Hello and welcome to Spring Dulcimer Week!

I hope you’ll enjoy this week of work and play, as you learn new music and meet new friends. I’ve been coming to teach at Augusta since 1987, and think it’s a special place in many ways. I’d like to begin by reviewing what was said in the class description:

“Take your playing to the next level in this class as you work with a variety of styles and techniques and play tunes from many eras and lands, including old-time, Celtic and country. Technical skills will be addressed such as: working out efficient fingerings, knowing and using chords more effectively for back-up and solo playing, fingerpicking, flatpicking and playing in the "chord-melody" style. Other elements of the class will include: arranging your own dynamic solos, strengthening the ability to play by ear (though most music will be taught with tab), developing strong practice habits and effective methods of memorization, and playing in other keys via tunings and capoing. (You’ll need to bring a capo or buy one in class.) The main tuning used in class will be DAD.”

I plan to present new songs and techniques throughout each day, while also including some time for you to practice a little on your own, and get one-on-one feedback from me. To get prepared for the class, just play as much as you can between now and then! Review the techniques mentioned in the description above and be sure you’re familiar with them all. You should bring all your regular accessories (picks, electronic tuner, capo), pen or pencil, a music stand if possible, and a recording device if that would help you remember when you get home.

Please take a moment to fill in the questions on the Class Survey and reply to me no later than March 20. Your input is important for me to know best how to plan the class.

I’m looking forward to meeting you soon!

Karen

email: karen@karenmueller.com
web: karenmueller.com