This collection presents most of the solos found on Maggie Sansone's recording of the same title. It includes medieval folk carols, English, French and Flemish carols, new variations of traditional favorites, and popular American carols for hammered dulcimer. In notation with chord symbols. the CD contains 7 additional musical selections from the Maggie's Music album Hammered Dulcimer Traditions.

This is music for hammered dulcimer that soothes the soul: a rich tapestry of Celtic moods for gentle, quiet contemplation. the melodious and gentle sounds of the leather-covered wooden mallets dancing across eighty strings creates a harp-like resonant sustain that brings a special beauty to the ancient melodies. Add a rich overlay of strings, the deep tonal qualities of woodwinds, traditional Celtic and early music instruments and this album will take you into the light. This collection is created especially for relaxation, meditation and massage using selections from Maggie Sansone's A Traveler's Dream, Ancient Noels, Mist & Stone and Dance Upon the Shore. Maggie writes: "I am pleased to gather in one special collection the most contemplative melodies from my recordings. While based in the Celtic tradition, they express a universal quality, transcending borders and speaking to the highest in all of us with lightness and joy!"

Beginning and Intermediate players who have developed a repertoire of melodies will be walked step by step through the process of arranging their tunes. Lessons provide a detailed explanation and numerous examples of root position chords and their inversions on the 12-11 and larger sized hammered dulcimer. Simple tunes are provided for the reader to incorporate newly acquired knowledge of chord theory. Descriptions of bounces, triplets, doubling, counter melodies, arpeggios, scale runs, extended chords, etc. are included as well as opportunities to create arrangements utilizing these techniques.