DulcimerCrossing as a Way to Invest in Yourself

by Steve Eulberg

Investing in your own musical growth and development only takes your decisions:

1. To try it

2.  To try it again

3.  To learn how to remember what you've tried

4.  To discover what you DON'T get or don't (yet) understand

5.  To search for the answers to decision #4.

6.  To connect with others who may be a step ahead of you on the path

7.  To connect with others who are well-traveled guides on this path.

ALL of us who teach at DulcimerCrossing have faced and made these decisions. 

The path for each of us is a bit different, certainly personal, tailored (sometimes after the fact) by how we've each answered these decisions, the guidance we've found, the support and encouragement of others on this path.

Neither Linda, nor I had a community of support when we started playing dulcimers. 

We both had extensive music backgrounds in other instruments before, but were drawn to dulcimer while being in settings where almost no one knew what it was we were excitedly talking about.  But we kept following the path, answering the questions again and again.

That led to the creation of this resource which is especially tailored for those who may NOT have a community of players in which to find this support and guidance.  Our whole purpose is to EQUIP YOU to travel in this path with more clarity and growing understanding more quickly that we were able to stumble and discover.

While there is always value in stumbling and discovering, I am always grateful to the roadmaps of others who are familiar with the journey and I find great value in their experience.  So I try avail myself of every opportunity to learn the new things, to fill in the gaps in my understanding, to revisit and review what I thought to be true, and to "keep a beginner's" mind  (see Zen Guitar by Toshio Sudo).  

Above all, I look for those whose music I admire and seek to learn from them.

DulcimerCrossing is designed for 3 kinds of students:

DIY-for those whose are taking their first steps, or who have complicated lives and schedules, for those who thrive when they learn on their own at their own pace.

WORKSHOP-for those who like all of the resources available to DIY students, but find value in being able to ask questions in group settings and appreciate having archive video replays to reinforce what they are learning.

MENTOR-for those who truly want to connect in person, one-to-one in a private lesson, while also using all of the resources from the other levels.

Invest in Yourself in the way you learn best