Workshops for All Instruments & Levels

I CAN NOW LEAD ALL WORKSHOPS ON ZOOM. Please contact me for more information. <thomasinalevy@gmail.com>

A Singing Circle The first two instruments are the human heart (source of all rhythm) and the voice. Come join the group in a joyful hour of singing a variety of chants, songs, rounds and sounds. Feel free to bring your own song or round to teach and present to the circle. No musical experience required.

Music Improvisation This is a FUN workshop! Throw away the tab and bring your instrument for an inspiring session of music making in a supportive atmosphere. Improvisation is a moment to moment experience which allows a musician to take a leap from the familiar into the unknown. Improvisational techniques developed by the Music for People curriculum will allow students to explore their own musical possibilities. All instruments and voices welcomed.

Mountain Dulcimer

Mountain Dulcimer Discovery Workshop (novice) This workshop is designed for those who have always wanted to try to play the mountain dulcimer but never had the opportunity to do so.  Students will be introduced to basic strumming patterns and terminology. Some simple songs will be taught, as well as how to tune your instrument. 

Basic Rhythm and Timing (beg.) “They say that timing is everything.”  Learn how to read basic music notation from standard music sheets, as well as from dulcimer tablature. Time signatures, note values, and “bump diddies” will be discussed. Bring your hands for clapping.

Beginning Finger Picking (beg.) Put down that pick and let your fingers do the walking. Some basic finger placement and easy beginner finger picking songs will be introduced. Come tuned to DAd.

Beginning Fiddle Tunes (beg.) Add to your repertoire by learning popular jamming songs and tunes which are played by many other musicians. Come tuned to DAd.

Beginning Mixolydian-DAd- Workshop (beg.) Make the leap from DAA to DAD. This versatile tuning will allow you to play many songs in different keys. Come tuned to DAA.

Jamming and Playing with Others (beg./int.) Learn some easy songs on your instrument. Basic “Jamming Etiquette” will be discussed. We will spend time learning how to play with other musicians.

Left Hand Embellishments (beg/int) – Left hand embellishments will help you to “dress up” your music once you are familiar with the basics of playing the mountain dulcimer. Once you get some of these techniques under your belt (or should we say “under your left finger tips”?) you can even make a simple song like Bile Them Cabbage Down sound exciting. Techniques we will explore are: Hammering-On, Pulling-Off, Vibrato, Slides, Harmonics.

Singing with the Mountain Dulcimer (int.) – If you can walk and chew gum at the same time then you can play the mountain dulcimer and sing with it too. In this workshop, we will sing some songs together, discuss some relaxation techniques to get the best out of your playing and singing, talk about chords, finding the right key and learn some new songs. This is for 3 or 4 stringed dulcimers. Come tuned to DAd or DAdd.

Minor Scales and Songs (int.) Songs in a minor tuning often have that “haunting” feeling. Some basic music theory will be presented. Learn how to tune and retune your dulcimer to minor modes from DAd. Come tuned to DAd and bring a capo.

Modes and Tunings (int/adv) Understanding the different modes and tunings on the dulcimer can lead to an “Ah Ha!” understanding of your dulcimer. Songs in different modes/tunings will be presented as well as some basic music theory. Come tuned to DAa.

Understanding the Capo (int.adv)  Learn how to play the same song in different keys. Some basic music theory will be discussed. Tune to DAd and bring a capo.  

December Holiday Songs (int/adv)  Learn to play some songs which honor our culture’s diverse celebrations during the winter season. For three and four string dulcimers, bring a capo.

Playing a Four String Dulcimer (int/adv) – In this workshop, students will be introduced to playing and chording a four stringed mountain dulcimer. Come tuned to DAdd and bring a capo.

The Chromatic Dulcimer ~ 1-3-5 Tuning (adv.)  Expand your horizons by learning a new tuning. This chromatic tuning will allow you to play traditional blues songs and non-traditional dulcimer tunes from the ’30s and ’40s. Come tuned to DF#A.

Arranging Songs on the Mt. Dulcimer (adv.) This workshop will help to give the participants skills to arrange sings in different keys. Students will be taught a familiar tune  (Amazing Grace) four different ways in order to see the various possibilities which can exist for one song. Then, each person will be given blank tab paper and encouraged to try to arrange a song on her/his own.