
Lessons for Mountain Dulcimer Players
Video 1
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1. | Intro to the Chromatic Dulcimer | Here Erin introduces the chromatic dulcimer. |
2. | Chromatic Pros & Cons | Here Erin shares some of the advantages and challenges she found when learning to play the chromatic mountain dulcimer. |
3. | Getting Comfortable, Part A: Dots |
In this segment, Erin talks about why she chose to have the fret markers (dots) placed on her instrument the same way they are on her diatonic dulcimer. |
4. | Getting Comfortable, Part B: Notes |
Erin looks for the notes on the chromatic mountain dulcimer that she's used to having on her diatonic instrument. |
5. | Charting Notes on the High "d" String | Erin charts the notes, fret-by-fret, on the high "d" string. NOTE: These are the same note names (but an octave higher) than the notes on the bass "D" string. |
6. | Charting Notes on the Middle "A" String | Now we look at the notes on the middle "A" string. |
7. | D Scale Across the Strings | First we'll play a familiar scale, the D scale, across the strings in the in first or home position. |
8. | G Scale Across the Strings | Using the same exact pattern of skips and steps that let us play the D scale across the strings, Erin starts in a new location and plays the G scale, demonstrating how flexible this is on a chromatic instrument |
9. | G# Scale Across the Strings | Using the exact same pattern, Erin now demonstrates playing a G# scale across the strings. |
10. | Play F Scale Across the Strings | Using the exact same pattern, Erin now plays another scale we don't normally associate with the dulcimer: F. |
11. | Playing Scales through the Circle of 4ths | To demonstrate the versatility of playing scale patterns, and their use on the chromatic mountain dulcimer, Erin uses a single pattern to play major scales throughout all 12 keys, working through the Circle of 4ths. |
12. | Using the Major Slant Shape | Now that we have found notes and a pattern to play scales, Erin shows how the same principle can work with familiar diatonic chord shapes. |
13. | Minor Slant Chord Shape | Now Erin looks at the Minor Slant Chord Shape and moves up the fretboard with it. |
14. | Barre Chord Shape | Finally, Erin moves the Barre chord shape up the fretboard. Now, with all the notes and three different chord shapes, you are ready to tackle some tunes! |
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