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hammered dulcimer

New Navigation FAQ Video

Here at DulcimerCrossing we are always seeking to improve the learning experience and the latest is a new system of Navigation on the Lessons Page. [Note: this is an historical video.  The website has been reorganized since this was recorded.]

Steve has created a new FAQ video which explains these new features. Here is summary: Lessons arranged by Playing Level. Lessons arranged by Genre. Lessons arranged by Teacher/Instrument. Please ask us if you have any questions so that we can help…

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Skill Levels? How do I compare?

by Steve Eulberg

All of us ask this question at some time or another.

What is my skill level as a musician?  What is my skill level on THIS instrument that I am learning to play?

From a practical perspective, this is how many festivals and workshops ask us to assess ourselves as we enroll in classes and workshops.  I learned this first hand when I started the Colorado Dulcimer Festival many years ago.  This was the question asked both by the students and the teachers with whom we contracted to pr…

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Blue Water Thinking

by Linda Ratcliff

Creativity is a wild mind and a disciplined eye. - Dorothy Parker






My husband and I moved this week, and we now live in our RV on Watts Bar Lake in Tennessee. We have a beautiful view of the lake, right out our back window. Actually, we’re parked on a peninsula, so we can see water from every window in the RV.

I began to wonder if the change in scenery would have any impact on my creativity, so I did some research. I found an article about how our surroundings impact creative think…

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Original Music on DulcimerCrossing

by Linda Ratcliff

Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.  


Original Tunes by Steve Eulberg

Sometimes we forget to count our blessings.  And one very BIG blessing we have at Dulcimer Crossing is Steve Eulberg.

He is our co-founder, teacher, performing artist, and song-writer.  Several of our lessons feature original tunes by Steve. 
  • Elk in the Meadow
  • Club Footed Jib
  • Blacktail Weasel & the Ground Squirrel Cl…

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Are You Hooked on Dulcimers?

by Linda Ratcliff

Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire. - Unknown




Proverbs 23:7 says, “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.” So what do you think about the most? What's close to your heart?  For many of you - it’s all about your dulcimer and dulcimer music, dulcimer events, dulcimer friends, dulcimer accessories. Here’s a little test to check your dulci-meter.

You might be hooked on dulcimers if …
  • When you get in the car, you pop in a dulcimer CD.
  • You have a 10” 3-ring …

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Rich Chords Part 1 & 2

by Linda Ratcliff & Steve Eulberg

Your life will be richer when you use rich chords. - Steve Eulberg

Recently, we uploaded a new series of lessons about how to play Rich Chords on the hammered dulcimer. Rich chords are chords that have other notes added to them, in addition to the 3 notes that go with either the major or the minor chords. To set the stage for building rich chords, in this video Steve begins the series by explaining the basis or construction of major and minor chords.

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Marie's Story

by Linda Ratcliff

How the musical score of Marie's life was forever changed ...




One of our followers, Marie, shared her personal musical journey with us, and told how playing the dulcimer has impacted her life. I was touched by her story, and got her permission to share it with all of you.  From Marie ... "I just read your story about how you grew up learning music. You are so very fortunate. I always had it in me too, but I was not allowed to play music until I married my sweet husband, Bill. H…

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Find Somewhere Quiet

by Linda Ratcliff

It is in that quiet place at our center that we hear the whispers of our soul. - Sue Krebs




Find somewhere quiet. This almost seems too obvious to really need to say. But it's important.  Many of you probably have a special room, or your own corner of the living room for practicing your dulcimer. When you have a designated quiet place to practice, you will be less likely to cave in to distractions.

In addition, going to your special practice area helps prepare you mentally for gett…

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Trust Your Practice

by Steve Eulberg While at Camp Kiya at Tehachapi Mountain Park, Steve records the following tip for Habits for Your Healthy Music Habitat.

This is part of a weekly email video benefit that all of our Premium Members at DulcimerCrossing receive.  Subscribe and you can receive it, too!

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Does My Dog Love My Dulcimer Music?

by Linda Ratcliff

Where there are dogs and music, people have a good time.




I've always wondered if my hammered dulcimer music hurts my dog's ears. When I was in college and practiced piano for hours at a time, my dad would escape to the garage in desperation and hammer nails for a while, and my dog would eventually start to howl.

Today, when I'm practicing on my hammered dulcimer, I play some pretty high tones. But Keyla always sits in the chair right next to me and stays with me the whole time. Do…

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