The connection Praise just spoke of is more important than the song selection, especially with younger kids. With Hammered Dulcimer, I take one along that's not finished so they can see what its like inside and also have a few "duets worked out so they can play on 2 stirng courses while I play the rest. Appalachian dulcimer lends itself to students, even young ones, quite well and they can play simple songs without much trouble. If you play something they know, and then let a few of them play something simple.....well at that point they'll listen to ANYTHING you play.

One of the best school programs for me uses 2-string stick dulcimers. I pass out half a dozen and we all play "Mary's Lamb." I used to sell sticks at street fairs and if you don't have one, make one...its real simple. What they really do is show kids that anyone can play and sing, instruments aren't intimidating, and you can make some simple instruments out of scrap!!!

Above all, if you look like you're enjoying yourself, the kids will pick up on your enthusiasm and learn some neat stuff by accident.

Spaw