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About
August 12-14, 2022.
8 90-minute online sessions to choose from.
Review videos.
Concert and jam.
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, about two years ago, I was sitting around the house, and it occurred to me: Steve Fest ONLINE. (Yes, a little goofy, but…) Steve Fest 2020 and 2021 were both a success. Let’s do it again for 2022!
Here’s the deal. The online festival kicks off with a one-hour concert Friday evening, August 12. There’s four 90-minute workshops a day on Saturday and Sunday, August 13-14. There’s a one-hour all-levels jam on Saturday night. 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.
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. :)
(REGISTRATION will remain open even AFTER Steve Fest has ended. This way, you can add classes at any point. If you register for a past class or a class you can’t attend, you will still have access to the handouts, and you will still receive a review video for the class.)
THIS IS AN ONLINE EVENT. (All students will receive review videos for each class.)
[Handouts and Zoom session links will be sent via email at least two days before the scheduled session.]***** Tickets for the jam session are FREE, but please add it to your cart so I’ll know how many to expect.
Register
Click HERE to register. (Registration opening soon.)
Friday
Concert
Friday, August 12, 2021, from 6 PM to 7PM, Central Time Zone
Saturday
Three Tried-and-True Methods to Learn Tunes - Session 01 - Beginners and Lower Intermediates
Saturday, August 13, 9:00 am - 10:30 am, Central Time Zone
There's three main ways folks learn tunes: by ear, watching hands, and reading the paper. It's a mistake to only use the one way that works best for you. I'm going to not only show you a lot about how each method works, I'm also going to show you how to integrate the three approaches. They work best when you use them together.
Learn to Fingerpick Cleanly and Beautifully - Session 02 - Intermediates
Saturday, August 13, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, Central Time Zone
We'll start by going over all the basics of fingerpicking as we play through a couple simple tunes. I want to show you exactly how to play cleanly and expressively. We'll end by working through some fancier techniques and arrangements.
Keep Your Music Fresh and Fun - Session 03 - Intermediates
Saturday, August 13, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm, Central Time Zone
Too keep me and my audiences entertained, I use a whole bag of very doable tricks to play any tune a bunch of different ways. I play a tune on the bass string. I play it high to sound like a mandolin. I play it across the strings to sound like a guitar. I play it with a drone or with chords. I make melodies fancier. I add intros, licks, and endings. We'll apply all these concepts to at least three basic tunes.
Blues Backup and Lead Playing - Session 04 - Upper Intermediates
Saturday, August 13, 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm, Central Time Zone
When I play the blues on the mountain dulcimer, I typically play in A, E, and D. For each of these keys, I'll show you ALL my chord backup strategies. I'll also show you for each key the best ways to playing a lead including pentatonics and bending. I've recently spent a lot of time notating my entire approach, so expect some good handouts.
Saturday Evening All-Levels Jam
Saturday, August 13, 2021, from 6 pm to 7 pm, Central Time Zone
Tickets for the jam sessions are FREE, but please add them to your cart so I know how many to expect.
Sunday
Essential Ways to Make Fancy Music Easier to Play - Session 05 - Beginners and Lower Intermediates
Sunday, August 14, 9:00 am - 10:30 am, Central Time Zone
With so many ways to play the same tune, make sure your first way is simple and strong. We'll work through a bunch of examples with an eye towards seeing the essential and shedding the complex. You'll end up with a small stack of playable, reasonable, and good sounding music. The techniques you learn here will serve you well the rest of your days. When I first learn a tune, I always start simple. I'll show you how I do it.
The Flatpicking Techniques I Use to Make Any Tune Sound Awesome - Session 06 - Intermediates
Sunday, August 14, 11:00 am to 12:30 pm, Central Time Zone
I'll start by making sure your strum is in good shape. I'll show you my strum-pick style. We'll work through a couple simple tunes. I'll next show you how to create fun and playable flatpicked arrangements of the strummed tunes you already know. We'll end with a couple fancy flatpicked favorites of mine as well as a couple exercises to strengthen all the right moves.
How to Learn the Three Main Chord Shapes AND What to Do with Them - Session 07 - Intermediates
Sunday, August 14, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm, Central Time Zone
We'll start with the three main chord shapes and how to learn them. We'll also look at all the ways I use these chord shapes for backup, chord-melody, and adding fancy stuff to tunes.
My Favorite David Schnaufer Arrangements - Session 08 - Upper Intermediates
Sunday, August 14, 3:30 pm to 5:00 pm, Central Time Zone
David Schnaufer was my mentor. He's still my favorite player. I'll share with you a bunch of his arrangements along with the techniques you'll need to make it all happen. These seriously cool pieces forever changed the way I think, hear, and play music. Bring a capo.
Testimonials from Past Students
“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!”
