PREFESTIVAL Bluegrass Mountain Dulcimer

Service Description

Come explore a variety fun techniques to play bluegrass style mountain dulcimer. Topics covered will include chop chords; licks, fills, and embellishments; playing in a variety of keys; and improvisation techniques. Using standard bluegrass repertoire, Erin Mae will help you find your place among the banjos, fiddles, mandolins, and guitars. The first half of the class will focus on playing rhythm in a bluegrass jam. You’ll master chop chords, then begin to add a few licks and fills. We’ll explore these concepts in the key of D first, then look at how to apply them to the other common keys of bluegrass — C, G, A, and B. In the second half, we’ll learn a couple of fun fiddle tunes that are commonly played at jams, and use these tunes to explore improvisational strategies. Taking solos on songs you’ve never played before is part of the bluegrass tradition, but it can feel intimidating at first. Use Erin Mae’s tried and true strategies to give it a shot, within the supportive environment of this class. The only way to play a wrong note is to play nothing at all! The class will be geared toward intermediate-advanced players, or anyone with a foundational knowledge of where notes and basic chords are on the fretboard. Bluegrass is a friendly starting point for new dulcimer players who really want to play with others, so don’t be afraid to give it a try! DAd tuning; capo is required.