Pam Bowman

Friday 2-10-2023

Class #4G10:30 – 11:45 HD Beginner

Treasures of the Trade

In this workshop you will receive handouts highlighting 10 KEY faucets of playing the H.D. – and we’ll discuss each one – but mostly we will explore the Hammered Dulcimer with our hammers and try to get a good “ground base” understanding that will apply to future skills, learning & playing – including a beginner tune!

Class #7I 4:00 – 5:15 HD Advance

Playing Backup on the Hammered Dulcimer

Thinking beyond the melody line (or rather behind)… Performing with a band, I play plenty of backup. This is one of the aspects of playing the H.D. I am asked questions about the most. Let’s take a look at “weaving” in and out of playing the main melody – intentional backs up “tools” and thoughts on interpretively playing back up.

Saturday 2-11-2023

Class #8H 9:00 – 10:15 HD Intermediate

EMBELLISHING

In this workshop we will discover, review several tools in out hammered dulcimer “arsenal” used for “ornamentation” – “beautification” = “interest”… in the songs that we play. We will learn some ways to apply several of them to the songs that we’re already playing and to songs that we’re learning!

Class #9H 10:30 – 11:45 HD Intermediate

“The Bells of St. Mary’s”

What FUN this song is! Written in 1917 – made popular by Bing Crosby in a film of the same name – is sometimes associated with Christmas because of the movie, but is actually a love song and the words reference – red leaves. Come and learn this song that really “fits” – the Hammered Dulcimer. Arranged with embellishments using hammers AND plucking! (The plucking “implements” will be provided in class.)

Class #10G 1:00 – 2:15

HD Beginner Beginner Tunes!

Come and learn. 2 “beginner” songs with the main melody line plus a couple of “basic” embellishments. The music handouts will include my personal TAB for hammered dulcimer – that helps you to know which bridge we’re playing on, and which side of the treble bridge to play each note. I will have several songs for the class from and if time, we’ll learn a 3rd!

Class #11I 2:30 – 3:45 HD Advance

“His Eye is on the Sparrow”

Within the framework (arrangement), of this inspiring, gospel hymn, we will work on an intro & outro, variation, dynamics, octave change, a few triplets, and playing with FEELING!