Beginning Courses


Take your first steps here.

String Side Up: Hammered Dulcimer for Absolute Beginners

Beginning Level. An introduction to hammered dulcimer, showing the treble and bass bridges, the marks, how to hold and strike with the hammers, and more.

Martha Richard

Martha Richard

Intervals & Chords

Beginning/Intermediate Level. Student will play fifths. We will then add thirds. This opens the world of major and minor chords.

Martha Richard

Martha Richard

The Drone Zone: Old Joe Clark

Beginning/Intermediate Level. This American tune may seem simple, but it’s fun to “fancy it up” with droning and other techniques.

Jody Marshall

Jody Marshall

Learning to Embellish Slow Tunes

Beginning/Intermediate Level. We will learn embellishments on a pretty tune called "Annie Laurie" and end with a performance-ready piece.

Phyllis Brown

Phyllis Brown

Strengthening Your Weak Hand While Learning Your Chords

Beginning/Intermediate Level. Using a 6/8 exercise and a triangle exercise to strengthen your weak hand while building muscle memory.

Phyllis Brown

Phyllis Brown

John Brown's Dream - Melody & Backup

Late Beginning Level & Up. Learn an old Civil War tune called John Brown's March. Learn the melody plus harmony.

Phyllis Brown

Phyllis Brown

Beginning Arranging: "The Skye Boat Song"

Beginning/Intermediate Level.

Ruth Smith

Ruth Smith

Intermediate & Up


Improve your hammer-slinging skills.

Savannah Shuffle

Intermediate Level & Up. Bill Robinson teaches original tune, "Savannah Shuffle".

Bill Robinson

Bill Robinson

St. Charles Dulcimer Blues

Intermediate Level & Up. Bill Robinson teaches the "St. Charles Dulcimer Blues".

Bill Robinson

Bill Robinson

Texas Waltz

Intermediate Level. This traditional waltz is a great beginner tune. We will learn it in the key of D in two octaves, then try it in other keys.

Martha Richard

Martha Richard

Jiggin' with Jody: The Lilting Banshee

Intermediate Level. Learn a jiggy toe-tapper and some rhythmic ornamentation while exploring alternate hammering patterns.

Jody Marshall

Jody Marshall

59 String Stomp

Intermediate Level & Up. Bill shares this original tune, inspired by his father.

Bill Robinson

Bill Robinson

Festival Rag

Intermediate Level & Up. Learn the "Festival Rag," one of Bill's original songs.

Bill Robinson

Bill Robinson

Stepping Out with George

Intermediate Level & Up. Bill teaches his original composition: "Stepping Out with George."

Bill Robinson

Bill Robinson

Texas Waltz Variations

Intermediate/Advanced Level. While playing this waltz we will incorporate rhythm changes and learn to add harmonies.

Martha Richard

Martha Richard

Christmas Duets

Intermediate/Advanced Level. Learn to play a hammered dulcimer & guitar duet of the lovely Christmas melody “The Cradle Song” written in 1885 by William J. Kirkpatrick.

Ruth Smith

Ruth Smith

Happy Hammers: Poppy Leaf Hornpipe

Intermed./Advanced Level. Based on chords & scale runs, this tune naturally reinforces the hammered dulcimer’s inherent visual patterns. And it’s fun to play!

Jody Marshall

Jody Marshall

Waltzology: Song of the Water Kelpie

Intermediate/Advanced. This beautiful Manx tune lends itself to a simple but elegant arrangement on the hammered dulcimer.

Jody Marshall

Jody Marshall

From Mississippi Sawyer to The Sawyer's Waltz

Intermediate/Advanced Level. Phyllis takes you from the simple fiddle tune "Mississippi Sawyer" to what she calls "The Sawyer's Waltz".

Phyllis Brown

Phyllis Brown

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