CURRICULUM

You register for Mountain Dulcimer Week by signing up for one of the following morning Playing Skills or Specialized courses, or Dulcimer Building.

Morning Playing Skills Courses
8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Monday-Friday (coffee break from 10-10:25 a.m.).
These courses provide eleven hours of well-balanced, sequential instruction in mountain dulcimer playing techniques, with an accomplished, friendly instructor. You choose an appropriate skill level for yourself and if there is more than one teacher in that level, choose the one whose class description and bio reflect what you would like to learn.

Understanding These 11-Hour Courses:
Many dulcimer folks are used to attending weekend dulcimer festivals that present a lot of short 1-hour workshops on unrelated subjects. WCU Mountain Dulcimer Week offers all the festival events in our afternoon elective classes, our concerts, open stage, jams, etc. But this is a different, more in-depth experience from what you learn in a weekend. Our 11-hour morning courses offer a focused, sequential skill-building opportunity for you. You’ll find lots of fellowship and fun in these courses, and there are no “marks” or tests given. But after attending your course, you may well find that your playing skills and confidence have taken giant steps here, along with new creative inspiration to use those skills. This deeper understanding of the dulcimer opens the door to more fun!

Of equal benefit is the opportunity to spend five mornings getting to know one master teacher and understanding his/her creative disciplines. We choose only the best “musical role models” as our instructors. They are accomplished musicians - some of the finest dulcimer players in the world. They are also chosen because they are skilled and generous teachers who care about their students’ progress.

Our instructors will expect you to have the prerequisites listed in your course’s description (below) so they can follow the lessons planned and described for each course. In consideration of the progress of that lesson plan and of all of the students in the class, it will not be possible for instructors to delay the course so individual students can learn techniques that are offered in a lower skill level. The tutors in the skills courses can be of valuable help. Our beginning skill levels offer afternoon coaching, and student study groups are encouraged at all levels for practice and friendship. Please bear in mind that these morning courses address the general needs of up to 25 students in the class. You can “personalize” your learning experiences by choosing afternoon Electives for challenge, reinforcement, and repertoire enrichment.

Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis and tend to fill up quickly. Early registration is recommended to get your favorite course.

When you arrive at your registered course, you can expect that the first session does not cover a large part of the week’s lesson plan. Again, it is not like a 1-hour weekend workshop class. A good instructor begins a course by laying the groundwork for the week - getting to know the students, assessing the individual skills of the group and making sure everyone is “in sync” to progress through the full 11-hour. curriculum.

Participants who feel they have made a wrong choice of course may switch Tuesday morning into another course that has spaces available. After this “settling-in” period of the first day we expect participants to remain in their courses. PLEASE TAKE A LITTLE TIME AND SELECT YOUR COURSE CAREFULLY.

How to Register:
1. READ COURSE DESCRIPTIONS AND THE INSTRUCTOR BIOS so you’re sure of what your choices are.
2. Fill in all the blanks on the Registration Form from this catalog, marking “1” for your first choice of course. Also mark “2” for your second choice in case you’re first choice course is filled up when your registration is received. Include your payment via check or credit card information as instructed. Note that you may register quickly via fax or overnight mail. After our mailing list members have received their catalogs and the first chance to sign up, we will put on-line registration at http://edoutreach.wcu.edu/dulcimer.
3. After your registration is received, written confirmation will be sent to you. Also included will be an enrollment form for your afternoon Elective classes. (If you register just before the event there may not be time for you to receive written confirmation, so you’ll want to confirm your registration by phoning 828-227-7397).
4. Final step is to send in your completed afternoon Electives enrollment form at your first opportunity so your Electives choices can be guaranteed. A.S.A.P. is good!

BEGINNER PLAYING SKILLS
Betty Smith, instructor; Sarah Borders, tutor.
No previous dulcimer experience or musical background necessary. If you do not already have a mountain dulcimer, we have some good ones available that you can borrow. The course will teach basic playing techniques, beginning with musical principles, easy music, and enjoyment of the dulcimer in a relaxed atmosphere. You will learn dulcimer playing techniques that include strumming, playing by ear and from simple tablature (by fret numbers), and employing music suitable for this level. The basic DAA, DAD and DAC tunings will be introduced and will help the beginner learn to tune and know the dulcimer better. Music will primarily be lovely mountain melodies. To ease and strengthen the learning process, after registration, class members will be mailed an audiotape of the melodies to be played in class. This will give students an opportunity to hum along and learn the tunes in their heads before they are shown how to play them on the mountain dulcimer. This is a more natural way to learn and strengthens the student’s ability to play by ear. Afternoon coaching sessions with tutor will be offered to students of this Beginner class.
Free Loaner Dulcimers – a limited number of excellent dulcimers are available for beginner dulcimer players who do not have one of their own yet. There will also be excellent opportunities to make a good purchase from a variety of dulcimers in our Dulcimer Marketplace.

BEGINNER-INTO-NOVICE PLAYING SKILLS
Anne Lough instructor; Joel Paul, tutor.
To be ready for this course, you should be able to hold your dulcimer, strum it, and play some simple melodies comfortably. It is intended to ease the transition from new Beginner into Novice level.
Skills Taught: Confidence in playing is the keynote here, and you’ll learn how to smooth out your playing style. It will begin with a review of the Beginner level techniques listed above, strengthening students’ strumming skills, tuning and re-tuning, playing by ear and memorizing music, and playing in tune and in time with other dulcimer players. We will cover playing chords in a couple of tunings. We will also learn some fun songs as we practice how to play with simple chords. Bring your questions, dulcimer, pick, and an adventurous spirit. Some afternoon coaching sessions with tutor will be offered to students of this Beginner-into-Novice class.

NOVICE (Advanced Beginner) PLAYING SKILLS
Linda Brockinton, instructor; Joel Paul, tutor.
Since you have developed your Beginner and Beginner-into-Novice skills as described above, you should be ready to learn a little more about how the dulcimer works. Understanding what you are trying to do is the biggest key to the success of learning any instrument. Our tuning will be the 1-5-8 tuning, or DAD. We will be strumming, flatpicking and fingerpicking . All music is made up of chords and being able to readily recognize these chords by shapes and names will make your playing much easier. This will be one of our goals. We will also learn how to play music from other sources such as hymn books or old folksong books, enabling you to play your favorite songs. Most songs are playable on your dulcimer without re-tuning. This class will also do some ensemble playing which will entail learning about harmony, writing your own tablature, as well as mixing styles of playing such as strumming and flatpicking. This will be very helpful when playing with others or making your own arrangements.

NOVICE skill level players may also want to consider the following “Specialized” courses (described at the end of our course listings):
•“Traditional Music for the Mountain Dulcimer”
• “Ensembles”

INTERMEDIATE PLAYING SKILLS
Bill Taylor, instructor; Steven K. Smith, tutor.
Prerequisites: The student should have the techniques described previously in the Novice level, and should also feel somewhat comfortable with reading dulcimer tablature. While the ability to read standard musical notation can only help, it is not a necessary skill for the class.
This Intermediate course focuses on playing music in chord-melody style, blending melody notes with chordal harmonies using all the dulcimer’s strings. The use of chords will be emphasized to add tone coloring and texture to your music, to accompany vocals, and to back up other instruments on fiddle tunes. Some of the topics Bill will cover through the week will include: Techniques to help the music “flow,” fingering techniques to enhance “economy of motion,” playing harmonies, ensemble playing, embellishments, rhythm, and more. Styles of music to teach this will cover a wide range, from slow airs to kickin’ fiddle tunes. Most tunes will be in DAD tuning, but we will explore DGD and DAC, as well as the use of the capo. Things to bring: pencil, capo, music stand and sound recorder if you have one. Be ready to have a good time playing and learning in a nurturing and fun-loving atmosphere. It is recommended that students form study groups to have the fun of practicing together.

*New this year!
INTERMEDIATE “REPERTOIRE” COURSE
Paul Andry, instructor; Steven K. Smith, tutor.
To be ready for this course, you should have read the previous level descriptions, and are ready to work beyond the Novice into the Intermediate level. You should be able to hold, tune, strum and play a moderate variety of songs in DAD tuning. We will review D, A and G chords plus fingering techniques. This course will introduce a variety of beautiful and fun arrangements incorporating techniques outlined below: fiddle tunes, cowboy, Irish, ragtime, Mardi Gras, classical, etc. You will learn to incorporate chords, rhythm patterns and embellishment techniques, and to build and enrich your repertoire. Songs will be played at slow to moderate speeds, progressing from basic to intermediate skill levels.
Right-Hand Skills: Strumming patterns. One-finger “draw/pluck” technique. Fingerpicked songs using three fingers. Easy syncopations. Dynamics to enhance the melody.
Left-Hand Skills: Proper hand and fingering positions. Chords to accompany melodies. Smooth out your playing. Finger patterns. Embellishments, plucks, draws, brushes, hammer-ons, pull-offs and harmonics.
Musical/Dulcimer Knowledge Skills: Add chords to your melody line. Identify chords by name and location. Play in different keys with and without a capo. Play songs that modulate. Play back-up to your voice and other instruments. Playing with others – duets, jams and bands. Learn Good Habits – setting goals, music etiquette, performance.
It is recommended that students form study groups to have the fun of practicing together.

INTERMEDIATE skill level players may also want to consider the following “Specialized” courses (described at the end of our course listings):
• “Traditional Music for the Mountain Dulcimer”
• “Ensembles”

INTERMEDIATE-INTO-ADVANCED PLAYING SKILLS
Larry Conger, instructor; Aaron O’Rourke, tutor
Prerequisites: Be comfortable with elements described in the Intermediate Skills described above. This course will focus on taking intermediate level skills and applying them to more intricate arrangements while learning new techniques to enhance the participant’s playing skills. Based in DAD tuning, this class will be informative and challenging in a relaxed and comfortable setting. Some of the subject matter to be addressed includes:
• Developing the art of strumming and flatpicking as a combination skill.
• Identification of chords by shapes.
• Developing and understanding the most consistent and efficient fingerings of chords.
• Playing in different keys while tuned DAD with and without using a capo.
• Adding intros, interludes and endings to help add interest to your basic arrangements.
• Compiling medleys.
• Tricks and tidbits which will help to set your basic arrangement apart from other players.
If you were a part of Larry’s intermediate level class at WCU in 2006, you will find that this course will take you to the next level with all new material. If you’re new to the class, you will definitely walk away at the end of the week a better player with a renewed interest for the dulcimer. Some useful items to bring to class include a music stand, capo, picks and extra strings. Pencils, highlighters and all printed materials will be furnished. . It is recommended that students form study groups to have the fun of practicing together.

ADVANCED skill level players may also want to consider the following “Specialized” courses (described at the end of our course listings):
• “Traditional Music for the Mountain Dulcimer”
• “Ensembles”

ADVANCED PLAYING SKILLS
Karen Mueller, instructor; Aaron O’Rourke, tutor.
This course is designed to help you, as an experienced mountain dulcimer player, develop your own creative musical voice. To be ready for this course, you should have progressed beyond Intermediate skills and should be comfortable with the elements taught in Intermediate-into-Advanced. If you do not have the following skills we recommend you choose an easier course. You should have good strumming, flatpicking and fingerpicking skills, be comfortable using chords in different inversions, playing melodies at different places on the fretboard, and adapting to different rhythms. Part of our time will be spent playing for each other in a mutually-supportive atmosphere, so you should be comfortable playing for others and offering constructive feedback to your classmates. Prior experience in playing for others in open stages or in your community is a plus for taking this course.
Experience in creating or adapting arrangements of pieces of music will also be useful. It is recommended that students form study groups to have the fun of practicing together.
Course Description:
Karen, a master musician on several instruments, is known for the outstanding dynamics, phrasing, and creative rhythms of her mountain dulcimer playing. She has unique ability to authentically interpret different styles of music and then add her own creative touches. Throughout the week students will get to experience Karen’s creative thinking and learn from her professional performing experience. You will begin this course at home. After you register, you will receive a letter from Karen telling you how to prepare ahead of time at home for the course. This will include some technical work (to help unify the class’s skills), and bringing a piece of music from a recording or sheet music that you’re interested in trying on the dulcimer. Class time at Cullowhee will include: daily repertoire building—learning new tunes from traditional and contemporary sources and applying skills listed above; using various tunings, capo positions and extra frets (you don’t need to have any yet); dynamics and arranging; effective backup skills and duet playing; applied music theory; improvising and melodic variations; and performance skills (including playing for each other).

Specialized Morning Courses:
8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Monday-Friday (coffee break from 10-10:25).

✩ 2007 Edition
“TRADITIONAL MUSIC FOR MOUNTAIN DULCIMER”
Teaching Team: Don Pedi, Phyllis Gaskins, Norris Bennett and Susan Boyer Haley
8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Monday-Friday (coffee break from 10-10:25 a.m.).
This course has been one of our MOST POPULAR, and is unique to our event.
The 2007 edition of this course will teach different songs, tunes and historical content for those who would like to take it again! Approximately 20 pieces of music will be handed out and taught.
This is the class you’ve been waiting for if you have Novice or higher skills and...
1. You fell in love with the beauty of the mountain dulcimer’s traditional sounds and want to play more of them.
2. You want to play pretty, uncomplicated melodies on the mountain dulcimer, using drone harmonies and occasional basic chords.
3. You are not interested in playing complicated jazz or contemporary music.
4. You love folk melodies and the “old tunes” and want to learn them and more about the culture and older times from which they come.
5. You like to sing songs with your dulcimer, or like to use their words to memorize the music.
6. You are interested in learning the “traditional” dulcimer tunings that make so much good sense on our instrument:
Ionian (DAA), Mixolydian (DAD with the ‘mysterious’ flavor of
the 6th fret), and the ancient-sounding Aeolian (DAC) minor tuning.

• Don Pedi, champion old-time dulcimer player, will moderate, in addition to teaching strumming, finger noting, playing by ear, Southern dance music and songs, and history.
• Phyllis Gaskins, champion Galax style player, will teach noter-style playing in the Galax, VA style, along with Appalachian and Celtic fiddle tunes and songs. The tuning for Galax style is all Ds of the same gauge string, but you can play along on these noter-style fiddle tunes in DAD tuning on your favorite dulcimer.
• Norris Bennett is a member and lead vocalist of the Ebony Hillbillies, one of the top black string bands in America. Norris will teach his straight-ahead approach to playing rhythm and melody on the dulcimer. Also, he will cover history, songs and tunes from the African-American tradition.
• Susan Boyer Haley, from one of America’s most outstanding folk music families, will teach her traditional mountain dulcimer style, honed from childhood. With photos and some vintage instruments, Susan will present a brief history of the dulcimer. She will also share ballads and will focus on songs from the Ozarks.

Besides learning the above techniques and approximately 20 pieces of music, students will complete this course with increased love the mountain dulcimer, knowing more about its playing heritage and its charming “older” voice.

*Back by popular demand!
DULCIMER BUILDING COURSE:
Build a Sweet-Sounding Reproduction of a Historic J. Edward Thomas Mountain Dulcimer!
John Huron, instructor; Homer Phillips, tutor.
8:30 a.m. to 11:30 am. and (unlike the other courses) continues from approximately 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mon.-Fri.
This outstanding course is taught “apprentice-style,” with lots of individual help from the teachers. You need no previous building experience to take it. John has nicknamed this course “Southern Spousal Day Care,” because it’s an opportunity for spouses to have just as enjoyable and productive a week as their dulcimer-playing husbands and wives! (But you don’t have to have a spouse to take this class.)
Taking place in both the morning and the afternoon sessions of our schedule, the class is limited to the first ten enrollees. Students learn traditional, time-tested techniques for building dulcimers and at the end of the week take home a beautiful, accurately-fretted, smooth-playing, and acoustically-excellent instrument. Experienced students are able to hone their skills by concentrating on the finer points of building. John says, “There are no secrets; questions are encouraged. I just love the idea of passing on knowledge that has been passed to me over the years by numerous kind and generous folks, many of whom are no longer with us.”

John brings all the necessary building materials and tools. Things for students to bring from home: pencil and paper for taking notes and tracing patterns, a pair of Latex gloves for applying the finish, a dust mask, and a smile. Much of the pre-assembly “grunt work” is already done, including fret installation. All of these steps and procedures will be explained and fret installation will be demonstrated. This eliminates a lot of “sitting and watching glue dry” and the use of large power tools. The class begins with the identification of the parts of a dulcimer and progresses through the final finishing and set up of the instrument. Sources for building materials and tools are supplied.

John has dug way into the past to offer students the unique opportunity to build a replica of a J. E. Thomas, circa 1920, mountain dulcimer. The completed instrument will look and sound just like the ones that “Uncle Ed” built and sold all over southeastern Kentucky, starting more than 100 years ago. (Last year’s students built ten of these lovely instruments, and the adorn the cover of this catalog.) The dulcimer will be true to the original builder’s pattern and the time period. It will have three strings and will be fretted only under the melody string. The tuning pegs will be made of wood and the fret scale will be 28” long. All of the major parts of the dulcimer will be black walnut. Although modern tools and assembly methods will be used in the building process, every effort will be made to maintain the character and flavor of an original J. E. Thomas dulcimer.
P.S. - BYOTQ – Bring your own turkey quill!!

NOTE: In addition to the $300 tuition for the week that covers the instruction and evening activities, there is a $175 fee covering all the materials/use of tools to make the dulcimer. This $175 is paid to John Huron on the first day of class.
On Friday the class culminates with a special time set aside for the builders to unveil and share the joy of their “newborns” with all WCU Mountain Dulcimer Week participants.
Although registrations are only taken through Western Carolina University Educational Outreach (use the attached Registration Form), questions on more details can be directed to John Huron at 423-764-3332, e-mail jjh@noteworthyjohn.com or through his website, http://noteworthyjohn.com.

*New this year!
ENSEMBLES COURSE
Kenneth Bloom, instructor.
8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., Monday-Friday (coffee break from 10-10:25 a.m.).
Novice through Advanced and all levels of bowed dulcimer players.
This special course will focus on the mountain dulcimer, both plucked and bowed, as an ensemble instrument. Bring along your high D dulcimettes and low D bass dulcimers to add even more voices to the music. This will be a lot like the dulcimer orchestra from previous years but in a much more expanded format. We will have the same emphasis on playing as a section, blending and such, but we will do more pieces and each section will get the individual attention that was impossible in the past setting.
There will be an emphasis on good technique and how to listen to the others playing around you. There will be opportunities for individuals to have short solos in the middle of the pieces. We will also have the opportunity to have section rehearsals as part of the program.
This expanded format will give Ken a chance to give individuals more attention so that the ensemble will have a better sound and the individual players will be able to significantly advance their own technique. As was true in the past, we will have lead, rhythm, bass, and bowed sections. The group will perform at the conclusion of Participants’ Open Stage. If you have any questions regarding this unique opportunity please contact Ken at kgbloom@advi.net.

Afternoon 2-Hour Elective Classes:
2-4 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
These two-hour classes teach different kinds of repertoire, and styles not normally covered in depth in the morning skills courses. There are electives suitable for various playing skill levels each afternoon. Our electives also offer you the opportunity to study with several different instructors!

Students in our Beginner, Beginner-into-Novice, and Novice courses who may not be experienced enough to branch out into afternoon electives for a while will have some special tutor-led coaching sessions in the afternoons at the beginning of the week.

Participants can attend one two-hour elective each afternoon, Monday through Thursday. After you register in your morning course you will receive descriptions of all the electives. You fill out the enrollment form that comes with them and mail it back to WCU to reserve your elective spaces. Some elective subjects planned for 2007 are:

Mountain Dulcimer Repertoire Classes: Black String Band Music and Blues • Cajun and Other Good Waltzes • Celtic Music Sampler • Dance Tunes Across Europe • Duet and Ensemble Playing • English Country Dance Tunes • Ballads of the Ozarks and NC Mountains • Gospel Music • Hymns • Modal Music •Bill Taylor’s Intricate Faves • Irish Airs • Licks, Phrases and Embellishments • Putting the “Dance” in Dance Tunes • Songs and Hymns of the Southern Mountains • Stephen Foster the Easy Way • Swedish Dance Music

Style and Specialized Classes: Baritone Dulcimer Playing • Basic Noter Playing • Bass and Middle String “Walks” • Playing Chromatic Style like Alan Freeman • The Circle of Fifths . Copyrights • Creative Back-up • Frailing the Mountain Dulcimer • Bowing the Dulcimer • Performance class with Bloom and Freeman • Playing with Other Instruments • Singing with the Dulcimer • TablEdit computer generated tablature I and II

Chill-Out Options: Field Trip – Mountaintop Jam! • Yoga • Gamelan Orchestra • Shaped-Note Singing

Calling All Music Stands...Dulcimer players, please bring along your light, portable music stand for your classes.