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Map Out Your Practice like a Workout
by Linda Ratcliff
Map out your practice session out like a workout. When athletes are getting ready to go for a run, they usually warm up first with some stretches to loosen their muscles. Then they walk for 3-5 minutes, gradually working up to a brisk walk, then jogging, and finally breaking out into a full-steam-ahead run. As they end their run and the workout, most athletes cool down by walking briskly at first and then slower, and finally ending with a few more stretches.
For musicians, a pret…
Map out your practice session out like a workout. When athletes are getting ready to go for a run, they usually warm up first with some stretches to loosen their muscles. Then they walk for 3-5 minutes, gradually working up to a brisk walk, then jogging, and finally breaking out into a full-steam-ahead run. As they end their run and the workout, most athletes cool down by walking briskly at first and then slower, and finally ending with a few more stretches.
For musicians, a pret…
Are You a Teacher?
by Linda Ratcliff
A good teacher is like a candle. It consumes itself to light the way for others. - Unknown
Are You a Teacher?
Teacher Appreciation Week is coming up soon on May 8, 2018. If you are a dulcimer student with an awesome teacher, you might want to start thinking of a way you could surprise your teacher on this occasion. Maybe you could learn a new tune - all on your own. Or maybe you could give your teacher a handmade gift certificate for a dinner out with you; the gift of time i…
Free Lesson: Jam Session Strategy
by Steve Eulberg My mother was right. Boredom is a choice. If I am bored in a Jam Session because the other players are playing the tune too fast, or too slow, or too many times (is that even POSSible?) do you know whose job it is to fix that? MINE.
In this free lesson, Steve offers a suggestion about what do to participate, support the other players AND keep yourself awake and interested in a jam session. Try it and let us know how it goes for you!
Hug Someone with your Dulcimer
by Linda Ratcliff
One day, someone is going to hug you so tight that all your broken pieces will stick back together. - Author Unknown Hug Someone with Your Dulcimer
I used to be an awkward hugger. Oh yeah ... it looked like a hug from the outside, but there was nothing real about it. There were just a few forced pats on your back, a bit of nervous smiling, and I might have been rolling my eyes behind your back.
But then I joined a church that was big on hugging, and I got a LOT of practice. …
But then I joined a church that was big on hugging, and I got a LOT of practice. …
Learning to Learn Free Lesson
by Steve Eulberg We often overlook the basics, don't we? How DO we learn?
] Of course there are many different learning styles and we bounce between them as individuals, but Steve presents some ideas here that you might find helpful in learning new tunes on your instrument. Try them out and let us know how they go for you!
Time for a Tune-Up
by Linda Ratcliff
When something seems unbalanced and out of rhythm, just a song can tune things up in a moment. The power of music is therapy. - Anthony Liccione
Time for a Tune-Up
Tuning a hammered dulcimer for the first time can be pretty intimidating. The first couple times you tune your dulcimer it may take quite a while, and you'll think it was very difficult task. But, with practice, you will get the hang of it and soon you won't even think twice about tuning.
I use a chromatic electroni…
I use a chromatic electroni…
Why is Playing with a Group Important?
by Linda Ratcliff
Why is Playing with a Group Important?
You are not alone in the world. You are part of an ensemble.
- Rich Mullins
Why is Playing with a Group Important?
Let me introduce to you my daughter-in-law, Mary Ratcliff. Mary has been teaching private piano lessons for over 25 years. She also is the Worship team coordinator for her church - she plans the music and makes sure all the musicians have what they need for worship on Sunday mornings.
We spent Christmas week with their family, and I asked Mary what advice she wo…
We spent Christmas week with their family, and I asked Mary what advice she wo…
Teacher or Self-Taught?
by Linda Ratcliff
Teacher or Self-Taught?
A self-taught man usually has a poor teacher and a worse student.
- Henry Youngman
Teacher or Self-Taught?
I am pretty much self taught. Peggy Carter got me started with a few lessons in Houston. And then I joined Rick Thum’s Song of the Month Club to learn several jammin’ tunes over time. And I had the opportunity to attend a few festivals in the early days. But, for the most part, my arrangements are self taught.
I went …
What do you think ... is that the best way to go?
Peekaboo Waltz for Hammered Dulcimer
Steve Eulberg has created a new lesson for this delightful old-time waltz, the Peekaboo Waltz to be played on the hammered dulcimer.
This lesson features two different ways to play chord back up (such as Steve plays in his duo Fiddle Whamdiddle with Vi Wickam) as well as a fancier solo version. Subscribe to DulcimerCrossing.com to have access to the whole lesson set! 
New Lesson! Asika Thali
Neal Hellman is providing us with a new lesson that features a 4-Equi-Distant String set-up (but could also be played on a mountain dulcimer in the familiar DAdd tuning.)
This song comes to us from South Africa where it was sung regularly as part of the freedom struggle under apartheid rule. This is Neal's introduction to the tune. Subscribe to DulcimerCrossing.com to have access to this an all of our other lessons!
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