Standard notation and a simple alpha-numerical tablature system are used to present this unusual collection of pre-18th Century tunes for the standard 12/11-course hammered dulcimer. Creating a hybrid of folk and classical elements, Carol Koenig has expanded the repertoire of the hammered dulcimer with melodies from France, Spain, England, and Scotland. The tunes are first presented in a simple melodic statement, then in a more complex harmonized version. The author insists that it is not necessary to be an outstanding sight reader to make beautiful music on the hammered dulcimer, or with this book.
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!
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.
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.
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!
This treasury of beloved classical music favorites is specially arranged for hammered dulcimers by master dulcimer performer and teacher, Dr. Mark Alan Wade. A splendid compilation of familiar pieces, each one is painstakingly edited to preserve the composer’s imagination and spirit while distilled into dulcimer reductions playable with only two hammers. Enjoy playing favorites like “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” “Für Elise,” “Clair de lune,” and many more cherished titles by celebrated composers including Vivaldi, Telemann, Schubert, Mozart, Boccherini, Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saëns, Fauré, Schumann, Brahms, Satie, Haydn and more! Each gem is set in dulcimer-friendly keys fitting within a chromatic 16/15 range with the melody clearly displayed in the upper voice for intermediate players, and with the supportive chords and countermelodies in the lower voice for more advanced players. Guitar chords are added above the melodies whenever appropriate to allow you to embellish with your own chord patterns, if preferred. With 51 pieces, 12 duets, 36 composers, and a range of musical eras spanning 285 years, this book is a compendium to enjoy for a lifetime! Reference recordings of each piece are available online, created electronically with life-like Steinway grand piano samples. This digital audio is rhythmically perfect and expressively performed with authentic interpretations that are appropriate for each era. For real audio recordings, check out my album, Serenade!
Middle Eastern Music for Hammered Dulcimer goes beyond the stereotypes of genies and Aladdin's lamp to illuminate the entire treasure trove of Middle Eastern music. the collection brings you the full bounty of the region: over 35 classical compositions, well-known folk tunes, and modern popular compositions by 'Abd al-Wahab, the Rahbani brothers, and other stars of the Arab world.In addition to the tunes, the book gives substantial information on traditional performance practices, common musical forms, and the unique qualities that define Middle Eastern music. Rhythmic patterns, semitones, modes, accompaniment, and improvisation in a Middle Eastern style are discussed in detail. There are numerous diagrams that explain Middle Eastern modes, and how to bring them to life on your Western dulcimer. Appropriate for players at any level.
This book teaches the student step by step how to play the harp. Each of the 12 lessons includes instructions, exercises, and folk and classical pieces using the new skills and techniques taught in the lesson. --from publisher description.
Over 50 hymns included, all with lyrics and dulcimer chord symbols! A Dulcimer Hymn Collection is a great way to share the joy of the old hymns and spirituals that you love on your mountain dulcimer! Great care was taken to ensure that the selections in this book sound great and are easy to play. Chords are also provided for each tune and tuning with diagrams to help you jam along with friends. All tunes are written in standard music notation and dulcimer tablature. All major tunes in this book are in D-A-A tuning and are playable on the melody string. All are suitable for noter/drone playing styles. Minor tunes are in D-A-G tuning or using a capo on the first fret in D-A-A tuning. Be sure to check out the D-A-D version of this book as well for those who prefer that tuning. Tunes in this book were written for a Beginning to Intermediate playing level but folks of all abilities can find something in here to enjoy! Tunes include: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God; Abide with Me; All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name; Amazing Grace; Battle Hymn of the Republic; Be Thou My Vision; Blessed Assurance; Blest Be the Tie That Binds; Christ the Lord Has Risen Today; Come Thou Almighty King; Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing; Come Thou Long Expected Jesus; Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy; Crown Him With Many Crowns; Do Lord, Remember Me; Down to the River to Pray; Faith of Our Fathers; Go, Tell It on the Mountain; Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah; He Leadeth Me; Holy, Holy, Holy; How Firm a Foundation; I Love Thy Kingdom Lord; In the Garden; It Is Well With My Soul; Jesus Loves Me; Jesus Shall Reign Wheree'er the Sun; Jesus! the Very Thought of Thee; Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee; Just as I Am, Without One Plea; My Faith Looks Up to Thee; Nearer My God to Thee; O For a Thousand Tongues To Sing; Old Hundredth; Onward Christian Soldiers; Rock of Ages; Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us; Simple Gifts; Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus; Sweet Hour of Prayer; Swing Low, Sweet Chariot; There Is a Fountain Filled with Blood; This Is My Father's World; To God Be the Glory; Wayfaring Stranger; We Gather Together; What a Friend We Have in Jesus; What Wondrous Love Is This; When I Survey the Wondrous Cross; Will the Circle Be Unbroken? And Bonus tunes: Hosanna, Blessed Is He that Comes; Sing Hallelujah, Praise the Lord!
