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Barlow Knife (New Lesson)
By Linda Ratcliff
The Barlow knife design dates back 400 years, and is a type of folding pocket knife that features double or single blades that open at one end only. The knife-style bears the name of a man named Barlow of Sheffield, England, one of the earliest and most famous makers. This knife has been in the back pocket of Americans since the beginning, and its dependable design and minimalistic features make it a classic to own. Fifty years ago, you could buy one for $2.00, but they cost q…
The Perfect Wrong Note
by Linda Ratcliff
If you ever strum the wrong note, or strike the wrong string with your hammers ... just tell them you were playing the jazz version. - Linda Ratcliff
The Perfect Wrong Note
If you ever strum the wrong note, or strike the wrong string with your hammers ... just tell them you were playing the jazz version. - Linda Ratcliff
The Perfect Wrong Note
My 16-year-old grandson plays the saxophone in his band at school, and he was telling me about trying out last week for the school jazz band. All the kids waiting for their turn were troubled by one note in the arrangement - an Eb. They thought if they could just play that note 1/2 step higher, it would sou…
When I am frustrated with my progress, (or lack of it)....
...This quote from Judy Klinkhammer comes to mind:
"What a curse it is, that the only thing you ever do is exactly what you choose to do."
- Judy Klinkhammer
Judy was an amazing fixture in the community of Mountain View, Arkansas, bringing and treasuring the mountain dulcimer in this northeast corner of the Ozark mountains. She loved equipping absolute beginners AND singing harmony. She was an indefatigable encourager, but as her wisdom shows, she knew that the impetus for playing must always c…
Busted & Rusted
by Linda Ratcliff
Practice will clean up the rust and put the shine back in your playing. - Linda Ratcliff
Busted & Rusted
Call me old-fashioned, but I love old things with a bit of rust on them. Sometimes we wander into antique stores, and I always gravitate to the instrument section. I wonder about who owned the instruments, how they ended up in the store in such bad condition, and whether or not I could restore one of them.
Some of you may recognize the guitar below - its name is Trigger and it …
Practice will clean up the rust and put the shine back in your playing. - Linda Ratcliff
Busted & Rusted
Call me old-fashioned, but I love old things with a bit of rust on them. Sometimes we wander into antique stores, and I always gravitate to the instrument section. I wonder about who owned the instruments, how they ended up in the store in such bad condition, and whether or not I could restore one of them.
Some of you may recognize the guitar below - its name is Trigger and it …
Don't Take It Personally
by Linda Ratcliff
Don't let compliments go to your head, and don't let criticism go to your heart.
In today's culture, people feel free to say whatever is on their mind, whether it will hurt someone's feelings or not. If you ever get negative feedback about your dulcimer playing, it can feel like a personal attack. Sometimes it's very hard for musicians to separate themselves from their work. (And yes, you ARE a musician. It hurts because we put our heart and soul into our music, no matter if …
Don't let compliments go to your head, and don't let criticism go to your heart.
In today's culture, people feel free to say whatever is on their mind, whether it will hurt someone's feelings or not. If you ever get negative feedback about your dulcimer playing, it can feel like a personal attack. Sometimes it's very hard for musicians to separate themselves from their work. (And yes, you ARE a musician. It hurts because we put our heart and soul into our music, no matter if …
Squire Parsons new Hammered Dulcimer Lesson by Linda Thomas
Linda Thomas has provided us with a new lessons series for hammered dulcimer players featuring a tune by the blind Irish harper, Turlough O'Carolan, Squire Parsons. Linda's introduction and demonstration video is above.
Subscribe to DulcimerCrossing in order to have access to all (15) fifteen videos in this lesson set.
Introducing New Fiddle Instructor
by Steve Eulberg & Linda Ratcliff DulcimerCrossing is pleased to introduce our newest instructor: Vi Wickam (Learn more about Vi on the Teacher's Page or click on the video below:
Vi Wickam is a 3rd generation fiddler from Colorado. He has finished in the finals at the Grand Master Fiddling Championship and has also taught there. Together with Steve Eulberg, he is the other half of the band, Fiddle Whamdiddle. He is also the host and owner of mytalentforge.com which features in-depth f…
Tuning Hack for Scroll-Headed Dulcimer
by Steve Eulberg
The Snark™ tuner is very popular with mountain dulcimer players, for good reason. It is quick, accessible, accurate and it's display is very readable.
(This is not an insignificant feature as those of us who continue gathering service stripes in the playing of our dulcimers experience with eyesight that gets weary over time!)
And the handy clip-on feature works very well with flathead mountain dulcimers.
However, players of instruments with the traditional scroll have sometimes str…
The Snark™ tuner is very popular with mountain dulcimer players, for good reason. It is quick, accessible, accurate and it's display is very readable.
(This is not an insignificant feature as those of us who continue gathering service stripes in the playing of our dulcimers experience with eyesight that gets weary over time!)
And the handy clip-on feature works very well with flathead mountain dulcimers.However, players of instruments with the traditional scroll have sometimes str…
My Grass Is Blue
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by Linda Ratcliff
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Steve is introducing a new series of lessons at Dulcimer Crossing -
How to Play Bluegrass on the Dulcimer.
I've gone camping to attend bluegrass festivals, and in the evening - all the musicians like to gather around the campfire and jam.
But, I have to be honest, my hammered dulcimer has been less than welcome at jams.
People look at me with suspicion until they've heard my backup style. In this series of lessons,
Steve demonstrates ho… |
Take More Risks
by Linda Ratcliff
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The biggest risk a person can take is to not take one at all. Take More Risks The great thing about New Year’s resolutions is that you can set new goals to improve yourself. That being said – this year, why don’t you take more risks with your dulcimer playing. Here are just a few ideas.
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