One of the most exciting parts of the Colorado Dulcimer Festival is the opportunity to participate in workshops with local and nationally renowned Dulcimer players and experts, teaching both Hammered Dulcimer (HD) and Mountain Dulcimer (MD) as well as a variety of other instruments and skills. This page provides descriptions of the workshops being offered at the 2024 Festival.
There is no pre-selection for workshops. You can review the schedule and decide what interests you. Just show up and attend the class of your choice!
Workshops will take place during the workshop times shown on the Festival Schedule.
Following the workshop descriptions are definitions of the skill levels to which each workshop is geared so attendees can choose according to their level, including Absolute Beginner, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.
Sam Edelston (Teaching Hammered Dulcimer, Mountain Dulcimer)
Hammered Dulcimer – Absolute Beginner – Hammered Dulcimer 101
It may look bewildering to the uninitiated, but your hammered dulcimer actually is laid
out according to a simple, logical pattern that makes it easy to play melodies. You will
learn how to understand the dulcimer’s layout, and you’ll play some songs on it.
In addition, you’ll get the lowdown on essentials like hammers, stands, and tuning.
Hammered Dulcimer – Beginner/Intermediate – How to Jam
Jamming can be one of the most exhilarating and rewarding musical experiences,
but it can also be daunting. In this workshop, you’ll learn how jamming works …
how to cope if you don’t know the tune or can’t play it fast enough … ways to
prepare for when it’s your turn … ways to make the music more interesting
(and easier). We’ll also look at a few common jam tunes, so you’ll know how to
play them when they do come up.
Mountain Dulcimer – Beginner – Easy Harmony
Years before I ever learned to play the mountain dulcimer, somebody taught me
how to play harmony on one. Parallel harmonies are a simple way to prettify a
tune – and a tool that keeps coming back as you become a more experienced
player. DAD tuning.
Mountain Dulcimer – Intermediate – Chord Cadences
The first time a kid picks up a guitar, he/she learns a few chords and almost
immediately can play hundreds of songs. You’ll learn several common chord
progressions, or “cadences,” so you can do the same thing on your dulcimer.
This workshop can really liberate your playing! DAD tuning.
Mountain Dulcimer – Advanced – Hot Hammers & Pulloffs
Learn a fun-to-play, beautiful, flowing piece (from the masterful guitar playing
of John Renbourne) full of hammer-ons, pulloffs, slides, and even a bit of
tapping – all guaranteed to add an extra level of “snap” to your left hand.
DAD tuning.
Steve Eulberg (Teaching Hammered Dulcimer, Mountain Dulcimer and Music Theory)
Mountain Dulcimer – Beginner – Using Popular Music
We will be using popular music for playing from and reading tablature. We’ll use
examples from Steve’s First 50 Songs to Play on Mountain Dulcimer. I will provide
handouts, but cannot produce copies of the arrangements since they are under
copyright and published by Hal Leonard. Bring your own copy of the book, order
your copy ahead of time or purchase yours at the Vending Area. (to order ahead
of time -deadline April 15, 2024): link to order ahead of time: bit.ly/First50Songs
Mountain Dulcimer – Advanced – Chopin’s “Raindrop Prelude” (Fingerstyle)
This arrangement requires a 1+ fret. Fredrick Chopin was a Polish composer who
lived as an ex-patriot in France, unable to return home due to the Russian oppression
following the 1830 Polish Uprising when he was on a European tour. He composed
Opus 28, No. 15 after a rainy stay in Majorca. Written in Db, it does lay nicely on a
mountain dulcimer in DAd tuning (with a 1+ fret needed in the middle section).
Hammered Dulcimer – Absolute Beginner – What I Wish I Knew When I Began
I played for 13 years before dedicating myself to learning how the dulcimer worked.
This class features the Map of the Dulcimer, playing in the “box”, playing horizontally,
where my doubled notes are, where the “weird” notes are, principles of hammering
and learning songs. With all of these conceptual and hands-on tools in one?s belt,
students will be equipped to make significant progress in their comfort and skill in
playing the dulcimer.
Hammered Dulcimer – Beginner – Doubled Notes-Curse or Blessing?
The layout of the hammered dulcimer provides several options when choosing
hammering patterns, but sometimes the variety is confounding. Reinforcing our
deepening understanding of the instrument’s layout, we’ll sort our way through
these options to find the ones that work best for you….and develop some criteria
for making choices that can lay the groundwork for future arranging.
Other Musical Choice – All Instruments – Music Theory Salon
This session will be a Q&A about music theory as it applies to your playing on your
instrument(s), all instruments (vocal & instrumental). Send Steve your questions in
advance or bring them to the class.
(Here is a link to a Google Survey to collect the questions:
https://forms.gle/p7o6Y7KpQGbAE9Kv8, or you can email me at
steve@owlmountainmusic.com.
Dave Haas (Teaching Mountain Dulcimer)
Mountain Dulcimer – Advanced – Beautiful Arrangements – Master the Fretboard!
Wow! Create performance-ready arrangements of slow melodies using arpeggios on
the mountain dulcimer. Learn how to incorporate melody and chords in a second
position on the fretboard, produce introductions and endings, and special touches
that will make your arrangement sparkle. Inclusion of both natural and artificial
harmonics will be discussed. Bring a smile and a “I can do it!” attitude. DAD
Mountain Dulcimer – Beginner – Playing Smoothly: Keys to Success
Discover tips to make your play smooth as silk! Improve your strumming and explore
new fingerings to increase smoothness of play. Learn backup chords and improve your
confidence as you play faster and cleaner. You’ll be glad you took this workshop. DAD
Mountain Dulcimer – Intermediate – The Art of Playing Slowly
You can already play slow songs by plucking the strings – one at a time – but you want
to make your play cleaner and smoother. Discover where to place your right hand to
improve accuracy, clarity, and volume. Explore fingerings which allow formation of
chords and facilitate smooth play. Learn to provide chordal accompaniment for
yourself or others who are playing or singing slow songs. DAD
Mountain Dulcimer – Advanced – Highly-Addictive Fiddle Tunes!
These wonderful and challenging fiddle tunes are sure to spice up any jam session.
Improve your playing of fiddle tunes and faster songs. Learn left and right-hand
techniques to facilitate smooth playing. Discover how to play tunes in the keys of
C, D, E, Em, G, A, and Am. Use chopped chords to provide a percussive
accompaniment. A capo and smile are required! DAD
Mountain Dulcimer – Intermediate – Hymns of Faith
Praise God with these prayerful and popular hymns. Learn left and right hand
techniques to improve your playing of both slow and fast songs. Learn how to
play slow arpeggios as a way to backup hymns that are played or sung. Build
your repertoire of popular hymns. Includes the best version of “Amazing Grace”
you have ever heard! DAD
Tina Gugeler (Teaching Hammered Dulcimer and Bodhran)
Hammered Dulcimer – Beginner – Exploring G chords
We will learn some basic chords and harmonies in G with an easy Scandinavian
tune, “Walking tune from Elitkapell Sodertalje”. If time permits, we’ll learn a fun
Danish tune, “Vill du Flyga?”
Hammered Dulcimer – Beginner – Exploring G chords
We will learn some basic chords and harmonies in G with “Bill Malley’s Barndance”.
If time permits, we’ll learn a fun Danish tune, “Vill du Flyga?”
Hammered Dulcimer – Intermediate – Syncopation and Chromatics
Learn some syncopation and chromatics with the Rodney Miller D tune, “Cloud 9”.
If time permits, we’ll learn a fun Danish tune, “Vill du Flyga?”
Hammered Dulcimer – Advanced – Add Harmonies to a waltz
When tunes are played slower, we have more chances to add harmonies to the
melodies. We will add harmonies to a slow waltz, “Daybreak”. If time permits, we’ll
learn a fun Danish tune, “Vill du Flyga?”
Bodhran –
We will learn how to hold this Irish frame drum and how to hold the “tipper”. We will
practice playing jigs and reels along with recorded music. We will learn to skip beats
and maybe make up your own rhythm. We’ll talk about different drums and pricing.
I will have practice drums for class use.
Erin Mae (Teaching Mountain Dulcimer)
Mountain Dulcimer – Intermediate – Hands in Harmony
Explore the intricate dance between left and right hands for mastering the
mountain dulcimer. This class will break down complex musical passages
into separate exercises for each hand. Explore etudes and exercises designed
to enhance coordination between your hands, while also learning a fiddle tune
and a ballad. Join us in embracing the harmonious interplay of fretting and
strumming hands to unlock the full potential of your musical expression.
Mountain Dulcimer – Advanced – Genre Fusion
Have you ever pondered what alchemy transforms a melody from ‘old time’ to
‘bluegrass’, ‘Celtic’, or ‘blues’? Immerse yourself in the systematic exploration of
the rhythmic and melodic subtleties characterizing each genre. This journey will
equip you to skillfully adapt a tune across a diverse musical spectrum.
Mountain Dulcimer – Beginner – 3 Chords, 3 Keys, All the Music
Play more songs more quickly by first learning CHORDS! You’ll be able to chord
along to just about any song (just like ukulele and guitar players!) We’ll start with
three simple chords, then use a capo to play those same shapes in three different
keys. Not sure what all those words mean? Come to the class to find out and
discover how much music you can make! [capo required]
Mountain Dulcimer – Intermediate – Scottish Session Tunes
Join me on a braw musical journey. We’ll dive headfirst into a bonnie traditional Scottish
melody, straight from the highlands. Ye’ll pick up a tune or twa in different keys‚ and all
without needin’ a capo or a retune. Pour yerself a wee dram (or cup o’ tea!!) and come
along for a grand time with these Scottish Session Tunes.
Mountain Dulcimer – Beginner – Rhythmic Play
Learn to recognize and reproduce rhythmic patterns by ear and via notation as we
strum our dulcimers together. Rhythm is the foundation of music and hearing the
slight nuances including accents, swing, and syncopation can allow your to level up
your playing and begin to improvise with rhythm. As Steve Eulberg always says,
“We don’t WORK music, we PLAY music” – which is what this class is all about!
Joshua Messick (Teaching Hammered Dulcimer)
Hammered Dulcimer – Beginner – Balance: Play Smooth and Fluid Music
This workshop will focus on methods and techniques for balancing both
hands’ volume, timbre, and control to help your playing sound smooth and
fluid. All hammered dulcimer sizes are welcome, and your questions and
participation are encouraged.
Hammered Dulcimer – Intermediate – How to Pluck
Plucking allows you to play multiple notes with different techniques and timbres.
The possibility of new colors is mesmerizing! My arrangement of “She Moved
Through the Fair” from “Pure Hammered Dulcimer” is entirely plucked, and
participants will receive a simplified copy of this arrangement. This workshop
will teach you the methods and techniques essential to playing this arrangement.
All hammered dulcimer sizes are welcome, and your questions and participation
are encouraged.
Hammered Dulcimer – Intermediate – Mapping the Modes
Modes provide a unique sound to a composition. They can help it sound happy, sad,
or a little bit of both. But what are they, and how are they used? Understanding the
modes is some of the most beneficial knowledge I have applied to my dulcimer, and
I’m excited to share this workshop with you. You will learn about the theory of modes,
examples from familiar tunes, and methods to map the modes on your dulcimer. This
knowledge will help you learn a piece faster and avoid “accidental” accidents.
Hammered Dulcimer – Advanced – Hand Alternating and Independence
“Winterwind Dreams” is an original from my album “Woodland Dance.” Hand
alternating and hand independence are two different approaches that are equally
beneficial. In this workshop, we will learn “Winterwind Dreams” and focus on how
it uses hand independence for the A part and hand alternating for the B part. We
will discuss when to use each method and fluently rotate between both. The workshop
is for standard-size hammered dulcimers. (Side note: I will change the key to Am; the
arrangement is from the album version, not YouTube.)
Hammered Dulcimer – Advanced – Learn and Apply the Chromatic Scale
You can play a chromatic scale on your hammered dulcimer, even without the
additional chromatic option. Mapping the chromatic scale will help visualize
your entire instrument, allowing you to fluently play all chords and pieces that
utilize chromaticism. We will learn “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.” The workshop
is for a standard-size hammered dulcimer. Questions are encouraged.
Katie Moritz (Teaching Hammered Dulcimer)
Hammered Dulcimer – Beginner -5 Easy Ways to Boil Cabbage
This fun exercise on “Bile em Cabbage” is an amazing warm-up and will build a solid
foundation for playing strong melodies as well as smooth chords and embellishments
on every future tune in your repertoire.
Hammered Dulcimer – Intermediate – Contemporary Improv in 6/8
I’ll teach my favorite exercise, which uses a contemporary “pop” progression as a canvas
for practicing various techniques in 6/8 time. We will work on non-alternating sticking
patterns, hand separation, bass bridge accuracy, and improvisation.
Hammered Dulcimer – Intermediate – Brian Boru’s March
Embellished Arrangements We will first learn this simple tune. Then, we will use it as a
canvas for various techniques and embellishments. The goal is not only to learn some
new embellishment ideas but to learn how to implement them into the music you play.
This workshop will be recorded.
Hammered Dulcimer – Advanced – Adding Chromatic Runs to Fiddle Tunes
Go ahead and show off! This workshop will present some arrangements of common
fiddle tunes filled to the brim with chromatic embellishments. Demonstrate and
improve your flashy skills, even when playing the simplest tunes.
Hammered Dulcimer – Advanced – Westphalia Waltz
Full Embellished Arrangement Never discount the tunes you learned when you
were a beginner. Their simplicity and familiarity provide a gold mine for arranging
and embellishing. In this workshop, I will teach my contest-winning arrangement
of Westphalia Waltz and introduce a variety of embellishments that apply to anything
from waltzes and fiddle tunes to pop songs and originals.
Diana Willson (Teaching Mountain Dulcimer)
Mountain Dulcimer – Absolute Beginner – String side up!
By the end of this workshop you will be playing your first tunes! Along the way,
you will learn how to sit, hold the dulcimer and tune the strings. You will learn what
to do with your left hand and your right. And, you will learn to read tab. Woo hoo!
You are on your way!
Mountain Dulcimer – Absolute Beginner – And the beat goes on!
Review and build on the skills learned in Workshop 1. Play more fun tunes
while learning some necessary music theory like time signatures and counting.
Expand on your basic strumming skills and learn how to play eighth notes,
quarter and whole notes. Expand on your fretting skills and start to increase
speed. Learn to use all your fingers and how to smooth out your playing.
Add Bum Diddys to tunes just because you can!
Mountain Dulcimer – Absolute Beginner – Stay tuned!
Review and build on the skills learned in the Absolute Beginner Classes so far.
Continue to expand your repertoire while discovering the joys of the metronome.
Learn the notes you are playing and learn about different tunings that are possible.
Learn why and how to use a capo. Play tunes in different tunings and that use a
capo.
Mountain Dulcimer – Absolute Beginner – But wait, there’s More!
Learn the first easy chords and the efficient ways to finger them. Practice playing the
chords as backup chords to familiar or unfamiliar tunes. Now that you are using all
the strings, learn about other styles of playing: fingerpicking, flatpicking, chord melody,
arpeggios, and multipart tunes that are possible with the dulcimer. There is so much
more beautiful music that awaits you!
Mountain Dulcimer – Absolute Beginner – You be jammin’!
Stop being afraid to join in with all people clearly having lots of fun in a jam! Learn
jam etiquette and the tips for enjoying yourself while playing well with others.
Practice these jam skills by playing tunes learned in the previous workshops and
learning some new tunes. By the end of this workshop, you will be confident and
prepared to join the Slow MD JAM! Love playing the dulcimer and want more?
Discover some of the enormous number of resources available to you in the
dulcimer community: in-person festivals, zoom festivals, websites, free tab,
books and sheet music, online lessons, and more!