Dulcimers

You are in Week 2 Dulcimer Courses
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E-Z Old Time Hammer Dulcimer:  Advanced Beginners - Intermediate  Have you always wondered why when you set your dulcimer up in a Old-time jam, the fiddler moves a little distance to the right and gives you the "googley'eyes?"  Well, it might just be your approach.  Jeanean will lead you through a vast array of fiddle tunes with emphasis on rhythm and backbeat which is the heart of old-time music.  Her sensitivity to phrasing, rhythmic variations and simplistic approach to fiddle tunes make your heart sing and your feet want to dance.  Learn how to play the melody with emphasis on dynamics not simply banging the tune out as hard and fast as you can.   The first four days will be spent learning and developing the tunes on the last day we will have members of the Martin Family Band join the class to have a real foot-stompin' old-time jam using the tunes we have learned!
Jeanean Songco Martin
Periods 1 & 2

Celtic Laments and Ballads: Advanced Beginners - Intermediate  The Celtic repertoire is laced with wonderful melodies that continue to influence American music from the symphonic hall to the dance floor.  This course will examine some of the standards and lesser known tunes in the Celtic repertoire of ballads and laments.  We will learn the melodies and then explore expressive playing styles and how to use harmonies, runs and cadenzas to create unique arrangements.  Music will be provided in standard notation and ABC format.  Most of the instruction will be done via ear-training.  We will explore tunes such as The Lament for Archibald MacDonald of Keppoch, Mourne Shore,  From the Top of the Hill, Neil Gow’s Farewell to Whiskey, Loch Aber No More, Lily of the West and more as time permits.  This course provides an opportunity to discover how to blend melody, playing style and harmony theory in order to create personal musical expressions. 
Bill Troxler 
Periods 3 & 4

Building and Playing Mountain Dulcimer:  Participants will construct a straight sided trapezoidal wooden mountain dulcimer made with lovely African mahogany tops and backs.  The mahogany has a rich orange color.  Builders will cut, rasp, sand, glue and fret materials that have been slightly worked to allow the project to be completed in one week.  The mountain dulcimer will have four strings and use mechanical tuners, which the builders will install.  All tools and materials are provided as part of the fee.  Loaner dulcimers are available so that students can learn to play as they build.  Age 9 and up.   Fee $55.00.. Tom Jolin & Slim Harrison  Periods 1 & 2