Lessons & Workshops

 Lessons Private lessons for Hammered Dulcimer (all levels) and Mountain Dulcimer (entry level) are offered by Sherri Farley in the Sandwich IL area. Please contact for additional information.

 Workshops
Saturday
April 12, 2008
4:30 p.m.		 Spring Sampler Concert & Workshops
Harding Community Center, Harding IL
Bring your hammered and mountain dulcimer instruments for hands-on workshops held prior to the concert. more information.
Saturday & Sunday
June 14-15, 2008
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.		 Gebhard Woods Dulcimer Festival
A wide variety of workshops, including all levels of hammered and mountain dulcimer, are held throughout the Gebhard Woods Dulcimer Festival in Morris IL. A schedule of events will be posted on the festival website.
Third Monday
each month
6:30 p.m.		 Park Church Dulcimer Gathering
Park Church, 201 N Vermillion Street, Streator IL
For Mountain Dulcimers
No experience necessary. It is a time to meet with other area dulcimer players for tune sharing and learning.
815-672-1249 or 815-672-0155
e-mail for more information


 About
 Dulcimers		 The word, Dulcimer, is is derived from Latin and Greek words meaning "sweet sound." A biblical reference to dulcimers can be found in the Book of Daniel (King James).

The Hammered Dulcimer dates back several thousands of years to the Middle East. Considered a forerunner to the piano, it once enjoyed popularity in the U.S. as a parlor instrument, and was a favored instrument of Henry Ford. Trapezoid in shape, it has a wooden soundboard upon which numerous strings are stretched. The player strikes the strings with lightweight wooden mallets, or hammers.

Mountain Dulcimers (also called Fretted or Appalachian Dulcimers) are American-born instruments developed by early Appalachian settlers. Usually hourglass or teardrop shaped, they have three or four strings that are strummed or plucked, producing a sweet, mellow tone.

Additional resources:
Smithsonian-The Hammered Dulcimer
Smithsonian-Hammered Dulcimer History and Playing


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