MORE DETAILS ABOUT WF 2012 MOUNTAIN DULCIMER WORKSHOPS

SUE CARPENTER

PENTATONIC SCALES

Tuning: DAD
Level: Intermediate
Pentatonic scales consist of just 5 notes that you can use to compose melodies, play harmony, and improvise in jams.  Learn these scales in the keys of D, G, and maybe A, discover a multitude of 5-note tunes, and experiment with playing the scale in several tunes that use the I, IV, and V chords.

MASTERING THOSE TROUBLE SPOTS

Tuning: DAD
Level: All
Every piece of music seems to have a trouble spot or two, measures that we dread and fear, measures that loom ominously, times when our fingers fail to fret accurately.  Learn how to make the most of your practice sessions so that practice can really make perfect.

MODES AND MODULATION

Tuning: DAD
Level: Intermediate to Advanced

Working with "The Foggy Dew," learn how to play in the key of Bm and then modulate to the key of Em without a capo.  The music is arranged for fingerpicking or flatpicking

4-STRING ARPEGGIOS

Tuning: DADD
Level:  Intermediate to Advanced
Working with the Irish lullaby: "The Castle of Dromore". Learn some deliciously beautiful arpeggios for 4 equally distant strings that can be played as either vocal accompaniment or harmony in a dulcimer duet.  Both accompaniment and melody are arranged for fingerpicking or flatpicking.

SCOTTISH TUNES

Tuning: DAD
Level: Advanced Beginner
Hone your strumming and chording skills while learning 4 lovely Scottish tunes: "The Blue Bells of Scotland", "Baloo Baleerie", "Flow Gently, Sweet Afton", and "Will Ye No' Come Back Again".  Bring a capo.

GARY GALLIER

FAREWELL, FAIR ONE

Melody with Chord Arpeggios.
Tuning: dAD
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
First time teaching my melancholy 4-part waltz, "Farewell Fair One", a tune that uses the notes contained in chords via patterned chord arpeggios.

PLAYING CROSS KEY With The 1.5

Tuning: dAD
Level: Intermediate to Advanced
The 1.5 fret allows playing in many keys without a capo or retuning from dAD.   We will learn a Celtic tune "Far From Home" in both Key of A and Key of G.

THE ALTERNATING PICK METHOD

Billy in the Lowground
Tuning: dAD
Level: Strong Intermediate to Advanced
Time-tested technique for improving speed and accuracy and playing those fiddle tunes like a real fiddle player ... except on the dulcimer.

INTRODUCTION TO FLATPICKING

Sandy River Belle
Tuning: dAD
Level: Intermediate
We will learn how to access scales across the strings rather than up and down one string using scale study and learning the tune "Sandy River Belle".

LEO KRETZNER

Leo's Definition of Intermediate:

Have the ability to play at least 4 chords in D-A-D tuning, use 2-3 fingers (left hand), and be comfortable with at least 2-3 basic rhythms. Beginning-intermediates may do alright as long as some basic chords are known. Brand new dulcimer players will feel okay only if possessing a pretty good grasp of some other instrument. Expect a progression from somewhat simple to intermediate and advanced material.

THE RHYTHM WORKSHOP

All instruments, all levels

Starting with simple foot tapping and hand slapping and progressing to a variety of strumming patterns (plus some drumming patterns useful to hammers). This is Ol' Doc Kretzner's "Rhythm Workout" -- a sure cure for sloppy, uncertain, or rigid right hands! Covered will be: basic patterns in 2s and 3s, with accents, dynamics, and variations; lots of strumming but also some essential flatpicking; playing along with tapes and playing as a group, and lots of practical tips. Open to all, from the seemingly "rhythm impaired" to advanced practitioners of musicality! Instrument not necessarily required -- YOU are the instrument.

ONE TUNING, MANY KEYS

Intermediate and beyond.

After reviewing all the basic chords in D, Leo will show how to play in the keys of G, A, and E -- some of the most common keys in the rest of the musical world -- without retuning. (A brief lesson in "Survival at C" will also be taught.) With many song samples spanning the song spectrum, both in tab and ad lib. Also, an explanation of how most different tunings are really all the same.

COUNTRY-BLUES

Intermediate and Beyond.

A sampling of melodic and chordal approaches. From the Mississippi Delta to Chicago and Detroit, by route of the Midnight Special, the blues has influenced all musical styles, including country and bluegrass. Learn basic chord progressions, boogie-woogie patterns, and how to pull those "blue notes" out of your dulcimer!

ANNETTE LINDSEY

SANDY RIVER BELLE with Capo

Beginning/advanced beginning class:  We will work on "Sandy River Belle" in DAD tuning but will also incorporate using a capo to change it to G tuning and retuning to DGD to play the tune in G. We want to explore when to capo verses retuning.  Beginners will learn a fun, easy tune while the advanced beginner will experience discovering how to start playing in other keys. (Tune to DAD and bring capo.)

TWO FUN TUNES

Advanced beginning class:  We will learn 2 fun songs.  "Little Billy Wilson" is a fun song that you can play along with the hd or other instruments.  You will need a capo to tune the dulcimer to A.  We will also learn "Crooked Ridge".  It is another fun, easy tune for you beginners but we will also be learning the accompaniment part for a duet with another dulcimer.  (Tune DAD, bring capo.)

MARGARET WRIGHT

BEGINNING THE WRIGHT WAY

For Beginners and New Players

Get the Basics.

OFF TO THE WRIGHT START

Get More Basics

BEYOND BEGINNERS

Favorite Fun Tunes in D, G and A

(Bring a capo and tuner)