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

101	Introduction	Jean Ritchie	01:42
102	How to Hold the Dulcimer	Jean Ritchie	01:20
103	Tuning up in the Major Key	Jean Ritchie	01:17
104	How to Hold the Noter	Jean Ritchie	02:21
105	Playing the Scale	Jean Ritchie	01:29
106	Simple Thumb Strum	Jean Ritchie	02:13
107	Use of a Pick	Jean Ritchie	00:32
108	Singing with Counter-Melody	Jean Ritchie	01:32
109	Strumming Variations	Jean Ritchie	02:02
110	Picking with the Fingers	Jean Ritchie	01:26
111	The Minor Key-Aeolian Mode	Jean Ritchie	03:29
112	The Mixolydian Mode	Jean Ritchie	02:49
113	The Dorian Mode	Jean Ritchie	02:00
114	The Phrygian Mode	Jean Ritchie	02:17
115	The Lydian Mode	Jean Ritchie	02:35
201	Pleasant Ohio	Anne Grimes	02:07
202	Old Crumley	Edna Ritchie	01:02
203	Common Bill	I. G. Greer	02:16
204	Warrenton	Andrew Rowan Summers	02:39
205	Civil War March	Aunt Dora Harmon	00:57
206	Play-Party Medley	George Armstrong	02:24
207	Went to See My Susie	George and Gerry Armstrong	02:05
208	In Good Old Colony Days	Howard Mitchell and George Armstrong	02:48
209	Shady Grove	Jean Ritchie	01:20