The Hammered Dulcimer
The Hammered Dulcimer

Author: Paul M. Gifford

Publisher: Scarecrow Press

Published: 2001-06-13

Total Pages: 482

ISBN-13: 1461672902

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The last quarter of the twentieth-century saw a renewed interest in the hammered dulcimer in the United States at the grassroots level as well as from elements of the Folk Revival. This book offers the reader a discussion of the medieval origins of the dulcimer and its subsequent spread under many different names to other parts of the world. Drawing on articles the author has written in English as well as articles by specialists in their own languages, Gifford explains the history and evolution of the instrument. Special attention is paid to the North American tradition from the early 18th-century to the 1970s revival. Drawing from local histories, news clippings, photographs, and interviews, the book examines the playing of the dulcimer and its associated social meanings.

You Can Teach Yourself Hammered Dulcimer
You Can Teach Yourself Hammered Dulcimer

Author: Mandeline MacNeil

Publisher: Mel Bay Publications

Published: 2016-01-05

Total Pages: 89

ISBN-13: 1609740513

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Every aspect of the hammered dulcimer and its playing techniques is covered in this comprehensive, yet easy-to-understand text. A masterful teacher, Madeline MacNeil exceeds the expectations of a beginner's book, providing a firm foundation for the development of a total musician while maintaining an engaging, informal tone throughout. with detailed discussions on dulcimer layout, hammers, tuning, and stands plus extensive performance notes on every tune, this book is a valuable asset to the beginning through intermediate player. from Oh Suzanna to Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, Madeline shows the novice dulcimer player how to map your way through a new piece of music, finding clear, musical directions through what at first must seem like a maze of strings. All tunes are in standard notation. the book's 87 pages are illustrated with photos as well as quaint woodcuts, engravings, and pen and ink drawings.

Dirt Simple Hammered Dulcimer
Dirt Simple Hammered Dulcimer

Author: Dr. Mark Alan Wade

Publisher: Mel Bay Publications

Published: 2015-11-24

Total Pages: 61

ISBN-13: 1619114321

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The title says it all: "Dirt Simple." This book and accompanying online audio are designed for a rank beginner who knows nothing about the hammered dulcimer, providing them the tools to make music right away. Starting with the fundamentals of how to hold hammers and tune the instrument, it delves deeper into mastery with posture, stand height/angle, and replacing strings to set up the beginner for a lifetime of good habits. Every concept introduced is simultaneously presented with illustrations and songs that demonstrate and reinforce. Whether the student reads music or plays by ear, the result is the same - music making right from the beginning! Dr. Mark Alan Wade is an experienced teacher with an undergraduate degree in music education and years of public school teaching experience. Now teaching music theory and dulcimer at Denison University, Dr. Wade offers a unique perspective on teaching hammered dulcimer and has three students who have also won the National Hammered Dulcimer Contest as evidence of his master teaching. It's all about the music! Dirt Simple Hammered Dulcimer is written so that the carefully selected tunes are the true teacher. Hands-on learning is made easy with the accompanying audio. Each song is played slowly for students to learn by ear in addition to reading notation. This also allows for the students to hear style traits such as swing, that aren't easily conveyed in written notation. With 29 songs, this book and online audio available for download are a year's worth of private lessons in one concise package!

Getting Into Hammered Dulcimer
Getting Into Hammered Dulcimer

Author: Linda Thomas

Publisher: Mel Bay Publications

Published: 2016-07-19

Total Pages: 73

ISBN-13: 1610651790

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Getting Into Hammered Dulcimer is designed as a "crash course" for hammered dulcimer enthusiasts of ALL experience levels. the fourteen song titles, in standard notation, offer a variety of styles and are presented in the following format; 1. Basic Melody, 2. Embellished/Variation and 3. Back-up Chords/Accompaniment.Additional topics include layout of the hammered dulcimer, tips for tuning, basic theory, major/relative minor scales, chords charts, and playing modulations. the companion CD is recorded to offer three tracks for each selection; 1. Basic melody, 2. Embellished Melody/Variation and 3. Back-up accompaniment.

Arranging for Hammered Dulcimer
Arranging for Hammered Dulcimer

Author: Jeanne Page

Publisher: Mel Bay Publications

Published: 2003

Total Pages: 87

ISBN-13: 9780786646975

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Beginning and Intermediate players who have developed a repertoire of melodies will be walked step by step through the process of arranging their tunes. Lessons provide a detailed explanation and numerous examples of root position chords and their inversions on the 12-11 and larger sized hammered dulcimer. Simple tunes are provided for the reader to incorporate newly acquired knowledge of chord theory. Descriptions of bounces, triplets, doubling, counter melodies, arpeggios, scale runs, extended chords, etc. are included as well as opportunities to create arrangements utilizing these techniques.

Killer Technique: Hammered Dulcimer
Killer Technique: Hammered Dulcimer

Author: Dr. Mark Alan Wade

Publisher: Mel Bay Publications

Published: 2013-06-20

Total Pages: 29

ISBN-13: 1619114089

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Killer Technique: Hammered Dulcimer is a book that uniquely focuses on improving the everyday elements of dulcimer playing. Some mundane fundamentals of technique may seem mindless and appear to need no attention. In reality though, even the most basic essentials of dulcimer playing can hold us back without careful examination and precision. This book does just that! The author, himself a National Hammered Dulcimer Champion and music professor, draws on over twenty years of experience in playing and teaching to share his recipe for success. The material focuses on dulcimer-specific skills and drills them in effective and engaging new ways. Targeted areas include dexterity, aim, flow, commonly used percussion rudiments, chords, arpeggios, and chord suffixes. Each exercise is carefully designed to isolate the targeted skill, provide instruction for its most efficient execution, and help you acquire new and improved muscle memory in the least amount of repetitions. Admittedly, working on technique can seem like a chore. This book takes the work out of it and presents the exercises in fresh new ways so you get the most out of them in the least amount of time. Dr. Wade's biggest technique secret revealed in this book is his use of varying rhythms to re-engage the brain and to acquire new and lasting muscle memory. The exercises are not only fun to master but also incredibly effective! It's all about efficiency–not just going through the motions!

Playing The Hammered Dulcimer In The Irish Tradition
Playing The Hammered Dulcimer In The Irish Tradition

Author: Karen Ashbrook

Publisher: Oak Publications

Published: 1987-06-01

Total Pages: 97

ISBN-13: 1783234237

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This book is to encourage dulcimer players at the intermediate-to-advanced level to play the “right” way. If you’re going to play a few Irish tunes, why not play them the way they were intended to be played? Then you can enjoy what other Irish musicians have enjoyed for hundreds of years. This book can teach you several basic, simple techniques that create the feel of traditional Irish music.

Harmony Time: Embellishments for Hammered Dulcimer
Harmony Time: Embellishments for Hammered Dulcimer

Author: Mark Alan Wade

Publisher: Mel Bay Publications

Published: 2012-10-26

Total Pages: 61

ISBN-13: 1619113368

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This book and accompanying audio offer an in-depth look at how to add accompaniment and embellishments to melodies on the hammered dulcimer. The material covered in this book illustrates how to enhance simple melodies toshowcase their inherent musicality. Full of illustrations, examples, preparatoryexercises and easy-to-play arrangements, this book is sure to bring new character to your playing. It begins by explaining, in simple terms, how and why harmony works and teaches the solutions to the common exceptions you will encounter. By the end, you will be able to apply the four most common methods dulcimer playersuse to add accompaniments to melodies. Note-for-note transcriptions of fully arranged songs from the author's own repertoire are also included

Hammered Dulcimer for the Young Beginner
Hammered Dulcimer for the Young Beginner

Author: Madeline MacNeil

Publisher: Mel Bay Publications

Published: 2016-08-04

Total Pages: 33

ISBN-13: 1619116413

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The hammered dulcimer is a unique, great-sounding, fun-to-play instrument that arrived in America via England and Ireland. It appears throughout many countriesover centuries and has contributed to the invention of the piano. So many tunes and songs we enjoy today sound wonderful when played on the hammered dulcimer. This book starts by teaching you how to hold the hammers and where notes are located on the instrument. Songs you will learn include Skip To My Lou, Oh! Susanna, Amazing Grace, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star and Old MacDonald Had A Farm. In addition, the accompanying online audio allows you to play tunes with author, renowned hammered dulcimer performer and writer, MadelineMacNeil! Each recording includes count offs and access to the audio is included with the book

The Hammered Dulcimer's Companion
The Hammered Dulcimer's Companion

Author: Phillip Mason

Publisher: Mel Bay Publications

Published: 2010-10-07

Total Pages: 85

ISBN-13: 1609748115

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This book is a treasure-trove of information and music for all players of the hammered dulcimer. Phillip Mason has written the definitive text on the history, tuning, playing technique, harmonic dimensions, construction, and repair of the sweet-voiced instrument. In an extensive essay, he also shares his thoughts on the fundamentals of singing with the hammered dulcimer. Concepts revealed here would be useful to anyone who aspires to sing, or improve ones singing technique. Music and lyrics for 34 songs are included in the Music Section followed by construction tips and plans for building your own hammered dulcimer.