Beginning Mountain Dulcimer
Unlock the Sweetest Sound in the Mountains!
(Perfect for absolute beginners – no music reading required!)
Imagine an instrument so gentle and haunting that it was once carried across the mountains in covered wagons, played at barn dances, beside fireplaces, and on moonlit porches. That’s the mountain dulcimer (sometimes called the Appalachian or lap dulcimer), and it just might be the friendliest stringed instrument on the planet.
This beautiful little box with a heart-shaped sound hole has been singing old ballads, fiery dance tunes, and sacred hymns since pioneer days. It stayed a well-kept mountain secret until the legendary Jean Ritchie took it to New York in the 1940s and blew everyone away. Suddenly the whole world wanted to hear that shimmering, dreamy voice again—and now it’s your turn!
In this joyful, beginner-friendly course you’ll discover why dulcimer players can’t stop smiling:
* Explore two classic ways to play: the “noter-drone” style (one of the oldest techniques in American music) and the modern chord-melody approach that lets you play almost anything
*Master multiple traditional tunings – it’s like flipping your dulcimer into different musical “modes” that instantly give you that old-time magic
* Learn the irresistible basic strum that make the instrument dance
* Read dulcimer tablature in minutes (easier than regular music – we promise!)
* Get your left hand doing cool tricks: hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides, and more that turn simple tunes into pure ear candy
*Play a bunch of classic mountain gems right away: “Shady Grove,” “Ground Hog,” “Old Joe Clark,” “Lynchburg Town” “Amazing Grace,” and lots more – songs people have loved for over 200 years
By the end of the course you’ll be able to:
* Sit on the porch and make music that feels like a hug from the mountains
* Switch effortlessly between sweet, droning traditional sounds and fuller, contemporary arrangements
No prior music experience? No problem. If you can hum a tune and tap your foot, you’re already overqualified!
Come fall in love with the sweetest voice Appalachia ever gave the world. Your mountain dulcimer adventure starts here!
Meet Fritz Schuler, your friendly guide to the world of folk music! A former elementary school teacher, Fritz has shared his love for folk guitar, banjo, and mountain dulcimer through the University of Wisconsin’s Continuing Education program for nearly 30 years at UW-Fox Valley in Appleton. His passion for teaching has also taken him to UW Centers in Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Green Bay, West Bend, and Manitowoc, as well as The Golden Ring in Manitowoc, where he’s inspired nearly 2,000 students to strum, pick, and play with joy.
Fritz’s enthusiasm doesn’t stop there! He’s brought the rich history of American folk music to life through mini-courses at high schools, teacher in-service programs, and even a master’s class at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboygan. Plus, he’s shared his expertise with music teachers through a “Folk Instruments in the Classroom” class at Silver Lake College. A performer since the mid-1960s, Fritz’s love for traditional American folk music shines through in every note. Come learn, play, and share the joy of music with Fritz!
