Blues for Dulcimers with a 1½ Fret
EXPERIENCED INTERMEDIATE AND UP
Mountain Dulcimer
Wednesdays 10:30–11:30 am / 11:30 am–12:30 pm
March 11, 18(cancelled), 25
April 1, 8
No class April 15
April 22, 29

(March 11, 25 - April 1, 8, 22, 29)

[March 23 Update - I had to cancel classes Match 17 and 18 due to my mother’s hospital stay. Now that she’s doing better, classes are back on starting March 24 and 25. I’ve updated all the class descriptions on this website to reflect the altered schedule.]

There is so much great blues music to enjoy, and the dulcimer can do a lot more of it than most people realize. Our focus will be on playing backup and taking solos while following the 12-measure form.

You’ll learn some really groovy chords, and I’ll show you which groups of notes work best for creating short melodic ideas across the strings. I’ll share some classic melodies that follow this same form. We’ll also work on subtle micro-bends to bring more authenticity to your playing. You will sound and feel cool.

I’ve taught one- and two-hour classes on this material before, but that has never been enough time to really do the subject justice. With six sessions, I know I can show you some fun and useful tools you’ll enjoy using for years to come.

Bring a capo! I recommend https://www.mccaffertydulcimers.com/capos.

Lesson Plan

Wednesday, March 11 – Session 1 of 6 - Basic strumming. 12-bar form. Playing backup in different keys.

Wednesday, March 18 – Class Cancelled

Wednesday, March 25 – Session 2 of 6 - Capo or not? Left-hand muting. Major and minor pentatonic scales for soloing on a single string.

Wednesday, April 1 – Session 3 of 6 - Some cool chords for folks with a one-and-a-half fret.

Wednesday, April 8 – Session 4 of 6 - Right-hand dampening. Vibrato. Subtle string bending. Major and minor pentatonic scales for soloing ACROSS the strings.

Wednesday, April 15 – No Class

Wednesday, April 22 – Session 5 of 6 - Muting with both hands. More bending. The fanciest chords.

Wednesday, April 29 – Session 6 of 6 - More advanced versions of the 12-bar blues. (chord substitutions)

These are online workshops via Zoom. You’ll receive a meeting link and handouts by email shortly before the first session, and sometimes handouts a day before other sessions. For dulcimer classes, please bring a capo. Each week, you’ll receive a video recording of the class, usually within 24 hours and often right after the session.

Attending live is not required. You’ll get full session videos whether you’re in class or not. Some folks prefer it this way. do what works for you.

🌟 Multi-Course Bundle – 10% Off

If you add two or more courses to your cart, use the coupon code COURSEBUNDLE at checkout to save 10%. If, for any reason, you don’t receive your discount, email me at stephen@stephenseifert.com. This usually happens when someone purchases courses one at a time over multiple days and later wishes they’d used the bundle.

Whatever you need, just include your full name and email address, and I’ll straighten it out.