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| WORKSHOPS & LESSONS |
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Learn
to play the Mountain Dulcimer
with Western North Carolina's master of the |
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Don has presented his workshop/concert programs for Dulcimer Clubs and groups from California to Maine. Dulcimer Tab is provided for the tunes and songs in all the workshops. |
| Workshop Descriptions |
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For the most part, these workshops are designed to explore the depths of traditional Old-Time Music on the mountain dulcimer. Everything from accompanying simple mountain songs, to playing all the notes and rhythms of the dance tunes is available. Emphesis is on playing the traditional style of strumming across all the strings with a pick while noting the melody on one string allowing the other strings to drone. |
| This sound is what attracted many of
us to the dulcimer. Learn proven techniques to develop the economy of motion
needed to match the rhythms, dynamics and drive of the great fiddlers. These
methods work on playing everything from a gentle hymn to an up to speed
hoedown. Many of the techniques are also quite effective when applied to playing other, more modern styles of music. |
| Absolute Beginner Workshop This workshop covers the basics of learning the dulcimer, including: History of the dulcimer. Anatomy of a dulcimer. How to change a string. Questions and Answers. How to tune a dulcimer. Simple strumming and noting techniques. One leaves this workshop playing a tune or two as well as with knowledge and techniques to apply to playing many more. |
| North Harris County Dulcimer Club, Houston, TX 1998 |
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Strumming Workshop
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| Noting Workshop Noting techniques include: Three finger rolls, hammer ons, pull offs, slides, vibrato, etc.. The techniques can be applied individually or in combinations. Also included are how to use a noter, and a few simple chords. Combining the noting with the strum. |
| Playing By Ear Workshop Another important method for developing the ability to play Old-Time and other types of music, especially with others, is playing by ear. It is the traditional way the old tunes were passed on from one person to another. The methods employed to learn to play by ear are simple and effective. Many people convinced they could never play by ear have left this workshop with a different point of view. |
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Dulcimer Tunings Workshop |
| Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF), Black Mountain, NC 1999 |
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Fiddle
Tunes Workshop Main stream versions of fiddle tunes commomly heard at various festivals. Develop a repertoire of tunes played at musical gatherings from coast to coast. Tunes include: Old Joe Clark, Soldiers Joy, Whiskey Before Breakfast, Little Rabbit, Arkansas Traveler and / or whatever tunes suit the group. |
| Rare Versions Of Common Fiddle
Tunes Workshop Authentic and unique versions of Old Joe Clark, Bile 'em Cabbage Down, Skip to My Lou, Fire On The Mountain, Sally Goodin, Barlowe Knife and other common titles arranged for dulcimer from the playing of living and past master fiddlers. |
| Rare Fiddle Tunes Workshop Rare and beautiful fiddle tunes learned directly by ear from authentic sources or from field recordings. Many dating back to the early nineteenth century from mostly rural individuals who were not professional musicians by trade. Many with little formal education. These tunes were mostly passed down by ear. Many are unique to certain individuals, families or geographic locations. |
| Old-Time
Songs Workshop A variety of old-time mountain songs. Learned directly by ear from authentic sources or from field recordings. The songs are mostly arranged in the Old-Time style of playing the melody while singing. Songs include: Down The River I Go, Single Girl, Rye Whiskey, Little Liza Jane, Darling Cora, Morning Fair and more. |
| Old-Time
Hymns and Sacred Songs Workshop A variety of old-time mountain songs and hymns. Learned directly by ear from authentic sources or from field recordings. The songs are mostly arranged in the Old-Time style of playing the melody while singing. Songs include: Where The Sun Never Goes Down, Satan, Your Kingdom Must Come Down, Amazing Grace, When The World's On Fire and more. |
| Fiddler's Grove, Union Grove, NC 1983 |
| Playing
In A Group Playing in an informal jam session or in a well rehearsed band,there are ways of fitting together musically that enhance the experience for all involved. This workshop presents everything from etiquette to how to listen, blending with the group, accompanying vocals, playing with other instruments and more.. |
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| Custom Workshops
Dulcimer workshops can be designed to fit any occasion. |
| Workshop Programs |
| Harvest Dulcimer Festival, Dana Point, CA 2001 |
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Workshops range from
those consisting of a short lecture and demonstration to the six hour a
day, week long residencies and anything in between.. The playing methods and techniques presented in the workshops are basically simple and easily applied. On the other hand, one could spend a lifetime of playing to perfect them. The hands-on workshops listed above can be presented individually or in various combinations. |
| They generally last from between one to two hours depending on the situation. |
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| Concert at Dana Point, CA T'ai Chi Exercises |
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Up email: donpedi@hotmail.com |