Mountain Dulcimer: Learning Materials

Date: Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:51:10 -0600
Subject: Dulcimer DVD

Hi, I just started on the mountain dulcimer. In a beginner class (we only have 4 a semester) and I feel like I am getting left behind, they can play faster but I still have to look at what fret I am at and try to look a the music too. Any suggestions on this and I don't see an instructional dvd on this instrument. Thank you, Diane

Greetings Diane,

I understand your problem ... and, there are ways to overcome the issue of not being able to play without looking at the fretboad.

1. If your class has taught you how to play exercises ... that are repetitive, you can repeat these over and over while doing something else. For an instance, look at the fretboard while playing the exercise through one time. Follow this by looking up from the fretboard and playing to the point where you mess up. Take note of where you lost your place, and try this procedure over and over.

2. Another great technique for learning to play without viewing the fretboard is to watch TV as you play a tune or exercise over and over.

3. Once you gain more facility, you can then finalize this process by reading music while playing.

It might also assist to supplement your classroom instruction with a video such as: "Beginning Appalachian Dulcimer".

Hope something here helps,

Mickey Cochran
Mystic West Products
Acoustic Music Instruction
PO Box 2810
Alto, New Mexico 88312

http://www.mysticwestproducts.com

Subject: mountain dulcimer - getting ready to purchase..questions
Date: Sun, 05 Sep 2004 17:34:49 -0400

Greetings,

Greetings Suz,

I enjoyed reading your FAQ about Mountain Dulcimers, and have been a frequent visitor to your website this summer. I am pretty well ready to order the FSH-W, f-soundhole, plush lined case, electronic tuner, a few sets of strings for stock, and learning material such as a video.

Questions
- do you accept orders (VISA) from Canada and ship to Canada (Toronto, Ontario).

Yes...not a problem...we ship to Canada all the time...

- do you have learning videos for the mountain dulcimer?

Yes...we have many to choose from:
Videos for Dulcimer Order Code Retail FOTW Price Further Description

Learn to Play Mountain Dulcimer 94385VX-MB $39.95 90 Minutes VHS Mark Biggs
Learn the Mountain Dulcimer 94964VX-MB $29.95 60 Minutes VHS Dennis Lee
Dynamic Dulcimer 95143VX-MB $30.00 55 Minutes VHS Mark Nelson
You Can Teach Yourself Dulcimer 94304VX-MB $29.95 95 Mintues VHS Madeline MacNeil
Accompaniment Styles & Techniques for Mt Dulcimer 95083VX-MB $29.95 60 Minutes VHS Dennis Lee
Beginning Appalachian Dulcimer 95146VX-MB $30.00 55 Minutes VHS Mark Nelson

- I am considering for my own visual appreciation the upgrade option of Mother of Pearl position dots. Question - would other options such as perma-tension pegs (rosewood buttons) and optional soundboard (cedar) be decorative or functional upgrades.

If purchasing a higher end dulcimer, such as the Folkcraft, it wouldn't be necessary to change out the tuners..I would recommend going with the standard tuners that come with Folkcraft...and, the Cedar will soften the tone somewhat...only, dulcimers already have a somewhat soft tone...my favorite wood for a top is Cherry....you might check out our video samplers to hear the differences...

Hope this helps, Mickey

Please explain these 2 options a bit so I can determine if I will include them.
Thanks
Suz