Tools
• The six chord options in the keys of C, G , D and A
• Chord patterns on the dulcimer for all six chord options
• Rhythmic patterns appropriate to duple and triple time
• Cadential Forms
• Standard chord progressions
• Pentatonic scales.
• Functional Dissonant tones
Beginning Skills
Concentrate on one key. Master the six tools in that key first. The key of “D” will be the focus of this discussion. Move next to the key of “G”. Then to “A” and finally to “C”.
- The six chord options in “D” are: D, Em, F#m, G, A, Bm, C#dim. Usingchord numbers the options are: I, ii, iii, IV, V, vi, viiº
- Use the pivot chord exercise to learn the patterns of each of these chords throughout the range of the dulcimer. Practice with both left hand and right handleads. Look for four note patterns within the pivot chords. Remember each chord can be voiced in three ways: root position (1 3 5), 1st inversion (3 5 1), and 2nd inversion (5 1 3). Each inversion is useful. Root position is the strongest. 1st inversion is the weakest. And often the 3rd is left out of the chord. Remember the riff that defines Snow-blind – WID or WAEF.
- Practice the I chord (D) in root position in the mid-range of the dulcimer using anarpeggio style, then play the same chord using a guitar strum or calypso rhythm. When you are confident with the D chord, move on to master both the IV chord (G) and V chord (A).
- Practice the perfect cadence: I IV V I. That’s D G A D. Perfect this movement so that it becomes smooth and natural. Use a moderate tempo. Vary the rhythms. Use only root position chords to begin this study.
- Practice a few standard chord progressions
- 12-bar blues [each chord symbol] Here are the chords and a lyric
D D D D Two drops of water, two drops of water, baby one or two grains of sand
G G D D Lord it’s two drops of water Lord it’s one two grains of sand
A G D D I said the blues ain’t nothing but a woman won’t see her man
- Calypso
D D D D We come on the Sloop John B, My grandfather and me
D D A A ‘round Nassau town we did roam
D D G G Drinkin’ all night, got into a fight
D D A D Well I feel so break up, I wanna go home
D Em Sad to say, I’m on my way
A D Won’t be back for many a day
D Em My heart is down my head is turning around
D A Had to leave a little girl in Kingston Town
- Ballad
D F#m G D Puff the magic dragon, lived by the sea
G D E A And frolicked in the autumn mist in a land called Honalee
D F#m G D Little Jackie Paper loved that rascal Puff
G D E A D And brought him strings and sealing was and other fancy stuff
D Bm Em G If you miss the train I’m on, you will know that I am gone
Em Em A A You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles
D Bm Em G A hundred miles, A hundred miles, A hundred miles, A hundred miles,
Em A D D You can hear the whistle blow a hundred miles
D F#m Em A D In the early morning rain with a dollar in my hand
D Em Em A D With an aching in my heart and my pockets full of sand
D F#m Em A D I’m a long way from home and I miss my loved one so
D Em Em A D In the early morning rain, with no place to go.
- Practice the pentatonic scale so that you can repair to it at any time to make runs and improvise on the melody. In the key of D these are the important scales.
o On the D or Bm chord: D E G A B ( in ANY order)
o On the G or Em chord: G A C D E ( in ANY order)
o On the A or F#m Chord: A B D E F# ( in ANY order)
- Functional Dissonant Tones
These tones are used to create tension. Much to be said about these. However the most useful functional dissonant tones are: II, IV, VII and vii.
• On a D chord those tones are: E, G , C# and C natural
• On a G chord those tones are: A, C, F# and F natural
• On an A chord those tones are: B, D, and G ( since G# isn’t in the key of D, it isn’t very useful in this context)
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