(To help folks know exactly what each class covers, I updated this page on Tuesday, November 4, to include detailed lesson plans. Scroll all the way down for the newly added demo video.)

We’ll focus on fingerpicking techniques that make whatever you play sound rich and expressive. You’ll learn relaxed right-hand patterns, tone control, and smooth transitions. Expect one or two arrangements per class. I really want to help you play the same tune three times without it sounding the same all three times. This is beautiful music.

These are online workshops via Zoom. You’ll get a meeting link and handouts by email shortly before the first session.

Notice the Roman numeral “I” in the title? I often offer the same class again—with all-new music. For example, Upper-Intermediate Mountain Dulcimer - Fingerpicking Focus II or III. That way, you keep strengthening your core techniques without repeating the same tunes every time.

You’ll Get: Video recordings of each class · Sheet music

Bring: DAD-tuned dulcimer · Capo

What We’ll Do Each Week

Week 1 – Tuesday, Nov 11 — 3–4 Central Time (USA) / 4–5 Eastern Time (USA)

• Learn/review essential finger-picking techniques.

• Play a simple melody cleanly with a drone, with minimal chording, and with full chording.

• “Morning Has Broken” melody AND chords.

Week 2 – Tuesday, Nov 18 — 3–4 Central Time (USA) / 4–5 Eastern Time (USA)

• “Do You Love an Apple”, an Irish classic.

• Instead of using patterns to make your playing more full, learn how to generate filler-picking in the moment. A tune should be a little different each time you play through it. This approach is subtle but effective.

• “The Blackest Crow.”

No Class – Tuesday, Nov 25 — Happy Thanksgiving!

Week 3 – Tuesday, Dec 2 — 3–4 Central Time (USA) / 4–5 Eastern Time (USA)

• “Home Sweet Home” with full chords.

• “My Old Kentucky Home”

Week 4 – Tuesday, Dec 9 — 3–4 Central Time (USA) / 4–5 Eastern Time (USA)

• “Foggy Dew” with capo.

• “Beautiful Dreamer” with capo.

🌟 Multi-Course Bundle – 20% Off

Choose three or more courses. Perfect if you want to mix dulcimer with Tabledit, whistle, ukulele, or harmonica. You’ll save compared to single registration.

🌟 Important: If you want to take advantage of the 3-Class Bundle, do this exactly:

🌟 1) Visit https://www.stephenseifert.com/holiday-fourweek-course-registration and add at least three classes to your cart.

🌟 2) At checkout, use the coupon code COURSEBUNDLE to save 20%.

🌟 If, for any reason, you don’t get your 20% off, email me at stephen@stephenseifert.com. This usually happens when someone buys courses one at a time over multiple days and later wishes they had went with the bundle. Whatever you need, tell me your email address and full name, and I’ll straighten it out.