Festival Instructors

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Mark Wade brings a rare combination of talent and creativity, with years of training, practice and teaching - all hiding behind a big goofy grin. This former Winfield hammer dulcimer champ is one of the best song arrangers I've ever worked with and he'll conduct workshops in arrangement, as well as how to prepare yourself for playing in contests.

Other than run away, what should a guitarist do when teamed up with a hammer dulcimer? Guitarist Bob McMurray and Mark Wade have played together for years and Bob will explain his approach to playing backup guitar. Bob's other classes will help take the mystery out of 'cool' changes and offer a practical approach to quick chord changes.

If you've ever carried your instrument into an Irish music session you've probably noticed there's a set of unspoken rules the players seem to be following. Randy Clepper is a veteran session player and he intends to let you in on the secrets in a workshop open to all instruments. His other classes will include playing guitar in the DADGAD tuning scheme as well as bouzouki workshops which will be open to other members of the mandolin family.

In my classes, Dan Landrum, we'll look at the hammer dulcimer (diatonic and linear) through the eyes of a percussionist as we explore fundamental techniques and exercises that will ease your playing and help you lay down solid backup grooves. Dampers are recommended, by not required. We'll also look at how using the computer program "Band in a Box" can make your practice time much more fun while introducing you to new worlds of musical styles.

David Mahler began studying with Mark Wade in 2001 after they met at a TX dulcimer festival. Three years later, David is now the youngest national dulcimer champion in the contest's history. David will be performing some of his favorite pieces, including some jazz, classical, and Texas swing fiddle tunes.

Whether strung backwards, turned upside down and played like a guitar, or on his lap amidst a fury of bent strings, Butch Ross is forging new and exciting directions on the mountain dulcimer. Butch's students will learn to think outside the hourglass. He will show beginners how to use that ubiquitous first tune "Boil Dem Cabbage" as a way to learn basic theory, take important first steps toward learning tunes by ear and hang in jams with considerably more advanced players.

Don't ask Christie Burns where she's from-- she's been moving around with her hammered dulcimer for ten years now, picking up tunes and techniques in every spot. Her repertoire charts her journey from New Jersey to California
to Ireland to Kentucky. When you learn a tune from Christie, you learn more than just the notes-- you learn the art of real musical expression. Christie's classes will show you how to dig up your old tunes and breathe new life into them with a focus on dynamics.

As I explained the concept of the Chattanooga Dulcimer Festival to players around the country, I heard the same message, "You've got to get Stephen Seifert". Well, we got him, for one day at least. Stephen's Saturday master class will take you on a musical journey from inspiring renditions of traditional tunes to creating contemporary arrangements that will fill your repertoire with songs YOU like.
- Dan Landrum