Memphis Dulcimer Gathering & Folk Festival 2009
Class Descriptions
For all classes except new players level, please be prepared to have a tuner and a capo.
Lee Cagle - Mountain Dulcimer
Friday - Sessions I and II - New Players I and II will focus on the basic techniques involved in playing, including tuning,
strumming patterns and reading tablature. No previous musical experience is necessary. Loaner instruments are available.
Friday - Sessions III and IV - Preparing for a Jam Session - New and novice players will continue to learn using tunes
to prepare for folk jam sessions. We will work with three tunes that are almost universally played at jam sessions (and if
they are not, request them when it’s your turn!) The session will include tips for jamming and preparation for the festival
jam on Friday night.
Saturday - Session I - Rediscovering the Ionian Mode (nov/int) - Who says "no one plays in DAA anymore?" If they do, they
are missing out on some great traditional sounds. Let’s take some time to discover and/or re-discover this great tuning
that sounds so good on our instruments and learn a little about why it is or is not played, and the pros and cons of this
tuning in comparison to DAD.
Saturday - Session II - Songs in Minor Tunings (nov/int) - Many of the favorite songs that people identify with the mountain
dulcimer get their tone from the minor sound of the tune. This class will present songs in minor keys or tuning. Some re-tuning
may be required. Please bring a capo.
Saturday - Session III - Songs in the Key of G (int) The ability to play in a variety of keys is important when playing
with other musicians. This class will introduce using chords, a capo and re-tuning to change keys.
Saturday - Session IV - Introduction to Fingerpicking in DAD - This workshop is for novice and intermediate players and
will introduce the fingerpicking style of playing the mountain dulcimer which is so well-loved. The fingerpicking technique
gives the dulcimer a much-loved tone and beauty. The class will show players how to incorporate this style of playing into
their repertoire using basic picking techniques, ganner-ons, pull-offs, slides and brushes while learning songs.
Betty Dawson – Hammered Dulcimer
Friday - Sessions I and II - GETTING TO KNOW YOU - NEW PLAYERS - This beginner Hammered Dulcimer class will focus
on a general orientation to this fascinating instrument, and the basic techniques in, caring for the instrument, including
tuning, hammering, and basic orientation to the soundboard. No previous musical experience is necessary. Class members will
learn how to read tablature and will learn several simple tunes while learning basic skills. Materials will be provided. Students
may provide their own instrument, or special arrangements can be made to rent an instrument. Instrument arrangements must
be made at least a week in advance.
Friday - Sessions III and IV - JOYFUL JAMMING - (NP/beg) In this class we will learn essential jamming etiquette, and be
introduced to several popular jam tunes that are a "must" for every Hammered Dulcimer player’s gig list, such as "Soldier’s
Joy," "Banks of the Ohio," "Ole Joe Clark," "Golden Slippers," and/or "Black Mountain Rag." Materials will be provided. Students
may provide their own instrument, or special arrangements can be made to rent an instrument. Instrument arrangements must
be made at least a week in advance.
Jeff Hames - Mountain Dulcimer
Friday - Session I - Cool Groove (adv) - Let’s bring it up to speed with some added hot licks and modulations. Tuning:
DAD. Please bring a tuner to class. Have a good knowledge of the fret board.
Friday - Session II -
The Fret Board From Top To Bottom (int)- This workshop is
designed to show you how to play the same song in different octaves and different places on the fret board. Tuning: DAD. Please
bring a tuner to class.
Friday - Session III - Making A Simple Hymn Come To Life (int) - We will
take this simple hymn and add feeling through embellishments and your strum. Tuning: DAD. Please bring a tuner to class.
Friday - Session IV - Peanut Butter & JAM! (int) Many of us know how
to play our dulcimers well enough to satisfy ourselves and our listeners when we have been practicing. This class is for intermediate
level players who play well but need more confidence in handling the pressure of playing in a crowd and playing songs with
which they are not familiar, or have heard the tune but do not play on a regular basis.
Saturday - Session I - A Little Bit Of Dolly (beg) – Using a beautiful
Dolly Parton classic, Wildflowers Don’t Care Where They Grow, we will add some basic embellishments. Tuning: DAD. Please
bring a tuner to class.
Saturday - Session II - Adding Feeling To The Song (int) - This workshop
will take a song that first started out as a fiddle tune but later turned into a heart-breaking melody, Faded Love, and add
the feeling that the song inspires. Tuning: DAD. Please bring a tuner to class.
Saturday - Session III - Traditional Style (adv) - This workshop will
be taught using the "Traditional Style" of teaching (there will be no tab / music hand outs). Feel free to bring your
tape recorder and/or video camera. This workshop is designed to help you learn how to pick out songs you hear without the
use of printed music. Song: Dueling Banjos; Tuning: AEA. Please bring a tuner to class. Also bring a Capo, a good knowledge
of rhythms, and a good knowledge of the fret board.
Saturday - Session IV - Strum Work (beg)- Understanding the "ins" and "outs"
of your strum. Tuning: DAD. Please bring a tuner to class.
Stephen Seifert - Mountain Dulcimer
Friday - Session I - Introduction to Chord Melody Style (int) - Begin the process of being able to put a chord with
each melody note. We’ll start with one song that will GREATLY simplify your ability to play chord-melody style on all
future songs. Scared of a bunch of numbers? I’ll show you the way around all that.
Friday - Session II - Chromatic Dulcimer (adv) - Learn new ways of playing with a chromatic dulcimer. While this is
an advanced class, others may be interested in "auditing" the class to see what this new style is all about.
Friday - Session III - Exercises, Sequences and Patterns for Left and Right-Hand Practice (upper int) - These exercises
will get both hands in shape for all kinds of great music. Practicing them every day will take your playing to new heights.
Topics include thumb and non-thumb fingerings, chord fingerings, chord patterns, scales, finger replacements, using open strings
to extend scales, sliding, strumming, flatpicking, crosspicking, fingerpicking, harmonics, hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides,
and more.
Friday - Session IV - Proven
Methods for Learning Tunes Quickly and Playing Them Well (int) - I'll share with you a number of methods I and others use
to get the music happening faster. I'll show you how to play a melody in three different places with an accurate and interesting
strum. Expect a number of traditional melodies.
Saturday - Session I - Introduction to Four-Equidistant Fingerpicking
(upper int) - I was drawn deeper into the world of dulcimer by David Schnaufer’s four-equidistant fingerpicking
arrangements and compositions. I was later blown away by other four-string players including Jerry Rockwell, Lorraine Lee
Hammond, Leo Kretzner, and others. After studying this style for many years, I’m finally ready to start sharing my findings
with others. We’ll cover tunings, right-hand fingerpicking, chord shapes, harp scales, and more.
Saturday - Session II - Foundational Techniques for Beginning Dulcimer Players (beg) - Make sure
you're ready to move to the next level of playing. We’ll cover stringing, tuning, stumming, fretting, and chording.
I’ll give you some tips on developing good timing and memorizing tunes. You’ll also get some shortcuts to knowing
all the chords you’ll need. Expect a fiddle tune and a hymn.
Saturday - Session III - Rounds for Beginners (beg) - We’ll start by getting playable tunes
happening, good strums and all. We’ll even play the same melodies in a couple different places on the fingerboard. When
we’re ready, we’ll start playing in a round. This is one of the easiest ways to sound really beautiful. It’s
also one of the best ways to get used to playing in a group where there’s different parts going on.
Saturday - Session IV - Flatpicked Fiddle Tunes (upper int) - Note-for-note versions of standard
jam tunes can be played across the three strings usually using no frets higher than 3. I’ll show you how to combine
flatpicking and strumming to create a fiery sound that will excite you as much as your listener.
Rick Thum – Hammered Dulcimer
**Rick’s Friday classes are designed for upper-intermediate through advanced players.
Friday - Sessions I - Embellishments Triggered by the Melody Notes (adv)
- This is a great trick to find your embellishments by the note you are about to play. It works for almost all songs in a
major key. This trick allows you to embellish songs you are playing for the first time.
Friday - Session II - Two Hand Separation (adv) - We will learn how to
get started and how to practice this technique. Lots of hands on playing.
Friday - Session III - Learn the A Part to "Front Porch Waltz" (adv) - This waltz is rooted out of my chord patterns.
This song will reinforce these patterns.
Friday - Session IV - Learn the B part to "Front Porch Waltz" (adv).
Saturday - Session I - Good Practice Techniques (int) - Learn how to get the most out of your practice sessions. When practice
is successful you will want to do more of it.
Saturday - Session II - Learn the Tune "Water Bound" (int) - A fun old-timey tune.
Saturday - Sessions III and IV - Learn to Jam (int) - We will jam some tunes and talk about what worked and what did
not, and how to make it work better. We will spend half of the time playing and half talking over what works best.
Kendra Ward – Hammered
Dulcimer
**Kendra’s Saturday classes are designed for upper-intermediate through advanced
players.
Friday - Session I - Playing With Arpeggios (int) - Arpeggios "do it all!" Arpeggios are the basis of
expanding chords, harmony, fill-ins, back-up playing, and more. By working with arpeggios you will be able to freely embellish
your tunes and create millions of innovative arrangements
Friday - Session II - Chord Patterns and Fill-in Notes (int) - By learning chords first, you have
the background needed to individualize your tunes and make them distinctly your own. Both major and minor chord patterns and
how to incorporate them into all aspects of your playing will be explored.
Friday - Session III - Everything But The Melody (int) - This class is for the player who is looking for
the information and inspiration to dramatically improve their playing. Ideas will be pitched out at a fast and furious pace,
and students will be encouraged to cut loose. Everything from harmony, chords, back-up and rhythm, to improvisation will be
covered. It's a lot of work but it's worth it!
Friday - Session IV - Jamming How-to's and Etiquette (with Bob)(all levels) - All levels and all instruments welcome! Kendra Ward &
Bob Bence will host a jam session, teaching basic jam etiquette, and making sure that everyone contributes! They will introduce
several different ways for new players to join in, and suggest ideas to help experienced players have more fun!
Saturday - Session I and Session II - Improvisation on the Hammered Dulcimer
(adv) - (Our most popular class.) This is for the player who wants to overcome their inhibitions to try something new. Improvisation
is the spontaneous creation of a new melody within the chord structure of the given tune. It is the opposite of "arranging"-
playing a tune the same way every time. In this class, you will be required to have an open mind and unrestrained hammers.
By exploring several distinct methods, improvising solos for your favorite tunes will become an exciting challenge. "Licks",
arpeggios, and pentatonic scales will be used as a basis for creating your own "solos."
Saturday - Session III - Playing Back-up and Rhythm (adv) - Providing solid
back-up and rhythm is the key to good musicianship. This class is also the solution to truly understanding and utilizing your
entire instrument. Basic chord structures will be reviewed, but this is a hands-on class! Examining various ways of playing
rhythm, and incorporating this into your repertoire will be taught.
Saturday - Session IV - Arranging for 2 or More Dulcimers (adv) - This
class emphasizes arranging for folks who like to play duets. We will take some simple songs and work them out as duets for
performance. If you already have songs in mind-we will work out arrangements for them as examples.
Bob Bence – Guitar
Friday - Session I -
Basic Flatpick Guitar - (nov/int)
This class is for the player who wants to learn the essential elements of the flatpicking style. We'll concentrate on rhythm
playing, and talk about holding the pick, open position chords, playing the basic lick, chord progressions, alternating bass
notes, and bass runs.
Friday - Session II - Effective Back-up & Rhythm (int) - Providing solid back-up and rhythm is the key to good musicianship.
This class is also the solution to truly understanding and utilizing your entire instrument.Session III - Friday - Leading
the Jam with Back-up Chords (int) - This class will build on techniques learned in Session II, but with emphasis on using
those "back-up" techniques to lead effectively during a jam with other instruments and/or singers.
Friday - Session IV - Jamming How-to's and Etiquette (with Kendra)(all levels) - All levels and all instruments welcome!
Kendra Ward & Bob Bence will host a jam session, teaching basic jam etiquette, and making sure that everyone contributes!
They will introduce several different ways for new players to join in, and suggest ideas to help experienced players have
more fun!
Saturday - Session I - New Positions for Open Chords (int) - Add color and variation to your playing and expand your
knowledge of the guitar at the same time! We
ll learn some new chord shapes
that are "movable" around the guitar neck. This will help you get out of first position, and add new spice to your rhythm
parts.
Saturday - Session II - Chord Substitution (int) - Tired of all your
back-up parts? Maybe it’s time to dig a little deeper into the chords you’re playing. This class will open your
ears and get you thinking about harmony a new way. We’ll learn a simple way to replace the familiar I-IV-V chords with
something new and exciting.
Saturday - Session III - Take a Break! An Introduction to Flatpicking Lead
Guitar (int) If you are sick of saying "Oh, I just play rhythm," then take this class and take a solo at your next jam session!
We’ll discuss song structure, proper left and right hand technique, and flatpicking mechanics. Next we’ll learn
a simple fiddle tune and some embellishments to help dress it up.
Saturday - Session IV - Carter Family Lead Playing (int) - For that
essential old-time sound, nothing beats a solid Carter Family solo! If you can already play rhythm, and want to learn to play
lead, this class is the perfect introduction. We will learn to play melodies on the bass strings of the guitar, and fill in
with chord strums.
Harry Johnson & Doug Felt
Bones & Bohdrans
If the demonstration made you wish you could play some of that folk percussion on bones
and bodhran, attend this additional workshop to help give some hands on instruction and practice from two of the finest players
around.
