2010 Dulcimer Week Classes

Morning courses contain a total of twelve and a half hours of sequential training, primarily focusing on playing and general music skills, including repertoire to demonstrate those skills. Afternoon courses provide six and a quarter hours of sequential repertoire teaching, at the skill levels specified.

MOUNTAIN DULCIMER CLASSES

BEGINNER MOUNTAIN DULCIMER: SKILLS (Bonnie Leigh)
Prerequisites: No previous music skills are required. In this class you will join the fun and interesting world of the Appalachian mountain dulcimer. You will learn how to care for the dulcimer, how to change a string without fear, how to properly hold the dulcimer on your lap, proper posture while playing, how to hold the pick and then how to play it. We will learn how to read and understand dulcimer tablature (playing by fret numbers). Once we learn how to play with tab we will learn how to play without it, by ear. You will learn how to strum smoothly and how to use different strum patterns, then how to make a strum pattern work into a tune. We will also learn some chords and see how they can make a tune sound rich and more full. The noter stick is used in traditional style playing, and we will learn to play with it for a unique sound. You’ll learn how to play together in a group, in a stress-free, lighthearted class where you will make new friends while enjoying yourself with music. You’ll need to bring a mountain dulcimer, pick, noter stick (if you don’t have one, Bonnie will have a few extras that can be borrowed), an electronic tuner if you have one, a pencil, and a music stand.

ADVANCED BEGINNER MOUNTAIN DULCIMER: SKILLS (Thomasina)
Prerequisites: You should be comfortable with the skills described for the Beginner level above. Course goals: to build your skills enough to eventually progress to Intermediate playing level. We will work on rhythm and timing, smoothing out your playing style, beginning fingerpicking, making the leap from DAA tuning to DAD, learn easy modal theory, jamming and playing with others, left-hand embellishments, using the capo to play in different keys and modes, singing with the dulcimer and playing back-up with simple chords. The class will be introduced to chord-melody style playing (combining melody and harmony notes). Easy music appropriate for this course will be distributed and taught. Be prepared to ask questions and to have FUN! If you don’t have a capo, they are not expensive and the Acoustic Corner booth will have some to purchase.

INTERMEDIATE MOUNTAIN DULCIMER: SKILLS (Rob Brereton)
Prerequisites: We’ll start with a review of playing techniques through the Advanced Beginner level. Then we will cover: chord-melody style playing and how chords are integrated with the melody in it; going beyond basic chords to further enrich your music; right-hand techniques to develop your own unique strums for chordal accompaniment; fingerpicking for for melodic lead as well as for accompaniment; flatpicking techniques; left-hand technques for efficient fingerings, hammer-ons, pull-offs and slides; valuable tips to make your playing smooth, expressive and musical; and the use of the capo to play in different keys and modes. If you don’t have a capo, the Acoustic Corner supply booth will have them for sale. To demonstrate and provide future practice for these techniques, Rob will teach a varied repertoire that will, in part, include American and Celtic traditional music, classical, and duets and tips for playing with others.

EXPERIENCED MOUNTAIN DULCIMER: SKILLS (Bing Futch)
Prerequisites: You should be able to retune your dulcimer (DAA, DAD, DAC, DAG, etc.), have a working knowledge of melody/drone and chord shapes, be able to read tablature, and maintain a good right-hand strumming rhythm. In this course, you’ll learn a grab bag of techniques that will help you to play passionately, bringing each piece of music alive with emotion! We’ll explore five distinctly different genres of music (Delta blues, Irish, old-time, Polynesian and popular/modern) while incorporating elements of playing technique such as hammer-ons, pull-offs, harmonics, rhythmic left- and right-hand muting, flat-, cross- and double-picking, slides, bends, vibrato and tremolo. Also covered will be finger independence, hand placement, smooth transitions, mindful chord voicings and inversions, all to help you not only play with dynamic ability but with efficiency as well. You’ll learn how to create your own arrangements of tunes and how to accompany other players using harmony and counterpoint. You should know how to use a capo and have one ready to use during the week. A pencil, music stand and audio recorder will also come in handy.

ADV. BEG. MD. REPERTOIRE (Rob Brereton)
This course will teach varied repertoire to support the playing techniques being learned and played in the Advanced Beginner class. Each day we’ll learn and explore a different style of music and/or playing: traditional drone-style Appalachian music, Celtic music, some simple Classical music – along the way getting tips on strumming, left-hand work, and also using some fingerpicking for variety.

INTERMED. MD REPERTOIRE: IMPROVISATION (Thomasina)
This is a FUN workshop! Throw away the tab and bring your instrument for an inspiring session of music-making in a supportive atmosphere. Improvisation is a moment-to-moment experience, which allows a musician to take a leap from the familiar into the unknown. Improvisational techniques developed by the Music for People curriculum will allow students to explore their own musical possibilities. All instruments and voices welcomed.

INTERMED. & EXPERIENCED MD REPERTOIRE (Bing Futch)
The class will learn old time tunes like “Elzick’s Farewell” and “Old-Time Liza Jane;” Irish tunes like the jig “Road to Lisdoonvarna” and the slow air “Ned of the Hill;” and bluegrass tunes like “Blackberry Blossom.” We will use DAD and DGD tunings; bring a capo please.

HAMMERED DULCIMER CLASSES

BEGINNER HAMMERED DULCIMER: SKILLS (Joe Holbert)
This class will focus on the basics of playing traditional hammered dulcimer. No previous experience is required, and it is not a prerequisite to read music. Students will learn to play a variety of traditional melodies, how to tune their hammered dulcimer, the correct way to hold the hammers, hammering techniques, and basic harmony. Students will need to bring a hammered dulcimer with stand and a tuning wrench. An audio recorder is highly recommended; an electronic tuner would be very helpful but is not required. This class will meet mornings and afternoons to provide three full periods of instruction each day. Time will be set aside for individual practice and for 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 two-period morning course is on development of hammering skills, gaining a full understanding of the layout of the instrument while focusing on learning a variety of standard techniques used for arranging (e.g. three-note chords, flams, baselines, tremolos, arpeggio fills, etc). Basic backup ideas along with music theory applied to the hammered dulcimer will be included. These techniques will be applied in a variety of relatively simple pieces of music, which will be taught through demonstration, by ear, and by using standard musical notation. Use of an audio recorder is highly recommended.

INTERMEDIATE HAMMERED DULCIMER: SKILLS (Jem Moore)
“Filling in the Holes.” Prerequisites: Students should have a good grasp of their instrument and a working body of tunes that they already play. The thrust of this workshop will be how to add embellishments and harmonies to any piece. Like the subtitle hints, we start with finding the space in the melody where extra things can be added, and learn a wide range of techniques to draw from, including chords, runs, interval harmonies, double- and triple-rolls, ghost notes, and others. We will also take on the wide variety of chords, and how changing small elements in them can help create large changes in the feel of a piece. Avoiding the dreaded word “theory,” Jem uses simple analogies and demonstrations to help people reach a deeper understanding of chord structure and usage.

EXPERIENCED HAMMERED DULCIMER: SKILLS (Dan Landrum)
Do you experienced players ever notice that one hand seems less experienced than the other? Get ready for a bunch of whole-brain playing techniques to help balance the disparity between your weak and strong hand! Bringing the weak hand up to speed will result in a more relaxed you, capable of playing with greater dynamic efficiency, groove, and musicality. Yes, it is a lot of work, but I promise we’ll have fun and you’ll leave with practical techniques to help you get your groove on.

ADV. BEG./INTERMED. HD REPERTOIRE (Dan Landrum)
Some tunes, like the Irish hornpipe, “Harvest Home,” are deceptively simple and offer much more than catchy melodies. We’ll learn some tunes, but more importantly, why simple tunes you already know may be your greatest resource. Topics will include: Why Triplets Trip Us, Been There-Drone That, Really Swinging on a Gate, and more.

ADV. BEG./INTERMED. HD REPERTOIRE: ESSENCE OF OLD-TIME MUSIC (Walt Michael)
Southern old-time instrumentalists often close ranks and exclude the hammered dulcimer from their musical circles. This class will focus on learning how to play old-time tunes on the hammered dulcimer in such a way that the essence of old-time music is achieved. An emphasis will be placed on rhythm and timing, note selection, and getting that old-time feeling when you are playing. Walt is well-known for successfully integrating the hammered dulcimer into bluegrass and old-time formats. Music will be provided in standard notation and tablature, but most of the instruction will be done via ear-training. We will play these great old tunes until we get them right!

INT./EXP. HD REPERTOIRE: PERFORMING! (Walt Michael)
Walt Michael’s musical career has taken him almost everywhere imaginable, from the coal camps of Appalachia to the Closing Ceremonies of the Winter Olympic Games with a worldwide television audience of 900 million viewers. This course will present an overview of the multitude of things that go into crafting and delivering appropriate and effective performances. Our goal will be to help you no matter where you might anticipate playing your instrument, including concerts, weddings, dulcimer events, street playing, recording studios, house concerts, religious services, dramatic theater and more. Walt will provide help on material selection, narrative, researching music for authenticity, creating effective arrangements, incorporating accompanying instruments, creating and executing set lists, relating to your audience, and self evaluation. He will provide some suggested performance tunes that the class can develop. Walt will also cover how to find the right venues for your level and style of performance and how to market yourself. In a supportive and positive environment, students will have the optional opportunity to perform for one another and the instructor. For some informally filmed videos of Walt in performance, go to www.youtube.com/ and search for “Walt Michael & Company.”

INT./EXP. HD REPERTOIRE: ENSEMBLE ARRANGING & BACKUP (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.

EXPERIENCED HD REPERTOIRE (Jem Moore)
The class will explore the art of composing for the dulcimer, and breaking out of some of the boundaries imposed by traditional music. Jem will be teaching two original compositions for hammered dulcimer, using all of the techniques he has put together over 25 years of playing. The pieces will challenge you to get good with both hands, feel comfortable playing across the entire range of your dulcimer, and explore unusual rhythms and time signatures. Bring your “A” game to this one!

ENRICHMENT SESSIONS

More evening sessions will be added, including Tuesday night’s “Introduction to the Bowed Dulcimer” with enrichment guest Kenneth Bloom. Open to all who are interested in the revival of this unique way to play mountain dulcimer. Ken will have some loaner bowed dulcimers. They are played with cello bows and have special construction for bowed resonance. There will be some history, but everyone will get a chance to try playing the bowed dulcimer.