Links

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