Hammered Dulcimer Tutorials

Subject: Hammered Dulcimer Tutorials
From: GUEST,DriveForever
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 01:57 PM

Hi,

   My kids & I are trying to learn how to play
the hammered dulcimer, and I was wondering if someone knew of any good resources for beginning hammered dulcimer, eg;
online tutorials, books, or other resources on Amazon.

Subject: RE: Hammered Dulcimer Tutorials
From: Andy Jackson
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 02:09 PM

A good start would be
The Nonsuch Dulcimer Club
You don't say which side of the pond you are but Nonsuch club are based in middle UK

Jimmy Coopper once told me " you don't learn the Dulcimer, you just play tunes you know on it"

good luck, persevere, practice.

Andy

Subject: RE: Hammered Dulcimer Tutorials
From: harpmolly
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 02:42 PM

Some great dulcimer books and videos:

Linda Lowe Thompson has a complete line of dulcimer books including "Beginning Hammered Dulcimer" and various repertoire books (all include CDs).

Jamie Janover has two instructional videos out (in the spirit of full disclosure I should add that they're put out by the company I work for, Dusty Strings *grin*). "Fundamentals" is beginning/basic technique , and "Infinite Possibilities" is more improvisational/intermediate.

John McCutcheon also has a book/cassette set out, as well as a DVD or VHS. There is also a good basic instructional book, just titled "Hammered Dulcimer", by Peter Pickow.

Have fun!

Molly

Subject: RE: Hammered Dulcimer Tutorials
From: harpmolly
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 02:44 PM

P.S. Andy, isn't that kind of like the quote about mountain dulcimer? "There ain't no notes on a dulcimer, you just play it." :)

M

Subject: RE: Hammered Dulcimer Tutorials
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 05:02 PM

John McCutcheon's VHS/DVD for beginners is a fine starting point.

Don

Subject: RE: Hammered Dulcimer Tutorials
From: harpmolly
Date: 12 Feb 07 - 07:05 PM

I forgot two good ol' Mel Bay favorites ;) Linda Thomas' "First Lessons: Hammered Dulcimer" and the trusty "You Can Teach Yourself Hammered Dulcimer" (which now comes with a CD AND DVD! :))

M

Subject: RE: Hammered Dulcimer Tutorials
From: GUEST,DriverForever
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 06:21 PM

Thank you Harpmolly, DonMeixner, & Miskin Man for the
help !

Subject: RE: Hammered Dulcimer Tutorials
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 07:19 PM

I cheated with mine - as a 'trained muso' (able to 'read the dots') on keyboards and a player of other instruments, I stuck very small letters next to each string so I know what notes they are. Sped up my ability to get out a tune (especially if following the sheet music!) a lot quicker you know....


:~P

Subject: RE: Hammered Dulcimer Tutorials
From: harpmolly
Date: 13 Feb 07 - 09:50 PM

Heck, that ain't cheating! We actually provide note strips for our smaller hammered dulcimer models--it really does help. (The only reason we don't have them for the larger ones is that it doesn't really work with all the extra bridges hither and yon. But you can always make your own with a string chart.)

I also like what a few books (notably, Jeanne Page's "Irish Songbook for HD" and "Scottish Songbook for HD") have done...they have a schematic of the dulcimer layout, but instead of the letters, they actually show the note on the staff for each course. Makes it extremely easy to find your note visually. Mel Bay also did a fantastic wall chart that shows you how to play a complete chromatic scale on a Dusty Strings D35. That was pretty cool too. ;)

Driver--no problem! It's what we're here for. *grin*

Cheers,

Molly

Subject: RE: Hammered Dulcimer Tutorials
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 06:18 AM

But I was actually looked down the nose at for doing it, by 'experienced players' - who usually don't play as many different instruments as I do!   

:-)

Subject: RE: Hammered Dulcimer Tutorials
From: GUEST,Jim
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 01:17 PM

Check out www.homespuntapes.com and enter Hammered dulcimer in the search box.

Subject: RE: Hammered Dulcimer Tutorials
From: bubblyrat
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 01:29 PM

MollyHarp-----Some years ago, a friend of mine acquired a German Autoharp. I believe it was called a "Miranda " .The thing is, that had music with it,it the form of a card,which you inserted under the strings,then there was a long,wavy line which you followed,with dots showing which strings to pluck. I"ve never seen anything like it since !!

Subject: RE: Hammered Dulcimer Tutorials
From: GUEST,DriveForever
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 01:52 PM

Since we are beginners, we decided to go with a less
expensive HD ("12 Course" I believe); some say that
will severely restrict what we are able to play - is that true ?

Subject: RE: Hammered Dulcimer Tutorials
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 14 Feb 07 - 06:18 PM

Yes.