Teaching

I believe in teaching you how to play the music you love, whether or not you've ever heard it done on a dulcimer before. This is true for beginners, performance-level players, and anybody in between.

 

For the latest news about online courses, see below. If you're interested in private lessons, click this link to my Contact Me page.

 

BRAND NEW 6-week ONLINE course

ROCK YOUR DULCIMER! - VOLUME 4

Thursday afternoons at 4:00pm Eastern Time.  

Thursday evenings at 7:00pm Eastern Time.  

February 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 ... 2023. 

 

I believe that mountain dulcimers belong in mainstream music -- not just folk and folk-ish music. Whether you love classic rock, country, pop, heavy metal, jazz, your own originals, or whatever else (including folk, of course), I'd like to help you express your favorite music on the dulcimer.

 

Most players never go beyond a tiny fraction of the mountain dulcimer's vast possibilities. I specialize in the kinds of subjects and repertoire that most teachers rarely offer. I'm introducing these online classes, because I want to help you and your dulcimer thrive in a world dominated by guitars, ukes, and keyboards. 

 

6-week classes will allow us to go into far greater depth than regular workshops at a festival, with more time for your questions and more attention to your specific interests. In addition, we'll reinforce your new knowledge, and build on it from week to week. All at a fraction of the cost of weekly private lessons.

 

You'll need: (1) An email address and (2) a printer. Also (3) an internet-connected device with a webcam and a microphone. (Most desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones can do this.) If your computer doesn't have a webcam or microphone, you can buy a webcam and small desktop tripod or holder at a store that sells computers. (You don't need your own Zoom account.)

 

You'll get: (1) A Zoom link for the classes. (2) PDF handouts before each week's class. (3) Access to each week's videos. (4) A wealth of knowledge so you can have a more rewarding time with your dulcimer. (5) The social experience of interacting with your classmates. Since this is a class, rather than an individual lesson, classes that don't reach the minimum size may be cancelled.

 

If you can't attend every class at the scheduled time: You'll still get the handouts and the video of the class, and if you need extra support, let me know.

ROCK YOUR DULCIMER! - VOLUME 4 ...... 6-week course

Thursday afternoons at 4:00pm Eastern Time.  

Thursday evenings at 7:00pm Eastern Time.  

February 23, March 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 ... 2023.

90-minute sessions.

 

    The fourth installment in the “Rock Your Dulcimer!” series – once again with all new topics and all new songs. You can take this class even if you didn't take the earlier ones; everything you need will be explained.

    Each week, we'll examine songs, or parts of songs, from some aspect of the rock & roll era between the 1950s and the present. As a player, you can learn from all of these, even if some of the selections may not be your usual choice of listening. We'll focus on playing techniques, song interpretation and arranging, and making diverse songs sound great on the mountain dulcimer.

  • Doo Wop – The New York oldies radio station had a great '50s doo-wop show every Sunday evening when I was a teenager, and I've loved the genre ever since. I think of it as a form of urban folk music. Beautiful harmonies and bass lines right in front – and chord accompaniment is usually easy.
  • Lesley Gore – She recorded her first hit, "It's My Party," when she was only 16, but her collection of beloved '60s hits includes more assertive songs like "She's a Fool" and "You Don't Own Me." Though her earliest hits were written by others, she also became an accomplished songwriter in her own right.
  • Paul Simon – A brilliant career as a singer and songwriter with Art Garfunkel, and solo. Simon & Garfunkel started out as an acoustic duo – in fact, their producer didn't inform them that he was adding electric guitar and drums to The Sound of Silence. Your probably familiar with a bunch of Simon's songs. They sound great on acoustic guitar – and on acoustic dulcimer.
  • Black Sabbath and Ozzy Osbourne – To quote their own website, "Black Sabbath is credited with creating heavy metal." You may or may not feel their music is your style, but the use of "power chords," in their songs is highly instructive for playing contemporary or traditional music on the dulcimer. 
  • Cyndi Lauper – She's So Unusual – from her '80s multi-colored hair to Kinky Boots – and she performs with a dulcimer, too! Known for songs like Girls Just wanna Have Fun, Time After Time, and True Colors. Cyndi also is a 2023 nominee for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. We'll look at how to approach her songs and her style of playing.
  • Pop Singer-Songwriters of Today – For at least 70 years, people have been saying that the next generation's music isn't nearly as good as their own was. However, there's actually a lot of good and playable music coming out today. I'll unashamedly admit that I enjoy current artists like Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Adele, Ed Sheeran, Demi Lovato, and P!nk. We'll look at some examples of how to be in with today's "in" crowd.

** The songs here are examples of the writers' work that you may recognize. We won't necessarily discuss those specific songs in the course.

 

You’ll learn how to play some songs that will impress your kids, grandkids, or classmates.

 

Targeted for Intermediate and Advanced players. 

Classwork will be in DAD tuning. A capo will be used at times.

1+ and 8+ frets will be used, but workarounds will be provided for participants who don't have one.

4-15 students. Classes will be recorded, so you can refer back.

You'll sign up for the afternoon or evening class, but in any week you can sit in on either or both time slots.

6-week course: Take Your Playing to the Next Level

$150.00

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Don't see what you want? I also teach private lessons. CONTACT ME.