Keith Young, member of the Mill Run Dulcimer Band, teaches beginning mountain dulcimer. Students learn how to tune the dulcimer, where the scale begins and how to make notes and play familiar songs. Students learn how to play by ear. That means listening and mimicking the sounds. Keith breaks down the tunes into bite size pieces. A tape recorder is suggested so that the tunes are available at home when you are trying to remember how it goes. The music and tab are handed out after the student learns the tune--a diploma for a job well-done.

Mary Briggs teaches the next step in learning the Mountain Dulcimer. She will begin with a quick review of D-A-A tuning, scales, and melody and backup chords, then will introduce the same fundamentals in the versatile D-A-d mixolydian tuning. Students will also learn how to transpose their favorite D-A-A tunes into D-A-d, as well as how to liven up their basic playing skills with simple ornamentation techniques. Students are encouraged to record the lessons.

Ruth Randle teaches a more advanced intermediate dulcimer class that emphasizes chords and individual string picking with a flat pick. You will get experience in flat picking patterns and chords as backup or harmony. Development of your own style is encouraged. DAD tuning will be used most of the time but with the use of capos and special tunings for different keys. The class is for those want to improve their technique in strumming or flat picking, and gain some knowledge of chords and harmony. Music will be taught mostly from tablature but a tape recorder is definitely suggested. The songs will probably be unfamiliar and you may need to listen to them again at home. A tape recorder also gives you something to play along with when you practice. Practice makes perfect.

Neal Walters will teach Mountain Dulcimer Repertoire. This class focuses on learning new tunes rather than on specific playing techniques. Of course, new techniques for both right and left hand are a key part of the learning process when it is appropriate. Tunes range from fiddle tunes, to old time songs, to contemporary material. They usually play in D-A-D but do not limit themselves to that tuning. They move quickly and try to cover about two new tunes per week from which they select five or six to play at the recital on the last night of class. New material is presented each spring and fall and many "regulars" continue with the class in order to get the new material. Dulcimer TAB is standard.

Jody Marshall, member of MoonFire and Connemara will stress tuning, hammer techniques, chording and playing by ear.

Jody Marshall teaches intermediate students too. You will learn more hammered dulcimer techniques, chording, rhythm and repertoire.

Neal Walters, member of the band Doofus teaches this class. It covers intermediate playing skills and is focused on finger style melody picking. The class is instructed to play in what might be termed the "country blues" style and have been working on techniques associated with a steady alternating bass in the style of Mississippi John Hurt, Elizabeth Cotton, and others. Flat picking styles will also be taught. Students should have a good command of basic chords and be willing to practice. Much of our material is learned by ear with TAB provided. A tape recorder is helpful.