Home Again

I'm slowly catching up on dozens of tasks now that I'm back home from my two week road trip of concerts and workshops. In the coming days I'll post pictures and share a few stories but I wanted to share an excerpt from an email I received upon returning home that made my day! I've edited it only to make it anonymous. The writer attended one of my classes at the Upper Potomac Dulcimer Festival (UPDF). While it is certainly nice to hear that people enjoy a class it is thrilling to hear from students that put the techniques I teach into practice:

"(Since the class) I have practiced more hours per day and
use my metronome most of the time. We all really enjoyed the “permission” to play
a little louder and harder than ever before while taking a class.
I have not learned to play one new tune since the festival. But I have
created more music! I can now single, double and triple roll when I make the
choice, a lot of the time and getting better. Your focus on rhythm, so
obvious to me now, was that special thing I went to UPDF to find.

If I may be so bold to suggest a project, profitable for you and a learning
opportunity for developing HD players. If you could create a CD that would
not teach tunes but style and rhythm. Some 2 or 4 or 6 measure licks that
could be used to train listening and timing skills. A listen and play along
CD similar to your approach in the Advanced Beginners Toolbox class.
An opportunity to play along, at some musical aerobic workout level, for the
development of rhythm and timing would be just the ticket. You provide the
metronome, buried in the fun of what people play the dulcimer for. I’ll be
your first customer.

I have spent hundreds of hours learning a dozen or so great tunes but almost
no style or magic. I had learned a small amount of heart but no heartbeat,
no “Hammer Rhythm” only song rhythm. I am now experiencing the fun of
playing the dulcimer I was looking for. You helped me find that.

It is my belief motion and emotion is the basis for most learning. You have
the gift of creating both in a teachable moment."

The teaching CD suggested above is in the works now and will also contain a book and DVD. Thanks for the suggestions. ¶ 10:38 AM