You need new Rosin, you’re Violin hasn’t been cleaned in years, and the case is starting to get crowded.

Sound familiar?

Get your choice of light or dark Hill Rosin, Hill Violin Cleaner, and a Kun Shoulder Rest Carrying Pouch for just $25.This kit is perfect “treat your instrument right” gift for either yourself, or that fiddler in your life.

Head on over to our eStore for more information.

The Ottawa Folklore Centre is honoured to have the legendary Roddy Ellias join our teaching staff this February 2012! Roddy is the proverbial “teacher of teachers”, and it’s difficult to find anyone in the guitar and music education business in Canada who hasn’t sat down for lessons with this fine musician, or been influenced by him in some way. Now retired from Concordia University, Roddy will be settling in to teach here one day a week only so call the school after 2pm during the week to get your time! Roddy is accepting students from beginner to advanced in jazz and classical guitar, as well as those interested in composition and theory. Also, stay tuned (pun intended) for group lessons coming in April featuring composition techniques and applied theory and harmony.

Since 1979, Roddy has played and/or recorded with Lee Konitz, Kenny Wheeler, Tom Harrel, Nat Adderley, Slide Hampton, Red Norvo, Mark Murphy, Cleo Laine, Pepper Adams, the National Arts Center Orchestra, and many more. His compositions have been performed by a great variety of artists, such as : I Musici of Montreal, Canadian singer Anne-Marie Donovan, Chelsea Bridge, the American violin virtuoso Anne Akiko Meyers, as well as by his own bands.

What a deal!

Get a Hohner Big River Harp in the Key of ‘C’ and a Hohner Harmonica Holder for just $39.95.

The Hohner Big River harmonicas are fantastic, big sounding instruments that work well in a number of different genres.

Head over to the eStore to get yours today!

Art is great.  Enjoy it.

We got ‘em.  Come and get’em.  Goldtone, Deering, Alabama, and an ever-changing selection of consignment instruments.

The Ottawa Grassroots Festival (OGF) is excited to announce that the date for their first annual mini-folk festival has been set for Saturday April 28, 2012. The festival (OGF) is an annual family-oriented celebration of folk music, dance and other participatory arts. The event will take place inside the Royal Canadian Legion, 330 Kent St. in Ottawa. The one-day festival consists of a number of different components which will take place in various parts of the building. In the afternoon, the downstairs area will offer a diverse range of participatory activities, including a ukulele singalong, contra dancing, yoga and a “playback” theatre performance. At the same time, the hall upstairs will feature several respected and talented performers, including the wonderful singer-songwriter Ana Miura, along with “open stage” performance opportunities for children as well as adults (the open stage is a Spirit of Rasputin’s presentation). All afternoon activities are free, with donations being accepted for CKCU FM, Ottawa’s long-running community radio station.

The evening concert will feature Ottawa’s own Missy Burgess, as the opener,celebrating her latest CD, “Play Me Sweet”. Her performance will be followed by the award-winning, ever-popular singer-songwriters Rick Fines and Katherine Wheatley.

Katherine Wheatley studied geology and music at university, but that doesn’t make her a “rock” musician. With influences that include Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Carole King and James Taylor, Katherine is a favourite at folk festivals and concert halls across the country. Her three CDs showcase her superb songwriting talents, exceptional guitar skills and gorgeous voice.

A veteran of the North American folk and blues circuits, Rick Fines has won the Maple Blues Award as a solo artist, along with Juno and Thomas Handy awards for his work with the band Jackson Delta. Known for his astounding fingerstyle and slide guitar playing and his engaging stage presence, Rick offers soulful songs, delightful stories and a wonderful musical experience.

Tickets for the evening concert are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Also available online here and at the Ottawa Folklore Centre.

Ottawa Grassroots Festival is run entirely by volunteers who have experience working together at other festivals. They share a passion for folk music and all that the folk community entails. All OGF volunteers have a say in how the festival is run. The emphasis is on fun, simplicity, good music and participatory arts.

Multi instrumentalist Joel Jacques has been an avid Ukulele enthusiast  for a long time.
Always one for hauling out the guitar and making music for others to sing to, Joel has always been attracted to the “make music now” aspect of the Ukulele.

His not-so-guilty fascination with the instrument began over a decade ago when he began buying, gifting, and teaching ukulele to  friends and family.

Not only has Joel worn a number of different hats at the Folklore Centre (Retail Manager and most recently Purchaser), but is also a seasoned performer who has a ton of experience with everything from French Canadian Trad, to Flamenco, to Indie Rock (the Ottawa based ‘Murder Plans’).

Joel looks forward to developing Ukulele teaching programs in the Ottawa area and promoting the instrument to current and future Ukulele converts.

“An exceptional songwriter and singer.”
- John McLaughlin (The Province, Vancouver)

“A roots music expert.”
- Roger Levesque (Edmonton Journal)

“A multi-instrumentalist and singer of vast talent”
- Brad Wheeler (The Globe and Mail)

Ye olde Lanakai LU21CE.  All the Uke you need…and more!

Great ringing sound, comfortable concert sized body, and a pick-up…all for just $209.

All set up and warranted by the X factor himself…Brian Dubbeldamn.

Search among thousands of songs in the Hal Leonard archives.  Pick your instrument(s), format, and even the key!
We’ll print it out for you right in the store!

Custom songs for you to practice, gift, or bring to your lessons.