Bing Futch's "Method For Beginning Mountain Dulcimer" is the most comprehensive how-to-learn-the-dulcimer book available. You'll learn the basics, sure, and start playing songs right away. Even better, though, is the depth of content that Bing provides for you in this one incomparable volume - technique, repertoire, theory, history, and FUN! Once you've worked your way through this book, you'll be a competent dulcimer player that can enjoy playing with any group. You'll have a great time honing your skills with Bing, and you'll end up with a wealth of technical skills, music fundamentals, and dulcimer repertoire!

This book is designed to help fretted dulcimer players at all levels grow in their technical abilities by developing strength, precision, control and flexibility in both the right and left hands. Acquiring a solid technical foundation provides a base upon which to build strong musicianship, enabling one to play more satisfying music regardless of style. Explore flatpicking, fingerpicking, slurs, chords, strumming, left hand precision and placement, right hand strength and control, volume, tone, articulation, and more using both dulcimer tablature and standard music notation. In this book, Mike has used ideas drawn from classical guitar study plus years of teaching dulcimer to develop exercises that will inspire and challenge players at all levels. the tunes and exercises are in the common dulcimer tuning of D-A-D, with a few exceptions. Some exercises are included for the four-string and five-string dulcimers, and a 6+ fret is required. the accompanying CD demonstrates key exercises and most of the tunes in the book.

This collection of sweet waltzes and lively two-steps presents an exciting new repertoire for mountain dulcimer players, with playing techniques for authentic style. An audio download online is availableof all the music is included, and the notation and chords in standard keys can also be used for other instruments. This music suits the mountain dulcimer well because it comes from the Cajun accordion, which has the same simple diatonic scale. The easy melodies and chord progressions in this repertoire can be played by less experienced dulcimer players, while the tips on improvisation and embellished versions offer creativity for more experienced players.Music includes Jolie Blon, Mardi Gras Dance, J'ai Pass, Devant ta Porte, Allons a Lafayette, MadameSosthne, The Back Door

(Ashley Publications). Easy instructions plus 139 selections by Albert Gamse for all 3 and 4 string dulcimers.

Madeline MacNeil's performances are characterized by her effortless vocals and impeccable mountain and hammered dulcimer playing. In this book she reveals some of the secrets of her success with the mountain dulcimer. Early on, she reminds the reader that the dulcimer is not a toy or a stringed kazoo but a serious, expressive musical instrument capable of stretching as far as the imagination. She endorses both playing by ear and learning to read standard notation. In easily-understood language she manages to explore some very complex, even esoteric concepts, making this a particularly valuable book for the beginning instrumentalists. You Can Teach Yourself Dulcimer is simply a great fundamental book. Twelve intensive lessons in 95 pages with arrangements in both DAA and DAD tuning. Standard notation and tablature. Illustrated with photographs and drawings. Includes access to online audio and video.

Bing Futch's "Method For Bass MountainDulcimer the most comprehensive how-to-learn-the-dulcimer book available. From learning "just enough" theory to get you playing, to addingembellishments and rhythmic variations, thisinstruction book is the gold standard for anydulcimer player that's adding the bass mountain dulcimer to his or her instrumental mix.Learn to play backup with any genre of music, learn how to solo, and learn how to "make itup as you go". Most importantly, have funplaying your bass mountain dulcimer!