| All these handouts are .PDF files that you can retrieve by clicking on the workshop title in the table below. To view them you need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer which you can download for free by clicking on the button to the right: | |
| Workshop | Description |
|---|---|
| Dulcimer 101 | An introduction to the dulcimer for rank beginners. Answers all your questions about the instrument and how to play it without getting dizzy from staring at all those strings... |
| Speed Tuning | Tips and techniques for tuning your dulcimer as quickly and easily as posible, especially using electronic tuners. Also covers how to reset a knocked bridge and changing a broken string. |
| Learning Tunes from Written Music | Basics of reading music, and how to use written music to determine where the notes are on the dulcimer, which hand to use for which note, etc. |
| Arranging Waltzes | Simple embellishment techniques you can use to arrange waltzes. Suitable for novice to intermediate players. |
| Fit for the Fiddler I - Dulcimer Chords for Contra Dance Music | An easy to learn and use set of chord patterns that will have you playing chord backup without having to first learn chord theory. Is especially useful for playing backup with other instruments at dances and jams. See next section for accompanying sound files. |
| Fit for the Fiddler II - Chord Rhythms for Dance Music | Using the chord patterns taught in "Fit for the Fiddler I", teaches various striking patterns for playing the chords and individual notes of the chords to rhythmically embellish reels and jigs. See next section for accompanying sound files. |
| Rhythmic/Celtic Embellishments | How to embellish tunes using drags, slides, and diddley dees |
| Dulcimer - Plays Well with Others | Ideas and etiquette for playing with other instruments in ensembles or jams so you'll be asked back again. |
| Playing for Weddings | How weddings work and what to play for them. The musical and business aspects of playing the dulcimer for wedding ceremonies. |
Feel free to play them on your computer or to download the .mp3 files (by right clicking on the links and selecting "Save Link As..." or "Save Target As...") that you can then load onto a portable MP3 player (like an iPod).
| Tune | Sound Files |
|---|---|
| Reel de Montreal | Jon playing chords (example up to tempo) - coming soon Fiddle & guitar - slow tempo Fiddle & guitar - medium tempo Fiddle & guitar - up-to-tempo |
| Fisher"s Hornpipe | Jon playing chords (example up to tempo) - coming soon Fiddle & guitar - slow tempo Fiddle & guitar - medium tempo Fiddle & guitar - up-to-tempo |
| Striking Technique (from handout) |
Dulcimer-only Sound Files |
Accompanying Swallowtail Jig (Em) |
|---|---|---|
| Drone | coming soon... | coming soon... |
| Basic RLR | coming soon... | coming soon... |
| Alternating 232 | coming soon... | coming soon... |
| Alternating 212 | coming soon... | coming soon... |
| Basic Combo | coming soon... | coming soon... |
| Simple syncopated | coming soon... | coming soon... |
| Drag syncopated | coming soon... | coming soon... |
| 1st Measure syncopated |
coming soon... | coming soon... |
| 2nd Measure syncopated |
coming soon... | coming soon... |
This page last updated: 12/10/2006