2008 Dulcimer Week Classes

MOUNTAIN DULCIMER CLASSES

BEGINNER MOUNTAIN DULCIMER: SKILLS (Lorinda Jones)
Prerequisites: All you need to succeed in this course is a dulcimer, a pair of hands and the desire to make music. The class will meet during all three sessions each day for continuous nurturing and support. In a relaxed atmosphere, beginners will learn how to tune the dulcimer and find the notes that become melodies, how to strum in rhythm, and use both the fingers and the traditional noter stick to change notes cleanly. We’ll learn to play by ear and also from simple tablature (playing by fret number), along with some basic musical principles like rhythm and chords. There will also be information on the basic care and feeding of the dulcimer (upkeep, care, string information, picks, teaching resources and more). If your dulcimer came with a noter stick, please bring that to class, or we’ll have some to borrow. Other items that are helpful, but not required, include an electronic tuner, a recording device, an instrument strap, or shelving material to keep your dulcimer from slipping off your lap. Feel free to email with any questions about what to bring: losnotes@alltel.net.

ADVANCED BEGINNER MOUNTAIN DULCIMER: SKILLS (Steve Eulberg)
Prerequisites: You should have the skills described for Beginner level above. You and your dulcimer will become better music partners as a result of this class! We’ll play in a variety of tunings (DAA, DAD, DAC, DGD), and work on both left-hand techniques (noter, single finger, all fingers using thumb) and right-hand techniques (strumming, flatpicking and beginning fingerpicking). We’ll learn to find melodies on all strings, make use of a capo to play in other keys, as well as play in different keys out of one tuning. We’ll “noodle” and find harmony notes and chord shapes that are portable and transferable. Students will learn by ear and make use of tablature and standard musical notation. If you have any questions to help you prepare for this class, please email Steve at steve@owlmountainmusic.com

INTERMEDIATE MOUNTAIN DULCIMER: SKILLS (Stephen Seifert)
Students should be familiar with the techniques described above for Advanced Beginner skill level. Please review your skills before you arrive, and have your dulcimer “wish list” ready. This intermediate course focuses on knowing how your mountain dulcimer works and polishing your musical style. Left-hand techniques will include hammer-ons, pull-offs, and slides, and smoothing out your playing. Right-hand techniques will include non-syncopated and syncopated strumming, and special strums for Irish jigs, fingerpicking, and flatpicking. Musical skills will include ear development, memorizing music, basic music principles applied to mountain dulcimer, chord shapes, using capos, and some skills to help you play your favorite music on the instrument. Steve will offer simple ways to change melody and rhythm to add variety to your playing. Repertoire will include mostly traditional tunes in DAD tuning. One morning will be spent exploring other tunings. Although there is a set curriculum for this class that will be followed, we’ll allow some time to address students’ individual playing questions.

EXPERIENCED MOUNTAIN DULCIMER: SKILLS (Terry Lewis)
Students signing up for this course should be fairly proficient at strumming and playing chords. The week will start with a brief review of right- and left-hand techniques including strumming, flatpicking, fingerpicking, fingering, slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and more. We’ll work on clear playing, solid rhythms and more knowledge of chords. To bring out your own style and make you an independent player, Terry will show how to arrange music you like on the mountain dulcimer either from written sheet music or recordings. He’s an expert at the TablEdit computer program for generating tablature, which he’ll use to demonstrate a better understanding of writing arrangements. Terry will teach some of the delightful fiddle tunes and bluegrass music he’s known for, but the skills learned from them will apply to other styles as well. Our main dulcimer tuning will be DAD; please also bring a capo. As a special treat, Terry and his wife Pam will bring their low A baritone mountain dulcimers and show how they can be played with dulcimers tuned to D to provide a guitar-like back-up.

ADV. BEG. MD. REPERTOIRE: EASY BLUEGRASS & FIDDLE TUNES (Terry Lewis)
Learn to play simple arrangements of fun old-time fiddle tunes and bluegrass melodies. We’ll explore the underlying rhythms of these tunes and learn to play them with drive and feeling. Primarily we will be in DAD tuning, but other tunings will be introduced.

INTERMED. MD REPERTOIRE (Steve Eulberg)
We’ll have a different focus each day in order to broaden our repertoire of tunes and end up with a bouquet of beauty to take home. Day 1: minor/major tunes. We’ll explore tunes that live in two modes at once, in a single tuning – “A La Nanita Nana” and “Just a Sliver Short of Full.” Day 2: Irish tunes – “Swallowtail Jig” and “Road to Lisdoonvarna” (capo required). Day 3: Capo – Fiddle tunes in their “home” keys. Day 4: Fingerpicking hymns – “Abide With Me” and more. Day 5: Flatpicking and articulation –“Another Jig Will Do” and “Soaring.”

EXPERIENCED MD REPERTOIRE: BEAUTIFUL, SLOW PLAYING (Stephen Seifert)
Starting tuning: DAD. The popular “chord/melody” playing style (playing melody and harmony notes together), never sounds better than when we play slowly, relishing the notes to play lush, expressive renditions. Steve will teach right- and left-hand techniques to produce clear melody, good tone, volume, sustain, staccato/legato, and dynamics for expression and beautiful phrasing. The music will include hymns, Irish airs, and folk songs.

HAMMERED DULCIMER CLASSES

BEGINNER HAMMERED DULCIMER: SKILLS (Bill Troxler)
The primary goal is to discover the basics of traditional hammered dulcimer playing. No previous experience is required, and it is not a prerequisite to read music. A tape recorder is recommended; an electronic tuner is helpful but not mandatory. You’ll need to bring a hammered dulcimer, hammers, dulcimer stand, and tuning wrench. Students will learn to play a variety of traditional melodies. The class will also include the basics of tuning the instrument, learning a tablature system (musical notation will also be available for music readers), exploring harmony, and playing by ear. This class will meet during all three class sessions. There will also be time set aside for individual practice, requests, questions, and one-on-one time with the instructor.

ADVANCED BEGINNER HAMMERED DULCIMER: SKILLS (Ken Kolodner)
Prerequisites: Students should be able to tune their instrument, play scales in the keys of D and G, know the pitch names of the marked courses, and play a few tunes. The focus of this 12-hr. morning course will be on learning a variety of standard techniques used for arranging. We will cover how to find and use different intervals in two-note chords, how to create rising and falling bass lines, three-note chords, flams, drones, simple arpeggio fills, etc., along with the development of hammering skills and basic backup ideas. These techniques will be applied in a variety of relatively simple pieces of music, which will be taught through demonstration, by ear, and using standard musical notation. Use of a recording device is highly recommended.

INTERMEDIATE HAMMERED DULCIMER: SKILLS (Jody Marshall)
Prerequisites: Students should know the notes on the instrument, recognize basic chord patterns, and be able to comfortably play with alternating hands. The ability to read music is a plus, but not absolutely necessary if learning by ear comes easily. This class will be held for two sessions each day and is aimed at students who want to learn more about embellishing their solo playing, chord and harmony use, chord theory, accompaniment, and technique improvement. We’ll cover repertoire ranging from Celtic to classical, American to European, and more as time allows. Playing in an ensemble will be addressed, as will using the dulcimer’s voice to its best advantage in creating arrangements. Students will also be introduced to exercises designed to improve dynamic control, hand independence, and rhythm. A tape recorder or other recording device is recommended, and note-taking is encouraged!

EXPERIENCED HAMMERED DULCIMER: SKILLS (Dan Landrum)
‘“Hammer Pattern Necessities for the Solo Performer (Or Anyone Who Takes A Solo in a Band).” This class is intended for experienced players who already have a good sense of timing. You’ll learn hammer patterns and exercises you can use as a launching pad for new compositions and improvisation. We’ll also examine how to use these groove-based patterns to support melodies you already know. Sheet music examples will be included for most patterns. Dampers, chromatic notes and larger instruments are encouraged but not necessary for participation. Bring a variety of hammers as we’ll explore tonal variety by altering hammer surfaces. National Hammered Dulcimer Champion Stephen Humphries will assist with these classes.

INT./EXP. HD REPERTOIRE: PLAYING FOR DANCES (Bill Robinson)
This is an exciting opportunity for Intermediate and Experienced hammered dulcimer players to learn much more than the tunes being taught, studying with this third-generation hammered dulcimer and sixth-generation dance musician. Your experience in Bill’s class can help you infuse your playing with a sense of history, of the dances and their rhythms, using your dominant lead hand with strong melody and the other hand with syncopated rhythms, helping you develop your individual style. Bill will be prepared to teach musical pieces and techniques, but this class will be in an informal, flexible format in which you can get to know Bill and ask help on what you need. Bill tunes some of the bass notes on his dulcimer differently from standard hammered dulcimers; however, he knows standard tuning and the music he hands out is completely compatible with standard-tuned dulcimers.

ADV. BEG & UP HD: RHYTHM- TWO HAMMERS-
THAT'S ALL YOU GET (Dan Landrum)
What you get out of them may be based on your mastery of the Percussive Arts Society 40 Fundamental Rudiments. This proven method of learning rhythm and technique applies to hammered dulcimer the same as it does to any percussion instrument. We’ll learn the fundamentals needed for fluent playing and exercises to improve your proficiency, no matter what your skill level. We explore how to get energy, motion, and force working in your favor as we learn the most basic – and most important, rudiments. We’ll also study how to get the most out of practicing with a metronome. Sheet music will be provided for all rudiments and exercises National Hammered Dulcimer Champion Stephen Humphries will assist with this class.

ADV. BEG./INTERMEDIATE HD: LEARNING DANCE MUSIC (Bill Robinson)
Dance music is great fun to play and will help you develop steady rhythm. Using some familiar and new melodies, and playing at slower speeds to help you learn, Bill will give you tips on rhythm and playing this joyful music. Tunes will be taught from hand outs with help on memorizing.

INTERMED. HD: RENAISSANCE & EARLY MUSIC (Jody Marshall)
Learn some medieval melodies, courtly dance tunes, and peasant party hits dating from King Henry VIII’s reign and earlier. The ability to read music is recommended (music written in several parts will be included). Mixed instruments are encouraged, so dust off those recorders, fiddles, and flutes!

INT./EXP. HD REPERTOIRE: ARRANGING IN VARIOUS STYLES (Ken Kolodner)
We will explore arranging ideas appropriate to a wide range of tunes selected for this class. Examples will be drawn from Swedish, old-time, French Canadian and Celtic music. We will accommodate the different challenges that each presents in terms of rhythms, meters, chord progressions and ornamentation so that you can play them all within the spirit of the various traditions.