10/2/25 Update: This six-week class is now split into two levels. The Novice class will continue as scheduled but at a slightly faster pace. If you find it too challenging, you can instead join the Beginner sessions on Wednesday, Oct. 8 and Wednesday, Oct. 22 (8:00–9:15 AM Central). If you’re unsure where you belong, you’re welcome to attend both. All students will receive review videos for each class.

If you’ve been playing just a short while and want to build confidence, this series is for you. We’ll review the basics throughout the course, then add new skills step by step while learning a mix of classic dulcimer tunes. Expect to work on steady strumming, smooth fingering, and simple techniques that make your playing more musical. Along the way, you’ll add hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, and ornaments; learn to play melody against drones; and use chords in the easiest positions. We’ll also explore backup playing for jam sessions. You’ll get better at reading tablature and memorizing tunes. Each week includes guided practice, review videos, and printed tablature so you can keep learning between classes.

Beginners, brand new players, are also welcome. Think of this class as beginner PLUS.

If you’d like to work on sight-reading tablature and by-ear skills at the same time, please consider also signing up for my progressive ear training and sight-reading LAB: https://www.stephenseifert.com/six-week-courses/eartablab91025. I’ve designed this to work with all levels of mountain dulcimer players so we can all get better together.

These 6 75-minute sessions total 7.5 hours of instruction. I'm video recording every session, and you'll get a link to each video roughly 24-hours after each class. I think you'll get the best experience by showing up for each class, but if you need to miss any sessions, I've got you covered.

Course Details

When – Started Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Time – 10:00–11:15 AM Central (11:00–12:15 PM Eastern)

What – Each class begins with a short review, then moves into new techniques and tunes. Expect plenty of playing in every session.

Where – Online via Zoom (link provided to all students).

Note: This course has since been split into Beginner and Novice levels. Please see the update at the top of this page for details.

Schedule

• Tuesday, September 9 – 10:00–11:15 AM Central (11:00–12:15 PM Eastern)

• Tuesday, September 16 – 10:00–11:15 AM Central (11:00–12:15 PM Eastern)

• Tuesday, September 23 – 10:00–11:15 AM Central (11:00–12:15 PM Eastern)

• Tuesday, September 30 – 10:00–11:15 AM Central (11:00–12:15 PM Eastern)

• Tuesday, October 7 – 10:00–11:15 AM Central (11:00–12:15 PM Eastern)

• Tuesday, October 14 – No class this week. Practice your tunes!

• Tuesday, October 21 – 10:00–11:15 AM Central (11:00–12:15 PM Eastern)

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If you’re on the fence, here’s what students have said about my teaching:

• "I really loved how you set it up as a journey of discovery. You are an exceptional teacher."

• “As a beginner, everything was easy to understand and challenging enough to inspire me to continue..."

• “As you know, he is a fabulous musician and that does not always translate into being a good teacher; but in this case it does. He's charismatic, interesting, and tells great stories. He presents the information in the lessons logically and sequentially with many reviews of the material along the way, so that you do not feel lost.”

• "Steve is an excellent teacher. He will compare to or exceed the best teacher you ever had in school.”

• "You have the ability to make the student feel as if they are having a private lesson with a good friend."

This course may sell out quickly—register now and secure your “seat.”

See you soon,
Stephen