Cripple Creek Dulcimer Book CD

Product Number: 93445BCD 
ISBN: 0871665069 
Publisher: Mel Bay Pub., Inc. 
Difficulty Level: Beginning 
Format: Book and CD

This instruction manual and song collection is a well-crafted book of basic dulcimer technique and traditional songs that might have been popular in Cripple Creek, Colorado in the 19th Century-- plus a few modern day tunes by its current inhabitants. The techniques and songs have been transcribed from the performances of Bud and Donna Ford who have been collecting songs for their favorite instrument for some time. Bud and Donna explain the basics of playing the dulcimer, including instructions on strumming, tunings, and picking. Solos are offered in all of the various modes (Ionian, Dorian, Locrian, etc.) in standard notation only with lyrics and chord symbols. The end result is an attractive yet pragmatic book that offers a solid grounding in the art of dulcimer playing.

CONTENTS

Section headings are: Alphabetical list of songs, Parts of the dulcimer, Seating and hand positions, Major key tuning, Strums and picking techniques, Finger picking, Parallel thirds, Major tuning chords and techniques, Open G tuning, Theory of dulcimer tuning, Ionian tuning (major), Aeolian tuning (minor), Mixolydian tuning and chords, Dorian tuning and chords, Phrygian tuning and chords, Locrian tuning and chords, Duets, Transposition charts, and Information about [the Fords'] dulcimer record. 

Lyrics, chords, melody line and performance notes are provided for 43 songs, including: Amazing Grace, Ash Grove, Barbry Ellen, Black is the Color, Boll Weevil, Buffalo Gals, Cindy, Crawdad Song, Cripple Creek, Down in the Valley, Gentle Thoughts, Good Old Colony Days, Hush Little Baby, Jacob's Ladder, Jesse James, Let Us Break Bred, Liza Jane, Lonesome Valley, Nearer My God to Thee, Ode to Joy, Oh! Susanna, Old Dan Tucker, Old Joe Clark, Phary's Song, Rock-a-My Soul, Shenandoah, Simple Gifts, Skip to my Lou, Sweet Betsy, Sweet Hour of Prayer, Swing Low, Turkey in the Straw, Wayfaring Stranger, Weeping Mary, When Jesus Wept, and When Johnny Comes Marching Home.