Links
to Dulcimer Resources
Here
on the World Wide Web, you can find many resources by using the
search engines to find "mountain dulcimer" (don't forget
to include the quotes). Otherwise, the community of dulcimer players
is a rich one, with a wide literature, Dulcimer Festivals held
in almost every area of the USA. It is usually easy to find a
dulcimer player near you. In this page, I'll keep a growing file
of sources of information a new-comer might not find easily. I'll
concentrate on references that will point you to other resources,
as well as being directly helpful about one or another aspect
of the Appalachian Dulcimer. Happy hunting!
- The
Dulcimer Players News
is the major news and networking organ of the dulcimer community.
Madeline MacNeil is the mover and shaker at DPN (though she is
likely to name Clare as that motive force). You can reach them
both via e-mail: dpn@dpnews.com.
DPN subscription is a miniscule $18.00/year, and worth every
penny. Here you'll find listings of dulcimer clubs, other players
in your vicinity, e-mail addresses, locations and dates of dulcimer
festivals, as well as wonderful articles on players, performers,
dulcimer makers, music, recordings...
Dulcimer Players News
P.O. Box 2164
Winchester, VA 22604
(540) 678-1305
- Jerry Rockwell's web site is a unique vehicle
for teaching dulcimer playing techniques, music theory related
to playing, tuning, and generally appreciating the dulcimer.
He also lists his books, tapes, and tabs. If that weren't enough,
he also modestly mentions that he builds dulcimers. (Jerry's
dulcimers are excellent machines, and are talked about all over
the country.)
- For a visual
feast in Old World aesthetics and craftsmanship, visit the website
of Serge Boyer.
His website is as artful as his violins.
- Have you ever
wondered how a dulcimer and ocarina would sound together? Charlie
Hind has some wonderful handmade ocarinas. some of which are
diatonic! Maybe we could get him to make ocarinas in various
modes. His website, hindocarina.com,
is very informative about his building methods.
- The Kitchen Musician's website run by Sara and Maynard
Johnson. Sara is an excellent hammer dulcimer player, and their
website is primarily about hammer dulcimers. But there are some
excellent references to resources for Appalachian dulcimers too,
and a lot of very good information on music, music making, and
history.
- On USENET, you
will find lots of action in rec.music.makers.dulcimer. See your
Internet Service Provider if you need help accessing and reading
USENET forums.
- The Dulcimer
List is another forum administered via a "majordomo"
which sends you mail from all list subscribers. The Dulcimer
List does not entirely overlap the USENET forum, and you will
find much activity that does not appear on the other. The way
to subscribe to the Dulcimer List is to send email to Majordomo@clearspring.com
with the message body "subscribe dulcimer-list"
- The Sweet
Music Index is a major resource for all kinds of references
to the dulcimer, its music, playing and performing techniques,
how to shop for one, etc. Hosted at Bear Meadow, it was created
by Daniel Partner, musician and writer. It is now edited and
maintained by Dwain Wilder.
- Another resource
is the delightful and quirky Cult of the Revived Dulcimer, maintained
by Matt "Penn" Boris. There you will find all kinds
of unusual materials and some bizarre links to other sites. (This
site is discontinued, but I've left it in, in case Matt ever
resurfaces! )o:)
- Jon
Weinberg Hammered Dulcimer's
web page is a very good introduction into the world of the hammered
dulcimer. Sharing the name, the two dulcimers are often associated
at the same folk music festival scenes. Jon is a wonderful performer.
And he generously hosts information pages for a few dulcimer
festivals he helps organize. Especially check-out the CCAE
Spring Dulcimer Festival (the festival formerly known as
"The Blacksmith House Dulcimer Festival," one of the
best-kept secrets of the dulcimer scene). Jon also hosts The WWW Hammered Dulcimer
Page. A very good resource, check it out!
- Folk
of the Wood
is a lively place for all sorts of music, instruments, and links
out into the broad world of Folk Music. One unique feature is
free on-line playing instruction!
- The GuitarSite
is an amazing link farm that bills itself as "1000 Guitar
Resources & Music Sites." If it's guitars or music,
it's liable to be here.
- David Murray
has created a regular toolbox of useful on-line tools related
to things dulcimer, on his website.
- Bucks County Folk Music is a maker and seller
of excellent ukeleles, bodhrans and flutes. Drop in if you are
travelling in the Doylestown, Pennsylvania area, and say hello
to Karl
- Gauthier
Louppe
is a French luthier who builds violins of fantastic, elegant
design. They are gorgeous, surprising, and entrancing. If you
are at all interested in departures from convention in violin
design, go check out Louppe's website!
- TablEdit tablature editor is a
powerful program for producing, transcribing, and listening to
music. It handles both tablature and standard music notation,
with has features specifically for the Appalachian dulcimer's
diatonic fretboard. And now this classic software runs on the
Macintosh (OSX and Classic) as well as Windows. Fabulous!
- Appalachian history
and culture can be researched through a web resource run by Ohio
State University-Zanesville, The
Appalachian Treasures Gateway.
Dwain
Wilder My
guestbook has excellent anti-spam features for your protection
as well as mine. Please write me there at Guest
Book


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