Workshops
Below is a sample of some of the workshops I teach, these are just a sample as I customize each workshop to the particular club or event. I can also create workshops for specific events. Fees are negotiable.
Dulcimer Workshops
O, Shenandoah: I long to play thee! - Advanced Beginner
Learn to play this beautiful song in the simplest chord melody version possible. We'll explore alternate, but easy, chord voicings. Various fingering techniques, and using lyrics to aid in the counting of rhythms. This song is trickier than it looks, but using these techniques you master it in no time.
Chopsticks - Int and up
Yes, that same beginner piano song. easy on piano, not so much on the dulcimer. We'll be using it as a springboard to fun and unique concepts using both left and right hand techniques. Everything from the fun and easy ideas to truly insane and ill-advised ideas.
Songs of the 60's - novice and up
They say if you remember the 60s you weren't there. That's ok though, we'll have the tab. Some singing, some chord melody, all fun. Bring a capo
Song of the 70's - intermediate and up
Like the title says, come learn how well pop and rock songs from this decade fit with the mountain dulcimer. Capo required.
Rock-n-Roll Beginners Bootcamp Part 1: Rhythm ...beginners and up
Learn the basics of playing dulcimer, theory and technique using fun tunes from the golden era of rock-n-roll.
Rock-n-Roll Beginners Bootcamp Part 2: Chords ...beginners and up
Learn the basics of playing dulcimer, theory and technique using fun tunes from the golden era of rock-n-roll.
Cabbage for Christmas - novice and up
Learn the chords and progressions that make Christmas tunes so fun (and easy to learn).
Dulcimer Finishing School - Part 1 - all levels really
We'll break down playing the dulcimer to its core components and rebuild from the ground up. Learning strumming, fingering adding notes and in the end we'll take simple tunes and turn them into fun and interesting arrangements.
Dulcimer Finishing School - Part 2 - all levels really
We'll break down playing the dulcimer to its core components and rebuild from the ground up. Learning strumming, fingering adding notes and in the end we'll take simple tunes and turn them into fun and interesting arrangements.
A Charlie Brown Christmas - advanced
Learn a couple of fun tunes from the best Christmas special ever. Learn new ideas for picking, tuning and voicings, all while impressing your grandkids (ok maybe just your kids). You'll need a 1.5 fret and be willing to retune.
A Tunes Or how to make friends with the fiddler - novice/intermediate
Fiddle players love to play in A learn some good ones with this workshop. You'll need a capo.
Rhythms Beyond 4/4 - advanced beginner and up
An exploration of the rhythms that exist beyond common 4/4 time. Jigs, Hornpipes, Bluesy shuffles and even odd time signatures will be explored
Songs of the 70's - intermediate and up
Like the title says, come learn how well pop and rock songs from this decade fit with the mountain dulcimer. Capo required.
Beatles for Dulcimer - Novice and up
If you haven’t heard of the Beatles, you should really check 'em out. They're a great young band with a lot of potential! DAD (capo required)
Beatles for beginners - Beginner Same as above, but with a handful of easier tunes.
It's All Cabbage, Really. - Beginner and up (I mean we're just playing variations one tune)
The first song most people learn (and get sick of) is actually a Rosetta Stone of information. Learn how much harmonic information is contained in this simple song and how you can use it to learn new songs quickly or play along in jams, even if you don't know the tune.
Pinkies and Thumbs - B/I and up
I almost never use my thumb or my pinky, but when I do I REALLY need it. Learn to navigate all 5 digits
Weird tunings - B/I and up
An exploration of unusual, but really useful tunings. Incl. Bagpipe and 1-3-5 tunings. New strings STRONGLY suggested.
Flat pick, strum, half-strum - intermediate and up
Basically, everything you need to know to develop a solid and great sounding strum hand.
This is best suited as a multi-day workshop
The Right Stuff - beginner/ intermediate or all levels
Unless you're a southpaw, you'll be using your left hand for drinking coffee in this workshop. We'll be concentrating on the right-hand fundamentals, rhythm, strumming, accented rhythms, and dynamics.
Thinking outside the Hourglass - Intermediate/advanced
Learn how to take traditional tunes and turn them on their heads. Or adapt non-traditional songs into dulcimer tunes. Find the hidden beauty in contemporary tunes. Students learn Chord Substitution, Adaptation, Re-harmonization, time signatures and how to abuse them.
Show Off! advanced
Learn to make unusual, offbeat and fun sound on the dulcimer. In short stuff that sounds cool! Learn string bending, natural and artificial harmonics, Two-hand tapping, slapping, hammer-ons, pull-offs and using the dulcimer as a drum.
Great Tunes (almost) Nobody Plays
There are a lot of wonderful tunes out there that well known, come learn what are sure to be your new favorites. Capo required.
Playing with pick and Fingers
learn to switch from fingerpicking to strumming (and back again) as well as embellishments and fun syncopations with this simple technique.
From Tune to Arrangement
Learn how a few simple embellishments, and a minor mental adjustment can turn "tunes" into compelling and "arrangements." Make fiddle tunes fun or breathe new life into old chestnuts.
Weird Tunings
The Mountain Dulcimer is an amazingly efficient instrument, I am amazed at how much I can do with DAdd and a capo. But when I come across something I just can't get to work, I retune and this--more often than not--solves the problem. In this class we'll explore some of my favorite tunings, and how to use them.
If You Like One Tune, You'll Like 'em Both. Intermediate and up
Learn to recognize recurring patterns in old-time tunes and use them to help you quickly learn new tunes.
Almost Crooked Tunes. Novice to Intermediate
Crooked tunes are a fun part of old-time music, but can be tricky to play
(that's part of what makes 'em fun) This tune isn't really crooked, but ain't
quite "square" either.
The Cumberland Gap: novice/intermediate
Trickier than you think! Hammer-ons, pull-offs, bar chords, and chord substitutions make this old tune harder than it looks and cooler than it sounds.
But it's a great introduction to all these concepts, and a fun tune to boot.
Thinking "inside" the Box - intermediate and up
Using cross-string picking and three finger "boxes" to tame tricky tunes without simplifying melodies or removing notes. Improve speed and dexterity without actually playing faster.
Get right with Rhythm: Beginner
The secret to great playing is great rhythm. Period. Learn how to get a solid rhythms and consistent tempos in fun an interesting ways.
Ukulele Workshops
"UKE" can play the Ukulele
The hardest part about learning the Ukulele is spelling it right. In this from-the-ground-up class we'll learn the basics of strumming and fingering chords, as well as learning how to integrate your new found skill to play with your group, in jam sessions and even your significant other.
Insanely Useful Chord progressions. - All Levels
Learn common chord progressions from songbooks like "The Daily Ukulele" and understand the underlying harmonic concepts behind songs like like "5'2", Eyes of Blue" and "Alice's Restaurant." Knowing these can help you learn new songs quicker and better.
UKULELE: 3 Hard Chords that will change your life.- intermediate and up
Yes, the dreaded Bb is in here. But learn how these three Barre chords can open up a whole new world to your playing.
Ukulele Blues - int. and up
Learn the chord progressions, songs and techniques you'll need to make the happiest instrument on the planet sing the saddest blues (low-down heartbreaking snake-in-the-grass not included).