Song Samplers
Volume 50, Number 1: February 2024
YouTube Playlists & Other Resources
We are once again providing playlists related to the content in this issue. You can view them here or on our YouTube channel. Be sure to hit the “Subscribe” button to be the first to see our latest videos!
Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in this issue:
Kimberly Burnette-Dean’s report “The Dulcimer in Southwestern Virginia” mentioned in John Hallberg’s Curator’s Corner.
Other links are listed with the videos related to each story below.
Download Gloria Fletcher’s arrangement “My love is like a red, red, rose,” a Scottish traditional folk melody. Play it for your Valentine!
Vol. 50 No. 1 Highlights
A collection of videos related to the various musical artists and topics covered in Dulcimer Players News Vol. 50 No. 1. This is a big anniversary year for the magazine, and each issue will focus on a different era of the magazine. This first issue covers the first few years of the magazine, when Phil Mason was editor, and focuses on some of the founding and forgotten figures in the dulcimer revival, including Jean Ritchie, Howie Mitchell, Richard Fariña, Dorothy Carter, and more.
Butch Ross DPN Restrung
Long-time DPN contributor and supporter Butch Ross has started a new column called "DPN Restrung," where he tackles and modernizes articles from the DPN Archives. In this issue he tackles the first article in the first issue of DPN - frailing for the dulcimer.
For more resources by Butch Ross visit butchross.com/dpn.
Jean Ritchie
Without Jean Ritchie, the "Mother of Folk," there would have been no dulcimer revival. If there had been no dulcimer revival, there would have been no Dulcimer Players News. It only seems fitting, then, for the first commemorative issue to feature her. Here is just a small sampling of Jean Ritchie's music and videos featuring Jean, including several versions of "Over the River to Feed my Sheep," also known as "Over the River Charlie," "Charlie," and "Weevily Wheat."
Jean Ritchie donated her first dulcimer, made by Jethro Amburgey, to the Kentucky Historical Society in 2002. View it online at bit.ly/jeankyhs.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art holds the "Anniversary" dulcimer George Pickow made for Jean, his wife, in 1952. View it online at bit.ly/pickowmma.
Listen to Alan Lomax's field recordings of Jean Ritchie at the Lomax Digital Archive, online at bit.ly/ldaritchie. These include "Weevily Wheat," another name for "Over the River to Feed My Sheep," recorded on May 5, 1949.
Howie Mitchell
Howie Mitchell was an influential mountain and hammered dulcimer player. He passed away in February 2023, and as one of the dulcimer community's "founding figures," he is featured in the first commemorative issue in Volume 50. Listen to music from his many albums.
Howie Mitchell albums at the Free Music Archive
After obtaining the permission of the original artists or their descendants, David Mitchell digitized and shared many of his father’s personal recordings online at the Free Music Archive. These include two versions of “To Celia”/”Drink to me only with thine eyes,” one with Howie and David, another with Howie and Ruth Meyer. Howie’s 4-string arrangement of the song originally appeared in DPN Vol. 4 No. 4 (I transcribed it into TablEdit to include in the magazine).
Other Free Music Archive Howie Mitchell recordings include:
Folk-Legacy Records (now owned by Smithsonian Folkways label)
Howie Mitchell Albums:
The Mountain Dulcimer - How to make it and play it - (after a fashion) Album and Liner Notes/Instruction Book
The Hammered Dulcimer - How to Make It and Play It - (including illustrated book of instructions) Album and Liner Notes/Instruction Book
Golden Ring: A Gathering of Friends for Making Music - featuring Howie Mitchell, Ruth Meyer, and others
Other Folk-Legacy Albums of Note:
Frank Proffitt, 1962
Sandy and Caroline Paton, 1966
Mirrors and Changes, Bob Zentz, 1974
Beaucatcher Farewell, Bob Zentz and friends, 1978
Dulcimer Heritage: Traditional Hammered Dulcimer Music from New York State, Paul Van Arsdale, 1983
Hearts of the Dulcimer Podcast Episodes
Episode #032: The Legendary Howie Mitchell
Episode #037: Golden Ring: A Gathering of Friends for Making Music
Doug Berch, Through the Decades
This issue of Dulcimer Players News features hammered and mountain dulcimer player and builder Berch. The story features excerpts from his letters and interviews through the past 50 years, plus an update on what he is doing now.
Harry Ferguson's Reverse Pedal Dampener
Meet astronomer and hammered dulcimer player Harry Ferguson, who recently shared his plans for an innovative pedal dampener with Dulcimer Players News. He invites others to make and enjoy them. Listen to him using it, and listen to other versions of "Bas-Pelles Eriks Brudpolska."
Paul Adams
Reunite with luthier, singer, and songwriter Paul Adams (PD Adams) in this issue of Dulcimer Players News. As a luthier, Paul wrote a few letters to the editor in the early years of DPN, and now he is an award-winning musical artist. Subscribe today at dpnews.com.
L'il D'bl Bass
Dulcimer Players News Vol. 50 No. 1 includes a story about the L'il D'bl Bass, a new type of bass dulcimer created by Terry McCafferty and David Beede. In this playlist, find videos about the instrument, how to play it, and the makers.
3D-Printed Dulcimer
The first 50th Anniversary commemorative issue of Dulcimer Players News features the Stephens Lutherie 3D-printed dulcimer. Watch videos about the dulcimer and other builders and players mentioned in the story, and about other 3D-printed instruments. I am the only one who wants someone to design a 3D-printed travel dulcimer??
Richard and Mimi Fariña
Another of the dulcimer revival's founding figures, Richard Fariña is featured in Vol. 50 No. 1, the first of a series of commemorative issues celebrating 50 years of Dulcimer Players News. Follow along with the songs Patricia Delich mentions in her article about the Fariñas, and watch a few more videos relating to the dulcimer revival.
Hearts of the Dulcimer
Patricia Delich (author of this issue’s article on Fariña) and her husband Wayne Jiang produced the documentary film "Hearts of the Dulcimer" in 2013. After the film, they started the "Hearts of the Dulcimer" podcast, which ended with episode 60 in 2023. Several episodes feature Fariña and related musicians, and other episodes focus on other musicians in this issue.
Each episode has a resource page with more information, photos, and video clips. And of course, there is dulcimer music throughout every episode.
Listen at dulcimuse.com/podcast, or search for "Hearts of the Dulcimer" in any podcast app.
Episodes featuring Fariña:
Richard Fariña and the Cambridge Folk Music Scene (Episode #022, Part 1: A Conversation with Rick Turner; Episode #023, Part 2: A Conversation with Ed Freeman)
A Conversation with Judy Collins (Episode #028)
Further listening:
Neal Hellman - Episode #014: Neal Hellman: Part Folk, Part Classical, All Acoustic; Episode #017: Dulcimer Short Story with Neal Hellman: Celebrities at the Renaissance Faire
Episode #036: The Many Modes of Stephen Seifert
Episode #040: The Orchestral Dulcimer [features Seifert]
Episode #047: Stay Home and Play Dulcimer: with Stephen Seifert
Episode #042: The Multifaceted Bonnie Carol and Max Krimmel
Episode #049: Stay Home and Sing with the Dulcimer: with Aubrey Atwater
Episode #051: The Sweet Harmonies of Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly
Episode #052: Grant Olson Dulcimer Explorer
Episode #057: New York, New York [Doug Berch]
Episode #058: Ashley Ernst, Publisher and Owner of Dulcimer Players News
Roger Nicholson & Modes
Roger Nicholson was a prominent dulcimer player in the United Kingdom and an early contributor to Dulcimer Players News. His writing on modes is included in Dulcimer Players News Vol. 50 No. 1, along with excerpts from other interviews and mode-related selections.
DAA - the forgotten tuning?
One of the articles in Dulcimer Players News Vol. 50 No. 1 is "In praise of DAA - the forgotten tuning?" by Dan Evans. This playlist features the songs referenced in his article, as well as some other videos about the DAA tuning, including a couple of Christmas carols in DAA.
Jerry Rockwell - Chord Progressions, Modes, and Pentatonic Scales
Meet Dulcimer Players News columnist Jerry Rockwell! Jerry has been a long-time DPN supporter and contributor. He is starting a new DPN column focused on chord progressions, modes, and pentatonic scales. His goal is to provide approachable exercises that introduce music theory concepts so subtly that you don't even know you are learning them. If you want to learn more, visit jerryrockwell.com or join his Patreon community at patreon.com/jcrockwell_dulcimer_teaching.
Dorothy Carter
Dorothy Carter was another early contributor to Dulcimer Players News, who played hammered dulcimer and many other instruments in the zither family, who is featured in Vol. 50 No. 1. Jim Couza describes hearing her perform as "one of those mysterious experiences that happens to you just once in a lifetime," and characterized her as "the most underrated folk musician on the East Coast." Her second album "Waille Waille" has just been reissued by Palto Flats (New York City) and Putojefe Records (Berlin). The album is now available on LP and CD at paltoflats.com (North America) and putojefe.com (Europe).
Kindred Gathering
The first 50th Anniversary commemorative issue of Dulcimer Players News features a story about the Kindred Gathering, also celebrating 50 years in 2024. Learn about the origins of this festival and listen to music and videos from some of the founding figures.
Buckeye Roadshow
Buckeye Dulcimer Festival organizers Shari Wolf and Chris and Joe Steiner have formed the band Buckeye Roadshow. They host monthly hybrid Zoom jams - find more information and music at https://www.buckeyedulcimerfestival.com/bdfzoomjams.htm. Read about the venture in Dulcimer Players News Vol. 50 No. 1. Subscribe at dpnews.com.
Dulcimer Orchestra Symposium
Dulcimer Players News Vol. 50 No. 1 features a story by First National Dulcimer Orchestra leader Judy House about the upcoming Dulcimer Orchestra Symposium, focusing on the differences between a symposium and a festival.
Volume 49, Number 4: November 2023
We received positive feedback regarding the YouTube playlists included with the last issue, so we are repeating the process for the November issue. Instead of having a downloadable song sampler, please enjoy several playlists related to the content in this issue. You can view them here or on our YouTube channel. Be sure to hit the “Subscribe” button to be the first to see our latest videos!
General
A YouTube playlist featuring music and videos related to Dulcimer Players News Vol. 49 No. 3 (August 2023). Including videos by or about this issue's contributors, as well as musicians featured in our "New Releases" article and other features.
Click here for tab to Gloria Fletcher’s “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” included in the playlist above, which appeared in Vol. 47 No. 4.
Mark Alan Wade also shared his three-part arrangement for “A Minor Christmas Celebration!” (Patapan & Noël nouvelet). Click to download the Score (all parts), Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
National Championships 2023 Walnut Valley Festival
Congratulations to the Walnut Valley Festival 2023 national champions: Mickey Sweeney (hammered) and David Wilson (mountain).
Kevin Roth Interview
In August 2023, DPN and Kevin Roth discussed his latest projects: the book and accompanying album "Between the Notes" and his latest album "Dulcimer Dreamland." This playlist features Kevin's music in addition to the full interview.
Wonder of Wales
Read about the experiences of harpist and dulcimer player Lorinda Jones traveling through Wales in the article "The Wonder of Wales" in Dulcimer Players News Vol. 49 No. 4 - November 2023.
“C’est l’aviron qui nous, mène"
Learn about French-Canadian music for the dulcimer in Marc Mathieu's article in Vol. 49 No. 4 (November 2023).
Mathieu presents “C’est l’aviron qui nous, mène" as a typical French-Canadian song suited to the dulcimer. A Canadian variant of this song appears in the 1910 book "Forty-four French Folk-songs and Variants from Canada, Normandy, and Brittany," collected and harmonized by Julien Tiersot, the English translations by Henry Grafton Chapman. "En revenant de la joli' Rochelle" or "As I came back from beautiful Rochelle" is on p. 76-77, with the following additional English and French lyrics and notes on p. 78. You can view a digital version of this book at bit.ly/dpn-44frenchfolk.
The refrain with this version is different from the refrain shared by Marc Mathieu. Note that the first line of each verse is repeated, and the second line of each verse becomes the first line of the next verse.
1. En revenant de la joli' Rochelle,
J'ai rencontré trois jeunes demoiselles.Refrain:
La voilà ma mi' qu' mon cœur aime tant!
La voilà ma mi' qu' mon cœur aime!2. J'ai rencontré trois jeunes demoiselles;
J'ai point choisi, mais j'ai pris la plus belle.3. J'ai point choisi, mais j'ai pris la plus belle;
J'l'y fis monter derrièr' moi, sur ma selle.4. J'l'y fis monter derrièr' moi, sur ma selle;
J'y fis cent lieues sans parler avec elle.5. J'y fis cent lieues sans parler avec elle;
Au bout des cent lieues, ell' me d'mandit à boire.6. Au bout des cent lieues, ell' me d' mandit à boire;
Je l'ai menée auprès d'une fontaine.7. Je l'ai menée auprès d'une fontaine;
Quand ell' fut là, ell' ne voulut point boire.8. Quand ell' fut là, ell' ne voulut point boire;
Je l'ai menée au logis de son père.9. Je l'ai menée au logis de son père;
Quand ell' fut là, ell' buvait à pleins verres;10. Quand ell' fut là, ell' buvait à pleins verres,
A la santé de son père et sa mère.11. A la santé de son père et sa mère; (bis)
A la santé de ses sœurs et ses frères.12. A la santé de ses sœurs et ses frères;
A la santé d'celui que son cœur aime.
1. As I came back from beautiful Rochelle,
There did I meet three pretty damoselles.Refrain:
Here's the one for me, here's the one I love,
Here's the one for me, here's my loved one.2. There did I meet three pretty damoselles,
I did not choose, but took the greatest belle.3. I did not choose, but took the greatest belle,
I set her up behind me on my saddle.4. I set her up behind me on my saddle,
One hundred leagues, and not a word was spoken.5. One hundred leagues, and not a word was spoken,
When they were o'er she asked me for some water.6. When they were o'er she asked me for some water,
I took her then to where there was a fountain.7. I took her then to where there was a fountain,
When she got there, she would not drink the water.8. When she got there, she would not drink the water,
I took her to the dwelling of her father.9. I took her to the dwelling of her father,
When she got there, she emptied all the glasses.10. When she got there, she emptied all the glasses,
Drinking the health of her father and mother.11. Drinking the health of her father and mother,
Drinking the health of her sister and brother.12. Drinking the health of her sister and brother,
Drinking the health of him who is her lover.
There has been found in Normandy a variant of this song (see Moullé's "Mélodies populaire de la Haute-Normandie"), the great age of which is confirmed from another quarter, by the fact that it has already been noted in an ancient French manuscript published by Gaston Paris under the title of "Chansons du XVe siècle." Here are the first couplets, preceded by a line which serves as the refrain of the whole song:
Faisons bonne chère, faisons la, faisons.
En m'en venant de Paris à Rochelle,
Je rencontrai trois jeunes demoiselles.
A mon avis je choisis la plus belle,
Et la montai sur l'arson de ma selle.
Make we good cheer, make good cheer, good cheer.
As I came back from Paris to Rochelle,
There did I meet three lovely damoselles.
As I believe, I chose the very fairest;
Upon my pillion then I set my dearest.
The verses, which at the beginning are almost identical, diverge from this point, though not without preserving, more or less, the character of songs of gallantry.
St. Basil's Hymn
This issue features Ted Yoder's arrangement of St. Basil's Hymn and information about Val Cortoni's instructional video series "Tympanim." This playlist features other well-known versions, including the hammered dulcimer version by Malcolm Daglish and the piano version by George Winston, as well as some folk versions.
The Friendly Beasts
Learn how the Gregorian chant Orientis Partibus became the Christmas carol "The Friendly Beasts."
Deck the Halls
Dulcimer Players News Vol. 49 No. 4 (November 2023) features a story about the Welsh origins of the holiday song "Deck the Halls." Enjoy a selection of videos related to Welsh music, "Nos Galan," and "Deck the Halls."
The Sussex Carol
This issue features an arrangement of the "Sussex Carol" by Geoff Black.
Sussex Carol Lyrics:
On Christmas night all Christians sing
To hear the news the angels bring (x 2)
News of great joy, news of great mirth
News of our merciful King’s birth.
Then why should men on earth be so sad?
Since our Redeemer made us glad (x 2)
When from our sin he set us free
All for to gain our liberty?
When sin departs before His grace
Then life and health come in its place (x 2)
Angels and men with joy may sing
All for to see the newborn King
All out of darkness we have light
Which made the angels sing this night (x 2)
"Glory to God and peace to men
Now and for evermore, amen!"
The words were first published by Luke Wadding, Bishop of Ferns, in his 1684 book "A Smale Garland, of Pious and Godly Songs," p. 40. Ralph Vaughan Williams included "On Christmas Night," an arrangement based on the song collected from Mrs. Verrall of Sussex, in "Eight Traditional English Carols," 1919.
Joni Mitchell Live “At Newport”
Read Butch Ross' review of the Joni Mitchell album "At Newport."
Revival and Evolution - Dulcimers in Germany
Connecting to the mountain dulcimer’s German roots while expanding its horizons. On a recent trip to Germany, mountain dulcimer player Brian Bohlman connected with Martin Oesterle, who runs an amazing dulcimer shop and school in Ludwigsburg, near Stuttgart. He shared his experience and his new album "Into the Light" with Dulcimer Players News.
Mandy Tyner's Artist Spotlight Series
Dulcimer player and teacher Mandy Tyner created a series on her channel to highlight other musicians. Read more about the series in Dulcimer Players News Vol. 49 No. 4 (November 2023).
Volume 49, Number 3: August 2023
We are trying something new with the August 2023 issue of Dulcimer Players News.
Instead of having a downloadable song sampler, we have compiled several YouTube playlists related to the content in this issue. You can view them here or on our YouTube channel. Be sure to hit the “Subscribe” button to see our latest videos! Check back in November for the next issue’s playlists.
For the collection of music accompanying “To Swing or Not to Swing” by Ken Kolodner visit sandbridgedulcimer.com/swing.
Vol. 49 No. 3: General
Playlist Index:
Pam Bowman - Evart 20222 by Ken Kaiser
Waiting for a Train (Jimmie Rodgers cover) on a mountain dulcimer by contributor Dusty Thorburn
My latest dulcimer build by Karen Smith-Gratto
Pooh Songs by Carol Walker
“Gerudo Valley” - Hammered Dulcimer and Percussion by Colin Beasley
Swallow’s Tune by Amy Hollindrake
Possum Up a Gum Stump/New Rigged Ship/Drops of Brandy by Stan Ransom
Swingin’ with the Eighties by Ken Kolodner and Mary Lynn Michal
DJ Hamouris talks with Melanie Johnston by Dulcimoon
The California Dulcimer Adventure with Carilyn Vice by the Hindman Settlement School
Art of Wayne Jiang by Wayne Jiang
Vol. 49 No. 3: Crankies
Playlist Index:
The Devil’s Nine Questions/Billy in the Lowground by Anna Elizabeth
When the World Comes to An End: Crankie by Brendan Taaffe
A “Crankie” version of Lord Bateman sung by Elizabeth Laprelle by Bill Spence
Welcome in Another Year — Crankie by Country Dance & Song Society
The Crankie Festival Players by Doug Plummer
The Maple’s Lament Crankie by Benjamin Foss
The Lost Gander by Timothy Morton
“Pickett’s Charge” by Ellen Cherry (Crankie by Katherine Fahey)
Cold Snap Crankie by Holly Hildebrand
Quilts Told Stories - Crankie by The Crankie Factory
Crankie Workshop: An Introduction to Crankies by Juneau-Douglas City Museum
How to Make a Crankie by Juneau-Douglas City Museum
Zero to Crank in 65 Seconds, the New Travel Crankie Box by The Crankie Factory
How to Make a Crankie by Pie Car Productions
All I Ask is a Tall Ship: Crankie by Brendan Taaffe
Young Emily Crankie by Zoe van Buren
Winnipeg Crankie Festival - Friday Night by Home Routes
Vol. 49 No. 3: Gourd Instruments
Playlist Index:
Gourd Banjo and Hammered Dulcimer by Brad Kolodner
Cedric Watson on Gourd Banjo “Darlin Cori” by Cedric Watson
Peace Comes Dropping Slow — Mountain Dulcimer and Electric Gourd Dulcimer Instrumental by Michael Futreal
How to rock a three stringed gourd dulcimer like a blues guitar! - “The Tree” Dulcimer by Home Grown Instruments
East Virginia and Cluck Old Hen on homemade Bottle Gourd Banjo by Ben Greco
Black Eyed Susie on Gourd Banjo by Brad Kolodner
Blue Violet Waltz by Brad Kolodner
Vol. 49 No. 3: Remembering George Haggerty
Playlist Index:
DAA Mountain Dulcimer Fest - George Haggerty by Wayne Anderson
American Appalachian Music - Limberjack/Dulcimer by Kolbgil
Haggerty’s Dulcimer Daze by Wayne Anderson
Vol. 49 No. 3: Remembering Gary and Toni Sager
Playlist Index:
Remembering Gary Sager by Melrose Dulcimers
Harmony Harvest Gary and Toni Sager by AllAmericanFE
Dulcimerica 123 - KMW Pt. 1 - Mountain Dulcimer by Bing Futch
Mountain Dulcimer - Dulcimerica Video Podcast #76 by Bing Futch
Gary and Toni Sager by Bing Futch
2011 MFMF - Gary and Toni Sager - The Isle of Innistree by FMSMVideos
2011 MFMF - Gary Sager - Steel Guitar Rag by FMSMVideos
Gary & Toni Sager @ the “Pikin’ Porch” by Mike Clemmer
Gary and Toni Sager by Teri West
Toni and Gary Sager KMW 2014 by Chuck Moseley
Prussia Valley Dulcimers by watchman8653
The Dulcimers: An Appalachian Christmas Concert! by Southern Ohio Museum & Cultural Center VIDEOS
Vol. 49 No. 3: Parson's Farewell
Deborah Hamouris shares her baritone mountain dulcimer arrangement of "Parson's Farewell" in Dulcimer Players News Vol. 49 No. 3, from her new book “Baritone Folio.” Included here are several versions of the tune and a video of the dance.
Vol. 49 No. 3: Un Canadien Errant
Susan Trump shares her mountain dulcimer arrangement of "Un Canadian Errant" in Dulcimer Players News Vol. 49 No. 3. This playlist features several versions of the tune on a variety of instruments.
Vol. 49 No. 3: Shepherd's Wife Waltz
Pam Bowman shares her hammered dulcimer arrangement of "Shepherd's Wife Waltz" in Dulcimer Players News Vol. 49 No. 3. This playlist features several versions of the tune.