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mountain dulcimer
You Need to Have an Itinerary
Mike and I spent 6 months on the road with our little travel trailer in 2009. We had no particular destination in mind … we just went wherever the wind took us. We liked to tell people that our itinerary was to have NO itinerary. The main thing we did was travel to follow bluegrass festivals, and we toggled between Tennessee and Kentucky for at least 3 months.
Now that philosophy was fine for a “time out” from our real life. (We were between jobs as opening managers for newly constructed self-…
Lifelong Benefits for Children
I belong to several Facebook dulcimer groups, and I am always thrilled when I see a young child holding a dulcimer, learning to play. Here are several compelling reasons why it is advantageous for children to embark on a musical journey:
- Enhanced Cognitive Abilities: Playing an instrument stimulates various cognitive functions, including memory, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Children learn to read sheet music, interpret musical symbols, and coordinate their hands and fingers to …
The Productivity Paradox
In many of my newsletters, I have emphasized the importance of practicing more often – on a schedule rather than using the popular hit-and-miss approach. In our fast-paced and achievement-oriented world, the prevailing wisdom often dictates that doing more leads to achieving more. However, there is a profound paradox hidden beneath this common belief - doing more sometimes results in achieving less. This may sound counterintuitive, but let’s take a closer look. Here’s what may happen.
- Dilutio…
Is the 3rd Time a Charm?
The phrase "third time's a charm" is a common saying that suggests that after two unsuccessful attempts, the third one is more likely to be successful or fortunate. While it may sound like a superstition or a simple play on words, history has supported the belief that the third attempt at something often proves to be the most successful.
When you are struggling with anything physical, whether it’s learning to play the dulcimer or ride a bike, there’s always this great source of pride and joy wh…
Behind the Shower Curtain
Why is it that I can sing so well behind the shower curtain? My pitch is perfect, I remember all the words, and my vibrato is amazing. I feel like I could go on stage to be a professional vocalist. However, my confidence and perfect pitch go into hiding when I try to sing in front of someone.
It’s the same with playing my instruments. I have a great assortment of instruments and we moved recently to a new neighborhood. When my new neighbors come into the house for a get-to-know-you visit, the…
Starve Your Distractions
by Linda Ratcliff
Why do some people advance quickly in their dulcimer skills, while others just get stuck? The difference may NOT be in the quantity of time that they practice. The difference just might be a deviation from focus and consistency.
For example, I have been retired for 3 weeks now. I had told myself for the last year, as we prepared for the move and this next season of our lives, that when I didn’t have to go to work anymore I was going to practice every single day. Has that ha…
How to Fix It
I want to encourage you to learn a new tune regularly – at least once a month. But if you’re at home, practicing on your own, how do you know if you got it right, and how do you correct errors?
Most of you will be able hear when something doesn’t sound right in your music. Personally, I find a recording of the new tune I am learning (usually on YouTube) and listen to it several times before beginning to learn just the melody. But if I’m not sure that I nailed it, I record myself and listen back…
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…
Can You Make Progress Without Playing?
All too often, our busy lives prevent us from picking up our dulcimer or our hammers, and spending time in practice. I look on practice time as a gift to myself, a reward for being a good girl and getting everything done that needs to be done. But sometimes I get so busy doing the things I ought to do, time runs out before I even get close to playing my instruments.
First of all, if we were face-to-face, you’d probably tell me I need to re-order my priorities. And I know you’d be right. But e…
The Domino Effect
The domino effect occurs when you make a change to one behavior that activates a chain reaction and cause a shift in related behaviors as well. For example, I bet your momma told you that if you made your bed in the morning, the rest of your day would go well. And it did, didn't it?
A good example of the domino effect can be seen in the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak of the virus in China and the resulting rapid global spread of the disease led to widespread panic and a decrease in global tr…
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