Forum Activity for @kimberly-burnette-dean

Forming a Dulcimer Group -tips?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I would like to thank everyone for all of the helpful suggestions!  Our November meeting had about 6 people there.  Our December meeting had 7.  Our January meeting last Saturday?   We had 22 people!!!  YES!  So, it was not all dulcimer players.  We had a couple of ukulele players and a guitar player, but 22 people!!!!  YES!!!!!  Some of the people that attended are very interested in becoming dulcimer players and they wanted to come and learn what it was like to play the dulcimer.  (I think we have some budding dulcimer players!!!)

Ironically enough, we were SO busy in the library that day (I am the assistant branch manager at the library where we are having the library-sponsored dulcimer meeting), that I was trapped at the main circulation desk helping all of the patrons of the library!  I didn't even get to take my dulcimer out of the case and join in the fun.  :(

Even though I didn't get to join in, I am so excited that there is so much interest in the group!

 

I just wanted to share an update with you all!  

Forming a Dulcimer Group -tips?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I would like to thank everyone for all of the helpful suggestions!  Our November meeting had about 6 people there.  Our December meeting had 7.  Our January meeting last Saturday?   We had 22 people!!!  YES!  So, it was not all dulcimer players.  We had a couple of ukulele players and a guitar player, but 22 people!!!!  YES!!!!!  Some of the people that attended are very interested in becoming dulcimer players and they wanted to come and learn what it was like to play the dulcimer.  (I think we have some budding dulcimer players!!!)

Ironically enough, we were SO busy in the library that day (I am the assistant branch manager at the library where we are having the library-sponsored dulcimer meeting), that I was trapped at the main circulation desk helping all of the patrons of the library!  I didn't even get to take my dulcimer out of the case and join in the fun.  :(

Even though I didn't get to join in, I am so excited that there is so much interest in the group!

 

I just wanted to share an update with you all!  

Leading a Jam

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I suspect that our meeting that is coming up this Saturday will be very small.  I will be very happy if we have 5 people show up, but I want to make sure that it is a good experience so that people will return for future meetings.  

Leading a Jam

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@Strumelia, I am a fan of yours also!  :)

 

Thanks to everyone for more great advice!!   I will report back after we have our meeting this coming Saturday and let you know how it went!   

Forming a Dulcimer Group -tips?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks everyone!  I have printed out your responses and made many notes.  I can't thank you all enough for your great advice.  We have tried to meet several times and the weather has been against us.  One time, there were dereche-type winds that prevented many from coming out.  Another time, flooding rains.  Now that winter is approaching, we will probably have massive snow storms!  LOL!!!!

Leading a Jam

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I suspect that this information may already be on this site somewhere and I am not as familiar as I should be with how to do an effective search.  So, please, if it is available, just point me in the right direction!

I got so much great advice on starting a dulcimer group that I wanted to ask you all another question.  Even though I have been playing the dulcimer for over 30 years, I have very seldom played with others.  Now that I am starting this group, I need some tips on how to lead jams.  ANY information on leading a fun and effective jam would be greatly appreciated!!

(The few times that i have played with more than one other dulcimer, I have a horrible time hearing the sound coming from my dulcimer because it seems that I can hear everyone but my dulcimer.  That usually makes me quit playing because I can't tell what I am playing.)  

Forming a Dulcimer Group -tips?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

WOW!!!!  Thanks for all of the great advice!  I am going to print it out and look it all over.   I am fortunate because I work at a library and I am doing this as a library program.  We will be moving into a beautiful new library next month, so the facility is wonderful!  I am sure that I will have more questions about your wonderful comments.  Thank you!!!!!!

Forming a Dulcimer Group -tips?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I would love to meet you too, Robin!!!  Thanks for giving me Laura's name!

Forming a Dulcimer Group -tips?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Good afternoon everyone!

I have been absent from the world of dulcimers for several years, but I am jumping back in with both feet!  We are trying to form a dulcimer group in the Roanoke Valley area of Virginia.  The question that I have from you is this:  Can you give me any helpful hints for forming a successful group?   If you belong to a group, would you be willing to share what you do in a typical meeting . . . like what type of agenda you usually follow?  

At this point, we have made plans to meet monthly for two hours.  We are welcoming beginning players so that we can share our knowledge.  Should we set aside something like the last 30 minutes to work with beginners?

 

Any and all helpful hints would be GREATLY appreciated!!

Thanks!!!

Kimberly