ISBN 9781619118027.

Standard notation and a simple alpha-numerical tablature system are used to present this unusual collection of pre-18th Century tunes for the standard 12/11-course hammered dulcimer. Creating a hybrid of folk and classical elements, Carol Koenig has expanded the repertoire of the hammered dulcimer with melodies from France, Spain, England, and Scotland. The tunes are first presented in a simple melodic statement, then in a more complex harmonized version. The author insists that it is not necessary to be an outstanding sight reader to make beautiful music on the hammered dulcimer, or with this book.

ISBN 9781513454986.

This collection for mountain dulcimer players includes two dozen wedding pieces in DAD tuning derived from the folk traditions of the British Isles and Americas Appalachian community. The melodies appear in both dulcimer tablature and music notation with suggested backup chords. Arrangements for a second dulcimer player are also included. An original song entitled Many Butterflies is provided as a wedding gift from author Madeline MacNeil! Haste to the Wedding, and the marrying couple then asks each other to Give Me Your Hand.

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 9781513455037.

This treasury of beloved classical music favorites is specially arranged for hammered dulcimers by master dulcimer performer and teacher, Dr. Mark Alan Wade. A splendid compilation of familiar pieces, each one is painstakingly edited to preserve the composers imagination and spirit while distilled into dulcimer reductions playable with only two hammers. Enjoy playing favorites like Jesu, Joy of Mans Desiring, Fur Elise, Clair de lune, and many more cherished titles by celebrated composers including Vivaldi, Telemann, Schubert, Mozart, Boccherini, Tchaikovsky, Saint-Saens, Faure, Schumann, Brahms, Satie, Haydn and more! Each gem is set in dulcimer-friendly keys fitting within a chromatic 16/15 range with the melody clearly displayed in the upper voice for intermediate players, and with the supportive chords and countermelodies in the lower voice for more advanced players. Guitar chords are added above the melodies whenever appropriate to allow you to embellish with your own chord patterns, if preferred. With 51 pieces, 12 duets, 36 composers, and a range of musical eras spanning 285 years, this book is a compendium to enjoy for a lifetime! Reference recordings of each piece are available online, created electronically with life-like Steinway grand piano samples. This digital audio is rhythmically perfect and expressively performed with authentic interpretations that are appropriate for each era. For real audio recordings, check out my album, Serenade!