Brett Ridgeway

Thursday 2-9-2023

Class #2H 2:30 – 3:45 HD Intermediate

The 8-Note Hammered Dulcimer Miracle Cure!

This simple lick will change the way you play Hammered Dulcimer. Learning and using this eight-note lick will add a natural syncopation and a new punch to fanciful your playing and let you sound like a professional. I’m not kidding! This is so simple and yet sounds so advanced and colorful! So MUCH FUN !!!

Friday 2-10-2023

Class #3F 9:00 – 10:15 MD Advance

Canoodling Your Noodle

It’s time to quit relying on other people’s musical compositions and, instead, simply learn to play the instrument right in front of you. In this workshop, you will understand how to play without relying on what is written on a musically-prescribed piece of paper! This is not a “tune” workshop, but takes learning much farther. In this workshop, you will learn to “mix it up” learning to improvise and embellish on the fly. If you play any tune ten times through, you will learn the techniques and skills to play it ten different ways, never having to play the tune the same way twice. This will change how you play and give you a new-found freedom and joy in your playing. Quit playing with your eyes, and start using your noodle!

Class #4F 10:30 – 11:45 MD Advance

“Wayfaring Stranger”

This tune is by far, the most requested tune for me to teach. But this is not just a tune workshop! You will learn how to play tunes in various tunings WITHOUT using a capo, but rather learning how to make a capo using your fingers! The tune will be broken down note for note, showing exact finger placement, teaching syncopation, and the use of left hand techniques with barely moving your hand position! It is fascinating to watch your fingers dance a ballet in place as the tune flows from your dulcimer! This is not as difficult as it all seems and you will be surprised how easy this is and can be applied to out tunes in Em etc.

Class #6D 2:30 – 3:45 MD Intermediate

Let Your Finger’s Fly (Available also on Saturday) Tired of playing tunes like a funeral dirge? Not able to keep up? Playing fast is not a matter of talent, but a method of practice. I have taught these techniques to all ages and all skill levels on many instruments… AND THEY WORK! One of my students after learning these simple practice skills said in amazement, “It’s almost like your fingers play by themselves!” This workshop will teach you to play smoothly, quickly, accurately and Yes.. like your fingers are playing all by themselves.

Saturday 2-11-2023

Class #8B 9:00 – 10:15 MD Novice

Chorducopia

In this foundational workshop you will learn not only the chords up and down the fretboard, but the most efficient way to easily maneuver from one chord to the next, how to incorporate them into a tune and how to use a movable chord position to play entire tunes. Chords are NOT difficult and can be mastered easily!

Class #9F 10:30 – 11:45 MD Advance

Taking Your Fiddle Tunes to the Next Level

This is a flatpicking workshop, no strumming allowed, that will show you not only how to flat pick, but take your picking abilities to a clean confident level of playing! This will take you from the basic fiddle tune melody and show you how to add play the tune in a much more intricate and interesting way! Not a more difficult way, but using techniques that will allow your playing to ebb and flow beyond the same ole same ole! This will give you the tools and understanding to change up everything you play! So Much Fun!

Class #11D 2:30 – 3:45 MD Intermediate

Let Your Finger’s Fly (Repeat from Friday)

Tired of playing tunes like a funeral dirge? Not able to keep up? Playing fast is not a matter of talent, but a method of practice. I have taught these techniques to all ages and all skill levels on many instruments… AND THEY WORK! One of my students after learning these simple practice skills said in amazement, “It’s almost like your fingers play by themselves!” This workshop will teach you to play smoothly, quickly, accurately and Yes.. like your fingers are playing all by themselves.