About
[Handouts and Zoom class links will be sent via email. Friday class emails will go out Thursday. Saturday class emails will go out Friday.][Current MountainDulcimerAtoZ.COM subscribers save 20% on all my live events, online and in-person. To get your coupon code, visit MountainDulcimerAtoZ.COM and click on “Save on Live Events” in the main menu. You must be logged in as a current subscriber for this menu item to appear. Come back here to StephenSeifert.COM, and enter the coupon code at checkout.]
I’ve always dreamed of starting a weekend festival, but I didn’t know what to do about insurance, facility rental, janitors, volunteers, etc. Long story short, a couple weeks ago, I was sitting around the house, and it occurred to me: Steve Fest ONLINE.
So, here’s the deal. There’s a concert and jam on Thursday evening, classes most of the day Friday, a concert and jam on Friday evening, classes most of the day Saturday, ending with a big group performance recording Saturday evening. Using the registration link below, sign up just for the classes you’re interested in. I’ll be teaching using the Zoom platform. Concerts and jams will be in Zoom, as well, most probably.
I guess that’s about it. And in case you’re wondering, it’s not all about Steve, it’s all about you. Let’s have some fun. This world seems crazy lately. Come hide out at Steve Fest for a while and get your smile on. :)
***** CONCERTS, JAMS, and GROUP RECORDING - tickets for these sessions are FREE, but please add them to your cart so I know how many to expect.
Register
Click HERE to register.
Thursday
Thursday, July 30, 2020 4:45 PM Central Daylight Time Concert
Thursday, July 30, 2020 6:00 PM Central Daylight Time BREAK
Thursday, July 30, 2020 6:30 PM Central Daylight Time Jam
Friday
Friday, July 31, 2020 8:00 AM Central Daylight Time Session 01 Beginner - The Very Least Beginners Need to Learn to Have a Lot of Fun Playing the Mountain Dulcimer
When you start a new hobby, it’s so easy to waste time, focus, and money on all the wrong stuff. With this workshop, fun and easy is the name of the game. I’m going to share with you my favorite ways to get new dulcimer players making good music right away.
Friday, July 31, 2020 9:15 AM Central Daylight Time BREAK
Friday, July 31, 2020 9:45 AM Central Daylight Time Session 02 Beginner - Five Easy Essential Jam Tunes
Put the hard stuff on hold. Strengthen your foundation with these enjoyable, playable classics. They’re going to ask you what tunes you know. I’ll help you get ready.
Friday, July 31, 2020 11:00 AM Central Daylight Time BREAK
Friday, July 31, 2020 11:30 PM Central Daylight Time Session 03 Beginner/Intermediate - Get Better at Reading Music
I know what’s it like to feel paralyzed staring at a page full of dots and lines. I also know what it’s like on the other side. I’m going to show you how I trained myself to ready rhythms, notes, and tablature.
Friday, July 31, 2020 12:45 PM Central Daylight Time BREAK
Friday, July 31, 2020 1:15 PM Central Daylight Time Session 04 Intermediate - Introduction to Flat-Picking
I’ll show you EXACTLY how to take standard jam tunes, move them down and octave, and place them across the three strings. We’ll start with easy and head towards intermediate. These are NOT hard tunes. Expect some exercises as well.
Friday, July 31, 2020 2:30 PM Central Daylight Time BREAK
Friday, July 31, 2020 3:00 PM Central Daylight Time Session 05 Intermediate - Introduction to Finger-Picking
I love how fingerpicking the mountain dulcimer makes me feel and sound like I’m playing a harp. There’s nothing like it. We’ll work on tunes and techniques. Remember, this is an introduction, so I’m making sure these are playable for intermediates.
Friday, July 31, 2020 4:15 PM Central Daylight Time BREAK
Friday, July 31, 2020 4:45 PM Central Daylight Time Concert
Friday, July 31, 2020 6:00 PM Central Daylight Time BREAK
Friday, July 31, 2020 6:30 PM Central Daylight Time Jam
Saturday
Saturday, August 1, 2020 8:00 AM Central Daylight Time Session 06 Intermediate - Don’t Memorize the Chord Book; Just Take this Class
When I first started playing, I met a guy who was really good with chords on the dulcimer. I asked him for advice. He handed me a thick chord book and told me to memorize every chord in the book. That didn’t work for me. It felt like I was memorizing a phonebook. I’m going to show you what DID work for me, and I bet it will work for you, too. Stop struggling with chords and get on with music from the heart.
Saturday, August 1, 2020 9:15 AM Central Daylight Time BREAK
Saturday, August 1, 2020 9:45 AM Central Daylight Time Session 07 Intermediate - The Complete Guide to Playing with a One-and-a-Half Fret
You've got this extra fret. Now what? It's GREAT for backup chords, sprucing up your melodies in simple ways, and playing slightly more sophisticated chord-melody arrangements. I'll show you everything I know.
Saturday, August 1, 2020 11:00 AM Central Daylight Time BREAK
Saturday, August 1, 2020 11:30 PM Central Daylight Time Session 08 Intermediate/Advanced - 12 Ways Blues on the Mountain Dulcimer Will Heal Your Heart
I've been studying blues vocals, harmonica, piano, and guitar to better understand how to play real-sounding blues on the mountain dulcimer. I'll show you everything I've figured out regarding backup, lead, and some cool country blues.
Saturday, August 1, 2020 12:45 PM Central Daylight Time BREAK
Saturday, August 1, 2020 1:15 PM Central Daylight Time Session 09 Advanced - Classical Music for Dulcimer by a Modern Composer
This classical-type piece was composed for mountain dulcimer and full orchestra by Conni Ellisor. I'll share with you all I can along with technique to make it happen. This is a really fantastic piece of music. Let's dig in!
Saturday, August 1, 2020 2:30 PM Central Daylight Time BREAK
Saturday, August 1, 2020 3:00 PM Central Daylight Time Session 10 Advanced - My Favorite Fingerpicking Arrangements with Variations
I’ve used these on stage many times. We’ll work on right-hand technique, clean playing, and variations.
Saturday, August 1, 2020 4:15 PM Central Daylight Time BREAK
Saturday, August 1, 2020 4:45 PM Central Daylight Time Group Recording
You’ll video yourself playing along with me and everyone else. I’ll later assemble everything and publish it on YouTube. The three tunes will be Bile Them Cabbage Down, Old Joe Clark, and Amazing Grace. All three are in the key of D Major. When you’re playing along, make sure you’re using headphones to hear me. We want to make sure the only sound your video catches is YOU. It’s OK to slightly move the headphones aside a bit so you can also hear yourself. We’ll stop between each tune. Once we’re done, upload each of the three videos to YouTube as a UNLISTED video. Email me, stephen@stephenseifert.com, the three links to your YouTube videos.
Testimonials from Past Classes
“It is evident that Mr. Seifert has invested a considerable amount of effort into creating this course. The quality and quantity of information is excellent for any learning level. I can highly recommend the Mountain Dulcimer A to Z Class.”
“Some people are great performers, but you are that AND a great teacher, the way you break things down.”
“I don't have to drive. I don't have to pack a lunch. I'm in familiar surroundings. I am not leaving my husband and worrying about him. I can see your hands very clearly. I can see your facial expressions. I am not distracted by other players. I'm physically comfortable. I don't have to pay for a hotel. I can enjoy the 'company' of others. I don't have to panic if I see you coming around to watch me play. I'm not embarrassed that my neighbor hears me mess up.”
“Stephen Seifert's online Dulcimer A-Z class was the best! 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.”
“I really like online learning! You can see Stephen's hands clearly, as well as his facial expressions which is so important. You're in the comfort of your own home and yet you can interact with the other students. It was my first time and I'm sold!”
“I was a bit skeptical at first. But by the end of my third day, I was pleasantly surprised and so glad I decided to join the online class. After 2+ years of playing/practicing, I consider myself at the intermediate level dipping my toe into the advanced level. I think I probably learned as much, if not more, online as I would have in-person. I would highly recommend this course for anyone wanting to learn how to play the dulcimer in the comfort of their own home.“
“Thank you for another great class. You are an incredible teacher.”
“14 Reasons to take this class online. No travel stress. No travel expenses. Being part of a dulcimer community and meeting new folks without sharing germs. Learning with one of the very best mountain dulcimer teachers using time-tested methods that help you retain what you learn. Software is very easy to learn and use. No distractions from others around you. A longer, better night's sleep in your own bed. No finding food. Less meeting fatigue, easier to focus with an up-close unobstructed speaker view. Practicing what you learn without bothering anyone around you. The ability to take a break or skip a session--if you miss something, you can find it in the review videos. Actually learning new techniques and repertoire instead of meaning to get around to it. Great use of quarantine time--learning an art that can be shared to bring happiness to people and help them heal. Feeling, while you're engaged in the class, like the world's back to normal (priceless).”
“Your teaching style is excellent. The best teachers talk to the audience, something you excel at. Sharing your personal life stories was great and very much added to the enjoyment. All the talk about chickens, how to make tea, your beard, lawn cutting; it all added to the experience. I would not change a thing. You have the ability to make the student feel as if they are having a private lesson with a good friend.”
“If you are a new student who feels intimidated or uncomfortable playing in front of others, this is the first class you should take. I would suggest you take this class before you even take a private lesson, and certainly before you attend any other education class. Steve opens up a new world to the player who feels that the only way to play at first is by-the-book. If you come away with nothing else you will come away with the understanding that this instrument has some fundamentals coupled with unlimited potential. Steve teaches the instrument which is much more than how to play the dulcimer. Steve is an excellent teacher. He will compare to or exceed the best teacher you ever had in school.”
“Thank you so much for doing the zoom meeting for the dulcimer class. It was a perfect setup for me as a beginner and one that gets a little flustered when in a group setting while learning something new. Your teaching skills along with your patience and sense of humor made this class very comfortable for me. I really enjoyed being able to watch up close as you played what you were teaching. Playing a musical instrument isn’t easy for me, but I will continue to put to good use everything you shared.”
“The A to Z class was exactly what I needed. I absorbed more at the time than I imagined was possible. Thank you!”
