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BEGINNER'S BOOK FOR NEW PLAYERS!
New 2nd edition with instructional CD!
Blue Smoke Risin' on the Mountain is my book
for the beginning dulcimer player, and the second edition is now available. This latest edition includes new chapters
on the history of the mountain dulcimer and how modes are applied to the instrument. The provides step-by-step
instruction for playing and tuning the dulcimer, using the methods from my classes. The best part -- the all new
instructional CD includes oral instruction for getting started, playing, and strumming. It also includes play-along
recordings of the songs from the book. The book contains tablature for seven different songs, with DAA and DAD tunings
for each. Also included is an arrangement of Amazing Grace in the key of G. The CD includes 19 tracks
of instruction and songs and makes learning even easier by allowing the student to hear the tunes and to play along with
the CD as you learn.
Songs included (all songs in both DAA and DAD, and
all songs include suggested strumming patterns): Amazing Grace; Amazing Grace (DGD); Bile Them Cabbage Down; Gray
Cat on a Tennessee Farm; Liza Jane; Soldier's Joy; Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star; Wildwood Flower.
Book/CD set $20 (plus $4 postage).
Book only $12 (plus $4 postage).
| Click photo for more info and sound clips |
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The Water is Wide is a benefit
project for the Church Heath Center. All proceeds from the $15 cost go directly to CHC. There is a $3 shipping
and handling charge. You can read more about the project and hear sound clips from the CD by clicking on the photo-link
to the right.
Also available: The Water is Wide Tablature
Book for Mountain Dulcimer. Play along with the CD! $15 (plus $4 shipping).
Beneath the Willow is
my latest book. It includes the lyrics and chords to 78 old time songs and has chords charts for guitar and mountain
dulcimer in DAD and DAA. Cost is $15, plus $4 shipping. Click here for more information.
Having trouble getting to a scheduled
class time? Learn at home using my WORKSHOP SERIES of tab and instructional CDs as a way to learn new songs, tunes and techniques. Each set includes a booklet of tablature and a CD of measure-by-measure instruction. Tab/CD set $20 (plus
$4.00 postage).
Introduction to Fingerpicking. You will receive instruction on the technique of fingerpicking
in the tuning DAD, using an easy introductory song and then moving to more advanced pieces. Learn at your own
pace. This series begins with the basic notation for fingerpicking and builds your skill using simple songs -- Twinkle,
Twinkle, Little Star and Go Tell Aunt Rhody. It then moves to more detailed tab with Come All Ye Fair
and Tender Ladies and The Water is Wide.
Celtic Tunes. The tunes are arranged so that
you may play them with the basic melody notes or with chords. Begin simply, and then add variety with chords as you
learn the tunes and increase your skill level. Songs included: Loch Lomond; Britches Full of Stitches;
Slane (Be Thou My Vision); The Lord's My Shepherd; Eamonn an Chnuic (Ned of the Hill).
Christmas Songs, Volume I.
Learn to play some of your favorite Christimas tunes. This workshop includes two versions of Silent
Night -- one an easier version and the other a more challenging fingerpicking arrangement. The arrangements can be played
together for a duet with a friend. Also included are: God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen; Jingle Bells; an Appalachian
folk ballad, The Cherry Tree Carol.
Christmas Songs, Volume II.
Learn to play some of your favorite Christimas tunes. This workshop includes: The Holly
and the Ivy; Angels We Have Heard on High; What Child Is This? (Greensleeves)(Key of Em); and The
Twelve Days of Christmas. All songs are in the tuning D-A-D.
Christmas Songs, Volume
III. This volume contains four holiday favorites: Christmas is Coming, Pat-a-Pan (Key
of Em using capo in D-A-D), Up on the Housetop, Little Drummer Boy. All songs in D-A-D.
Fiddle Tunes. This workshop re-enforces
strumming and rhythm techniques while increasing your repertoire. All arrangements are for the tuning DGD to provide
you with a selection of songs in the key of G. The tunes selected are commonly played by fiddlers in the key of G.
Tunes included: Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss, Barlow Knife, The Girl I Left Behind Me,
Dandy Lusk.
Hymns.
The hymns for this workshop should be familiar to all, with one exception. As always, I try to spread the traditional
sounds of the mountain dulcimer and have included one traditional mountain hymn played in the tuning DAA -- Where the
Sun Will Never Go Down. It is an easy song to play and fun to learn. Also included (in the tuning DAD) are
The Doxology (Old 100th) played in the keys of D and G in one arrangement; We Gather Together; and Were
You There?
Hymns, Volume II. Hymns in this set include:
Peace Like a River, Fairest Lord Jesus (includes three versions -- beginner, novice to intermediate with
chords, and an arrangement for finger- or cross-picking), Blessed Assurance (two arrangements -- one easier and one
more challenging), and Sweet Hour of Prayer.
Hymns, Volume III. This workshop inlcudes measure-by-measure
instruction for Kumbaya, He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, Happy Land, and The Lord's
My Shepherd.
Old Time Music.
Songs included in this series are Soldier's Joy, Rosin the Beau, Mississippi Sawyer, and Angelina
Baker. All tunes are in the D-A-D tuning.
Mountain Dulcimer: CSI -- Songs of Crime and Passion.
Crime songs have been popular since history begain. These old-time songs from the early days of the United States, and
carried over from Europe include: Tom Dooley, Banks of the Ohio, Knoxville Girl, Willie
Moore, and Pretty Polly.
Minor Songs. Many people love the haunting sound
of songs played in minor keys. These traditionally minor tuning songs include: Shady Grove, Nonesuch,
Tumbalalika, and Star of the County Down.
Using Chords on the Mountain Dulcimer. The material for this class includes identifying and naming notes in the scales and on your fretboard,
chord and key conversion chart, naming chords, building chords, finding chords by shape. There is no
CD to accompany the written materials. The materials can be purchased for $10, plus $2.00 shipping.
Blue Smoke Dulcimer Strings are designed to be compatible with a
variety of tunings, giving you the flexibility you need when playing. The set includes 0.12 (two melody or
treble strings), 0.14 (middle string), 0.24 bronze wound bass string. $5 per set + $2.00 shipping
and handling.
DULCIMER CAPOS
Changing keys is easy with a dulcimer capo handcrafted by Ron Ewing. $16, plus $3 postage.
Instructions for using a Capo for Mountain Dulcimer
Tune the mountain dulcimer to DAD. Place the capo across the strings at either
the 1st, 3rd, or 4th frets (just to the left of the fret) with the tension knob on the outside
of the fretboard (on the bass string side of the fretboard). Press down on the capo until all strings are held down evenly,
and turn the tension knob until the tension block is securely against the side of the fretboard and holds the capo in place.
Do not over-tighten the tension knob. Although the capo is made out of hard maple which is very durable, it will split if
over-tightened.
Tuning to DAD and placing the capo:
at the 1st fret puts you in the key of Em.
at the 3rd fret puts you in the key of G.
at the 4th fret puts you in the key of A.
When tablature calls for using a capo, the fret numbers usually do not change.
For example, if the tab instructs you to capo at the 3rd fret, then the tab should use fret numbers 0 (open), 4
and up. You do not re-number the 4th fret to #1; the 4th fret remains 4th.
NOTERS
Beautiful to look at!
Fun to use!
Attractive to wear!
Each one unique. Made from a variety of woods: cherry, magnolia, walnut,
and more. Some exotics (Australian lacewood, padauk, purpleheart, zebrawood, etc). Call to confirm availability
of wood.
Plain $10
Woodburned $15
On a beaded necklace $30 (includes silver clasp for easy detachment)
Add $3.50 shipping.
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