Shenandoah University’s
Center for Lifelong Learning
2013 Dulcimer Weekend • May 17-19, 2013
Workshops
Friday, May 17th
2:30-3:45
Maddie
Dulcimer Beginners • I
We’ll begin at the beginning and explore playing this special and historic instrument. Eight loaner
instruments are available. Let us know if you need one when you register.
Ralph
Mountain Love Songs
If you can’t resist love songs, this workshop is for you! Come and learn beautiful versions of The Dear
Companion, Black Is the Color, and the hilarious When Are You Coming to See Me?
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
Janita
Introduction To Fingerpicking
This class will cover both left and right hand techniques for fingerpicking. We’ll start with simple
introductory songs and work up to more intricate (but not necessarily more difficult) arrangements.
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
Aaron
Irish Session Tunes
Learn how to flat pick tunes that are played at Irish sessions. We’ll also discuss ornamentation and
accompanying these tunes on the dulcimer.
Intermediate
Friday May 17
4:00-5:15
Maddie
Dulcimer Beginners • II
We’ll continue where we left off after the first session.
Ralph
Ballads Found in America
American versions of the great Child Ballads are among the most beautiful that have ever been found.
Learn ballads that include an unforgettable Kentucky version of Barbara Allen and a beautiful North
Carolina version of The Elfin Knight.
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
Janita
Fingerpicking Repertoire
We’ll study a variety of musical styles such as traditional and classical arranged for fingerpicking. We’ll
also work on ways to improve your left and right hand techniques to make your fingerpicking more
musical.
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
Aaron
The Best Tunes You Never Play
We’ll work through a small pile of tunes that work great for jamming, but haven’t reached the level of
popularity they deserve. Bring a capo.
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
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Saturday May 18th
9:00-10:15
Ralph
The Beautiful Aeolian Mode
The Aeolian Mode is the grandfather of all minor scales in Western music. Learn beautiful fieldcollected American folksongs that lie along the Aeolian scale in its true ancient form.
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
Janita
It’s About Time
We’ll look at timing as it pertains to playing your dulcimer and explore understanding time signatures
and how they affect the playing and musicality of an arrangement.
All levels
Aaron
Blues On the Dulcimer
By the end of this class you’ll be able to take blues solos and improvise your own blues licks with tunes
you already know.
Intermediate
Saturday May 18th
10:30-11:45
Maddie
Songs Of the Seasons
Lovely songs tell us about spring and fall and winter. We’ll play some and perhaps even explore one for
summer. DAD and DAA players are welcome.
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
Janita
Rounds and Canons
This class is an experience to be heard! We’ll divide into three or four part groups to play rounds and
canons…some familiar, some obscure…and become a true part of an ensemble. Singers are welcome.
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
Aaron
Left and Right Hand Exercises
It’s amazing how rebellious your hands and digits can be. In this class we’ll work through a few simple
exercises aimed at gaining control and increasing dexterity.
Everyone
Saturday May 18th
1:30-2:45
Maddie
Dulcimer Backup
Probably the key of Eb doesn’t work with backing up a tune or song, but keys such as G and A work
nicely in addition to D. You can also enhance the music played or sung by others with your backup.
We’ll explore…
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate (beginners are also welcome)
Ralph
Songs the Coffeehouse Audiences Love
This is a group of time-tested jewels to make your set sparkle! They include the rare Marina Girls, the
equally rare Colorado Trail and a Kentucky version of I Gave My Love a Cherry.
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
Aaron
Secrets to Successful Flatpicking
Learn to pick with accuracy and speed with technical fundamentals to develop a solid foundation.
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
Saturday May 18th
3:00-4:15
Maddie
Songs of England and Scotland
England and Scotland are both part of my heritage; perhaps yours also. Or perhaps you simply enjoy
learning songs from these countries. We’ll also explore the stories of the songs.
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
Ralph
The Story Of the Dulcimer, Part I
We’ll explore the stories of the dulcimer and the scheitholt before the Civil War.
Everyone
Janita
Introduction To the Four Equidistant String Dulcimer
This workshop will explore the pleasures, ease and benefits of playing with four equidistant strings.
We’ll discuss how to convert three string songs into four and strum and fingerpick some easy traditional,
classical and ragtime songs. Set up your dulcimer for four equidistant strings (if possible) and tune to
DAAD. No previous experience with 4 equidistant strings necessary.
Intermediate
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Sunday May 19th
9:00-10:15
Maddie
Duets and Trios
Playing beautiful music in ensemble not only sounds special but is fun to do. Come tuned to DAD.
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
Ralph
The Story Of the Dulcimer, Part II
In this workshop we’ll explore more of the dulcimer’s story from the time of the Civil War to the Folk
Revival.
Everyone
Janita
Classical Tunes For the Dulcimer
Bach, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Mozart and a host of others, arranged for fingerpicking or strumming on
a three-string dulcimer. Come tuned to DAD.
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
Aaron
Creative Accompaniment
We’ll borrow techniques used on mandolin, guitar and bass to explore ideas for playing back up. Come
tuned to DAD.
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate
Sunday May 19th
11:00 – 11:30
Farewell! Everyone!!!!