Workshops
Workshops Offered:
Ellen teaches several workshops at many different levels. Contact her for more information about these topics. Workshops are available for festivals (in-person or virtual) or dulcimer groups.
Dulcimer 101-All the basics for beginning dulcimer players DAA or DAD-Beginner
Dulcimer 102- The next steps for new players-Beginner
Stressless Strumming- the basics of strumming and various strum patterns will be discussed and practiced-Beginner/Novice
Moving from DAA to DAD- this class moves students from DAA tuning to the more common DAD tuning-Novice
Nimble Fingers-The basics of fingerpicking-Novice/Intermediate
Dulci-robics- Gentle stretches and finger exercises to prevent injury-All levels
Ensemble Music for Beginners-New to ensemble playing? This will get you started!
Ensemble Music for Intermediates-Repertoire for intermediate players
Ensemble Music for Advanced Players-Repertoire for advanced players
Writing Ensemble Music- Have you always wanted to try writing ensemble pieces? Learn the steps to create beautiful pieces. Advanced
Tearless Tuning- Getting comfortable tuning to different keys-Intermediate
Darn Good Ditties- DGD tunes-Novice/Intermediate
Darn Good Ditties II-More DGD tunes-Novice/Intermediate
Minor Tunes in DAC-learn some great tunes in a minor key! Intermediate
Playing Chords in Jams- Learning chords so you can play in a jam when you don’t know the melody of a jam tune-Beginner/Novice
Jam Tune Repertoire- a variety of easy to play jam tunes for beginner and novice players
Jam Etiquette/Playing with Others in a Jam- The do’s and don’ts of playing in a jam-Beginner
Deciphering Songs By Ear- Learning to play songs that you hear but don’t know-Intermediate
Chord Progressions- Learning various ways to make chords and how to choose the right chord for a piece; moving from one chord to another-Intermediate
Songs of the Civil War- Civil War repertoire-Intermediate
Singing with Your Dulcimer- Repertoire of songs to sing with your dulcimer-Novice/Intermediate
Songs for Children- Repertoire of songs great to sing with children-Novice/Intermediate
Galax Tunes- The history of the Galax dulcimer, tools used to play one, and a couple of songs to boot! Intermediate
Ballads and Broadsides- Repertoire that served as warnings or spread the news from long ago-Intermediate
American Folk Songs- Songs from the Carter Family, Stephen Foster, and other early American composers-Intermediate
Patriotic Songs for the Dulcimer-Repertoire perfect for National holidays-Intermediate
Winter Holiday Songs for the Dulcimer-Repertoire for the winter months-Novice/Intermediate
Appalachian Crankies- A hands-on workshop making a small crankie (old-fashioned moving picture)-All levels
Banjo for Beginners- The basics for beginning clawhammer banjo players
Ellen teaches several workshops at many different levels. Contact her for more information about these topics. Workshops are available for festivals (in-person or virtual) or dulcimer groups.
Dulcimer 101-All the basics for beginning dulcimer players DAA or DAD-Beginner
Dulcimer 102- The next steps for new players-Beginner
Stressless Strumming- the basics of strumming and various strum patterns will be discussed and practiced-Beginner/Novice
Moving from DAA to DAD- this class moves students from DAA tuning to the more common DAD tuning-Novice
Nimble Fingers-The basics of fingerpicking-Novice/Intermediate
Dulci-robics- Gentle stretches and finger exercises to prevent injury-All levels
Ensemble Music for Beginners-New to ensemble playing? This will get you started!
Ensemble Music for Intermediates-Repertoire for intermediate players
Ensemble Music for Advanced Players-Repertoire for advanced players
Writing Ensemble Music- Have you always wanted to try writing ensemble pieces? Learn the steps to create beautiful pieces. Advanced
Tearless Tuning- Getting comfortable tuning to different keys-Intermediate
Darn Good Ditties- DGD tunes-Novice/Intermediate
Darn Good Ditties II-More DGD tunes-Novice/Intermediate
Minor Tunes in DAC-learn some great tunes in a minor key! Intermediate
Playing Chords in Jams- Learning chords so you can play in a jam when you don’t know the melody of a jam tune-Beginner/Novice
Jam Tune Repertoire- a variety of easy to play jam tunes for beginner and novice players
Jam Etiquette/Playing with Others in a Jam- The do’s and don’ts of playing in a jam-Beginner
Deciphering Songs By Ear- Learning to play songs that you hear but don’t know-Intermediate
Chord Progressions- Learning various ways to make chords and how to choose the right chord for a piece; moving from one chord to another-Intermediate
Songs of the Civil War- Civil War repertoire-Intermediate
Singing with Your Dulcimer- Repertoire of songs to sing with your dulcimer-Novice/Intermediate
Songs for Children- Repertoire of songs great to sing with children-Novice/Intermediate
Galax Tunes- The history of the Galax dulcimer, tools used to play one, and a couple of songs to boot! Intermediate
Ballads and Broadsides- Repertoire that served as warnings or spread the news from long ago-Intermediate
American Folk Songs- Songs from the Carter Family, Stephen Foster, and other early American composers-Intermediate
Patriotic Songs for the Dulcimer-Repertoire perfect for National holidays-Intermediate
Winter Holiday Songs for the Dulcimer-Repertoire for the winter months-Novice/Intermediate
Appalachian Crankies- A hands-on workshop making a small crankie (old-fashioned moving picture)-All levels
Banjo for Beginners- The basics for beginning clawhammer banjo players
