Fingerpicking Dulcimer

A collection of 21 songs arranged in a fingerpicking style for the mountain dulcimer, this book offers a wide variety of musical genres and playing levels. Divided equally between arrangements for three and four equidistant strings, the songs progress in difficulty within each section from beginner to advanced level. Each piece is written in both standard music notation and dulcimer tablature, and is accompanied by performance tips for playing that song. Many arrangements utilize the 6 1/2 fret, and tunings range from standard modal tunings to four-string variations. the arrangements cover a wide range of song styles including traditional ragtime, blues, and classical standards. Songs include My Old Kentucky Home; Londonderry Air, All Through the Night, the Entertainer, Careless Love, House of the Rising Sun, Für Elise, and Bach's Minuet in G. There is an extensive introduction on playing techniques for both left and right hands, tunings, reading tablature, and dulcimer embellishments. the accompanying CD is an instrumental recording of solo dulcimer, designed to give the student a note-for-note reference to each written arrangement while providing a performance-quality listening experience.

A collection of 21 songs arranged in a fingerpicking style for the mountain dulcimer, this book offers a wide variety of musical genres and playing levels. Divided equally between arrangements for three and four equidistant strings, the songs progress in difficulty within each section from beginner to advanced level. Each piece is written in both standard music notation and dulcimer tablature, and is accompanied by performance tips for playing that song. Many arrangements utilize the 6 1/2 fret, and tunings range from standard modal tunings to four-string variations. The arrangements cover a wide range of song styles including traditional ragtime, blues, and classical standards. Songs include My Old Kentucky Home; Londonderry Air, All Through the Night, The Entertainer, Careless Love, House of the Rising Sun, Fr Elise, and Bach's Minuet in G. There is an extensive introduction on playing techniques for both left and right hands, tunings, reading tablature, and dulcimer embellishments. The accompanying CD is an instrumental recording of solo dulcimer, designed to give the student a note-for-note reference to each written arrangement while providing a performance-quality listening experience.

Spiced with humor, Anne Dodson’s Field Guide to the Mountain Dulcimer, Book 1 is a beautifully structured and organized guide, taking the beginning student step-by-step through a well-planned sequence of lessons. Friendly and encouraging, Book 1 covers tips on buying and maintaining the instrument, left and right hand techniques, chords, and accompaniment. Exercises, lots of fun tunes to play, and downloadable audio files to support the written instruction all make Field Guide to the Mountain Dulcimer, Book I a lasting resource.

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.

These compositions are collaborations based on texts and tunes from a variety of sources, including the Bible, the 1940 Episcopal Hymnal, George Herbert, Thomas Tallis and others. Arranged for the mountain dulcimer, these renditions provide traditional repertoire for individuals, house churches and congregations without an organ, as well as a musical change of pace. They can be sung by soloists, choirs and congregations alike. Written in standard notation and tablature in DAD tuning.

This outstanding children's method for mountain dulcimer is the result of the author's many years of sharing the dulcimer with children and has beensuccessful with children as young as 5 years old. In it you will find many traditional songs and folk tunes arranged for the mountain dulcimer. Each song has a simple strum pattern indicated above it with fret numbers for the melody notes and lyrics included where appropriate. There are instructions for strumming, chording,fingerpicking and for three modal tunings (Ionian, Aeolian and Mixolydian).Harmony is included for many of the songs so two or more dulcimers can playtogether.

A collection of blues, ragtime, and crossover tunes for the 4-course mountain dulcimer equipped with a 6+ fret. These arrangements vary in difficulty, but all possess the universal appeal of the unique rhythms that define this musical genre. Selections include: Rocks and Grave; Baker's Dozen; Sweet Home Chicago; Frankie and Johnny; Careless Love; Memphis Blues; St. Louis Blues; Maple Leaf Rag; The Entertainer; and more. Written in standard notation and tablature with many pieces transcribed from performances by master blues guitarists. This book contains much more than the tunes themselves; the author shares years of experience regarding technique, embellishments, and tuning not to mention lyrics and generous performance notes for each tune.