Traditional Noter Style Mountain Dulcimer
1/2 Day Workshop
Saturday, June 28th 9 am - noon MDT
We will be playing in the traditional style, featuring noter technique and the tunes and tunings that fit well together.
The old “slidy” sound with drones is balm for our souls and a lovely and accessible way to play the music.
Approaching this traditional style of playing from different perspectives, we can compare and contrast in order to support YOUR chosen style.
Screen to Screen Zoom Class, PDF handouts, .mp3 files for priming the pump and reinforcement, plus archive video.
Steve's Noter Grip (Left Hand)
Steve plays with his index finger on top
Aubrey's Noter Grip (Left Hand)
Aubrey plays with her thumb on top
The Quill or Pick (Right Hand)
The "when" hand drives the rhythm and keeps the tune moving.
Most Zoom classes involve teachers who are remote from each other, but for this special event,
Steve and Aubrey will be in the same room,
broadcasting to you,
with the help of Erin Mae Lewis!
Aubrey's Noter-Style Workshop
Participants will explore Aubrey's noter playing style, as modeled by Jean Ritchie and other source musicians. Noter style is an ancient and haunting method of fretting the mountain dulcimer's melody string with a small stick while the other strings drone. Aubrey will share four songs in four traditional noter-style tunings and modes: DAD (Mixolydian), DAC (Aeolian), DAA (Ionian), and DAG (Dorian).
We will also use the dulcimer as a harmony voice while singing and explore a few tricks such as sliding, hammering down, and pulling off.
Here is an example of Aubrey's Noterstyle Playing
When I Was A Fair Maid—>
Steve's Noter-Style Workshop
The Galax style of noter-and-quill playing is one that captures Steve's attention, the way he learned from Phyllis Gaskins and Don Neuhauser. The strings in this tuning are all tuned to high d-d-d-d which can be duplicated on standard mountain dulcimers of our era. This can work if you are playing 3 or 4-string dulcimer. We'll learn how to strip the feather quills (see if you can find turkey, goose or hawk or crow feathers and bring them to the workshop.)
<—Steve plays Old Black Cat, in the Galax, noter & quill style.
Aubrey Atwater has nearly 40 years of experience
...discovering, playing and teaching mountain dulcimer. A graduate of Brown University, she is also a poet, banjo player and dancer.
Steve Eulberg has 45 years of experience
...discovering, playing and teaching mountain dulcimer. He earned a Master of Music Education from Boston University with a goal of teaching traditional music on traditional instruments.
Erin Mae Lewis will provide technical hosting & support for this event.
Erin Mae has been playing mountain dulcimer since she was 7, teaching music lessons online since 2015, and group classes on Zoom since 2019. Her patient and cheerful instruction will help you overcome any technical tribulations you encounter!
You can reach her at erin.dulcimer@gmail.com
or (785)614-4061 text
The traditional way of learning is...
knee to knee or in our case, screen to screen.
Students will receive .mp3 sound files to listen before class to the tunes we'll be learning, together with the reinforcement of written tablature.
Finally, a video archive of each session is provided to students as well.
The Dulcimer Community is welcoming....
This course gives you the skills to enter into jam sessions of traditional music and strum along with enthusiasm and joy!
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Dulcimer Crossing
“[Aubrey] A sterling example of how traditional music is alive. ”
Rich Warren
The Midnight Special & Folkstage, Chicago, IL
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Dulcimer Crossing
“Steve is a master musician and a master teacher who teaches the basics but also challenges even advanced players. He is patient and encouraging and approaches music with a great sense of humor.”
Online Student
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Dulcimer Crossing
“[Aubrey] Your music is the only folk music I remotely like. ”
Kate Fusco
age 14, Foster, RI
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Dulcimer Crossing
“[Steve] Truly inspiring, and face it, it's pretty hard to inspire someone to want to practice, lol.”
Online Student
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Dulcimer Crossing
“[Atwater-Donnelly] Vocally and instrumentally strong and very distinctive their ability to weave disparate strands together into a seamless whole ... ”
Rock 'n' Reel Magazine
Cumbria, England
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Dulcimer Crossing
“Steve is a wonderful Instructor - welcomes questions and takes the time to answer in a manner that everyone can use to better their playing experience.”
Online Student
