persistence

Mar 15, 2024 11:01am

By Linda Ratcliff

Under mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, practice, performance, persistence & mindset

2 min read

How to Fix "I CAN'T"

I think I’ve told you before, I get pretty nervous when I perform. Now I did OK at the craft mall and the Butterfly Palace in Branson where I played 6 to 8 hours a day. While I was playing, people were walking around, and only a few sat down and really focused their undivided attention on what I was doing. But put me in front of a crowd to do a solo and my hammers start shaking.

This goes back to my childhood. My grandmother was a concert pianist who even played for Queen Elizabeth. My mother e…

Mar 15, 2024 11:01am

By Linda Ratcliff

Under mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, practice, performance, persistence & mindset

2 min read

Feb 1, 2024 10:24am

By Linda Ratcliff

Under mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, practice, persistence & self-assessment

3 min read

Are You Stuck?

If you live in one of the northern states, this time of year getting stuck in the snow is a real concern. If you’re retired, you just stay home when there’s a fresh snowfall that the city hasn’t yet cleared. But if you have a job, you have to get out in it anyway. And sometimes you get stuck.

The same can happen with your music. Let me ask you a few questions.

Are you satisfied with the pace of your progress?
Do you have a clear understanding of what you should be practicing next?
Do you h…

Feb 1, 2024 10:24am

By Linda Ratcliff

Under mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, practice, persistence & self-assessment

3 min read

Oct 14, 2021 06:00am

By Linda Ratcliff

Under preparation, strategies, persistence & Practice

4 min read

Avoid Dulcimer Burn-Out

Where does musical burn-out come from? From what I’ve seen, we all start out from the same place.

We want to learn an instrument.
We take lessons.
We keep getting better, day by day.
We leave the house with our instrument and jam with others.
We pursue our musical dreams, some of us with long-range goals.

Our time is filled with playing the dulcimer. We read, eat, breath, live dulcimer music. We put a ton of time into practice, watching tutorials, preparing for contests, attending conc…

Oct 14, 2021 06:00am

By Linda Ratcliff

Under preparation, strategies, persistence & Practice

4 min read

Sep 30, 2021 05:44am

By Linda Ratcliff

Under practice, progress & persistence

3 min read

Bloom Where You Are Planted

Bloom Where You Are Planted

I saw this lovely flower in the parking lot of a motel in Mackinaw City this summer. All around the plant, there was nothing but asphalt and concrete. The sun was beating down and it was hot. But the plant was standing up proud and beautiful, blooming right where it sprouted up between the sidewalk and our parking space.

I shot this photo because it reminded me of some of our Dulcimer Crossing members. A few are the only dulcimer player in their entire town. They …

Sep 30, 2021 05:44am

By Linda Ratcliff

Under practice, progress & persistence

3 min read

Sep 16, 2021 01:22pm

By Linda Ratcliff

Under practice, progress, performance & persistence

5 min read

Lessons Learned from Sandcastles

The man who stands firm to protect his sandcastle can never
be depended on, for he has lost his common sense.

(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…

Sep 16, 2021 01:22pm

By Linda Ratcliff

Under practice, progress, performance & persistence

5 min read

Blog

persistence

How to Fix "I CAN'T"

Are You Stuck?

Avoid Dulcimer Burn-Out

Bloom Where You Are Planted

Lessons Learned from Sandcastles

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