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dulci-bro
Learning to Learn Free Lesson
by Steve Eulberg We often overlook the basics, don't we? How DO we learn?
] Of course there are many different learning styles and we bounce between them as individuals, but Steve presents some ideas here that you might find helpful in learning new tunes on your instrument. Try them out and let us know how they go for you!
Teacher or Self-Taught?
by Linda Ratcliff
Teacher or Self-Taught?
A self-taught man usually has a poor teacher and a worse student.
- Henry Youngman
Teacher or Self-Taught?
I am pretty much self taught. Peggy Carter got me started with a few lessons in Houston. And then I joined Rick Thum’s Song of the Month Club to learn several jammin’ tunes over time. And I had the opportunity to attend a few festivals in the early days. But, for the most part, my arrangements are self taught.
I went …
What do you think ... is that the best way to go?
New Navigation FAQ Video
Here at DulcimerCrossing we are always seeking to improve the learning experience and the latest is a new system of Navigation on the Lessons Page. [Note: this is an historical video. The website has been reorganized since this was recorded.]
Steve has created a new FAQ video which explains these new features. Here is summary: Lessons arranged by Playing Level. Lessons arranged by Genre. Lessons arranged by Teacher/Instrument. Please ask us if you have any questions so that we can help…
Skill Levels? How do I compare?
by Steve Eulberg
All of us ask this question at some time or another.
What is my skill level as a musician? What is my skill level on THIS instrument that I am learning to play? From a practical perspective, this is how many festivals and workshops ask us to assess ourselves as we enroll in classes and workshops. I learned this first hand when I started the Colorado Dulcimer Festival many years ago. This was the question asked both by the students and the teachers with whom we contracted to…
Blue Water Thinking
by Linda Ratcliff
Creativity is a wild mind and a disciplined eye. - Dorothy Parker
My husband and I moved this week, and we now live in our RV on Watts Bar Lake in Tennessee. We have a beautiful view of the lake, right out our back window. Actually, we’re parked on a peninsula, so we can see water from every window in the RV.
I began to wonder if the change in scenery would have any impact on my creativity, so I did some research. I found an article about how our surroundings impact creative think…
Creativity is a wild mind and a disciplined eye. - Dorothy Parker
My husband and I moved this week, and we now live in our RV on Watts Bar Lake in Tennessee. We have a beautiful view of the lake, right out our back window. Actually, we’re parked on a peninsula, so we can see water from every window in the RV.
I began to wonder if the change in scenery would have any impact on my creativity, so I did some research. I found an article about how our surroundings impact creative think…
Original Music on DulcimerCrossing
by Linda Ratcliff
Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.
Original Tunes by Steve Eulberg
Sometimes we forget to count our blessings. And one very BIG blessing we have at Dulcimer Crossing is Steve Eulberg.
He is our co-founder, teacher, performing artist, and song-writer. Several of our lessons feature original tunes by Steve.
- Elk in the Meadow
- Club Footed Jib
- Blacktail Weasel & the Ground Squirrel Cl…
Find Somewhere Quiet
by Linda Ratcliff
It is in that quiet place at our center that we hear the whispers of our soul. - Sue Krebs
It is in that quiet place at our center that we hear the whispers of our soul. - Sue Krebs
Find somewhere quiet. This almost seems too obvious to really need to say. But it's important. Many of you probably have a special room, or your own corner of the living room for practicing your dulcimer. When you have a designated quiet place to practice, you will be less likely to cave in to distractions.
In addition, going to your special practice area helps prepare you mentally for gett…
In addition, going to your special practice area helps prepare you mentally for gett…
You Need New Input!
by Linda Ratcliff
You don't have to wait for inspiration to hit. It's easier to be inspired when you're hanging out with other musicians and playing along with them. - Linda Ratcliff
You don't have to wait for inspiration to hit. It's easier to be inspired when you're hanging out with other musicians and playing along with them. - Linda Ratcliff
We go to Nashville a couple of times a year, and one of our favorite things to do in Nashville is to visit the Bluebird Cafe. We've stood outside under their blue canopy in the rain for as long as two hours, waiting without a reservation, hoping to get inside.
Over 70,000 people visit the Bluebird annually, man…
How to Practice Smarter, Not Longer
Seek to accomplish more in less time - and have fun doing it.
- Linda Ratcliff
We’ve all heard the saying, “Work smarter, not harder.” Actually, I’ve been trying to do that all my life - succeeding and making good money with some ideas and losing money in others. But I have never given up. I keep on trying to think up new ways to work smarter.
Could we apply this mantra to our music. Most of us don’t need to practice harder - we are already practicing hard enough. But are we making any progres…
We’ve all heard the saying, “Work smarter, not harder.” Actually, I’ve been trying to do that all my life - succeeding and making good money with some ideas and losing money in others. But I have never given up. I keep on trying to think up new ways to work smarter.
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