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