Workshop Descriptions for Dulci-More Festival 23
The middle section of this
program shows the workshop grid. Use these descriptions to help find the
workshops that will work best for you. Anyone can listen in on any workshops. A
few workshops will have instruments for you to try out. No instruments are
required for many of the workshops. Some of the workshops on the Dining Hall
Stage are more for entertainment than for participation.
Saturday Workshops &
Events
Cluster 1
1] Ukulele Jam
DUH! Dulci-More Ukulele Hangout
members will lead and showcase many tunes from
beginner level ones in C to more complicated ones (projecting lyrics and
chords). Something for everyone, several loaner ukes available.
2] ‘60s Anti-War
Movement Songs
Bill will share some songs
from the 1960s and relate how the songs reflected and energized the 1960s
anti-war movement.
3] Rhythm Guitar for Flat
Pickers
Practice
Gypsy jazz and ragtime “comping” or
“chunking” accompaniment patterns. Students should be familiar with
most major, minor and seven chords and be able to
change fluidly between them in time.
4] Playing Strong Rhythm on
MD
Bill will cover rhythmic
dulcimer styles with variation, which can enhance the overall sounds of the
instrument. This will include adding structure to the strum and cross picking
using some common and well known tunes for this so the
focus can be on the right hand.
5] Traditional Music from
the Southern Appalachians for MD
This is the "native" music
of the mountain dulcimer. Lois will teach some authentic, colorful Southern
Appalachian pieces you may not play yet – a ballad, a hymn, a play-party
song, and an old-time string band dance tune that she learned from traditional
musicians at fiddle conventions.
6] Celtic Fiddle
John shows traditional styles
such as drones, bowing, and ornaments, used to transform the violin and printed
music to traditional fiddling. This can include features of 18th-century
Scottish and English music.
7] Beginning Chording for HD
Sue & Roz will help you learn about root chords and playing in
various time signatures to make interesting simple chord or arpeggio backups.
8] Group Playing
Tina and Bryan will discuss
the roles of instruments and how to use them to create exciting variety in your
arrangements.
9] Introduction to Bowed
Psaltery
Bill will introduce the
psaltery discussing psalteries, bows, and playing techniques. All will play
some simple tunes. Loaners available.
Cluster 2
1] To Theme or Not to Theme
The panel will share various
perspectives on set lists and the use of themes for developing set lists and
programs. While one panel member has 7 themes for concerts, another hardly ever
uses set lists.
2] Playing Parts
Members of Stringed Fantasy
will share what they do, playing melody, harmony, and drone lines, using sheet
music, written in multiple parts.
3] Beginning Clawhammer Banjo
This is not bluegrass, it is
all done with a downward motion of the right hand with easy fingering on the
banjo neck. Just bring a plain old fashion banjo with five strings. Try a
simple tune or two with Bill, but most effort will be to get the strum right
using the G banjo tuning.
4] Easy Appalachian Tunes
for MD
This is a
repertoire-building workshop for novice dulcimer players. Participants will be
taught several songs from the Appalachian Mountain Region. Some techniques to
enhance your playing will also be included Tab will be given in both DAA and
DAD tuning.
5] Making Old Songs New for
MD
Olivia will help players
find and use various playing techniques for add life to the old songs from her
repertoire and theirs.
6] The Real Deal for Bass
& Others
Playing bass is about
playing the right note in time, in tune, and with a pleasant THUMP.
7] HD Bootcamp
Tina
will help you learn the relationships between marked courses, half steps, repeated
notes, chords and scales that will unlock a deeper understanding of your
instrument, help you to feel more free when learning tunes and help you get
your money’s worth in lessons, workshops and camps! Be prepared to say
“AH HA! I never knew that!!”
8] Christmas Music on the HD
The ringing of the hammered
dulcimer sounds great on so much Christmas music. Adam will work with the
preference of the participants for which Christmas tunes they want to learn.
9] Hooray for DAA Mountain
Dulcimer
Learn from John basic chord
patterns that make this the quickest way to play 3
string chords. Go from one string to two then three string chords which have
the same finger pattern up and down the fretboard.
Play melody across the strings. Play along with DAD players.
Cluster 3
1] Storytelling
When Bryan takes the stage,
it is clear that he grew up hearing stories and songs in Virginia. “A
consummate storyteller and performer, his sets are peppered with remembrances,
history, and humor. He can literally have you laughing one moment and a little
teary-eyed the next.” He has been a featured performer at the National
Storytelling Festival in Tennessee. He will share stories and techniques.
2] Harmony Singing
Maddie will help everyone find their own voices and the way
to blend those voices with others.
3] Snappy Dance Tunes for
Harp
Allison and Sairey will include some great dance tunes and ideas for
playing them with a snappy feel. With music taught by ear, sheet music is
provided after the workshop.
4] Beautiful Melodies for MD
Lois originally fell in love with the
gentle sounds of the mountain dulcimer’s enchanting voice, its drones,
and its harmonies. She will teach a variety of music pieces that highlight the
instrument’s unique charm.
5] Nothing to See Here,
Folks! for MD
As we learn to play an
instrument, we tend to overly rely on our eyes and essentially ‘get in
our own way’ as we struggle to improve our playing. Throughout this
unconventional (and fun!) workshop, completely blindfolded, you will learn an
entirely different method of visualizing and playing your instrument strictly
through tactile experiences and sensations. Via step-by-step instruction, Brett
will help you explore a new approach toward playing your instrument, understand
the importance of the relationship between your body and the “feel”
of the instrument, change your perspective, perception, and level of awareness,
and “see” your instrument solely through your fingers and hands,
while strengthening your “muscle memory” and building confidence in
your abilities. This workshop not only teaches you play without relying
on your eyes, but will ultimately improve your capacity to play
instinctively—without visual reliance that can impede your progress. You
will be surprised at how we hinder our own musical potential by teaching our
eyes to play rather than teaching our hands…and body!
6] Instrumental Harmony
Learn
consonant instrumental harmony lines with Geoff to accompany fiddle tunes in
both major and minor keys. Fiddle, mandolin and guitar players welcome.
Intermediate instrumental lead playing proficiency and basic chordal theory required.
7] Blues Progressions for HD
Adam will be working with
you to understand some of the basics of the blues. There will be techniques and
variations to keep the blues at a good up beat tempo along with the melody and
backup for hammered dulcimer.
8] Contra Dance Band
Workshop
Learn
the techniques to really drive a contra dance and make the dancers go WOO! Tina
and Bryan will discuss choosing and pairing tunes, building up and breaking
down the energy in a dance and using musical texture to create variety.
9] Civil Rights Songs
– 1960-1965
Bill will sing songs with you to
demonstrate how songs emboldened the non-violent civil rights demonstrators
from 1960-65.
Ability Level Jamming
Workshops Cluster
If one doesn’t work,
try another. Join the fun!
2] Intro to Jamming
Marge and Olivia will lead
this jam for all instruments at a slow pace with easy tunes to help people get used
to something many find scary, but is really fun -
playing well with others.
3] Advanced
Beginner/Intermediate Jam
Stringed Fantasy will lead
some tunes and give you a chance to lead others of all kinds in a lightly
structured jam for those used to playing together.
4] Song Writer &
Join others who write their
own songs or find interesting songs to sing and share songs and techniques
about how you do what you do. Share together nicely with no leaders assigned.
5] Silly Songs Share
Jim has some great silly
songs to sing for and/or with you. The real fun comes as each of you adds your
own songs for and/or with the others.
6] Open for Jam
No leaders assigned –
just a location to jam for any level.
7] Hawaiian Music on Ukulele
Ehukai is from a musical Hawaiian family. He will teach
some of his favorite Hawaiian songs, how to strum authentic rhythms, and will
even teach you to sing a little in Hawaiian!
8] Intermediate/Advanced Jam
Bill, Adam, and John will
lead some tunes and give you a chance to lead others of all kinds in a lightly
structured jam for those used to playing together. The leaders play different
styles, so it should be great hearing how everyone gets along.
9] Celtic Jam
Join the Hired Hands for an
all-level Celtic jam.
1] Name that Old-Time (or
Other) Tune
This version of a slick
television game show is for the enjoyment of all after a full day of workshops.
Get in on the fun and prizes from Alice as Linda and Marge again supply the
tunes and Bill hosts.
1] Open Stage/Clubs Open
Stage
Sign up at the registration
area to let our festival hear some of your unique sounds. All acoustic
instruments and styles are welcome.
Sunday Workshops &
Events
1] Hymn/Gospel/Spiritual
Sing
Join a group with your
instruments or just your voice to share many favorites. Lyric sheets and/or
projected music for many old favorites will be there, but others may also be
sung.
Cluster 4
1] Practice Smarter –
Not Harder
Practice doesn’t necessarily
make perfect. Knowing HOW to practice does. You can spend hours and hours of
mind-numbing repetition, or you can learn to practice -- SMARTER, FASTER,
BETTER, MORE THOROUGHLY....Learn HOW TO LEARN. The secret to playing
successfully is NOT just practicing, but knowing HOW to practice! Many people
waste HOURS of time and effort practicing their instrument, and don’t
realize their practice methods are like a brick wall keeping them from reaching
the end-result they desire. If you’re going to spend time practicing, why
not make sure you’re doing it right in the first place?
This workshop will teach you
scientifically proven techniques, tested guidelines, and provide hands-on
practice learning a tune teaching you exactly HOW to practice for the most
efficient, effective, and productive results!
2] Beginning Autoharp
Accompaniment
3] Beginning Flat Pick
Guitar
We will learn to flat pick a simple
lead by ear and back it up with chords while discussing good technique. Teresa
suggests bringing a recording device.
4]
“Home-Middle-Outside” for MD
This class works for both newer
players who know what a chord is and more experienced players who like to play
with other instruments or want to find new keys for their vocal range. Learning
Ehukai’s new system of playing chords in DAD
tuning, which he calls “Home-Middle-Outside,” you’ll be able
to play the I, IV and V chords in the keys of D, E, G, A, B, C (and a bit
beyond) – in a very accessible way without having to look at your hands
or use a capo.
5] Rhythm Methods for MD
Bill
gets the player to be able to play a structured strum adapted to have a
"bum-a-ching-a" old-time style for fiddle
or blues tunes. We will play both forward and back on the strings with a flat
pick. This is similar to the effect obtained with some finger picking styles.
Emphasis is placed on being able to obtain a lilting sound. Bill will pick an
easy tune and play it with varying and successively more complex strums. The
idea is to get the student to get a "free and easy" right hand style
which can vary as a tune goes along.
6] Effective Backup Guitar
Dan will help all levels of
guitar players learn to be more effective backup players.
7] Ensembles for HD & MD
Together
Maddie will share 2 (or more) part
arrangements for HD and MD players fo play TOGETHER.
8] Techniques to Spice Up Your HD Tunes
Adam will work with you on
several techniques to help take your playing to another level as you
incorporate them into your own playing style.
9] Starting from Scratch on
the MD
This is a workshop for the
very beginner. Participants will be shown how to tune the mountain dulcimer,
how to find notes, and how to strum. Participants will also learn how to play
several easy melodies. (DAD and/or DAA tuning)
Cluster 5
1] The Heritage of This
Music
This will not be hands on but it will
be open to discussion as we tell about the Scotts/Irish migration to the US and
the roots of our Appalachian music.
2] Tips for Good Singing
Linda and Roz will help you enjoy singing more with improved
breathing, pronunciation, listening, and harmony.
3] Autoharp Melody Playing
Bryan will discuss and
demonstrate how he plays the melody on autoharp while incorporating some backup
and/or harmony concentrating on techniques for both left and right hands.
4] Beginning to Play without
Tab for MD
Marge will help those who
are paper-trained take the first steps to freeing themselves from the tab and
sheet music and being able to just play.
5] Cajun Good-Time Music for
MD
Lois will show you how to
authentically “Laissez les bon temps rouler”
playing spirited Cajun dance tunes from Louisiana. (The Cajun accordion, main instrument
for this music, has a diatonic scale like the mountain
dulcimer does, so the music’s easy and natural on our instrument!)
6] Putting the Paper Down
When using sheet music or
tab, it's easy to get locked into one version of a tune. Your tunebook grows and grows. Jim will have music and tab for
some tunes and will work through some techniques for tune learning. You will
find as you learn a tune it becomes easier to play in a jam with other versions
of the same tune focusing more on playing your instrument and making music.
7] The 5-Note Hymn for HD
This is NOT a "tune" workshop. We will learn the simple melody
line to a traditional hymn consisting of just the use of five notes making it
EASY to learn and memorize. We will then learn how to make and use chords,
arpeggios, and embellishment techniques to turn it into a beautiful performance
ready piece.
8] Backup Playing with the
HD
Melodies are usually played
on the hammered dulcimer, but the beautiful resonating notes can create
wonderful harmonies. Maddie will work with you on
chords and harmony ideas, concentrating on range, and while staying in the
background, accenting melodies sung or played by other instruments.
9] Native American Flute
Linda will tell a legend of
the Native American flute and demonstrate how to play the instrument for
traditional and western music. A few flutes will be available for participants
to try or purchase. If you have your own flute, bring it along.
Cluster 6
1] Ukelele
Jam
See Cluster 1 Area 1 for
description.
2] Vocal Harmony Lines
Practice
writing vocal harmony lines with Geoff to accompany your favorite melodies with
the goal of building three part harmony arrangements to sing together. Find
your range and work within it. Practice supporting the melody but not competing
with it by refining pitch, phrasing, dynamic accuracy, and sensitivity.
Participants should already have a strong melodic sense and singing ability.
3] Aires of the Highlands
for Harp
Allison and Sairey will teach some Highland tunes. With music taught by
ear, sheet music is provided after the workshop.
4] Old Time &
Traditional Tunes for MD
These are the songs that
most people associate with the mountain dulcimer. Learn some with Olivia.
5] “Killer”
Technique for MD
Add life to your playing with riffs
and licks used by professionals and add spice to your playing. Includes tips on
economy of movement and finding chord inversions and harmonies you may never
have tried before!
6] Celtic Music on Mandolin
Family Instruments
Students learn how to use
techniques such as drones, picking, and ornaments to create a Celtic sound.
This can include an emphasis on the music of Turlough
O'Carolan and the 18th century. John will work with
mandolins, mandolas, and octave mandolins.
7] A Time to Waltz for HD
Maddie will present 2-3 waltzes (who knows from where) in
this repertoire building workshop.
8] Rags, Reels, and Jigs for
HD
Adam will work with you on
the rhythmic patterns used in these fun types of tunes and get you playing some
specific tunes in the genres.
9] Touch the Instruments
Dan and Teresa will demonstrate and
help children and adults try out some of the instruments we bring and answer
questions. We can have on hand banjo, guitar, fiddle, mountain dulcimer,
hammered dulcimer, and mandolin.
3] Worship Service
Doug George, pastor of the
First United Methodist Church of Salem, will lead a short service and share a
message that should be meaningful for all.
1] Open Stage/Clubs Open
Stage
See Saturday Open Stage for
description.