Home Schedule Registration Workshop Descriptions Staff Bios Location
October 14-15, 2011
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Home Schedule Registration Workshop Descriptions Staff Bios Location October 14-15, 2011 |
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Hammered Dulcimer Mountain Dulcimer Other Instruments/ Miscellaneous
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Hammered Dulcimer 101 ... Marya Katz (BEG) ... We'll learn where
the notes are by playing rhythms and nursery rhymes, explore the mysteries of
tuning all those strings, find how it feels to produce a clear tone, and learn a
simple tune. It would be helpful to be able to read music, but is not necessary.
A recording device is also recommended. All handouts will be supplied.. Saturday
10:00
Hammered Dulcimer 102 ... Marya Katz (BEG) ... This is the continuation
session to HD 101. We'll continue working on technique to produce beautiful
tones from this amazing instrument, and learn a couple more tunes in different
styles. The instructor will tailor some of the material for this session to the
abilities of the students, taking into account what is needed and the difficulty
level of the tunes selected.. Saturday 11:30
Acres of Arpeggios ... Cliff Cole (BEG) ... You’ll learn to play many
types of arpeggios. Arpeggios are more fun to play than scales, and learning
them helps the player get around the whole instrument. This is a fun workshop. Saturday
3:15
Bach to the Hammered Dulcimer ... Carrie Crompton (ADV) ... The music of J.S.
Bach has been arranged for many different instruments. Many of the simpler dance
pieces, especially the Menuets, translate beautifully on the hammered dulcimer.
We'll learn the Menuets in G and Gm from the Anna Magdalena Notebook, and
explore ways to make them sound their best on the dulcimer. Saturday 3:15
Chord Backup ... Marya Katz (MID) ... We’ll explore the use of chords (1)
to enhance the melody when playing solo, (2) when playing in a jam and you don't
really know the melody but still want to join in, and (3) when you’re jamming
and don’t want to just play the same melody over and over. Recording devices
are recommended, and all sheet music will be provided. Saturday 1:45
Chord Constellations: A Guide to Seeing the Chords ... Bernie
Stolls. (BEG) ...
Visualizing the major & minor (three-note) chord "triangles." Some
chord theory thrown in. Friday 3:30.
Embellishing the Slow Tune – The Basics ... Bernie Stolls (MID) ... We'll
examine the two tunes "The Sally Gardens" & "Blind
Mary," adding in chord notes where appropriate. The emphasis will be to
give you the tools to enhance any tune, rather than learning a rote arrangement.
Friday 4:45
Expanding a Tune ... Max ZT (MID-ADV) ... The structure behind most music is
quite simple. Yet when we hear it, many times it sounds a lot more intricate. In
this workshop we will take a traditional Northumbrian folk tune "Bonny at
Morn" and expand it to reflect ourselves; We will attempt to discover the
ever expanding dulcimer. Saturday 10:00
Exploring Left-Hand Lead ... Greg Anderson (MID) ... “Left hand lead” is
the idea that the left hand plays most of the basic melody in a tune, leaving
the right available to play chordal notes and other embellishments. We’ll
explore the “left hand lead” style of playing using a familiar tune. Then,
for fun, we’ll follow up by learning a great, but relatively simple, Quebecois
tune, the Reel Lindberg, that has a fun crossover hammering pattern in the
B-part. Saturday 11:30
Fast Hands ... Max ZT (MID-ADV) ... This workshop will focus on technique.
We will attempt one handed rolls, double sticking, intricate drumming
techniques, among others. Additionally, we will focus on the patterns of the
dulcimer as this will greatly improve one’s speed, agility and grace while
moving from note to note. Saturday 3:15
Gypsy Jazz ... Andy Young (ADV) ... Dip your fingers into the genre
popularized by the likes of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli. While the
dulcimer is not typically a jazz instrument, its shared lineage with the Gypsy
cymbalom makes it an exciting instrument for playing this style of music. Learn
what makes it sound “Gypsy,” what makes it sound “Jazzy,” and what makes
it tick. Saturday 4:30
Hand Separation ... David Neiman (MID) ... Learn the hammered dulcimer
equivalent of simultaneously rubbing your stomach and patting your head. We'll
work on a couple of melodies where one hand exclusively plays melody and the
other hand just the harmony. Since the melodies are quite beautiful, no one will
think you're doing a circus trick. Saturday 4:30
Indian Music and Philosophy ... Max ZT (ADV) ... I recently spent a year and
a half in Mumbai, India, studying from the great santoor maestro Pandit
Shivkumar Sharma. He taught me a lot of music, but more importantly, he focused
on a philosophy within the music. We'll talk about the principles and
characteristics of Indian raga (or raag), learn how to play one, and discuss how
we can find happiness, and maybe even enlightenment, through the dulcimer, or
any instrument. Saturday 1:45
Irish Ornamentation ... Andy Young (MID) ... Ornamentation is one of the
major elements that puts the “Irishness” in Irish music. The key is knowing
how to play a particular type of ornament and where to place it in a tune. Saturday
10:00
Paradiddles, Flams, and Why They Matter
... Cliff Cole (MID-ADV) ...
Paradiddles and flams are two of the basic rudiments that every student of
percussion learns. Since the dulcimer is a percussion instrument, we’ll
explore these and other rudiments, and see how they can be integrated into your
playing to add flavor and spice. Friday 3:30.
Putting the Dance Into the Music ... Greg Anderson (BEG) ... Notes on a
musical staff are only so much ink on processed wood fiber. What we do with
those notes as musicians determines whether or not they become music. In this
beginner's workshop, we'll explore simple ways to increase your musicality and
how to make tunes come alive when you play. We'll cover topics that may include
hammering technique, accenting notes, keeping an even tempo, rhythmic
variations, putting swing into your playing, musical phrasing, and
contextualizing the music, among other possibilities. Friday 4:45
Scales & Chords ... Andy Young (MID-ADV) ... This workshop will provide
geometric patterns, chord progressions, arpeggios, and scales that will change
the way you look at your instrument and allow you to delve into more exotic
music styles such as Jazz, Gypsy Swing, Klezmer, Tango, or Musette. Along the
way, you’ll discover how to find familiar chords in unfamiliar places, find
Jazz chords using geometric patterns, play chromatic runs, and more. Saturday
11:30
Special Effects on the Hammered Dulcimer ... Cliff Cole (MID-ADV) ... This
workshop is designed to show some ways to think outside the box, while you play
on the box, covered with strings. Topics will include: dampening strings,
harmonics, note bending, finger-picking, drop tuning one string, using the
damper pedal, miking the dulcimer, and using electronic effects such as chorus
and delay. Friday 4:45
Tunes in 3's and 4's (Learn to count!) ... David Neiman (BEG) ... Jigs are
in three and reels are in four. We'll learn what distinguishes one from the
other and add a relatively easy reel and jig to your repertoire. Learning will
be by ear, with music handed out. Saturday 1:45
Where Do I Go From Here? ... Carrie Crompton (BEG) ... If you're a beginning
hammered dulcimer player, you've been exposed to a lot of inspiration and
information at this weekend's festival! How can you manage your practice most
effectively and efficiently from now to the next festival? Carrie will walk you
through her progressive method for the dulcimer, with exercises that build
fluency in scales, arpeggios, and ornaments. Saturday 4:30
Mountain Dulcimer 101 ...
Carol Walker (BEG) ... Easy baby-steps for the
brand-new beginner -- DAD tuning, the three basic chords in "first"
position, right-hand strumming techniques, and how to read easy tab. Everyone in
the class will be playing a tune in the first 5 minutes! Guaranteed! Saturday
10:00
Mountain Dulcimer 102 ... Rich
Carty (BEG) ... Learn basic melodic strumming in DAD tuning. Learn how
to use 3 senses to learn tunes. Learn to maximize the use of the recording
device that you should bring to festivals. Saturday 11:30
Basic Chords ... Steve Miklos (BEG) ... Learn the simple secret to playing
99% of all folk songs: just three or four chords! In fact, we'll learn more than
that. Learn to recognize what chord another player is playing, so you can play
along in a jam or group session. We'll learn the four basic chords in each of
several keys; also "Chord Forms" you can use to make (almost) any
chord. Chords are an elevator to raise your playing to a higher level. DAD Saturday
3:15
Blues ... A.J. Bashore (INT-ADV) ... Are
you Blue? The mountain dulcimer is designed for the Blues. This workshop is for
3 or 4 equidistant strings (DAd / DAdd), with or without 1½ fret, playing in
the keys of D, A, and E. Chord knowledge up the fingerboard will be needed.
Friday 3:30
Building Confidence (And Just in Time!) ... Beth
Lassi (BEG) ... Would you like to transition from playing for yourself
on the couch to playing for others? It CAN be done! During this workshop we will
talk about and practice techniques we can use to build confidence as dulcimer
players and we will have a good time in the process..
Saturday 3:15
Capo Tunes ... Ron
Ewing (INT) ... A variety of capoed tunes that show the many
possibilities of this handy device. D may be "God's Key," but there
are lots of interesting tunes around in other keys made easier with a capo –
like having an automatic transmission for shifting keys, instead of a
stick/retuning. Based around DAD, some strummed, some picked. Baritones welcome,
too!. Saturday 1:45
Chromatic Dulcimer ... Sam Edelston (INT-ADV) ... A chromatic can add spice
to country, classical, jazz, or almost any other kind of music. In this hands-on
workshop, we’ll cover some basics, such as new chords and chord progressions,
and then open up some dimensions you may not have seen before. Saturday 3:15
DGD Ionian ... Pam Weeks (NOV) ... DGD
is a lovely tuning, very user-friendly, and very worthwhile to learn. We'll play
some simple melodies and instantly harmonize them! Saturday 11:30
Dulcimer for the Anxious and Intimidated ... Jeremy Seeger ...
We'll explore
the challenges we experience making music, do some exercises, explore how to fit
music to your abilities and play some simple tunes. This workshop is appropriate
for any level, including very seasoned players who have internal barriers. Friday
3:30.
Free Style Strumming and Natural Noting ... Don
Pedi. (BEG-NOV) ... Basic
techniques for strumming and fretting the dulcimer, taught both separately and
in combination. Easy and fun methods, helpful to develop economy of motion and a
relaxed playing style. Saturday 1:45
Fundamentals of the Fretboard ... Dwain Wilder (ALL) ... How to design a
fretboard that is dynamic, accurate, and allows low action throughout its
length. This will be of special interest to builders, but musicians will find it
valuable, also. Saturday 11:30
Funky Rhythm ... Moto Fukushima (INT-ADV) ... Learn the way to groove or
comp over funky rhythm and Latin rhythm. Saturday 4:30
Harmonizing With Your Voice ... Heidi Cerrigione (NOV) ... For those players
who like to sing, this workshop will focus on an accompaniment style that makes
the dulcimer your singing partner. We will work with some familiar songs to
learn the concept, so you can apply it to your own songs. Saturday 4:30
In the Beginning, There Was the Noter ... Sandy Lafleur (BEG-NOV) ... Let
those drones ring out! Explore the unbridled sound of the dulcimer played with a
noting stick. The use of an additional "mini-stick" allows you to play
minor tunes without retuning or a capo! Materials provided. DAD tuning. Friday
4:45
Japanese Music ... Moto Fukushima (NOV-INT) ... Learn Japanese
traditional scales and simple melodies which are played on the Shamisen, which
is the Japanese cousin of the mountain dulcimer. Saturday 1:45
Keys to the Kingdom ... Butch Ross (BEG) ... If you've learned "Boil
Dem Cabbage," and we pretty much all have, then you have the building
blocks you need to understand basic theory, to find the chord changes in most
songs, and stay involved in jams, even if you don't know the tune. Tunes:
“Boil Dem Cabbage,” “Oh Suzanna,” “Soldier's Joy.” Saturday 4:30
Playing Hymns with Arpeggiated Chords ... Heidi Cerrigione (ADV) ... We
often play hymns slowly, which leaves spaces that can be filled in with
arpeggiated chords. This style uses a flatpick (or fingers) on a series of
single strings to fill in those beautiful spaces. Saturday 11:30
Playing in Assorted Keys and Tunings ... Don Pedi
(ADV) ... Songs and tunes
in a variety of keys and tunings appropriate to traditional music. An assortment
of major and minor tunings and scales. Saturday 10:00
Popular Duets ... Beth
Lassi (NOV-INT) ... It’s a lot of fun to play with other people!
During this workshop we will play some well known tunes using duet tablature. We
will also talk about and practice backing up another player using chords, with
our goal being to make two dulcimers sound better than one. Friday 3:30.
Same Thing, Only Different ... Don Pedi (INT) ... An exploration of the
effects of time, technology, region, class, etc, on selected traditional songs
and tunes. Some fun variations on “Old Joe Clark,” “Old Molly Hare,”
“Worried Blues” (more as time allows), in various tunings and playing
styles. Saturday 3:15
Scheitholt Music ... A.J. Bashore (NOV-INT)
... What exactly is a Scheitholt, anyway, and how does it relate to the
mountain dulcimer? What can or can’t you play on it? Come see and hear some
Scheitholts in action, and learn a few tunes that will easily fit onto your
Dulcimer. Saturday 10:00
Show Off! ... Butch Ross (ADV) ... Learn to make unusual, offbeat and fun
sound on the dulcimer. In short stuff that sounds cool! Learn string bending,
natural and artificial harmonics, two-hand tapping, slapping, hammer-ons,
pull-offs, and using the dulcimer as a drum. Saturday 1:45
Thinking Outside the Hourglass ... Butch Ross (INT) ... Learn how to take
traditional tunes and turn them on their heads. Or adapt non-traditional songs
into dulcimer tunes. Find the hidden beauty in contemporary tunes. Students
learn chord substitution, adaptation, re-harmonization, time signatures and how
to abuse them. Saturday 11:30
Tunes That Should Have Been Hornpipes ... Sandy Lafleur (INT) ... Save the
Hornpipe! Discover some "reels" that may have originally been
hornpipes and others that take on a whole new persona when played in that jaunty
hornpipe rhythm. DAD tuning. Saturday 4:30
What MD Players Can Learn From Fiddlers ... Pam Weeks (INT-ADV) ... you
want to play fiddle tunes, listening to fiddlers will give you a deeper
understanding of the music. The rhythm of the bow, the accenting of the notes,
ampiify the pulse and lilt underlying the tune, making it joyous and danceable
and true to its genre. Let's translate that to playing the dulcimer! Be open to
learning to listen deeply, sing, and pick up phrases by ear.. Friday
4:45
What to Do With a 4th String ... Pam Weeks (NOV-INT) ... The
fourth string need not be a mystery or a challenging addition to your
instrument. We will explore the possibilities together, including how to ignore
it and how to adapt any music to 4 strings. (DDAD, DDGD, CDAD) Saturday 10:00
Other/Miscellaneous
Workshops
Folklore Process … Carol Walker (ALL) ... Did you ever wonder where
folk music comes from? In her research on the Isle of Man, Carol had the rare
opportunity to collect tunes from both the actual players and historical written
sources. You'll hear some fascinating tales from the field, and maybe play a
tune or two. (All instruments welcome.) Saturday 4:30
Groove and Feel … Luke Notary … How to perform and recognize different
feels and subdivisions from many musical styles such as rock, jazz, funk,
Brazilian Batucada, Moroccan Gnawa, Spanish Flamenco, and North African triplet
feels. Students can apply this to any instrument and explore the many
possibilities. Saturday 1:45
Guitar in a Jamming Situation … John Cerrigione ... We'll practice playing
back-up chords to melody instruments or singing accompaniment. We'll discuss a
bit of chord theory and ear training techniques to make our chord selections
easier. Use of the capo and other helpful techniques will be discussed. Open to
all instruments and all levels that are willing to participate. Saturday
11:30
How to Start a Coffeehouse … Chuck Scheffreen ... So you want to open a
coffeehouse. There are several key factors you need to understand ahead of time.
They include, but are not are not limited to location, audience, sound,
volunteers, talent, and most importantly, commitment. In this workshop we
discuss each of those factors and the role they play in running a coffeehouse. Saturday
3:15
Improvisation ... Moto Fukushima ... Learn how to develop the musical idea
and experience to create your own melody line. Saturday 10:00
Playing with a Sound System … John Cerrigione ... An interactive workshop.
Participants will get a chance to experiment with different kinds of microphones
on their instruments and to experience working with sound equipment. Saturday
1:45
Polyrhythms … Luke Notary … Here we will explore polyrhythms, 2 hand
independence, rhythmic "equations" and formulas, how to create grooves
using polyrhythms, and some more advanced rhythms such as reductions and tehais.
All of these things can be applied to any instrument in many different musical
styles and genres. Saturday 3:15
Round Robin … Don Moore (ALL) …
Want to decompress and make some music after driving over? Come on in, and we’ll take turns sharing songs and tunes. Don’t worry whether you’re beginner-ish or advanced ... all instruments and all levels are welcome. Friday 4:45
Vocal Techniques for Practice and Performance … Carol Walker (ALL) ...
Carol shares her 32 years of choral teaching with workshop participants who want
to learn more about how to improve their singing technique and gain confidence
while performing. Breathing and vocal exercises will be included, along with
tips for improving range and quality. Friday 4:45