BEGINNER

A MAP OF YOUR DULCIMER
This workshop has been hugely popular with players of all levels. It was designed for absolute beginners, but it turns out that even folks who have been playing for some time get worthwhile information out of it. I start at the beginning, with how to hold hammers and striking technique, and then move on to naming the courses and discussing the layout of the dulcimer. By the end of the workshop, even total novice players are able to name, and play, every major and minor chord available on their dulcimer. As a bonus, we discover the Grand Unified Playing Pattern, Y’all, or GUPPY.

SIMPLE TUNES
Just like the title says, we work on a couple of simple tunes, stressing accuracy, rhythm, musicality, and simple harmony. This is a great first workshop for beginning players looking to add to their repertoire, and for first time students to sound great when they go home.

THEORY MADE EASY
I even hesitate to use the word 'Theory' in the title, because so many people are scared by the thought of music theory. But it turns out that the dulcimer is a natural teaching tool for theory, with the layout of the dulcimer actually helping people to understand keys, modes, sharps and flats, chord building, and intervals. This workshop is often taken by non-dulcimer players who are interested in learning more about music, as well as dulcimists of every level.

INTERMEDIATE

FILLING IN THE HOLES
One of the most often requested workshops that I do, this one deals with how to add embellishments and harmonies to any piece. Like the title hints, we start with finding the space in the melody where extra things can be added, and learn a wide range of techniques to draw from, including chords, runs, interval harmonies, double- and triple-rolls, ghost notes, and others. A fun-filled (pun intended) workshop.

CHORD SCHMORGASBORD
Once you’ve reached a certain level of proficiency on the dulcimer, there often comes a thirst for knowledge : what do these shapes mean ? This workshop is designed to take on the wide variety of chords, and how changing small elements in them can help create large changes in the feel of a piece. Avoiding the dreaded word « theory », I use simple analogies and demonstrations to help people reach a deeper understanding of chord structure and usage.

LEARNING TO LILT
After playing Irish traditional music for almost two decades, I’ve realized that the more you know, the more there is to know about trad tunes. One of the most common areas that people have questions about is how to achieve that unique, lifting sound that is so attractive about Celtic music. We draw from many examples, and learn a series of exercises to start lifting, and lilting our tunes, causing those nearby to start unconciously tapping their feet.

ADVANCED

FLASH AND PIZAZZ
One of the most fun workshops I’ve had the pleasure of teaching, this one focuses on those moments in my playing when I hear people say, 'How did he do that ?-. We’ll talk about things like 14-note chords, cross-handing, buzz rolls, giant leaps, harmonics, and other stuff that you only get to learn if you know the secret handshake.

STICK TRICKS
It turns out that playing the dulcimer is just as much an exercise in percussion as playing a snare drum, so we take a look at the exercises that drummers use to perfect their skill. We tackle the dreaded paradiddle, flamadiddle, ratamaque, and other exotic sounding percussion tricks, and use those skills in tunes to show how they can dress up the most simple of melodies.

IMPROVISATION
Whether it’s taking a break during an old-time tune, or putting together a solo for a jazz song, or just letting loose and playing freely, improvisation skills can’t help but make us better musicians. In this workshop we work on exercises that develop critical ways of thinking while playing, talk about the importance of phrasing and storytelling, and get a chance to use those skills in a safe, non-threatening setting.

CUSTOM

DESIGN YOUR OWN WORKSHOP
I'll work with you to put together a workshop to meet any need you might have for your festival or duclimer club, including printed material, mp3's, and any other learning aids you might require.