Allen MacFarlane, Beginning
In the first part of the workshop, we will work on helping you to become familiar with your instrument using scale and hammering exercises and familiar simple tunes. Along the way, we will work on reading sheet music and how to translate the printed page on the dulcimer. For the rest of the week, we will work on learning tunes in various keys to help you begin building a repertoire and gain some comfort with playing your instrument. Attendees are encouraged to bring tape or min-disc recorders for later referral following the workshop.  
 

Linda Thomas, Intermediate
The Intermediate level class is open to both players that read standard notation and non-readers. Focus for this class will include building repertoire in various styles — fiddle tunes, hymns, etc. — with special emphasis on variations, harmony, playing chords and playing back-up/accompaniment. The ability to read music is not required—bring a tape recorder and have fun playing music!!

 
 
Dan Duggan, Advanced
Dan will work with intermediate and advanced students helping players to develop rhythmic, melodic, harmonic and chodal variations to develop tasteful arrangement techniques. The classes will also focus on improvisation and composing techniques. The overall goal of the class is to help students become much more complete players.

Joe Collins, Beginning
All morning sessions will focus on a particular set of skills important for beginners. Students will start off with basic skills like holding a pick effectively and producing good, clear notes. As the week progresses, they will move on developing effective strumming and noting techniques, using their ears to “find the notes,” and adding songs to their repertoire. Students will develop these and other skills byobserving those skills at different speeds, hearing and reading detailed explanations of those skills, practicing those skills at a pace that is comfortable for each individual, receiving exercises that can be taken home for further practice, and applying those new skills to real songs.We will be learning music and having fun, but the morning sessions will focus on developing skills that will make the dulcimer experience better for the beginner.

Susan Trump, Intermediate
Using a variety of repertoire from fiddle tunes and music of the British Isles to hymns and classical pieces we’ll explore techniques including left hand fingering, the use of the capo, right hand picking and strumming, fingerpicking, playing smoothly, and things you need to know to really understand and enjoy your instrument! Emphasis will be on the fun factor.

 
Larry Conger, Advanced
Larry Conger’s advanced level mountain dulcimer class will address a plethora of skills, techniques and ideas such as compiling medleys, changing keys, adding intros, right hand and left hand techniques such as string bending, muting, hammering on and pulling off ... all while learning some great new tunes.

The instructors will offer material in a wide range of playing styles during the week. These classes offer students exposure to topics not necessarily covered in the morning classes, and allow most participants to take classes from other teachers. Beginners will stay with their morning class.

Monday and Tuesday’s seminars will be Rounds & Duets taught by Susan Trump and Playing Hammer Dulcimer Back Up with Linda Thomas. Thursday’s sessions will be Singing with the Dulcimer with Susan Trump and Dulcimers are for Lovers with Joe Collins.