Attention Dulcimer Students and Beginners:
Please come to this event!!! Please come, even if you are just starting out on the dulcimer. Even if you can't do much more than pick a note or two.
One of the most amazing things you will find is that by being in a dulcimer community and participating in events like this, you will develop friendships and associations, discover a pool of musical resources and information, and learn about opportunities and techniques that are not available to you in a traditional learning setting.
This event is deliberately not comprised of seminars and workshops. Rather, it is an informal gathering of folks who love dulcimer playing and learning more about the activity. Most folks are aveage players and many are beginners themselves, so don't be afraid to come and join us. If we are lucky enough to have a professional sounding player join us this year, all the better. We hope he/she will set up and play a bit for us. After all, the best way to get good at checkers is to hang around someone who can beat you!
Here's an inspiration to those just getting into the playing of dulcimers. This dulcimer was made by the Boy Scouts, under the direction of their scoutmaster, Tom Yocky - himself an accomplished dulcimer maker and player. It is a simple instrument, with an easy, natural look. It is made of an unfinished conifer wood, and produces a beautifully rich and mellow sound.
Some of the best sounds come from the simplest of instruments.