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Dulcimer Instruction Books
Below is a collection of some of the better instructional material I've encountered over the years. I've tried to present a range of material appropriate for people just beginning the mountain dulcimer as well as those players looking for new ideas and techniques.
Melodies and More for Mountain Dulcimer (Book)by Martha Einan Melodies and More contains 30 arrangements for mountain dulcimer, including 25 traditional tunes from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Most of the arrangements include multiple parts for melody, simple melody, harmony, bass and/or fingerpicking. All of the melody parts are also suitable for solo dulcimer. Twenty-eight arrangements are for three-string dulcimer in DAD tuning and two arrangements are for four-equidistant-string dulcimer in DADD tuning. The tunes are written in standard notation and tablature for intermediate to advanced players. Price $19.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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Complete Dulcimer Handbook (Book + Online Audio)by Mark Biggs This book, by Mark Biggs the three time winner of the National Mountain Dulcimer Championship is probably the most comprehensive book on the mountain dulcimer available. It explains scales, modes, tunings, playing techniques, 53 songs in tablature and musical notation and pretty much anything you can think of to include in a dulcimer book. Very thorough and great for the beginner or someone wanting to improve. Price $29.99 (Click To Enlarge)  |
Mel Bay's School of Dulcimer (Book wth Online Audio)by Madeline MacNeil This book and CD includes 15 songs with musical notation and tablature. It includes instructions and explanation of how to read music and tablature as well as explanations of scales and modes. This book has been around for a long time, which is a testament to its usefullness in helping beginners become well rounded players. Price $14.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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Dulcimer Chord Encyclopedia (Book)by James Major This is a book everyone needs whether you area beginner or seasoned player. It is a comprehensive encylopedia of chords for the mountain dulcimer in the modes of Mixolydian, Ionian, Dorian, Lydian and Phrygian tunings. For each mode, chords for three different tunings are presented. I keep on handy for when I want to explore new areas on the dulcimer or get inspiration to write new tunes. Price $22.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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Field Guide to the Mountain Dulcimer, Book 1 (Book + Online Audio)by Anne Dodson Anne Dodson’s Field Guide to the Mountain Dulcimer, Book 1 is a beautifully structured and organized guide, taking the beginning student step-by-step through a well-planned sequence of lessons. Friendly and encouraging, Book 1 covers tips on buying and maintaining the instrument, left and right hand techniques, chords, and accompaniment. Exercises, lots of fun tunes to play, and downloadable audio files to support the written instruction all make Field Guide to the Mountain Dulcimer, Book I a lasting resource. Price $ 24.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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Field Guide to the Mountain Dulcimer, Book 2 (Book + Online Audio)by Anne Dodson Anne Dodson’s Field Guide to the Mountain Dulcimer, Book 2 continues from Field Guide to the Mountain Dulcimer, Book 1, introducing two subsequent levels: “Branching Out” and “You Take the Driver’s Seat”. These additional levels will improve your understanding of the fretboard and allow more seasoned players to create their own arrangements. Inside you will find extensive exercises and lots of original tunes with accompanying audio tracks. Book 2 offers more tunes in DAD tuning, but also introduces DGD and DAC tunings. Includes access to online audio. Price $34.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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Old-Time Hymns & Gospel Favorites for Mountain Dulcimer (Book)Arranged by Anne Lough An extensive collection of honored hymns and gospel tunes creatively arranged to be enjoyed and played at any skill level. The tunes are written out in music notation and in standard dulcimer tablature that is clear and easy to read. Chord symbols are included for accompanying instruments as well as lyrics for singing along. The intentional use of the Ionian (DAA,) Mixolydian (DAD) and Reverse Ionian (DGD) tunings will encourage flexibility and expand the use and understanding of different melodic modes and accompanying chord shapes. Price $19.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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Southern Mountain Dulcimerby Wayne Erbsen Southern Mountain Dulcimer features vintage photos, history, instruction and music common to the Appalachians. The tunes are in notation and tablature. Price $24.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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Hands-On Dulcimer (Book + Online Audio)
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Complete Book of Celtic Music for Appalachian Dulcimer (Book + Online Audio)by Mark Nelson Mark Nelson's knowledge and love of Celtic music is immediately evident through his choice of tunes for this comprehensive book. Harp music, the piper's repertoire, and fiddle tunes from Ireland, Scotland and Breton are all well-represented here, and a thorough historical foundation is carefully laid. Mark provides samples of Reels, Jigs, Hornpipes, Strathspeys, Polkas, Mazurkas, Slides, Marches, Piobaireachds, Set Dances, Airs, Plaxties, Country Dances, Morris Dances, as well as music from Breton in northwestern France. Includes access to online audio containing 20 of the 109 songs from the book. Price $29.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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Fingerpicking Dulcimer (Book + Online Audio)by Janita Baker A collection of 21 songs arranged in a fingerpicking style for the mountain dulcimer offering a wide variety of musical genres and playing levels. Divided equally between arrangements for three and four equidistant strings, the songs progress in difficulty from beginner to advanced. Each piece is written in both standard notation and dulcimer tablature and is accompanied by performance tips. Many arrangements utilize the 6 1/2 fret and tunings range from standard modal tunings to four-string variations. The arrangements cover a wide range of styles including traditional, ragtime, blues, and classical standards. Includes an extensive introduction on playing techniques for both left and right hands, tunings, reading tablature, and embellishments. Includes access to online audio which is an instrumental recording of solo dulcimer, designed to give the student a note-for-note reference to each written arrangement while providing a performance-quality listening experience. Price $22.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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Stephen Foster for Mountain Dulcimer (Book + Online Audio)by Shelley Stevens This book presents fretted dulcimer arrangements of 58 Stephen Foster classics. Each song is written as a melody line in standard notation with dulcimer tablature beneath plus complete lyrics, historical notes, and suggested guitar chords. Cover graphics from the original nineteenth century sheet music publications lend authenticity.The tunings used are DAD, DAA, DGD, and DAA#D. Intended for experienced beginners to intermediate players, many of these pieces require a 6 1/2 fret dulcimer and a capo. The author includes an essay on the life of Stephen Foster (1826-1864) a gifted songwriter. Includes access to online audio that contains 33 of the book's 58 tunes. Price $22.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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Cajun Favorites for Mountain Dulcimer (Book + Online Audio)by Lois Hornbostel This collection of waltzes and two-steps presents a repertoire for mountain dulcimer players with playing techniques for authentic style. The notation and chords in standard keys can also be used for other instruments. This music suits the mountain dulcimer well because it comes from the Cajun accordion, which has the same simple diatonic scale. The easy melodies and chord progressions in this repertoire can be played by less experienced dulcimer players, while the tips on improvisation and embellished versions offer creativity for more experienced players. Music includes Jolie Blon, Mardi Gras Dance, J'ai Passé Devant ta Porte, Allons à Lafayette, Madame Sosthéne, The Back Door. Includes access to online audio. Price $22.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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Cripple Creek Dulcimer (Book + Online Audio)by Bud and Donna Ford This instruction manual and song collection is a well-crafted collection of basic dulcimer technique and traditional songs plus a few modern day tunes. It explains the basics of playing the dulcimer, including instructions on strumming, tunings, and picking. Solos are offered in all of the various modes (Ionian, Dorian, Locrian, etc.) in standard notation with lyrics and chord symbols. The end result is a pragmatic book that offers a solid grounding in the art of dulcimer playing. The recording features verbal instruction and performances of most of the tunes in the book on solo dulcimer, making learning easy.. The recording used tunings which are lower than those in the book, but this will not affect players reading the tablature. Includes access to online audio. Price $19.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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Folk Songs of Old Kentucky (Book)selected & arranged by Ralph Lee Smith with Madeline MacNeil This book provides 20 Anglo-American folk songs, field-collected by Josephine McGill, Loraine Wyman and Howard Brockway in the Kentucky mountains in 1914 and 1916. These three were among the first persons to search for folk songs in the Southern Appalachians traveling hundreds of miles on horseback and foot through an isolated world where radios, roads and cars had yet to come. They transcribed some 200 songs in books that are now rare & out of print. This book contains a selection of the songs presented with simplified musical notation, guitar chords, and dulcimer tablature. It also includes accounts of their mountain adventures, published by Josephine and Howard in long-forgotten publications. Price $19.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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A Dulcimer Christmas (Book)by Bud & Donna Ford What could better than the sound of the mountain dulcimer at Christmas playing favorite arrangements spanning the centuries? This popular book brings the sound of the dulcimer to the Christmas season. Creative, beautiful arrangements on 23 Christmas favorites, each with a notated melody line and tablature. Finger positions for each chord are included. Price $12.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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Dirt Simple Mountain Dulcimer (Book + Online Audio)by Madeline MacNeil The mountain dulcimer has a long and interesting history in the southern Appalachian mountains. The book begins with the basics of tuning, strumming and finding notes on the dulcimer. The songs and tunes include favorites of dulcimer players, such as Boil That Cabbage Down, Old Joe Clark, Waterbound, Amazing Grace, Aura Lee and Are You Sleeping. The tracks in the accompanying audio include count-ins and are played at easy-to-follow moderate tempos. Includes access to online audio. Price $14.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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Dulcimer Song Book (Book)by Bud and Donna Ford Thirty-eight all-time favorite dulcimer solos penned artistically by Colorado's Bud and Donna Ford. This text is a resource for any dulcimer player and an excellent supplement to any course of instruction. It includes melody lines, lyrics, and chord symbols plus a solo arrangement of each song in standard notation and tablature. Price $19.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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Favorite Old-Time American Songs for Dulcimer (Book)by Mark Nelson This giant book features over 100 favorite American folk songs, expertly arranged for the Appalachian dulcimer. Children's songs, work songs, old Anglo-American ballads, songs of strife and freedom, love songs and much, much more are all gathered here in arrangements suitable for the beginning and intermediate player. Tunings used include D-A-D and D-A-A, as well as C-G-C and C-G-G and several modal tunings. All are playable on any three- or four-stringed dulcimer. Some use a 6 1/2 fret. Includes information on reading music and TAB, notes on transposing, and a useful index of songs by tuning. In standard notation and TAB, with guitar chords. Price $29.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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The Dulcimer Hymn Book (Book)by Bud and Donna Ford This popular book blends the haunting voice of the mountain dulcimer with treasured gospel and sacred melodies. Contains 37 arrangements in standard notation and tab with lyrics and suggested guitar chords. Dulcimer chord diagrams are also shown. Price $19.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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The Music of the Shakers for Mountain Dulcimer (Book)by Neal Hellman Simple and unpretentious, the diatonic music of the Shakers fits well on the mountain dulcimer. The lyrics to these songs offer a universal message of understanding often with a joyous sense of humor. The author provides historical insights and program notes for the 30included tunes.. This informative book is illustrated with photos of craft work and period print reproductions depicting the Shaker way of life. Written in standard notation and mountain dulcimer tab. Price $22.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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American Fiddle Tunes for Mountain Dulcimer (Book)by Lois Hornsbostel This book contains melodious and energetic music arranged for the novice to experienced player in traditional keys, with musical notation so the selections can be played with other instruments. Accompaniment chords are included. Price $19.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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Blues & Ragtime for Fretted Dulcimer (Book)by Janita Baker A collection of blues, ragtime, and crossover tunes for the 4-course mountain dulcimer equipped with a 6+ fret. These arrangements vary in difficulty, but all possess the universal appeal of the unique rhythms that define this musical genre. Written in standard notation and tablature with many pieces transcribed from performances by master blues guitarists. This book contains much more than the tunes themselves; the author shares years of experience regarding technique, embellishments, and tuning not to mention lyrics and generous performance notes for each tune. Price $19.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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Celtic Songs and Slow Airs for Mountain Dulcimer (Book + Online Audio)by Neal Hellman In folk tradition, stories of love lost, betrayal, jealousy, conflict, emigration, and the supernatural are often immortalized in songs of many traditions, demonstrating that singing has been a universal vehicle for the human condition. The criteria for this wonderful collection of prose and melodies is from Celtic traditions that have been with us for hundreds of years. These compositions have been arranged so that each will work both as an air and as a song. Includes access to online audio containing all of the selections in the book. Price $24.99 (Click To Enlarge) 
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