Every aspect of the hammered dulcimer and its playing techniques is covered in this comprehensive, yet easy-to-understand text. A masterful teacher, Madeline MacNeil exceeds the expectations of a beginner's book, providing a firm foundation for the development of a total musician while maintaining an engaging, informal tone throughout. with detailed discussions on dulcimer layout, hammers, tuning, and stands plus extensive performance notes on every tune, this book is a valuable asset to the beginning through intermediate player. from Oh Suzanna to Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Madeline shows the novice dulcimer player how to map your way through a new piece of music, finding clear, musical directions through what at first must seem like a maze of strings. All tunes are in standard notation. the book's 87 pages are illustrated with photos as well as quaint woodcuts, engravings, and pen and ink drawings.

The last quarter of the twentieth-century saw a renewed interest in the hammered dulcimer in the United States at the grassroots level as well as from elements of the Folk Revival. This book offers the reader a discussion of the medieval origins of the dulcimer and its subsequent spread under many different names to other parts of the world. Drawing on articles the author has written in English as well as articles by specialists in their own languages, Gifford explains the history and evolution of the instrument. Special attention is paid to the North American tradition from the early 18th-century to the 1970s revival. Drawing from local histories, news clippings, photographs, and interviews, the book examines the playing of the dulcimer and its associated social meanings.

Getting Into Hammered Dulcimer is designed as a "crash course" for hammered dulcimer enthusiasts of ALL experience levels. the fourteen song titles, in standard notation, offer a variety of styles and are presented in the following format; 1. Basic Melody, 2. Embellished/Variation and 3. Back-up Chords/Accompaniment.Additional topics include layout of the hammered dulcimer, tips for tuning, basic theory, major/relative minor scales, chords charts, and playing modulations. the companion CD is recorded to offer three tracks for each selection; 1. Basic melody, 2. Embellished Melody/Variation and 3. Back-up accompaniment.

The title says it all: "Dirt Simple." This book and accompanying online audio are designed for a rank beginner who knows nothing about the hammered dulcimer, providing them the tools to make music right away. Starting with the fundamentals of how to hold hammers and tune the instrument, it delves deeper into mastery with posture, stand height/angle, and replacing strings to set up the beginner for a lifetime of good habits. Every concept introduced is simultaneously presented with illustrations and songs that demonstrate and reinforce. Whether the student reads music or plays by ear, the result is the same - music making right from the beginning! Dr. Mark Alan Wade is an experienced teacher with an undergraduate degree in music education and years of public school teaching experience. Now teaching music theory and dulcimer at Denison University, Dr. Wade offers a unique perspective on teaching hammered dulcimer and has three students who have also won the National Hammered Dulcimer Contest as evidence of his master teaching. It's all about the music! Dirt Simple Hammered Dulcimer is written so that the carefully selected tunes are the true teacher. Hands-on learning is made easy with the accompanying audio. Each song is played slowly for students to learn by ear in addition to reading notation. This also allows for the students to hear style traits such as swing, that aren't easily conveyed in written notation. With 29 songs, this book and online audio available for download are a year's worth of private lessons in one concise package!

This book was written to aid the dulcimer player in playing as a backup musician. It provides the tools necessary for musicians who are seeking to go beyond simple melody lines. the majority of chords diagrammed are those most commonly used, and those whose notes are clustered on the instrument in six repeated shapes. Diagrams are shown for the 15/14 dulcimer.

Getting Into Hammered Dulcimer is designed as a 'crash course' for hammereddulcimer enthusiasts of ALL experience levels. The fourteen song titles, instandard notation, offer a variety of styles and are presented in the following format; 1. Basic Melody, 2. Embellished/Variation and 3. Back-up Chords/Accompaniment. Additional topics include layout of the hammered dulcimer, tips for tuning, basic theory, major/relative minor scales, chords charts, and playing modulations. Thecompanion audio is recorded to offer three tracks for each selection; 1. Basic melody, 2. Embellished Melody/Variation and 3. Back-up accompaniment. Includes access to online audio

This CD-ROM version of the Guidebook contains every detail of the printed edition! In addition, it contains functional links to the Web sites and email addresses of every Supplier and Resource listed in the book - over 50 different companies! Includes registration access to a special Builder's Resource Web site for help in the building process. Provides easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions on the construction of a 15/14 Floating Soundboard Hammered Dulcimer. This book covers tools, materials, resources and suppliers. Also contains instructions on building hammers, two kinds of stand, and templates for the Pin Blocks, Bridges, Soundhole and Hammers. The author provides helpful "Maker's Notes," Maker's Hints" and "Maker's Cautions" to give the reader the benefit of lessons learned!