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Lessons Learned from Sandcastles
 (No sandcastles were harmed in the shooting of these photos.) We live just 1 hour from South Padre Island, and we go there to enjoy a meal with a view of the water at least once a month. While we're on the island, we usually take the time to look for sandcastles. I’m always blown away by the artistry and detail in them, and they can be found all over the island. We… |
Wendy Songe Workshop: New Beginnings
Wendy Songe, who has had to learn a LOT of new things in the past year, will share with us the treasures from her learning on Thurs, Oct 23rd at 5 pm MDT (=4 pm PDT, 6 pm CDT, 7 pm EDT).
There are three ways you can join us for this exciting event!
1. This workshop is a benefit for Workshop and Mentor level members of the DulcimerCrossing.
On the day of the workshop, simply log in and choose Upcoming Events from the Live Events Menu at the top of the page
and choose Wendy's workshop
a…
The Blessings of Music
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“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind,
flight to the imagination and life to everything.” - Plato The Blessings of Music  I’ve been around music all my life, for as long as I can remember. In fact, I don’t think there’s ever been a time when I didn’t have a tune in my head or a piece of music (or instrument) in my hands. Music runs in our family. My grandmother was a concert pianist and traveled all over Europe – even playing for the queen of England. We always had a pia… |
New Years Resolutions for Dulcimerists
A New Year is like a blank book, and your dulcimer is in your hands.
It is your chance to write a beautiful story for yourself.
By Linda Ratcliff
New Year's Resolutions for Dulcimerists
The New Year is coming up in just a few days, and now is the perfect time to make some musical resolutions! As usual, I've made a list of resolutions that are fun, and they will support any practical music goals you’ve set for yourself.
- Establish a regular practice time. It's not as easy as it sounds to ge…
Training Your Auto-Pilot
by Linda Ratcliff
Don't practice until you get it right! Practice until your auto-pilot takes over and you can't get it wrong. - Linda Ratcliff
Training Your Auto-Pilot
There is something we all have in common.
Once we were ALL beginners. And do you remember when you went to a jam session for the very first time? You might have purchased a brand new dulcimer, or maybe you were given a hand-me-down that you cleaned up and polished. Maybe you had a teacher that guided you through some basics and…
Once we were ALL beginners. And do you remember when you went to a jam session for the very first time? You might have purchased a brand new dulcimer, or maybe you were given a hand-me-down that you cleaned up and polished. Maybe you had a teacher that guided you through some basics and…
Make a Goal
by Linda Ratcliff
Make a Goal List in Your Journal ... Every Week
Goals in writing are dreams with deadlines. - Unknown
Make a Goal List in Your Journal ... Every Week
My husband and I recently moved in with my daughter and her family about 4 weeks ago (there are now 7 of us at the dinner table), and she donated her formal dining room for me to set up as my music room. I LOVE it. I have all my instruments set up within easy reach. And as soon as everyone is out of the house, I usually pick up my hammers and practice for a while.
But I…
Map Out Your Practice like a Workout
by Linda Ratcliff
Map out your practice session out like a workout. When athletes are getting ready to go for a run, they usually warm up first with some stretches to loosen their muscles. Then they walk for 3-5 minutes, gradually working up to a brisk walk, then jogging, and finally breaking out into a full-steam-ahead run. As they end their run and the workout, most athletes cool down by walking briskly at first and then slower, and finally ending with a few more stretches.
For musicians, a pret…
Map out your practice session out like a workout. When athletes are getting ready to go for a run, they usually warm up first with some stretches to loosen their muscles. Then they walk for 3-5 minutes, gradually working up to a brisk walk, then jogging, and finally breaking out into a full-steam-ahead run. As they end their run and the workout, most athletes cool down by walking briskly at first and then slower, and finally ending with a few more stretches.
For musicians, a pret…
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
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…
In addition, going to your special practice area helps prepare you mentally for gett…
I Have to Practice every day...
by Linda Ratcliff
...to play as bad as I do. —Woody Allen
Woody Allen (born Allan Stewart Konigsberg) is a passionate fan of jazz, and jazz music has often been featured prominently in the soundtracks of his movies. He started playing the clarinet when he was a teenager and actually chose his stage name, Woody, after the famous clarinet player Woody Herman.
Woody will be 81 in December, and these days he is performing with the Eddy David New Orleans Jazz Band. They play every Monday night at th…
...to play as bad as I do. —Woody Allen
Woody Allen (born Allan Stewart Konigsberg) is a passionate fan of jazz, and jazz music has often been featured prominently in the soundtracks of his movies. He started playing the clarinet when he was a teenager and actually chose his stage name, Woody, after the famous clarinet player Woody Herman.
Woody will be 81 in December, and these days he is performing with the Eddy David New Orleans Jazz Band. They play every Monday night at th…
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