Spring Augusta Week (formerly Spring Dulcimer Week)
Beginning Mountain Dulcimer
Molly McCormack

Greetings!

I’m excited to come back to beautiful Elkins, West Virginia for Dulcimer Week at Davis Elkins College! I’ve made many friends in the past during Dulcimer Week, so I’m looking forward to making new friends in our class this year. I have been playing the mountain dulcimer for almost 20 years, but I still remember the moment I fell in love with the instrument. Maybe you have had a similar ‘moment’, or maybe it’s still to come.

Mountain dulcimer players are as varied as the instruments themselves. During our week together we’ll explore different styles of playing, so you can find what feels right to you. We’ll begin with the basics: Tuning, caring for your instrument, basic strumming, playing tunes by ear and using tablature. We will begin by using D-a-d tuning, but we will discuss and experiment with other tunings. We’ll explore each tune and technique step-by-step, so that you gain confidence in playing. You do not need prior music training for the Beginner Class. Please plan to wear comfortable clothing.

You will need: a mountain dulcimer, picks (preferably thin), a piece of shelf lining or an adjustable strap for your dulcimer, and a pencil or pen.

Optional items: a music stand, a portable recorder, extra dulcimer strings, dulcimer capo, a folder to keep music and other information.

I’m looking forward to our week together. Feel free to email me with any questions before we meet in April.

We’ll be strumming together soon,

Molly

molly@mollymccormack.com