Workshop Descriptions

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HAMMERED DULCIMER

Backup Chords on the HD ... Heidi Cerrigione  (BEG)  We’ll explore some easy patterns and rhythms for 3/4 and 4/4 time. These can be used for vocal backup (yes, we’ll do some singing) and for accompanying other instruments.  3:15 Sat.

Composing for the Hammered Dulcimer ... Dan Duggan  (MID-ADV)  Dan teaches several of his original compositions and in the process participants learn compositional tools that will help aspiring composers write more meaningful music!  4:30 Sat.

Deciphering Dance Tunes ... Dan Duggan  (BEG) Learn the ins and out of dance tunes, melody, form, rhythm, and tune construction. Several tunes will be taught to demonstrate how dance tunes are set up and work.  1:45 Sat.

Filling Out Fast Tunes ... Tina Bergmann  (ADV)  We'll take some good jam tunes and some of techniques needed for filing them out and making them sound like MUSIC!  Lead patterns, accents and rhythms as well as some different scales and exercises will be covered, time permitting.  11:30 Sat.

Fronting and Backing a Waltz Tune ... Bernie Stolls  (MID)  Basic ideas for embellishing and backing up the melody.  The workshop will cover ideas for adding accompaniments to the basic tune, and a method of backup that works particularly well for waltzes.  We'll work on the tunes: "Skye Boat Song" (D/Bm) and "Southwind" (G).  3:15 Sat.

Greek Santouri Music ... Carrie Crompton  (ADV)  Continuing the subject of last year's workshop, this year we'll look at some more basic "dromous" (modes) on the dulcimer, some tunes with backup rhythms and chords … and if time permits, we'll get into the concept of "taxim" (improvisation). 3:15 Sat.

Hand Separation ... Tina Bergmann  (MID)  We’ll learn Goddesses, a medieval tune arranged to have a right hand ostinato while the left hand takes the lead, plus some exercises to strengthen your skills and familiarize you with the experience of moving your hands in opposite directions.  We’ll also discuss and experiment with ways to easily create variations.  1:45 Sat.

Improvisation ... Doug Berch  (MID-ADV)  Concepts, ideas and hands on techniques to assist you in freeing up your playing.  Topics covered will include rhythmic and chordal variations, ornamentation and other techniques that will help bring new expression to your arrangements.  4:30 Sat.

Iraqi Maqam Music for Hammered Dulcimer ... Amir ElSaffar  (ADV)  The santoor, or Iraqi hammered dulcimer, is one of the traditional instruments for maqam accompaniment and has been played in Iraq for nearly 3000 years.  Each maqam is based on a seven-note scale, or mode, which often use pitches not found in Western music.  Here, you’ll get a taste of this rich musical tradition on the dulcimer.  1:45 Sat.

Making Music on Your Dulcimer ... Tina Bergmann  (BEG)  We'll discuss the elements that make a tune sound musical and interesting along with the playing techniques to support them.  These are techniques that need to be in place so you can add variations and still have the tunes sound coherent.  Time permitting, some of the ideas we'll cover are: choosing a hammering pattern, using metric accents in 4/4, 3/4 and 6/8 and playing with good tone, dynamics and phrasing.  4:30 Sat.

Open Chord Voicings ... Carrie Crompton  (MID-ADV) Beautiful, different chords that cover distance on the hammered dulcimer and require wide hand gestures. We'll work on selfaccompaniment (playing both melody and harmony) and backup with low bass and a "big" sound.  10:00 Sat.

Playing Blues on Hammered Dulcimer ... Dan Duggan  (MID-ADV) Feeling Blue and don't know what to do??  Learn several blues progressions and songs that will help you to become the BB King of the Hammered Dulcimer. Sunglasses are required!!!!!  10:00 Sat.

Rudimentary, My Dear Watson ... Cliff Cole  (ALL) How to apply some basic drum rudiments (sticking patterns) to the hammered dulcimer. The advantages of understanding rudiments are: Smoother sticking, left and right hand independence, improving dynamics, and creating a tool box for playing faster and more accurately.  4:45 Friday

Sticking with the Hammered Dulcimer ... Doug Berch  (BEG)  Take the basics you learned in the previous hour’s “String Side Up” class (or elsewhere) to the next step.  I'll be sharing skills and techniques to enrich your playing, that you can continue to work with long after the festival ends.  11:30 Sat.

String Side Up ... Donna Missigman  (BEG)  An introduction for beginning players:  You'll learn where to start, how to hold a hammer, how to tune, find and play notes.  In general, all the basics to help you get acquainted (or re-acquainted) with the hammered dulcimer.  10:00 Sat.

Turlough’s Tunes ... Cliff Cole  (MID) We’ll learn some tunes written by the famous Irish Harp player Turlough O’Carolan. We’ll also discuss who O’Carolan was, and why his music is important.  We will discuss ways of approaching his music.  This workshop is targeted towards hammered dulcimer players, but all instruments are welcome, and are encouraged to attend.  11:30 Sat.


MOUNTAIN DULCIMER

Advanced Topics in Mountain Dulcimer ... Robert Force  (ADV)  This is a no holds barred class.  Beyond technique or rather incorporating many techniques are what rock and roll folks call "chops".  What you do and how you do it nails the essence of the genre folk, rock, reggae, blues.  Transcend the dulcimer and just play music.  4:30 Sat.

Aeolian DAC ... Neal Hellman  (NOV)  Students will tune to the Aeolian mode of D (DAC) where D is the bass string). This is both a simple and rewarding workshop. Students will be taught basic melodies as well as how to utilize the dulcimer to back up the voice. Selections include The Moon Shines Bright, The Cuckoo, Goddesses, and Nonesuch.   4:30 Sat.

Ask Me Anything ... Robert Force  (NOV)  Oftentimes a particular question you have doesn't get covered in a workshop.  This is your chance to get specific and ask away.  Usually I will have an answer, and if I don't, I know who does.  YOU determine the way the class goes technique, theory, performanceit's all on the table.  10:00 Sat.

Beginning Dulcimer Teachers' Forum and Discussion ... Susan Trump  (ALL)  Anyone who plays a little can teach someone to play, right?  Well....Let's get together and share what works and what doesn't, so we can get folks started out right.  4:45 Friday

Beyond the 7th Fret ... Bill Collins  (NOV-INT)  Many dulcimer players seem somewhat intimidated when their tab moves past the number seven.  But avoiding the top half of your instrument means that you're missing a lot of available notes and a unique part of your instrument's timbre.  This workshop offers various techniques to help make you comfortable and confident when playing in the upper octave.  Bring a capo.  DAD 3:15 Sat.

Chord Basics and Right Hand Styles ... Susan Trump  (NOV)  We'll take a basic chord progression and see how it can be played in fiddle tune style, and then song style. We'll apply our new knowledge to several new tunes and see how easy it is to learn new music.  DAD  3:15 Sat.

Contemporary Dulcimer Technique ... Neal Hellman  (INT-ADV)  Neal will illustrate his style of dulcimer technique by teaching some of his own compositions he has written for the dulcimer.  In this workshop we will explore changing modes and keys without retuning as well as hammers, pulls, slides and other embellishments.  The student will learn how to play in G, Em, Bm, D and Am all in the DAD tuning. Utilizing the dulcimer as a percussive instrument will be taught as well. Neal will also illustrate the styles of Joni Mitchell and Richard Fariña.  1:45 Sat.

Dulcimer Playing and Ergonomics ... Bill Collins  (ALL)  Get tips on position, posture, and motion that will help keep your dulcimer playing painfree, injuryfree, comfortable, and efficient throughout your playing life.  The workshop is taught by a longtime dulcimer player and trained ergonomics auditor.  4:45 Friday

Harder Rock ... Sam Edelston  (ADV) The mountain dulcimer simply is a natural rock & roll instrument.  We’ll start with some hot songs and add some cool techniques to crank the intensity up to 11.  3:15 Sat.

Lady Sawn in Half ... Dwain Wilder  (ALL)  This workshop will feature some work in progress, as well as a completed Sunhearth that was sawn in half for demonstration purposes. We will discuss the various elements of design that result in good sound quality and good construction techniques. Bring your own dulcimer if you would like to compare it with what will be shown in the workshop.  3:15 Sat.

Let's Jam ... Rudy Gabrielson  (BEG-NOV)  How to play nicely with others ... what a jammer needs to know about chords (I-IV-V, 12-bar blues) ... rhythmic strumming with space ... filling the space ... and putting it all together by jamming on some well-known songs.  4:30 Sat.

Let's Learn Some Tunes ... Nina Zanetti  (BEG)  We’ll do some pretty tunes in the chordmelody style.  We'll discuss how we can work through "rough spots" in an arrangement, and also how, once we're comfortable with a tune, we can play it expressively and with our own individual "touch."  DAA 1:45 Sat.

Make It More Interesting ... Steve Miklos (INT)  Steve will work you through a tune arranged with breaks, licks, runs, and ornamentation that you can insert into your own playing, to make any song more interesting. Concentrating on the times between the lines when you really can do more than just bum-diddy.   4:30 Sat.

Making Your Music Sparkle ... Doug Berch  (INT-ADV) Left and right hand techniques that add expressiveness and musical flexibility to any style of dulcimer playing.  Also, chord and scale positions that make it possible to change keys and modes without retuning.  1:45 Sat.

More Welcome to the Mountain Dulcimer ... Susan Trump  (BEG)  We'll continue your introduction to the wonders and joys of the mountain dulcimer!   We'll take a look at rhythm, easy chords, and some strum patterns to add to simple tunes.  DAA  11:30 Sat.

Mountain Dulcimer: 135 Tuning ... Heidi Cerrigione  (INT)  This tuning is particularly good for ragtime, blues, and other guitarlike tunes. We’ll learn a tunes like “Victory Rag” and then experiment with a typical D tune that can benefit from this tuning.  10:00 Sat.

Noter Style Dulcimer ... Bill Collins  (ALL)  Noterstyle playing is not widely in vogue at the present.  It's an approach that's sometimes regarded as "primitive," but it's very challenging and can be extremely satisfying.  Given its historical importance and its critical association with the instrument, noting is a technique with which every dulcimer player should gain some familiarity.  This workshop shows you the basics of the two main traditions of noting and introduces what may be a new approach to some old familiar tunes, as well as encourages fresh appreciation for diatonic fretting.  Bring a noter if you have one; if not, one will be provided.  11:30 Sat.

Playing Slow and Pretty ... Ron Ewing  (NOV) Waltzes, airs, lullabies, etc.,  from around the world,  in a variety of keys, with and without a capo, including alternate tunings, strummed and picked, based around DAD.  Baritones also welcome.  11:30 Sat.

Rock and Roll ... Rudy Gabrielson  (NOV-INT)  A little bit of theory, a little bit of demo, and a lot of rock and roll.  Come learn how to make your mountain dulcimer Twist and Shout.  DAD tuning, no experience required.  1:45 Sat.

Swedish & Finnish Music on the Dulcimer ... Neal Hellman  (ADV)  Scandinavian music is replete with pipe tunes, polkas, waltzes, and other varieties, all with a wonderful feel, characterized by crisp hammers, pull offs, and slides.  An exotic departure from traditional Irish and American tunes.  Bring a capo.  11:30 Sat.

The 1 1/2 Fret: Why Would Anyone Want One? ... Sandy Lafleur  (INT)  The 1 1/2 fret opens up a whole new world in your playing but before you make the plunge (cut!!), try out a temporary 1 1/2 fret (provided) that is easily removed.  Discover the new notes and chords to be found on your fret board. DAD tuning.  11:30 Sat.

Welcome to the Mountain Dulcimer ... Sandy Lafleur  (BEG)  How to fret; how to strum.  An introduction to playing in the melodydrone style using your finger or a noter.  Simple tunes you can play right away  one with 3 part harmony!  DAA tuning.  10:00 Sat.

What Dulcimer Players Can Learn from Violinists ... Nina Zanetti  (INT-ADV)  Expressive phrasing, vibrato, warmth of tone, sustain, string crossings: violinists (and violists!) use these techniques all the time.  Learn how similar approaches can enrich our playing and arranging for mountain dulcimer.  DAD 10:00 Sat.


MISCELLANEOUS TRACK

Friday Song Swap ... Bernie Stolls  (ALL)  Any instrument, any level.  Bring a song or more to share.  3:30 Friday

How to Read Music Better (All Instruments) ... Bryan Thomas  (ALL)   is a workshop for those who want to be more fluent in reading tunes.  Sightreading music happens when one can see the structure beneath the blur of notes.  We'll begin with some mild music theory tricks and end with a headlong run at some tunes. For all instruments.  10:00 Sat.

Improvisation: Sweet Surrender to the Moment ... Bryan Thomas  (All instruments, experienced)  Improvisation can be as simple as making a mistake and then making it "work out."  Using some common traditional tunes, we'll discuss how to outline the melody and leave the details to chance. A basic understanding of chords is necessary for this workshop as well as an open mind and some rhythmic security.  1:45 Sat.

Intro to Iraqi Maqam Music ... Amir ElSaffar  (ALL)  Maqam is the urban classical music tradition of Iraq, found mostly in the cities, but drawing from the musical styles of neighboring rural peoples.  Each maqam consists of semi-improvised melodies, performed within a certain musical structure. In this workshop, participants will learn the basic structure and aesthetics of the Maqam, as well as some of its melodies.   10:00 Sat. (75 minutes)

I've Got Your Back: Intermediate and Advanced Rhythm Guitar Accompaniment ... Tom Hodgson (Experienced) In this program for backup guitarists with experience playing in support of others in a band, suggested topics may include a review of alternate tunings, as well as methods of approximating the open sound of the latter while remaining in standard tuning. We may also discuss chord substitutions; the Nashville Numbering System; advanced methods of bass runs, and attention to methods of varying textures and dynamics when playing rhythm guitar for reels, jigs, marches, and waltzes.  11:30 Sat.

Jazz Harmony ... Amir ElSaffar  Chords beyond majors, minors, and sevenths, and how to do things that sound good with them.  4:30 Sat.

Playing Melodies on the Autoharp ... John Cerrigione.  For students just beginning to pick melodies the Autoharp. We will explore the playing of scales and simple melodies on the Autoharp. The ability to read music is helpful but not required. Tab will be provided. Come have some fun!  11:30 Sat.

Recipes for Rhythm Guitar ... Tom Hodgson (Elementary)  In this introductory guitar workshop, we will review the participants' understanding of and comfort with the fundamentals of rhythm guitar accompaniment. Topics may include major and minor chords; bass runs; hammering; chord damping; open versus closed chording; barre chords; and moving beyond "first position" chords when ascending the neck of the guitar. We may also review effective methods of strumming when providing rhythm accompaniment for reels, jigs, marches, and waltzes. This workshop assumes the participants have a basic level of understanding of the guitar.  3:15 Sat.

Slow Jam ... John Cerrigione  (ALL)  We’ll discuss a bit of “Jam etiquette” and share songs with one another around a circle. Come and enjoy interacting with other players.  3:15 Sat.

The Art of Listening ... Robert Force  (ALL)  Music is conversation.  Sometimes it is a monologue.  More often it is a dialogue.  Either way the purpose is to communicate or express a thought or feeling.  Like conversations, music has spaces, pauses in which to listen, formulate a reply, and with wait time for when it is both polite and proper to put in your own two cents.  We'll play and listen.  1:45 Sat.

This Bass Was Made for _____? ... Bryan Thomas  (BASS)  Lecture/Demonstration.  For those who love the sound of the string bass and don't mind if it steps out of its traditional/support role now and again. Topics covered will be, extending the range of the instrument, situations in which bass can play melody in a group without the bottom dropping out, fun bass tricks, as well as a list of resources and recordings for bassists who want to expand their experience in traditional music without feeling alone in the process.  4:30 Sat.