Private Lessons | Group Lessons | Workshops

Workshops

"I played the hammered dulcimer for almost three years before the I, IV, V chord concept was introduced. I was in an intermediate workshop situation when it was used and I had no idea what the teacher was talking about.

That afternoon Karen Ashbrook took over the class. (A) brave soul told her we didn't know what the I, IV, V chords were. Her comment was, "Well, let's learn them."  And we did!  Her way of introducing the chords was my lifesaver.

She opened the door to chords and gave me the confidence to find the rest of those notes in each chord so I could travel from the bottom of my dulcimer to the top. Thank you Karen Ashbrook!"


-- J.H.

"I took away from your classes more then I have from 6 years of (--music camp--).

Thank you for a super week!"


-- a student

Here is a partial listing of workshops I can offer at festivals. I am happy to gear workshops to any level.
Contact me for more detailed information.

Hammered Dulcimer Workshops

  • General Level Potluck (beginning, advanced-beginner, intermediate, advanced)
  • Beginning Arranging
  • Navigating the Modes - an introduction to the modes used in Celtic music; how to recognize them, chord patterns and substitutes.
  • Irish Ornamentation (or repertoire)
  • Haunting Waltzes - pick one for a 2 hour workshop (Petit Déjeuner, Far Away, Andrea's, Bare Necessities or Midnight on the Waters)
  • O'Carolan Tunes - music from the blind, 17th century Irish harper.
  • Playing the Dulcimer to its Fullest - learn how to make your instrument ring out and sound like several musicians with a few simple techniques!
  • Simply Etudes - fun tunes that also teach/reinforce good hammering patterns and ear- training. Can be taught at either the beginning or advanced beginner/intermediate level.
  • Classical - pick one tune for a workshop (Pachelbel's Canon in D (very easy); Sleeper's Wake, J.S. Bach; Le Petit Rien, Couperin; Sonatine, Beethoven (advanced players with chromatic dulcimers))
  • Beginning Separate Hands - learn how to create 2 part arrangements and get your hands to go in opposite directions!
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  • Introduction to Chromatics on the Dulcimer (for 15/14s or bigger) -
    yes, there is method in the madness of half step progressions on the dulcimer!
  • Galician & Asturian Tunes - Music from the Spanish Celts (intermediate/advanced) - These sunny tunes with rhythmic twists and hemiolas are a great addition to any Celtic repertoire!
  • Appalachian Dance Music
  • Jewish Repertoire for Dulcimer - We'll cover a dance tune and also one of the sweet tunes from this exotic repertoire
  • Harmonic Minor - This workshop uses Flemish and Jewish tunes to introduce this exotic scale to the dulcimer.
  • Reading Music on the Hammered Dulcimer - a guide to figuring out where to find the notes and good hammering patterns on your instrument while looking at the music. Basic reading skills are a pre-requisite.
  • Accenting! Using The Gold Stud by Maurice Lennon, this workshop teaches even novice players how to play with a back beat and accent the offbeat as well as use of hand damping.

Pennywhistle Worskhops

  • Beginning Pennywhistle
  • Irish Pennywhistle Ornamentation (for people who already play whistle)