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Triumph is "try" with an "umph!" at the end.
--- Memphis, the father penquin
in
Happy Feet
Try my new blog for people
to post
thoughts, questions, events,
etc.
about dulcimer and folk music
Follow your dulcimer dreams!
Welcome to
the wonderful world of the
dulcimer and folk music.
This site will
provide information, photos and tips
about playing this fabulous instrument
that was invented in the mountains of
Southern Appalachia and the songs and
tunes that inspired the instrument.
My family is from Maryville, Tennessee,
in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. My Uncle Bob taught me old folk songs as we hiked in the mountains
and traveled to wonderful places in the area. I have been playing dulcimer since 1988, and it has been one of the most
rewarding experiences of my life. The music has introduced me to many close friends in the folk music community,
and I have enjoyed traveling from the Ozarks to the Blue Ridge Mountains playing with other dulcimer players, as well as a
host of other folk instruments, including the hammered dulcimer, mandolin, autoharp, banjo, guitar -- even the kazoo!
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Mountain Dulcimer group classes
There will be several opportunities to take mountain dulcimer classes this fall and spring.
Classes will be held in October and November at Union University, 2745 Hacks Cross Road, in Germantown through
Germantown Parks and Recreation on Monday nights from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. Cost of the
classes is $70. Loaner dulcimers are available for those who are interested in trying before they invest in an instrument.
In addition, I have been invited by Southwest Tennessee Community College
to join the staff of their continuing education department as an adjunct professor. New Players classes will
begin at the Macon Road campus (at Sycamore View and I-40) in January 2008.
I am also available to schedule private
lessons throughout the year. A half-hour lesson is $20; one hour for $40. Call 901-877-7763
to schedule your lesson or click here to send me a message.
Feel free to call me at 901-877-7763, or send me an e-mail , or send me a letter at P.O. Box 224, Moscow, TN 38057, if you have questions.
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 $3.50 postage).
To order, mail checks to me at P.O. Box 224, Moscow, TN 38057. Questions?
Write to me by clicking the "Write to Lee" link at the top of the page or call 901-877-7763.
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| Betty Dawson |
Are you interested in Hammered Dulcimer
Lessons?
Betty Dawson offers private lessons and will
also be joining me as an adjunct professor at Southwest Tennessee Community College.
Contact Betty Dawson, Hammered Dulcimer Instructor
To schedule a performance for your group or
event,
call Lee at 901-877-7763 or send a message by
clicking the "Write to Lee" link below.
Also, see my Performance Schedule below.
Sunday, May 4, 1:00 p.m.:
Lee and Betty Dawson will perform an informal concert/open jam at the Shelby Forest General Store. The event is FREE
and open to the public. Everyone is invited to bring instruments and join us for barbeque and music on the porch.
Saturday, May 17, 6:00-8:00 p.m.:
Lee and Betty when Butterfly Gap performs at Square Beans Coffee Company, 103 Center Street, Collierville. Join us for
some java and music!
You're invited! Betty
Dawson is having a house jam on Friday, May 23 from 7-9 p.m. Bring spouses, friends, and
a snack to share. Oh, yes! Don't forget your instruments! There will be lots of fellowship and music.
All levels of players and any acoustic instrument is welcome. Click here to RSVP and request directions or call 901-218-3501.
June 28 (Saturday):
I will lead mountain dulcimer workshops and perform at The Pickin' Porch at Wood-n-Strings Dulcimer Shop in Townsend, TN,
the peaceful side of the Smokies. More information on workshop topics and times will be available later.
July 7-11 -- Mountain
Dulcimer Summer Camp, Harding Cordova. Don't miss the deadline for Youth Scholarship! The 2007
camp at Harding was great fun, and we are looking forward to summer 2008! In 2007,
we had 5 participants who quickly put their instruments together and were ready to learn to play. The instruments were
finished on Tuesday and by the time they returned the next day, the kids were already playing their own tunes by ear.
See pictures and read more.....
| Steve, Lee, Betty & John |
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| CD Release Party, November 19, 2007 |
| Betty, Butch Odom, and Lee at the |
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| Calvary Festival of Ministries |
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| Lee at Franklin Park |
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| Lee & Betty at Hope & Healing |
Choir Camp Video
Choir Camp Video #2
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| Lee at Midtown Galleries |
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