ISBN 9781610655774. This book presents fretted dulcimer arrangements of 58 Stephen Collins Foster classics. Each song is written as a melody line in standard notation with dulcimer tablature beneath plus complete lyrics, historical notes, and suggested guitar chords. Cover graphics from the original nineteenth century sheet music publications lend grace and authenticity, and songwriters and music historians will find much interest in this book. The tunings used are DAD, DAA, DGD, and DAA#D. Intended for experienced beginners to intermediate players, many of these pieces require a 6 1/2 fret dulcimer and a capo. The author includes an insightful essay on the life of Stephen Foster (1826-1864)-a gifted, once successful songwriter whose career decisions and abuse of alcohol lead to personal financial disaster, a broken family, and an early death. His legacy is a treasury of songs reflecting the social issues and romantic illusions of his time. Contains both well-known and lesser known tunes in notation and tablature. Includes access to online audio that contains 33 of the book's 58 tunes.

ISBN 9781619114104. This classic collection provides fretted dulcimer players with an authentic Irish repertoire. The 31 selections include jigs, slides, hornpipes, polkas, reels, slow airs, harp tunes, and songs. Accompaniment chords and musical notation are provided for other instruments. The modal music of Ireland fits well to the modal techniques and nuances of the dulcimer. It can drone like the uillean pipes, be rhythmic as a bodhran, and melodic like a fiddle. Lois gives the dulcimer player an important introduction to the techniques of applying Irish music to the dulcimer. Consider this the beginning of a new approach to an old music, and a point of departure for your own interpretations of tunes you love.

ISBN 9781513459127. 8.75x11.75 inches.

With over 70 fiddle tunes arranged for Appalachian dulcimer, this book includes both common session tunes that everyone should know and a handful of obscure gems. The tunes include a representative collection of what people are playing in the current old-time music scene. The author has indicated the source of the tune when known, plus notes on achieving the proper feel and playing style.Although a few of the arrangements are real finger-twisters, most are well within the reach of the intermediate dulcimer player. Some tunes are written for old-time noter style playing, some are best fretted with your fingers. All of the arrangements include suggested chords for guitar or other instruments. One or two include lyrics; most do not.Old-time tunes tend to be played in fiddle-friendly keys like D, G, A (major and minor), and C. Although you can play in most of those keys out of DAD tuning, the music really comes alive when you re-tune and let those drones ring. Tunings include DAA, DAD, DGD, AAA and more. The author includes notes on how to re-tune your dulcimer, as well as alternative tunings for some of the tunes.The author says, This book represents the fruits of over fifty years spent chasing down a good tune.Includes access to online audio of all of the tunes played on solo dulcimer.