Mountain Dulcimer Classes with DJ Hamouris
Mountain Dulcimer is one of the easiest & most fulfilling instruments to play. Once it’s tuned you can hardly make a mistake. And though it’s beautiful with “high piney” tunes from the Appalachian Mountains, it also lends itself to more contemporary music.
Regardless of your experience playing Mountain Dulcimer, DJ has something to offer you. From learning the basics of playing and how to play with others, to learning more advanced tuning and playing techniques – DJ is here to guide your on your musical journey.
DJ Hamouris / Deborah Hamouris (DJ to her friends) teaches mountain dulcimer online (via Zoom), at Berkeley’s Freight & Salvage, and in her Oakland home.
DJ makes learning the Mountain Dulcimer fun and easy!
Intro to Mountain Dulcimer
Absolute Beginners
Early registration ends 4/20/21 (save $10)
6 Wednesdays, 5/5 – 6/9
7:00-8:15pm PDT
$139.50-$155.00
Online via Zoom!
In these 6 classes you learn 2 tunings, a couple of tunes each meeting, how to follow dulcimer tablature, some chords and strums to help you out with your musical pursuits. You’ll get to know the fretboard, how to fret with multiple fingers, how to coordinate your left & right hands to create fun & beautiful music with the sweet sounds of the mountain dulcimer.
Mountain Dulcimer Tunes with a Capo
(Advanced Beginner to Intermediate
students)
Early registration ends 4/20/21 (save $10)
5:30-6:45pm PDT
Mountain Dulcimer 2
6 Tuesdays, 3/9-3/13/21,
4-5:15 pm, Pacific Time
Online via Zoom! Registration: $150.00 via PayPal
This 6-week class is designed for those who have taken Intro to Mountain Dulcimer or have some familiarity on their instrument*. You will explore scales, finger-dexterity exercises, and chords in two tunings. New tunes will be presented each week in the chord-melody and cross-string techniques. Ornaments, such as hammers, pulls and slides, will be incorporated into lessons & applied to tunes.
*Pre-requisites: comfort with tuning and tablature, some melody tune experience, understanding of fretting and basic strums, and a nodding acquaintance with chords.
Mountain Dulcimer Chord Boot Camp
6 Wednesdays, 3/10-4/14/21, 7-8:15pm Pacific Time
Online via Zoom!
In every band or jam there are different roles for players: lead, singers, back-up or rhythm. With basic knowledge of chords, mountain dulcimer players can join the jam or offer accompaniment to singing.
In this class you’ll learn what makes a chord & why, basic chords in the keys of D, A & G, a little bit of the Nashville number system, chord shapes on the dulcimer fret board, strum patterns, and how to hold the rhythm down with the right harmonies. We’ll experiment with the locations of these chords up & down the fret board. We’ll also look at how to add harmony to melodies and create simple chord/melody arrangements on the fly.
You should have basic understanding of the fret board, have some familiarity with playing cross-string technique, and be willing to get better with all of that!
Intermediate Mountain Dulcimer Tunes
6 week class, Online via Zoom!
Write to get on list for next class – deborahj@djhamouris.com
No-Tab Jam!!
2nd Sunday Monthly, 2-3:30pm Pacific Time
Spring schedule: 3/14, 4/11, 5/9
Online via Zoom! Register via PayPal
Learn by watching! Teach your memorized tunes! Bring 2 or more tunes you know by heart to share/teach/lead with the group. DJ will help you lead. Everyone plays the tune til we all get it! Calling chords is super! Sharing your own arrangements in tab after the event is an option for study.
Good resources include Stephen Seifert’s “Join the Jam DAD” and Dave Haas’ “Let’s Jam!”
Intermediate Mountain Dulcimer Ensemble
6 week class offered when we can meet in person, again. Write to get on list for next class – deborahj@djhamouris.com
Periodic Classes
Medieval & Renaissance Tunes
Duets for Standard Mountain Dulcimers
English Country Dances
Fiddle Tunes
Aeolian Tunes for Beginners
Berkeley Dulcimer Orchestra (open to all levels beyond beginner, meeting in person when safe, again.)
Private lessons with DJ
Do you learn best one on one? Working directly with a teacher will address your specific needs and desires in learning to play the mountain dulcimer. Whether you’re a complete beginner or more advanced, together we can get your playing to where you’re satisfied with both technique and music choices. DJ has the experience and resources to help you take your playing where you want to go.
DJ teaches online via zoom and in person (when safe) in her Oakland home studio. Write or call to discuss and schedule a lesson.
(510) 910-2574 deborahj@djhamouris.com
My Dulcimer Family
Our home collection of Mountain Dulcimers!
Contact Info
DJ Hamouris
Oakland, California
(510) 910-2574