I’m posting all my 2024 QuaranTUNE Summer Fest workshop handouts on this page. (Please only download handouts for the classes you’ve registered for.)
[Thursday, May 30, 2024, 7:05 PM CST UPDATE]
All handouts have posted. Thank you.
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All New Fingerpicking Blues Tunes for the 1-3-5 Tuning
(Friday, Session 2, Level 5 - Advanced, Mountain Dulcimer)
13MD145
I’ve cracked the code on this versatile tuning! (We’ll be using D F# A) This intuitive approach gives your diatonic dulcimer all kinds of cool notes and chords. Using comfortable fingerings and a swinging right hand, we’ll work through two to three fingerstyle blues pieces I think you’re going to love.
Handouts: Fingerpicking Blues Handouts
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Six Tunes in Different Keys Using Common Tunings and a Capo
(Friday, Session 4, Level 4 - Upper-Intermediate, Mountain Dulcimer)
13MD122
Accomplished dulcimer players have been using these tunings and capo positions since the early days of the dulcimer revival. In this two-hour class, we’ll explore five to seven arrangements that showcase the strengths of each setting. Let me demonstrate just how cool these tunes can be. There's all kinds of cool dulcimer music in print from the 80s and 90s making use of this stuff!
Handouts: Tunes_Tunings_ and Capos Handouts
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Fully Use Your 1½ Fret: Scales, Chords, Licks, and Tunes
(Friday, Session 6, Level 3 - Intermediate, Mountain Dulcimer)
13MD088
You decided to get a one-and-a-half fret, and you’d like to make the most of it. Using three to four arrangements, I’ll show you what’s cool about this extra fret: melodies, chords, and licks. (I’ve taught a similar class in the past, but this approach is a bit different, and I’m using different arrangements.)
Handouts: One-and-a-Half Handouts
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A Comfortable Intro to Fingerpicking for Intermediates and Up
(Saturday, Session 1, Level 3 - Intermediate, Mountain Dulcimer)
13MD086
Your first taste of fingerpicking should be intuitive and enticing. I’ll share slow and beautiful arrangements to guide you through the main techniques, including plucking, pinches, brushes, hammer-ons, pull-offs, and more. Some of the best fingerpicking is simple. Once you have a firm foundation, you can build from there.
Handouts: Intro to Fingerpicking Handouts
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Learn These Tunes Three Ways, and You’ll Have Them for Life
(Saturday, Session 2, Level 2 - Novice, Mountain Dulcimer)
13MD041
There are two main ways to learn a tune: by ear or from written music. Most folks use the method that’s most comfortable for them and ignore the other. I’m going to introduce a third way and then show you how to integrate all three approaches. We’ll cover two to three tunes from different traditions.
Handouts: Learn Tunes Three Ways Handouts
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Chord College: Learn All Your Major and Minor Chord Shapes
(Saturday, Session 4, Level 3 - Intermediate, Mountain Dulcimer)
13MD085
This is the FASTEST way I know to master all the major and minor chord shapes you’ll need for backup, chord-melody, and creating licks. We'll cover all main fingering styles. Taken this class before? You’ve probably grown since then. Come back and do it again for additional insights!
Handouts: Chord College Handouts
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Flat-Picking Arrangements of Four to Five Common Jam Tunes
(Saturday, Session 6, Level 3 - Intermediate, Mountain Dulcimer)
13MD087
Flat-picking doesn’t have to be hard. I’ve arranged these common jam tunes to prove it! The notes move across the strings and rarely go higher than the third fret. I’ll show you how to combine picking and strumming for a full sound. I’ll also provide a few simple exercises to make things a lot easier. Heck, you can even strum the whole time if you prefer. This approach also works GREAT on banjo-dulcimers.
Handouts: Flatpicking Handouts
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Four Things I Wish I Had Known When I Started Dulcimer
(Saturday, Session 7, Level 1 - Absolute Beginner, Mountain Dulcimer)
13MD011
Try my approach. I’ll bring a few super simple tunes. 1) How to quickly learn barebones versions of just about any tune. 2) A great strum is rendered fresh each time; it isn’t read or memorized. 3) One chord shape gives you all the backup chords you need in dulcimer land and more. 4) Move melodies to the bass string and up high on the melody string with ease for fun and variety.
Handouts: Five Things for Beginners Handouts