Stephen Seifert’s QuaranTUNE Virtual Dulcimer Summer Fest 2025 Workshops
It is 7:38 PM Central Time, Friday, May 2, 2025. Everything below is ready for you. Everyone will receive handouts and review videos whether you’re in class or not. Looking forward to this! :) Let me know if I can help. - Stephen Seifert (stephen@stephenseifert.com)
Stephen Seifert’s QuaranTUNE Summer Fest 2025 WAITING LISTS - If you try to register for one of my classes but find it full, there's USUALLY a way on the virtualdulcimerfest.com website to join a waiting list for that class. I encourage you to do that first, but ALSO do it here. The link that follows takes you to my PERSONAL waiting lists. If I get enough interest, I might just teach the class a second time at some point AFTER the festival. Re-visit this form to update your selections.
MY PERSONAL waiting lists: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfQCdLCGpc6QryKZuLuXXZOzdKrh6OEHpV3a6-C-2MTyMCM6w/viewform?usp=header
Central France Dance Tunes for Mountain Dulcimer
Mountain Dulcimer
Level 3 - Intermediate
Friday, Session 1
Explore ancient-sounding traditional dance tunes from Central France, especially bourrées that date back to the 18th and 19th centuries. These rhythmic melodies were passed down through generations and played on hurdy-gurdies and bagpipes at village gatherings. I'll help you with fingerings and how to create subtle variations to keep your playing fun and fresh. Bring a capo.
Preview video: https://youtu.be/l_5BK8ZoeqM
16MD087
https://www.virtualdulcimerfest.com/mountain-dulcimers/p/16md087 (This workshop link won’t work until registration opens.)
Appalachian Modal Fiddle Tunes in the Key of A
Mountain Dulcimer
Level 4 - Upper Intermediate
Friday, Session 3
When I first heard this style of playing, it pulled me in deep. These archaic tunes use ancient scales that work really well on the dulcimer. We'll work on Greasy Coat, Yew Piney Mountain, and Elzic's Farewell. This will be a great study in using slides and wise fingering. Bring a capo.
Preview video: https://youtu.be/f9B0EbzPH54
16MD128
https://www.virtualdulcimerfest.com/mountain-dulcimers/p/16md128 (This workshop link won’t work until registration opens.)
Two Ways to Play “Spanish Fandango”: Simple and a Little Bit Fancy
Mountain Dulcimer
Level 2 - Novice
Friday, Session 4
This beginner-friendly class teaches two versions of the classic “Spanish Fandango.” First, we’ll learn a simple, satisfying version that’s easy to play and sounds great. Then we’ll take it up just a notch with a version that’s a little bit fancy—but totally doable—even if you’re new to the mountain dulcimer. You’ll leave with both versions under your fingers and a deeper feel for this beautiful old tune.
Preview video: https://youtu.be/GCJ_ztWTpGc
16MD038
https://www.virtualdulcimerfest.com/mountain-dulcimers/p/16md038 (This workshop link won’t work until registration opens.)
Crosspicking Scottish Songs with Drones, Chords, and Ornaments
Mountain Dulcimer
Level 5 - Advanced
Friday, Session 6
Learn to crosspick timeless Scottish tunes like Loch Lomond, The Parting Glass, and Auld Lang Syne on mountain dulcimer. These arrangements feature drones, rich chords, and tasteful ornaments for a full, expressive sound.
Preview video: https://youtu.be/vX7jA_3rzLE
16MD150
https://www.virtualdulcimerfest.com/mountain-dulcimers/p/16md150 (This workshop link won’t work until registration opens.)
My Approach to Flat-Picking Jam Standards
Mountain Dulcimer
Level 4 - Upper-Intermediate
Saturday, Session 1
Preview video: https://youtu.be/iZKWp3O35oI
We'll start with some flatpicking exercises to make sure your playing is clean, powerful, and effective. Then we'll look at my approach to converting melody-string jam tunes into across-the-strings flatpicked versions. We'll finish by practicing a hybrid approach that combines strumming with flatpicking. Expect a good number of tunes and tune fragments for working this stuff out.
16MD127
https://www.virtualdulcimerfest.com/mountain-dulcimers/p/16md127 (This workshop link won’t work until registration opens.)
From Simple to Showy: Three Takes on “Down Yonder”
Mountain Dulcimer
Level 5 - Advanced
Saturday, Session 2
Preview video: https://youtu.be/7Flo7eet5Zo
I first heard Down Yonder played by Willie Nelson’s sister on his classic Red Headed Stranger album. Later, I was amazed to hear how David Schnaufer and Chet Atkins brought it to life in their own styles. In this workshop, I’ll show you several arrangements and all the licks to dress them up with chord-melody, runs, and riffs. Expect a good bit of work on left-hand fingerings and right-hand picking technique.
16MD149
https://www.virtualdulcimerfest.com/mountain-dulcimers/p/16md149 (This workshop link won’t work until registration opens.)
Build Repertoire and Technique with Easy and Popular Tunes
Mountain Dulcimer
Level 1 - Absolute Beginner
Saturday, Session 4
Preview video: https://youtu.be/fLo3peWZnFM
I'll help you with foundational beginner playing techniques, and I'll help you build your musical repertoire with easy and popular tunes that are quick to learn and fun to play.
16MD011
https://www.virtualdulcimerfest.com/mountain-dulcimers/p/16md011 (This workshop link won’t work until registration opens.)
Quickly Learn Major and Minor Chords—My Proven System
Mountain Dulcimer
Level 3 - Intermediate
Saturday, Session 6
Preview video: https://youtu.be/uX8s35hD3vo
Try my system for memorizing, making sense of, and using all the major and minor chords on the mountain dulcimer. This method is fast and doesn't require hardly any music theory talk. You'll be able to start using these chords right away.
16MD086
https://www.virtualdulcimerfest.com/mountain-dulcimers/p/16md086 (This workshop link won’t work until registration opens.)