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The Appalachian Dulcimer: An Instruction Record

Jean Ritchie
The Appalachian Dulcimer: An Instruction Record

What better way to learn a musical instrument than from someone who is generally acknowledged to be the foremost performer and authority on that instrument? This recording provides just such an opportunity. Jean Ritchie has long been regarded as a master traditional Appalachian dulcimer player, as well as a superb traditional folksinger. (The Appalachian dulcimer, usually having three or four plucked strings, is not to be confused with the many-stringed hammered dulcimer.)

During the first half of this recording, Ritchie provides easy-to-follow spoken instructions for the beginner, with many demonstrations. The second half of the recording includes examples from a variety of traditional dulcimer players, who often sing as well as play; several of them can be heard on Folkways recordings of their own.

Liner notes provide a complete transcription of Ritchie's spoken instructions, song lyrics, and a biography.

Track Listing

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101
Jean Ritchie
01:42
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102
Jean Ritchie
01:20
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103
Jean Ritchie
01:17
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104
Jean Ritchie
02:21
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105
Jean Ritchie
01:29
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106
Jean Ritchie
02:13
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107
Jean Ritchie
00:32
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108
Jean Ritchie
01:32
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109
Jean Ritchie
02:02
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110
Jean Ritchie
01:26
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111
Jean Ritchie
03:29
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112
Jean Ritchie
02:49
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113
Jean Ritchie
02:00
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114
Jean Ritchie
02:17
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115
Jean Ritchie
02:35
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201
Anne Grimes
02:07
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202
Edna Ritchie
01:02
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203
I. G. Greer
02:16
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204
Andrew Rowan Summers
02:39
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205
Aunt Dora Harmon
00:57
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206
George Armstrong
02:24
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207
George and Gerry Armstrong
02:05
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208
Howard Mitchell and George Armstrong
02:48
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209
Jean Ritchie
01:20