Topic: Practice Time! March 13, 2007

[Lee Cagle]

Is it better to teach using tab or by ear?

I start my students out by learning an easy tune by ear. Once they start using tab, they want to look at the paper instead of their instrument or trusting their ears. But I try to use a mix of the two.

[LarryConger]

One thing that has not been mentioned here so far are the ears. How many of you play without looking? I tell all my students to play in the dark. It's amazing how well your hands can "see" their way around a fingerboard when they have to.
Ken Bloom
http://www.boweddulcimer.com

I like Ken's remarks about playing in the dark. Not only does it help you bond with your dulcimer better but it also affords you the freedom of actually making eye contact with your audience instead of them looking at the top of your head the entire performance!

[Ken Bloom]

I've used just about every type of pick you can imagine at one time or another.The ones I'm using now are called Wegen picks.They are hand made in Holland and I love them. I tried the 3mm but didn't like the tone. I now use a 2.5 mm thick pick that has a nice lively tone and could lift a Volkswagon with it. You can always play quieter with a heavy pick but you can't play louder with a thin one. I have a few tortoise shell ones that I made and I like them but the Wegen is more consistent and doesn't wear as readily. I've been using this one pick now for almost a year and it shows no wear at all! I love that. The tortoise ones I have I had to resharpen and reshape about every two weeks.YMMV.

Ken Bloom
http://www.boweddulcimer.com

[Jeff's Mom (AKA Angela)]

When I teach, I teach mostly the "WHAT'S THAT?" student. You know the ones that have never seem a dulcimer before. Thanks for all of your great suggestions. I'll try them all!!!

[Erin Rogers]

Thanks for hosting this forum Jeff! I have certainly learned a lot. I appreciate all you're doing to promote my favorite instrument!!

[Jeff Hames]

thanks erin!!!!!!your the best!!!!

[Ken Bloom]

If any of you would like to discuss any of this or anything else, please feel free to e-mail me directly. I want to see a lot more people playing a lot better so anything I can do to help, just let me know. Thanks to Jeff who hosted this and came up with the idea and to everyone who participated. This forum is creating a great resource for the entire community.

Ken Bloom
http://www.boweddulcimer.com

[Carla Maxwell]

Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:39 pm    Post subject:
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Okay-----You've got a new student and they just can't seem to get the strum down. What is the best way to teach strum technics?

Hey Jeff,

Sorry if my earlier post was out of order. I'll get the hang of this with a little practice!

I don't have a new student, BUT, I have always used what I learned from Larkin Bryant's beginner book, and later from Larry Conger's classes, of using words with emphasis on certain syllables to get the strum pattern needed. My explanation of "bum ditty" didn't mean much to one player who had no experience playing an instrument before the dulcimer. So I made the three syllables more relevant to her by using her child's name "Zachary." She got the idea and the strum pattern immediately, because of the way she says her son's name. Using a word that makes sense to the student is how I teach strum patterns. Of course, using silly sentences works well, too, as I remember Larry teaching, "I'm feelin' froggy," for some train song he taught one year at Cullowhee!

[Jeff Hames]

Thanks Ken for the kind words...but it takes great host like you to make this forum work!!!!!!

Thanks again