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Music and playing guidelines

By Lorinda Jones

• Companion CD
• Songs in keys of C, Am, and G
• Playing tips and warm-up techniques
• Arrangements for small and large harps
• Beginning to intermediate playing levels
• Solo, 2, 3, and 4 part arrangements for ensemble

Hymns, spirituals, and gospels arranged for mountain dulcimer Mostly DAD tablature, with some duet arrangements.

A Collection of mostly well-known tunes arranged with a vocal staff and suggested chord changes.

Titles include Abide With Me, Beautiful Star of Bethlehem, Count Your Blessings, Precious Memories, Sweet Hour of Prayer, This World Is Not My Home, There Is A Fountain, thirty-one songs total.

A Design for Success

Book and Play Along CD
For Individual, Classroom, and Special Populations

Basic Playing Techniques

Number and color song charts

Appalachian song tunes and lyrics

Suggested arrangements with rhythm, folk, and Orff instrumentation

THE MOUNTAIN DULCIMER: A Design For Success

Book and CD $19.95

Mel Bay Publication

Dulcimer A La Mode takes the mystery of out modal tuning and playing for the mountain dulcimer player by presenting four common tunings (DAA, DAG, DAD, and DAC) with instructions for tuning, finding the scales and chords, and learning traditional tunes in each of the four modes. This book will encourage players to retune their instrument and learn more of its versatility. Each tune is presented as a melody with a drone in the mode indicated with strumming and rhythm guides. An optional arrangement, or accompaniment is also provided for most tunes that uses more complex chords and reflects more of traditional western harmony. As a further learning tool, the accompanying CD allows the listener to play along with the melody or accompaniment.

Dulcimer A La Mode: $19.95

Mel Bay Publication
Lullabies and Other Lilting Melodies is a compilation of tunes designed to “soothe the savage breast.” The contents of the book are divided, almost equally, under the heading of Lullabies, Classical Selections, and Folk Melodies. All are arranged for the mountain dulcimer in 1-5-8 (Mixolydian tuning). Along with the tablature notation, traditional music notation indicates the melody, suggested chords, and lyrics for many of the songs. An intermediate player should feel comfortable with the music as the songs are indicated for both strumming and some finger picking patterns, and do utilize chords on all 3 strings. The CD recording is very helpful to understand rhythms and expression. 

$8.95
"CD is available for $6.95 when purchased with the book."

A collection of songs, jigs, hornpipes, airs, polkas, and marches from the Celtic lands of Scotland, Ireland, and England. The songs are arranged for mountain dulcimer primarily in 1-5-8 (Mixolydian) tuning, along with a few tunes in 1-5-5 (Ionian) tuning. The arrangements make use of the capo, as well as playing tunes in Em and Bm. Two of the songs include a Part II for a suggested harmony. The book also features a CD recording of solo mountain dulcimer playing each tune in the book through twice at a medium tempo. The stereo recording allows the listener to learn the tune, as written, as well as hear some ideas for rhythmic strumming. Harmony parts are also played on the two songs that include a Part II.  

Celtic Collection
$19.95

A collection of old time tunes arranged in DAA tuning with song lyrics, tablature, chord arrangements, strumming patterns PLUS a play along CD and DVD.

This book is great for those learning to play, as well as those that want to develop their skills and try playing with a noter, as well as advanced chord arrangements.

Over 20 great tunes to learn in a variety of ways, making this a keepsake book for years to come.

Watch the Video

Traditional Playing of the Mountain Dulcimer
$15.95