Photo: Hammered dulcimer with dampers along both side rails. Four cords come down from the dulcimer’s four corners, combine into a single cord and connect to a foot pedal.

D500, on TriStander, with dampers

Instructional Materials

Instruction Videos with Jamie Janover
Books, Videos, and Instruction Tapes

Instruction DVDs with Jamie Janover

Since discovering the hammered dulcimer in 1986, Jamie Janover has developed a revolutionary playing style that incorporates the knowledge and techniques he gained through years of drumming. He has performed at major festivals throughout the U.S., recorded seven hammered dulcimer albums, and taught workshops at dulcimer festivals. He also took first place in the 2002 National Hammered Dulcimer Championship at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas.

Hammered Dulcimer Fundamentals. This DVD teaches basic building blocks that all players can apply to their playing right away, regardless of ability level or musical style. Topics include instrument parts and setup, holding the hammers, sticking technique, percussion rudiments, rolls, triplet feel, finding chords and scales, playing chord progressions, and improvisation. (95 min.) Price: $39.95 Also available on VHS while supplies last.

Hammered Dulcimer Infinite Possibilities DVD

Hammered Dulcimer Infinite Possibilities. A wealth of information to help every player, from beginners through professionals, become more proficient and make their music more exciting. Topics include hammer techniques, percussion techniques, rolls, major and minor chords and scales, improvisation, soloing over a chord progression, odd time signatures, advanced rhythmic techniques, tips for playing live, and advice for the professional. (113 min.) Price: $39.95 Also available on VHS while supplies last.

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Books, Videos, and Instruction Tapes

John McCutcheon’s Hammer Dulcimer Video. The next best thing to a personal lesson with John McCutcheon, this video is the ideal introduction for beginning players. McCutcheon explains the set-up of the instrument and addresses such essentials as holding the hammers, coordinating the hands, and developing special techniques. Several tunes and variations are included. (90 minutes) Price: VHS—$39.95, DVD—$29.95

Beginning Hammered Dulcimer by Linda Lowe Thompson (book and cassette set or book and CD set). This nicely produced set starts with a short introduction on learning techniques and approach, followed by a repertoire-building collection of 43 tunes in both standard notation (melody line only) and tablature. The recordings have all the tunes played exactly as they are written in the book. (42 pages, spiral bound) Price: book and cassette set: $20.00; book and CD set: $25.00

Hammered Dulcimer Notebook by Linda Lowe Thompson (book and 2 CDs). A rich and accessible source of tunes and information, this set builds on the basics taught in Beginning] Hammered Dulcimer (above) by developing and encouraging the creative aspects of playing. Techniques for embellishing and arranging melodies are illustrated using 123 tunes written out in both tablature and standard notation, with plenty of tips and instructions. Tunes are played on the tapes exactly as written. Charming graphics and historical tidbits are a bonus. (155 pages, spiral bound) Price: book & 2 CDs—$50.00

Hammered Dulcimer Christmas by Linda Lowe Thompson. This third superb book from Thompson contains 46 traditional and lesser-known carols. Chord symbols, tips on simplifying arrangements, and suggestions for accompanying singers make this book appropriate for all players from intermediate to advanced ability. (spiral bound) Price: $20.00

Playing the Piano Dulcimer by Madeline MacNeil. This book features tunes, tablature, and basic instruction for playing the piano dulcimer. Price: $14.95

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