Winston Salem Dulcimer Festival - Registration Time!

The 19th annual Winston-Salem Dulcimer Festival is scheduled for May 3 - 4, 2013 ... less than one month away! Click here to read all about it. Registration is currently underway. Make plans to attend now!

I've been making my plans. I'll be teaching several classes for various skill levels:

Understanding Modes (Advanced)
Who cares about modes? Why do hammered dulcimer players need to know about modes? Knowing the mode of a tune helps you determine WHERE the tune will be played on the instrument and WHAT CHORDS will likely be used. Learn to recognize common modes. Practice by looking at real tunes.

Two-Chord Tunes (Intermed)
Lots of tunes are made up of only 2 chords. Learn how to create ascending and descending bass lines using chord inversions to fit these 2-chord progressions. Use these ideas in arranging or playing backup.

Playing Syncopated Rhythms (Novice)
What is syncopation? How do you play it? Practice musical rhythms that shift the accent from what is expected to be the “strong” beat to what would normally be considered the “weak” beat.

Playing for Homebound / Hospice (All)
Many of us feel the need to share our music. Playing for those who are homebound or living in assisted-living / nursing-care facilities can be a rewarding way to do this. Come with questions and stories as we discuss what is expected of the musician in such a situation. Learn how to: Find your audience ~ Behave at bedside ~ Include family and other care givers ~ Develop a playlist.

As usual, the festival organizers have assembled quite a good line-up of teachers. Here's your chance to get a variety of perspectives and styles. Check the website under "Class Descriptions" to see the full menu. There's something for everyone!

Be sure to stay around for the Saturday evening concert. The headliners are fabulous entertainers ... not to be missed!

This festival is held every year on the first full weekend of May. It's a great place to meet up with old and new dulcimer buddies. Expect top-notch instruction, inspiring and entertaining concerts, jam sessions, dulcimer related cd's, books, accessories for sale, and a whole lot of fun ... right here in central NC.

Make it a tradition!

http://winston-salemdulcimerfestival.wikispaces.com

7 Reasons Why I Subscribe to Dulcimer Players News

The winter edition of Dulcimer Players News arrived in mail boxes this week. I subscribe to a number of magazines, but the DPN is the only one that immediately grabs my attention and demands that I sit right down and read it cover to cover! So, what's the big attraction?

• All issues are archived ... all the way back to 1975. Once current magazines are out of print they become available in the archives, accessible on the DPN website under "Resources".
• I even like reading the ads! It's one way of keeping up with must-have dulcimer products, new cds and books, instructional materials and opportunities, festival flyers, etc.
• Festival listings make it easy to find events in your neck of the woods, to follow your favorite teachers, or to make plans to try something new. Attending festivals and workshops is a great way to find out more about your instrument, to learn new skills and tunes, to enjoy the work of quality instructors / performers, and to meet up with old and new friends.
• Meaty articles for inspiration and education.
• Sheet music for practical application.
• The Sampler CD, included with every issue. Such diversity in the projects out there!
• And the #1 Reason I like reading the DPN ... Connection to the wider dulcimer community (both hammered dulcimer and mountain dulcimer). It's fun to see what my dulcimer buddies are up to!

Speaking of buddies in the Dulcimer Players News ....
One of our own Triangle Trapezoids, Helen Wolfson of Durham, is featured in the "Music and Book Review" section of the current DPN. Look for Helen's write-up of her new solo album, "Silver Lining," on page 46. PLUS, the title cut, "Silver Lining Waltz" is included on the Sampler CD. Congratulations, Helen!

From the western part of the state, our friends Ruth and Steve Smith have had yet another cut selected for the Sampler CD ... "Along This Crooked Road", from their Heirlooms CD. This new recording includes both vocals and instrumental tunes. Well done, Ruth and Steve!

While you're checking out the archives ...
I wrote a couple of articles that were included in past magazines:

"Getting Around on the Hammered Dulcimer", an exercise in shifting octaves.
Please note that the sheet music printed in the magazine is incorrect! The correct music may be found on Sue's website. Look for the link on the home page.
DPN, Summer 2011, volume 37 - #3, page 36

"The Power of One - Using Drones"
DPN, Fall 2011, volume 37 - #4, page 30

Check out the DPN web site. Maybe it's time you subscribed, too!
Already a subscriber? Tell us what you like best about the magazine. What great features have I missed here?

Playing More Music ... High on Your New Year's Resolution List?

Happy New Year!

Friends and family have returned home. I've just put the last of the egg nog into a bundt cake batter. Today's the first workday of the year for many. And while the Christmas tree still looks good in the corner over there - I may hold out for the entire 12 days of Christmas this year - holiday festivities are behind us, punctuated by the grand celebration of the arrival of the new year. It's time to assess where we are in life and move forward with intention!

Are you thinking about taking your hammered dulcimer skills up a notch? Maybe you need a little boost in the right direction? A few lessons can really give you a jump-start, increasing your understanding of what is needed to master the instrument and providing good motivation to keep at it.

There are several good instructional opportunities coming up in the not-too-distant future.

• Dulcimer Winter Weekend, January 3-6, Lake Junaluska (this coming weekend!)
• Chords and Back Up, for advancing beginners, Yours Truly, January 13, Cary
• Tunes from the Time of the Underground Railroad, Marya Katz, January 21, Winston-Salem

Click on the "Schedule of Events" tab at the top of the page for more info about these events and more. Make plans to attend workshops in 2013. Learn new stuff while having fun with old and new friends.

If private lessons are on your list of things to do in the new year, come and see me in Pittsboro. Lessons begin again next week. Your time slot is waiting! Details at www.SueWilsonDulcimer.com

CTO ... Winston-Salem Dulcimer Festival Poster, Corrected

I posted this announcement several weeks ago.  It turns out the date for the concert was incorrect on the original poster.  Here's the corrected version.  Feel free to share with other dulcimer enthusiasts.  Don't miss this fantastic dulcimer event, right here in our own "backyard". Make plans to attend.  Mark your calendars today!

Check This Out ... The website is still under construction, but you can get a sneak preview of what's being planned for the Winston-Salem Dulcimer Festival at W-S Dulcimer Fest 2013

CTO ... Plans for Winston-Salem Dulcimer Fest are Underway

Check This Out ... Hot off the press! What a line up!

The Winston-Salem Dulcimer Festival takes place annually on the first full weekend of May. It's a great place to meet up with old and new dulcimer buddies. Expect top-notch instruction, inspiring and entertaining concerts, jam sessions, dulcimer related cd's, books, and accessories for sale, and a whole lot of fun ... right here in central NC. Mark you calendar now and make plans to attend!