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Decides what carol I'll play! Thankfully the books I have showed me what tuning went with what carol in it's proper key so I could work with the Mel Bay book shown in the previous post. So last night,for the first time,I was dinking in aeolian mode playing "O come O come Immanuel" and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" two of my faves. I'm waiting for ink cartridges to arrive so I can print some of the free Mel Bays Dulcimer tips-I need to see what carols are listed in the articles. Seems rather strange to be doing my month long celebration of All Hallows & playing Yule tunes at the same time. I'm constantly amazed at the beauty of the sound of this instrument-it's so mellow,so beautifully rich sounding for only having 4 strings. The range of sound always amazes & delights.......
To start learning Christmas Carols! Yes,I know,it's not even Halloween yet,much less October,but then we all know how things start to speed up as the end of the year approaches. Time is taken up with holiday preparations,family visits,shopping,cooking,baking and so forth. So,if one starts now on learning a carol or two,by the time Yule starts rolling in,you'll be blissfully making your own holiday music on your dulcimer. Right now you have spare time to learn in a relaxed environment without fretting (no pun intended) about shopping,decorating,or baking. Bring the joy of the season into your home by making your own music! Order the book at Mandolin Babes Pickin Parlour
Back in 1986,I had purchased a dulcimer with birthday & allowance money,but became quickly discouraged on my inability to tune it,(this was before electronic chromatic tuners were soooo affordable!) and not being able to afford lessons,it went into a long exile in it's case. I always kept it where I could check on it from time to time,and despite the dulcimer books I had,it sat silent. Till recently. I've been going thru a musical rebirth of returning to my folk music roots. My mandolin is now set up & playable,my banjitar is restrung,and I'm playing something nearly everyday. Including the dulcimer. I have a Blue Lion that sounds gorgeous,that's the same sign as myself,(it's "birthday" is Aug 5!) So now I'm re-learning from Mel Bay Books. Celtic & medieval tunes,mainly.
