2010 Augusta Class Letter


Spring Augusta Week
Advanced Hammered Dulcimer

Sam Rizzetta


Greetings!

You are probably reading this because you are signed up, or thinking of signing up for the Advanced Hammered Dulcimer Class. Wonderful! Dulcimers have been my mania for over 40 years, and I am always excited about sharing my enthusiasm and some new techniques and tunes at Spring Augusta Week. My class description contains information on the class so that you can decide if it is the class for you and be prepared to enjoy the experience.

While much of what we do will be fun and easy to understand, there will also be material available to challenge everyone. Some of what we cover may be review for most players, while other topics may move faster and require more effort. Remember that this is a group experience, and I will have a little something for everyone. I want to help you add to your skills, but also want you all to enjoy playing together with the skills you already have. Most importantly, please bring an open mind and a willingness to take what you can from a group situation. Don't forget to bring all the accessories you might want for your dulcimer, but keep in mind that we often have limited space. There may need to be a small fee for copies of sheet music, but this should be under $5.00 per person. We will work from some of the music in my four tune books, so, bring your copies if you have them. I will have copies with me to sell, but books will also be available for use in class without charge. Battery powered audio recorders are permitted but not necessary. I would like you to be focused on the live experience. Video recorders are not allowed in my classes. In the past, extension cords and microphone cables for recorders have created a nuisance and physical hazard. So, if you must use recorders, be prepared with batteries and abide by the courtesy of taping from your seat. I will make time available to gather around and tape music and tunes for learning, if you wish to record some tunes from me or from each other.

Please be considerate of others. If you play standing up, please set up in the back so those who play seated can see. If you use a music stand, bring a small one that won't intrude on your neighbors' space or block their view. Bring some softly padded hammers for practicing if you can. It can be noisy with many people practicing at once. One person playing too loudly with unpadded hammers can be a frustration to the rest of the class. Please come in a courteous frame of mind.

Well, I can hardly wait until April! Hope to see you then.

Sam Rizzetta
Rizzetta Music
PO Box 530
Inwood, WV 25428
304/229-3166
scrizzetta@earthlink.net
www.samrizzetta.com