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QUESTION:
I have a few students and I have the possibility of getting more. I want to do something I should have done in the beginning. I want to create an orderly progression of lessons for teaching. Which songs and/or techniques should be taught to a beginner first, second, third, etc? How do some of y'all teach new players?
-- Clayton
ANSWER:
Clayton,
I'd like to mention my Dynamic Dulcimer lesson books. There are 12 sequential lessons including scales and technique drills. The first lesson is in DAD, because I believe this tuning is easier to understand for the general concept, but the next four lessons are in DAA, because I believe its much easier to learn the basic skills and techniques when you only have to use the melody string. I arrived at this particular lesson sequence based on almost 10 years of teaching classes at a community college. I've included what worked and eliminated what didn't work. Yes, the students will want to go into DAD right away, because it IS the most popular tuning in most parts of the country, but at the same time, they need to get comfortable with changing tunings, because there are a lot of good arrangements out there in other tunings like DGD, DAC, EAA, to mention a few.
The group approach will work. Some people learn better in a group because they can pick up momentum from the better players in the group. My lesson packet is actually written more for a group approach. I tried to put enough tunes in each lesson that the faster learners will have a challenge, but there are enough basic tunes in each lesson to learn each specific skill, and skip the more challenging tunes for a later time after they've attained more skill and confidence.
There are 75 pages of tunes and skills, and I tried not to take up too much space with instructions because people don't like to read instructions. They'd rather play music! There are CDs for each lesson, but I'm available for personal help by email or by phone. (no extra charge!) Visit my website and click on BOOKS, then scroll down to Dynamic Dulcimer and click on the picture. You'll see the contents and the lesson sequence. If anybody's interested they can email me.
-- Thanks, Peggy Carter
Clayton,
I start them right out in DAd since it seems to be the most common tuning across the country these days. Later on I give them more tunings -- DAA, DF#A, DGd, DAC -- etc.
as "other tunings to try". "First Lessons, Dulcimer D-A-d Tuning" is a very good and inexpensive starter book, with a CD included for only $7.95 I think. I find it very useful for a starting place. The techniques build upon each other, so you can go back to earlier songs and apply the later-learned techniques to embellish them. By the time a student gets through the book, I find I have a really good idea of
his/her capabilities, and potential, so I know where to go from there.
-- Ruth Randle
QUESTION:
When playing in modal tunings, what is the "Reverse Mixolydian" tuning?
ANSWER:
SIMPLE ANSWER:
EAA, also known as Reverse Mixolydian, is handy because the scale starts on the open string, like 1-5-8 tunings such as DAd or CGc. You can use your DAd tablature (now playing in A instead of D) on any melody-string-with-drones style arrangement, and in most other cases by reversing the numbers on the Bass and Middle strings for chord notes -- for example, a 2-3-4 (I) chord in DAd (reading from bass-to-melody) would be 3-2-4 in EAA.
-- Ruth Randle
MORE INVOLVED ANSWER:
In general, "reverse" tunings are ones where the key note is on the MIDDLE string, and the bass string is the fifth of the scale, but in the octave below the middle string. This, by the magic of mathematics and the circle of fifths, makes the bass string an interval of a fourth below the middle string.
So for a "Reverse Ionian" in the key of G, the middle string is tuned to a G. The fifth of a G Ionian scale is a D, so we tune the bass string to a D, but in the octave lower than the middle string. We want the melody string tuned so that the third fret, where the ionian scale starts, is a G, This means the melody string open note is a D.
Similarly, for "Reverse Mixolydian" (I really dislike referring to tunings by mode names, by the way...) in the key of A, you tune the middle string to an A, just as in DAA tuning. Now, however, the bass string is tuned to the fifth of the A scale (E) in the next lower octave, and you tune the melody string so that the start of the Mixolydian scale is an A. The mixolydian scale starts on the open string, so the tuning is EAA. If you have a 6+ fret, (most people not named Bob Force do) you can play the Ionian scale in A as well, which is why I usually don't like to refer to tunings as modes. Trust me. It works. Really.
-- Steven K. Smith
QUESTION:
Dear Kerry,
I just ordered a mountain dulcimer from you yesterday. I was thinking about them and wondered what you would suggest as far as getting the internal pickup? Do most players get the pickup or not?
-- Marcia Ganun
ANSWER:
Marcia,
Why, yes. I think everyone should have an internal pickup -- even if you are a beginner. The dulcimer is a large investment for most folks and something that you will have for years. Later on, when you get "proficient" at it and comfortable, the pickup will always be there. If you play some guitar, then I figure it won't take you long to get comfortable with the dulcimer. It is a lot easier than guitar and you will love learning it!
Buying a dulcimer without an internal pickup is like buying an acoustic guitar. It all depends on what you are looking into the future to do. If you are going to play with fiddlers and other guitar players, or if you are going to play outdoors, then get the pickup for sure. You can get little amps that slip right up under your chair. You can turn the volume knob to #1 or #2 and be just as loud as any guitar player and be competitive with the fiddlers. Dulcimers don't have large bodies like guitars and so they have a soft voice when played without an amp.
It is hard to install an internal pickup later on after the instrument is built. It is much easier to just get it installed while it is being built. That way, too, you don't have to hunt down a repair person to add the pickup later. Also, it increases the value of your instrument if you should decide to sell it later on and go back to guitar -- but I doubt you will!! LOL
-- hugs,
-- Kerry
QUESTION:
I was talking with a player I highly respect recently, about people who can PLAY dulcimer and people who can TEACH dulcimer, and how often those two are (or are not) the same, so here's my question:
Are the best players the best teachers.....?
-- John Blosser
ANSWER:
John,
Teaching is a learned art, as is playing. That said, a teacher who understands various "learning styles" must also be able to demonstrate the skills, techniques and musical phrases they are trying to teach. Its not likely that a person teaching could teach above their own playing level, but its not necessarily true that an advanced player is able to teach successfully at any level. Demonstrating is only half of the job of a teacher, and teaching skills must be learned if a player is serious about also being a good teacer.
-- Peggy Carter
John,
I have often though of this question. Sometimes it seems that some really good players have been at it so long ... and know so much about music ... that they may not be the best teacher for beginners as they may be too far from the problems of the beginner. To be a really good teacher of a beginner, you have to know their problems. One quality of any good teacher is the ability to "read" people ... as we don't all learn in the same manner. I may be wrong on this ... and certainly many good performers are also good teachers ... but some may not be.
-- John Stockard
QUESTION:
I am a 69 yr. old female with some music piano background, I have had a dulcimer for about a year. I have even attemped to play with some groups. My biggest problems is they have played so long and know so many songs by memory. They take off and I never catch up. I have the music to some of the songs they play but the music will say 4/4 time and they seem to play it twice that fast. Can you help me to be able to at least-part time keep up?
I practice a lot but have difficulty remembering the music. So, of course, looking at the music and trying to keep up is tuff. The closest instructor to me is 150 miles away. What can you suggest for me?
I have downloaded a lot of your information from your web site. It is very informative. At this time I am only trying to play the bass string, not chords, and this really limits me. You make everything sound so simple! I read it and think will I ever be able to play like you are talking about.
Thanks for any suggestions you might have.
-- Marianne
ANSWER:
Marianne,
Bless your heart! I can understand what you are going through. There are several factors at work here.
The people attending the groups are not playing "nice". In some groups I have attended, they start the song out slow and slowly build up to a faster speed, therefore allowing the new players and folks who aren't familiar with the tune to get comfortable somewhat before the song gets too out of hand.
Are these strictly dulcimer groups or are there mixed instruments in the group? Some groups that are not strictly dulcimer have an "attitude" towards the dulcimer and try to make it harder for the dulcimer player. They don't play "nice" either.
There are other groups that feel that unless you can play at breakneck speed then you are not a musician. They don't play "nice" either.
Starting out is hard enough without others trying to "show you" how good they are. That doesn't get anyone anywhere.
When I first started out some 20 years ago I was in an area where I was the only dulcimer player for MILES!!! I got as many dulcimer books and CDs or tapes as I could lay my hands on through mail order. I sat for hours going over and over and over the songs at my own pace. Once I had the song "in my head", then I started working on my speed. If you try to play a song that you don't know very well at a fast pace, you will stumble and make mistakes. If you continue to try to play to speed before you ""know" the song, you will be teaching your hands to play the song the same way over and over, mistakes INCLUDED. It sounds strange, but you are teaching yourself to include those "stumbles".
Here comes the good part and the help.
Take each song you want to learn and, one at a time, learn them a couple measures at a time. Don't try to learn the whole song all at once. The reason is because by the time you get to the end of the song, you (and your hands) will have forgotten the first part of the song! I think this is what is happening to you -- that you can't remember the notes because by the time you get to the end of the song you have forgotten the beginning of the song. SO -- just learn the first four measures. Play those first four measures over and over until your hands play them for you. That will happen! You will be able to play the first four measures without having to "think" about every note.
THEN, learn the next four measures. You don't have to play the first four measures and then the next four measures all together, JUST learn measures 5 through 8. Do the same thing. Play them over and over until your hands do it for you. NOW -- play all eight measures together. There -- you got the first half of the song! Now you can learn measures 9 through 12, and so on.
It is a slow process and it needs to be a song you have some passion for -- because after you have played the song over and over a couple dozen times, you will be real sick of it! (!!!) If that happens to you, start to learn another song to break up the boredom. Then you can come back to that first song the next day and start again.
Choose songs that are simple and familiar "in your head". Songs you can already hum to yourself while you are cleaning house or something.
Some people can just pick up an instrument and start to play it. Some people have a passion for playing, but they have to work at it. I was like that. I wanted so bad to play some of my favorite songs, but I had to break them down into little bits and work hard at it. But it has rewarded me. Now I can play new songs in no time at all without so much work because I learned how to learn.
You are brave, going to groups before really "knowing" any songs. Some folks will hide out for a while until they feel like they have a few songs "under their belt" so to speak. I applaud you and I am proud of you.
But everyone has a different approach to learning. Don't allow other people to make you feel like you can't do it, or that you are "stupid", or that you are clumbsy, or that you don't have the ability to continue to become a good player. It just means you have to take another approach. I know I had to.
A good monthly lesson to sign up for is Stephen Seifert's monthly lessons. They are $20 a month and he takes you through it step by step. Each lesson comes with a book, CD and DVD so you can watch, listen and read. Go to Steve's Website -- say "Howdy" for me. you can also try out Larry Conger's Tune of the Month designed to help students learn various skills and techniques on the mountain dulcimer when no instructor is present.
Also check out Peggy Carter's Play Along CDs for Mountain Dulcimer -- With these CDs you'll have your own back up band to play with.... any time..... like having a "jam session" in your living room all by yourself -- NIGHT OR DAY! BUT you can rewind it! You can't rewind a real jam session, but you can do it with Peggy's Play Along CDs. The sample audio files on the website just represent one of the 4 or 5 tunes on each CD. You can purchase the full CD on Peggy's website. All the tunes are listed so you can choose which CD you want. But I need to warn you that the webpage is very "heavy" because of all the music.... and so it takes a long time to load. I hope you'll be patient... I think its worth the wait.
If you play hammer dulcimer, check out her Play Along CDs for Hammer Dulcimer!"
Western North Carolina Dulcimer Collective also has a series of "Learning CD's" (professionally duplicated - not home-recorded) containing tunes from all of the newsletters they've published from 1990 through 2005. Each music CD has tunes played slowly on just the mountain dulcimer melody string, and then again up to speed with chords. (Some include a third track, finger-picked.) Also available is a Tablature PC CD containing tab and lyrics for all of the tunes, plus MP3 music files of the strummed version of each tune. It's viewable alphabetically and by CD.
I hope this has helped you.
-- Hugs,
-- Kerry
QUESTION:
Can anyone recommed tab books written in DGd? And maybe include an address and price so a body might order them? I, for one, would be much more inclined to try different tunings if I had something to go by.
-- Jean
ANSWER:
My book of English Songs and Ballads has several songs in DGd and in CFc (same tuning, one step down). I've really found it useful to be able to play in the key of F and G. The book comes with a CD of several of the songs and sells for $24.95. I'll ship for free.
-- Lance
-- Lance's Website
QUESTION:
I recently joined a band our youth group formed and I'm having some trouble figuring out how to play some of the chords the music calls for. Maybe some of you music theory buffs can help me. For starters, what note is it that's suspended in any kind of suspended chord, like Dsus or Gsus? And so how would you accomplish that on a dulcimer? I've got an idea about this, but I'm not sure it's right. Also, what about chords like D2 or G2? I think that means, in the case of G2, instead of playing your typical G, B, D, you'd play G, A, D.
Am I right???
-- Christine
-- Huffman, TX
ANSWER:
For sus 4 chords, get rid of the 3rd and add the 4th. C major (C E G)would become C sus 4 (C F G). On the dulcimer, find the 3rd in the chord and raise it a half-step.
For sus 2 chords, get rid of the 3rd and add the 4th. C major (C E G) would become C sus 2 (C D G). On the dulcimer, find the 3rd and lower it a whole-step.
I'm not sure about a G2. That might mean add the 2 to the G major triad. That would make G A B D. Since a G9 would imply a flat 7, I'm sure this either represents a G sus 2 or a G add 2. On the dulcimer, to be safe, just play a G sus 2.
-- Stephen Seifert
-- Stephen Seifert's Website
QUESTION:
I'm interested in tips on flying and carrying on a mountain dulcimer. Although I've done this several times with no problem, I always feel like I'm going to be stopped by some "rule-book waving" airline person because my dulcimer really doesn't fit inside the boundaries of the baggage check stand. The last time I flew, the flight attendants were nice enough to let me put my instrument up in a closet near the cockpit.
In a couple of weeks I'm flying and I would like to carry a more expensive dulcimer than I've ever flown with before but I don't won't to risk injury to the instrment. Any ideas would be appreciated.
-- Thanks,
-- Johnny Ray
ANSWER:
I'm paranoid when it comes to what the airlines will let you carry on - so I always pack mine to be checked. I bought a hard shell plastic double rifle case (at any sporting goods store - about $40) and took out the eggshell foam. I bought one inch foam, lined the top and bottom of the case, then took more foam and cut around my dulcimer so it fits snugly into it. Then I use packing tape (the kind with the nylon thread in it) wrapped around two or three times around the case (the locks on those things are very cheaply made).
I also tell them at the check in that it's an instrument and usually they will have it hand carried down to the loading carts, and not trust the conveyor belt. And usually it comes to the "large" claim area, not the general pickup.
I know that some others have put their quilted cases in hard shell golf bag carriers - good if you are flying with more than one dulcimer (and if you've got a lot of extra cash - those things are expensive).
Good luck!
-- Missy
-- Ohio
QUESTION:
I hope someone out there can shed a little light on a problem that I have. I have several dulcimer cassette tapes that I would like to put on a CD. Is there a program or sound card that will allow this to be done. I have a CD burner but none of the programs that I have will except cassett tape music.
-- Hargeo in Florida
ANSWER:
I use MusicMatch Jukebox, a free download from mp3.com You can record through the line in jack from your tape recorder and save as mp3. It will "burn" a cd for you, too since you already have a cdr drive. Of course, you can convert the mp3 files to wave files and let the software you got with your cd drive turn those wave files into a regular audio cd. It's just that MusicMatch Jukebox should be able to handle it all, and it's free. Hey, I liked the price.
-- Clayton E. Samels
QUESTION:
I have a question about chords. My music background is all self-taught but I have a fair knowledge of the basics of music theory. With that said, here's what I am having trouble with. When I have a piece of music with no chords and I want to add them I don't understand how to determine where to place the chords.
-- Bill Testerman
ANSWER:
Sooner or later nearly every dulcimer player decides to learn to play chords instead of drones, and asks the same question you have just asked. As a teacher, I found that those who have learned to play by tablature become quite confused by the idea of having to learn chord theory, inversions, etc. Another complication is that the names of the chords change with each key you are tuned to.
After several years, I decided to develop of system of teaching how to substitute chords for single melody notes, based not upon the NAMES of the chords, but according to the FRET POSITION of the melody notes. In other words, it is a system involving what I call "chord scales". There is a "major" chord scale and a "minor" chord scale (with chords left over to use as you wish). Learn to play these and you can substitute any time you wish. Normally, if the music is written in ¾ time, the chord goes on the first beat of each measure; for 4/4, it is often added for the first and third beat, etc. These are just general rules. You can mix-and-match to suit your playing style.
I'm not going to give a lesson on chord theory here. Let me just say that I have developed these chords scales for 1-5-5 tunings like D-A-A, and have offered them to those on dulcimer-list from time to time, Several dozen of you already have this list. Anyone else who wants one can send me a SASE and I'll send it to you.
-- Merv Rowley
-- 665 Lakeview Court
-- Roselle, IL 60172
QUESTION:
What can you tell me about Modes? I have heard a lot of talk about them but don't understand what they are!
-- A Newbie!
ANSWER:
We had quite a conversation about Modes and Pentatonic scales on the dulcimer discussion list a while back and it caused me to do some studying. The result is on my website. You might find it to be of interest.
-- Peace,
-- Dave Murray
