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Catalog > Books > Lap Dulcimer updated May 3, 2008
Titles listed in alphabetical order
Basic Dulcimer Solos -- 64 pages, by Mara Wasburn $9.95
Introduces simplified techniques of chording and fingerpicking for both smaller and larger hands and presents dozens of songs in the Ionian, Aeolian, and Mixolydian modes. Directional arrows are shown for correct strumming, along with lyrics and chords for guitar or banjo accompaniment.
The Best Dulcimer Method Yet! -- 97 pages, by John Cairns $9.95
This method provides detailed instruction for all 3 and 4 string dulcimers. Includes 139 selections with lyrics, notation, and chords for lap dulcimer.
The Celtic Collection for Mountain Dulcimer -- 48 page book with CD, by Lorinda Jones $17.95
A collection of songs, jigs, hornpipes, airs, polkas, and marches from Scotland, Ireland, and England. The songs are arranged primarily for 1-5-8 (Mixolydian) tuning, along with a few tunes in 1-5-5 (Ionian) tuning. The arrangements make use of the capo, as well as playing tunes in Em and Bm, and include a Part II for a suggested harmony on selected songs.. The book is accompanied by a CD recording of each tune. Song titles include: George Brabazon, Off She Goes, Irish Lamentation, Keel Row, Water Is Wide, Loch Lomond, Foggy Dew, and many more. Intermediate playing level suggested.
Celtic Songs and Slow Airs for Mountain Dulcimer -- 104 page book with CD, by Neal Hellman $22.95
In folk tradition, stories of love lost, betrayal, jealousy, conflict, emigration, and the supernatural are often immortalized in songs of many traditions, demonstrating that singing has been a universal vehicle for the human condition. The criteria for this wonderful collection of prose and melodies is from Celtic traditions that have been with us for hundreds of years. These compositions have been arranged so that each will work both as an air and as a song. All of the selections in the book appear on the companion CD.
Complete Book of Celtic Music for Appalachian Dulcimer -- 168 page book with CD, by Mark Kailana Nelson $29.95
The author's knowledge and love of Celtic music is immediately evident through his choice of tunes for this comprehensive book. Harp music, the piper's repertoire, and fiddle tunes from Ireland, Scotland and Breton are all well-represented here, and a thorough historical foundation is carefully laid. Mark provides samples of Reels, Jigs, Hornpipes, Strathspeys, Polkas, Mazurkas, Slides, Marches, Piobaireachds, Set Dances, Airs, Plaxties, Country Dances, Morris Dances, as well as music from Breton in northwestern France. The CD contains 20 of the 109 songs from the book.
Complete Dulcimer Handbook -- 196 page book with CD, by Mark Biggs $24.95
Written as a basic guide and source book for all dulcimer players, from the absolute novice to the most advanced picker. Contains 53 songs in various modes and tunings. Use as a songbook, a lesson plan book, and a step-by-step guide from beginner to intermediate or advanced level. The author's basic premise is that, given this instrument's relatively brief pedagogical history, "There are no right or wrong ways to play the mountain dulcimer, only harder or easier means of reaching the same ends". The stereo CD features the author’s outstanding performance of 17 tunes from the book.
Dulcimer a La Mode -- 80 page book with CD, by Lorinda Jones $19.95
Takes the mystery of out modal tuning and playing by presenting four common tunings (DAA, DAG, DAD, and DAC) with instructions for tuning, finding the scales and chords, and learning traditional tunes in each of the four modes. This book will encourage players to retune their instrument and learn more of its versatility. Each tune is presented as a melody with a drone in the mode indicated with strumming and rhythm guides. For most tunes, an optional arrangement or accompaniment is also provided using more complex chords and reflecting more traditional Western harmony. The accompanying CD allows the listener to play along with the song as presented in the book.
The Dulcimer Book -- 45 pages, by Jean Ritchie $12.95
This book provides clear, basic instruction on how to tune and play the dulcimer with 16 traditional songs and lyrics. Also includes instructions for tuning for 6 modes and chapters on playing counter melody, finger picking, singing with the dulcimer and much more.
Dulcimer Chord Book -- 64 pages, by Neal Hellman $7.95
Over 500 mountain dulcimer chords for the five widely used modes-- Mixolydian, Ionian, Lydian, Dorian, and Aeolian--plus jazz and four-string chromatic tunings. Includes an explanation and history of modes, transpositions, using a capo, playing dulcimer in jam sessions, and more. Book fits inside instrument case for handy reference.
The Dulcimer Chord Encyclopedia -- 139 pages, by James Major $14.95
This book contains thousands of chords in the 6 most popular modes with three different tunings each.
A Dulcimer Christmas -- 32 pages, by Bud and Donna Ford $6.95
What could be more beautiful than mountain dulcimer arrangements of Christmas favorites spanning the centuries? This popular book brings the festive sound of the dulcimer to this joyous season. Creative, beautiful arrangements on 23 Christmas favorites, each with a notated melody line and tablature. Finger positions for each chord are included.
The Dulcimer Hymn Book -- 72 pages, by Bud and Donna Ford $10.95
This popular text blends the haunting, sweet voice of the mountain dulcimer with treasured gospel and sacred melodies. Contains 37 outstanding arrangements in standard notation and tab with lyrics and suggested guitar chords. Dulcimer chord diagrams are also shown.
Dulcimer Jam - Favorite Jam Session Tunes for Hammered or Fretted Dulcimer -- 88 pages, by Bonnie Carol $14.95
Dulcimer Jam takes common and obscure tunes heard in jam sessions and arranges them for hammered dulcimer, fretted dulcimers (with tablature), and other instruments to play in a jam session setting.
Dulcimer Music Pocketbook -- 32 pages $1.25
This handy, pocket-sized book contains information on parts of the dulcimer, left hand positions, tuning, picks, strums, and instruction on how to play songs. Twenty-two songs are included in notation with fret numbers and lyrics. A long-time Mel Bay bestseller!
Dulcimer Song Book -- 88 pages, by Bud and Donna Ford $12.95
38 all-time favorite dulcimer solos penned artistically by Colorado's Bud and Donna Ford. This text is a resource for any dulcimer player and an excellent supplement to any course of instruction. It includes melody lines, lyrics, and chord symbols plus a solo arrangement of each song in standard notation and tablature.
Favorite Old-Time American Songs for Dulcimer -- 232 pages, by Mark Kailana Nelson $24.95
This giant book features over 100 of America's favorite folk songs. Children's songs, work songs, old Anglo-American ballads, songs of strife and freedom, love songs and much, much more are all gathered here in arrangements suitable for the beginning and intermediate player. The songs come from all over – old books and sheet music, transcriptions from field recordings, but mostly from the singing of countless folks in kitchens and festival hallways, street corners and concert stages.
Songs include Poor Wayfaring Stranger, Tenting Tonight, Don't Let Your Deal Go Down, Careless Love, and many, many more. Tunings used include D-A-D and D-A-A, as well as C-G-C and C-G-G and several modal tunings. All are playable on any three- or four-stringed dulcimer. Some use a 6 1/2 fret. Includes information on reading music and TAB, notes on transposing, and a useful index of songs by tuning. In standard notation and TAB, with guitar chords.
Fingerpicking Dulcimer -- 88 page book with CD, by Janita Baker $22.95
21 songs arranged in fingerpicking style, offering a wide variety of musical genres and playing levels. Divided equally between arrangements for 3 and 4 equidistant strings, the songs progress in difficulty within each section from beginner to advanced level. Each piece is written in both standard notation and tab, accompanied by performance tips. Many arrangements use the 6 1/2 fret, and tunings range from standard modal tunings to 4-string variations, in a wide range of song styles including traditional ragtime, blues, and classical standards. Songs include My Old Kentucky Home, Londonderry Air, All Through the Night, The Entertainer, Careless Love, House of the Rising Sun, and Bach's Minuet in G. Extensive introduction on playing techniques for both left and right hands, tunings, reading tablature, and dulcimer embellishments. The accompanying CD is a solo instrumental recording, designed to give the student a note-for-note reference to each song while providing a performance-quality listening experience.
First Lessons: Dulcimer -- 32 page book/CD set by Joyce Ochs $7.95
This instruction book for beginning dulcimer is unique in two ways. First, it instructs the novice student in the increasingly popular DAD tuning. Secondly, the author, a classroom music teacher, has carefully and systematically layered the lessons to guide the student through familiar songs while teaching skills and musical concepts. This not only enables the student to enjoy the lap dulcimer but also enhances total music understanding and participation. The accompanying CD provides instructional dialogue and demonstrations of the techniques and songs included in the book. Additional hints and exercises are presented in an inviting and encouraging conversational text.
Folk Songs of Old Kentucky -- 80 pages, by Ralph Lee Smith and Madeline MacNeil $14.95
20 beautiful Anglo-American folk songs, field-collected by two remarkable real-life "song catchers," Josephine McGill and Loraine Wyman, in the Cumberland Mountains of Kentucky in 1914 and 1916. Josephine and Loraine, the latter accompanied by Howard Brockway, a composer and arranger, were among the first persons to search for folk songs in the Southern Appalachians. They traveled hundreds of miles on horseback and on foot through an inaccessible world to which radios, roads and cars had not yet come. They made friends in isolated log cabins, and transcribed some 200 song treasures, some of which they published in complex arrangements in books that are now out of print and rare. This book contains a selection of the songs, presented with simplified musical notation, guitar chords, and dulcimer tablature. It also includes glowing accounts of their mountain adventures; a must for all lovers of American folk music.
Fun With the Dulcimer -- 32 pages, by Virgil Hughes$5.95
This beginner's method presents clear, concise instruction for learning to play the traditional 3-stringed dulcimer. 38 songs are taught with notation and fret numbers for each note. Chord symbols are also included for playing with a chording instrument. Melody playing with drones and basic chord playing are both taught. Lyrics are included with the songs for added fun. From the time this text was first published, it has been a steady best seller.
Learn to Play Mountain Dulcimer -- DVD by Mark Biggs $19.95
All of the songs on this DVD are in the mixolydian tuning. One main goal of this method is to teach you to take a melody line and put the appropriate chord structure behind it. Leads the student through a series of finger warm-ups, scale practice, crossovers, walking the scale, and many other exercises.
Lullabies and Other Lilting Melodies for Dulcimer -- 40 pages, by Lorinda Jones $8.95
Compilation of lullabies, classical selections, and folk melodies, arranged for the dulcimer in 1-5-8 (Mixolydian tuning), except for one in 1-4-8 (Reversed Ionian tuning). Along with the tablature, traditional music notation indicates the melody, suggested chords, and lyrics for many of the songs. An intermediate player should feel comfortable with the music, as the songs are written for both strumming and some finger picking patterns, and utilize chords on all 3 strings.
Mountain Dulcimer -- 80 page book with CD, by Mark Biggs $22.95
Collection of traditional folksongs, Irish and American fiddle tunes, adaptations of classical pieces, and original songs. The songs combine melody lines in standard notation with suggested chords for accompaniment. This book is designed for the player of intermediate to advanced capability who wishes to learn how to add chords behind a melody line, or how to use octave and rhythm changes in creating an effective arrangement.
Music of the Shakers for Mountain Dulcimer -- 80 pages, by Neal Hellman $14.95
Simple and unpretentious, the diatonic music of the Shakers sits well on the fretted dulcimer. The lyrics to these songs offer a universal message of love and understanding, often with a joyous sense of humor. The author provides historical insights and program notes for the 30 tunes included here. This delightful, informative book is illustrated with photos of craft work and period print reproductions depicting the Shaker way of life. Written in standard notation and dulcimer tab.
O'Carolan Harp Tunes for Mountain Dulcimer -- 40 pages, by Shelley Stevens $8.95
Turlough O'Carolan is the most revered of all Irish harpers and composers. This collection, expertly transcribed in notation and tab, presents 30 beloved O'Carolan melodies featuring a uniquely Irish collection of moods and meditations. Designed for the intermediate to advanced player, performing on a dulcimer with a 6 and 1/2 fret. Includes playing tips and a biographical sketch of Turlough O'Carolan.
Southern Mountain Dulcimer -- 112 page book with CD, by Wayne Erbsen $27.95
Features vintage photos, history, instruction and music. A great way to learn and play Southern Mountain music! The CD recording included with this book is entitled "Southern Mountain Classics". It includes the true classics of old-time mountain music played on clawhammer banjo, fiddle, mandolin, dulcimer, guitar bass and buckdancing. Note: Not every tune on the CD features dulcimer. However, the book teaches the dulcimer parts even on those tunes where no dulcimer is playing.
You Can Teach Yourself Dulcimer -- 96 pages, by Madeline MacNeil $10.95
Madeline MacNeil's performances are characterized by her effortless vocals and impeccable mountain and hammered dulcimer playing. In the 12 intensive lessons of this book she reveals some of the secrets of her success with the mountain dulcimer. Early on, she reminds the reader that "the dulcimer is not a toy or a stringed kazoo" but a serious, expressive musical instrument capable of "stretching as far as the imagination". She endorses both playing by ear and learning to read standard notation. In easily-understood language she manages to explore some very complex, even esoteric concepts, making this a particularly valuable book for beginning instrumentalists. Standard notation and tablature. Illustrated with photographs and drawings.