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Lessons on Bass Dulcimer
by Linda Ratcliff Be adventuresome. Expand your musical world. Learn to play the bass dulcimer.
We have a new lesson taught by our newest teacher, Larry Conger, along with his wife, Elaine Conger. They make a dynamic team as they present a lesson on how to play an original blues tune written by Larry. The most intriguing part to me is to see Elaine playing the bass dulcimer, and hearing how well the two instruments complement each other. Check out the contents for this lesson here.
Enjoy th…
Su La Li-New Hammered Dulcimer Lesson
by Linda Ratcliff
Are you tired of practicing the same old tunes? Try a new tune. Learning fuels creativity, refines skills, and is satisfying when you finally "get it." - Linda Ratcliff
We have a new lesson for our hammered dulcimer students called Su La Li. This lullaby is taught by Steve Eulberg, and was composed by Bonnie Light for Music Together, an internationally recognized music program for children from birth through age 7.
This is a classic example of a “song without words.” S…
Live Concert/Workshop This Saturday
by Linda Ratcliff
“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.” - Albert Einstein
(Erin holding her NEW Chromatic Mountain Dulcimer Chord Encyclopedia)
Chromatic Mountain Dulcimer Chord Workshop with Erin Mae Saturday, November 18th 8:00 am PST | 9:00 am MS…
“If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music.” - Albert Einstein
Erin Mae Lewis, who teaches Chromatic Mountain Dulcimer Lessons on DulcimerCrosing is giving a special Chromatic Mountain Dulcimer Workshop!
Chromatic Mountain Dulcimer Chord Workshop with Erin Mae Saturday, November 18th 8:00 am PST | 9:00 am MS…
Barlow Knife (New Lesson)
By Linda Ratcliff
The Barlow knife design dates back 400 years, and is a type of folding pocket knife that features double or single blades that open at one end only. The knife-style bears the name of a man named Barlow of Sheffield, England, one of the earliest and most famous makers. This knife has been in the back pocket of Americans since the beginning, and its dependable design and minimalistic features make it a classic to own. Fifty years ago, you could buy one for $2.00, but they cost q…
The Perfect Wrong Note
by Linda Ratcliff
If you ever strum the wrong note, or strike the wrong string with your hammers ... just tell them you were playing the jazz version. - Linda Ratcliff
The Perfect Wrong Note
If you ever strum the wrong note, or strike the wrong string with your hammers ... just tell them you were playing the jazz version. - Linda Ratcliff
The Perfect Wrong Note
My 16-year-old grandson plays the saxophone in his band at school, and he was telling me about trying out last week for the school jazz band. All the kids waiting for their turn were troubled by one note in the arrangement - an Eb. They thought if they could just play that note 1/2 step higher, it would sou…
When I am frustrated with my progress, (or lack of it)....
...This quote from Judy Klinkhammer comes to mind:
"What a curse it is, that the only thing you ever do is exactly what you choose to do."
- Judy Klinkhammer
Judy was an amazing fixture in the community of Mountain View, Arkansas, bringing and treasuring the mountain dulcimer in this northeast corner of the Ozark mountains. She loved equipping absolute beginners AND singing harmony. She was an indefatigable encourager, but as her wisdom shows, she knew that the impetus for playing must always c…
Busted & Rusted
by Linda Ratcliff
Practice will clean up the rust and put the shine back in your playing. - Linda Ratcliff
Busted & Rusted
Call me old-fashioned, but I love old things with a bit of rust on them. Sometimes we wander into antique stores, and I always gravitate to the instrument section. I wonder about who owned the instruments, how they ended up in the store in such bad condition, and whether or not I could restore one of them.
Some of you may recognize the guitar below - its name is Trigger and it …
Practice will clean up the rust and put the shine back in your playing. - Linda Ratcliff
Busted & Rusted
Call me old-fashioned, but I love old things with a bit of rust on them. Sometimes we wander into antique stores, and I always gravitate to the instrument section. I wonder about who owned the instruments, how they ended up in the store in such bad condition, and whether or not I could restore one of them.
Some of you may recognize the guitar below - its name is Trigger and it …
Don't Take It Personally
by Linda Ratcliff
Don't let compliments go to your head, and don't let criticism go to your heart.
In today's culture, people feel free to say whatever is on their mind, whether it will hurt someone's feelings or not. If you ever get negative feedback about your dulcimer playing, it can feel like a personal attack. Sometimes it's very hard for musicians to separate themselves from their work. (And yes, you ARE a musician. It hurts because we put our heart and soul into our music, no matter if …
Don't let compliments go to your head, and don't let criticism go to your heart.
In today's culture, people feel free to say whatever is on their mind, whether it will hurt someone's feelings or not. If you ever get negative feedback about your dulcimer playing, it can feel like a personal attack. Sometimes it's very hard for musicians to separate themselves from their work. (And yes, you ARE a musician. It hurts because we put our heart and soul into our music, no matter if …
Squire Parsons new Hammered Dulcimer Lesson by Linda Thomas
Linda Thomas has provided us with a new lessons series for hammered dulcimer players featuring a tune by the blind Irish harper, Turlough O'Carolan, Squire Parsons. Linda's introduction and demonstration video is above.
Subscribe to DulcimerCrossing in order to have access to all (15) fifteen videos in this lesson set.
Introducing New Fiddle Instructor
by Steve Eulberg & Linda Ratcliff DulcimerCrossing is pleased to introduce our newest instructor: Vi Wickam (Learn more about Vi on the Teacher's Page or click on the video below:
Vi Wickam is a 3rd generation fiddler from Colorado. He has finished in the finals at the Grand Master Fiddling Championship and has also taught there. Together with Steve Eulberg, he is the other half of the band, Fiddle Whamdiddle. He is also the host and owner of mytalentforge.com which features in-depth …
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