observe details of dynamics and articulation.

Do I get music in advance?

Practice parts for some of the pieces will be e-mailed out in PDF form a couple of weeks beforehand.  Please give details of your ‘comfort’ range of notes, plus any previous musical experience when booking, so that we can aim to give you appropriate music.  If in doubt, err on the side of caution.  Until you are used to it, playing in a group can prove quite distracting. It helps if the notes are relatively straightforward, so that you can give more of your attention to staying in the correct place!

What do I need to bring?

  • Yourself
  • Your instrument, plus any relevant accessories (e.g. strap/harness, spare reed, valve oil)
  • Your practice copies – especially if you have covered these in helpful annotations
  • Soft pencil and eraser
  • Music stand (if possible)
  • Reading glasses (if required)

What does it cost?

The fee for this workshop is £35

How do I book?

Just e-mail info@blowandblast.co.uk putting ‘Happy Honkers’ in the subject line.  Please let us know your name and some information about your instrument and standard – e.g. the range of notes with which you are comfortable, particular problem areas, any previous musical experience. 

As this workshop is tailored to those taking part, payment will be required to confirm your booking – we will send you out a link (or BACS details) to enable you to do this online.

Closing date for bookings:

To be in a position to send out appropriate music for players to practise in advance, it helps if participants book early – ideally by the end of August. However, please don’t be deterred from applying after this point.

Cancellations

Uptake for easy-level events can be very variable and, as part of the point is the group experience, these workshops may be cancelled in the event of poor enrolment.

In the event of the workshop being cancelled (with or without notice), any fees paid would be refunded in full.  However, Blow & Blast accepts no liability for other costs incurred.  Players should be aware that they make their applications on this basis.

Should you be obliged to cancel after making your booking, please let us know as soon as possible.  If your place can be filled by someone on a waiting list, we would then refund the fee, less an administration charge of £10

Easy Festive Blow (Woodwind, Saxophones, Brass)

When and where?

Sunday 14th December 2025, 11am – 12:30pm, BIRNAM £35

Birnam Arts Centre, Station Road, Birnam, Dunkeld, PH8 0DS

Would it suit me?

The Easy Festive Blow caters for adult learners or ‘returners’ who play flute, oboe, clarinet in B-flat, bassoon, saxophone (all sizes) or a brass instrument.  The workshop is aimed primarily at players from around Grade 1 up to about Grade 3 standard, who would like the opportunity to make some festive music in an easy-level mini-wind band, with parts tailored to their ability level. 

What will we cover?

Mostly, the aim is to have some fun playing festive music. However, you will also be acquiring transferrable skills including following a conductor, moving between melody and accompaniment roles and giving consideration to issues for phrasing, balance and style.

Do I get music in advance? 

Practice parts for some of the pieces will be e-mailed out in PDF form a couple of weeks beforehand.  Please give details of your ‘comfort’ range of notes, plus any previous musical experience when booking, so that we can aim to give you appropriate music.

What do I need to bring?

  • Yourself
  • Your instrument, plus any relevant accessories (e.g. strap/harness, spare reed, valve oil)
  • Your practice copies – especially if you have covered these in helpful annotations
  • Soft pencil and eraser
  • Music stand (if possible)
  • Reading glasses (if required)

What does it cost?

The fee for this workshop is £35

How do I book?

Just e-mail info@blowandblast.co.uk putting ‘Easy Festive Blow’ in the subject line.  Please let us know your name and some information about your instrument and standard – e.g. the range of notes with which you are comfortable, particular problem areas, any previous musical experience. 

As this workshop is tailored to those taking part, payment will be required to confirm your booking – we will send you out a link (or BACS details) to enable you to do this online.

Closing date for bookings:

To be in a position to send out appropriate music for players to practise in advance, it helps if participants book early – ideally by early November. However, please don’t be deterred from applying after this point.

Cancellations

Uptake for easy-level events can be very variable and, as part of the point is the group experience, this workshop may be cancelled in the event of poor enrolment.

In the event of the workshop being cancelled (with or without notice), any fees paid would be refunded in full.  However, Blow & Blast accepts no liability for other costs incurred.  Players should be aware that they make their applications on this basis.

Should you be obliged to cancel after making your booking, please let us know as soon as possible.  If your place can be filled by someone on a waiting list, we would then refund the fee, less an administration charge of £10