A first-hand report on an effort to enlarge our knowledge of the dulcimer's history by searching the hills and "hollers" of Appalachia, looking at old instruments, and listening to the tales of old folks.
Appalachian Dulcimer Traditions
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Library Journal
The Appalachian dulcimer is one of America's major contributions to world music and folk art. Homemade, handmade, and easy to play by people with no formal knowledge of music, the dulcimer has been around for centuries. For this first-hand report on the history of the instrument, the author searched the hills of Appalachia looking at dulcimers and listening to tales of the old folks. Those tales are woven together in this complete and thorough book that reveals little-known facts about the dulcimer's origins on the early Appalachian frontier and its design traditions. Instruments of the best-known makers are analyzed by the author, who is a leading authority on the history of the dulcimer. Included are listings of dulcimer recordings in the Archive of Folk Culture of the Library of Congress. A good choice for libraries with strong music/ethnomusicology collections.?Eric C. Shoaf, Brown Univ. Lib., Providence
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Review
...a complete and thorough book that reveals little-known facts about the dulcimer's origins on the early Appalachian frontier and its design traditions. A good choice for libraries with strong music/ethnomusicology collections. (Library Journal )
Ralph Lee Smith has set forth six well-illustrated chapters concerned with dulcimer traditions in the Allegheny, Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains of Southern Appalachia. (Newlsetter Of The American Musical Instrument Society )
Smith's research...has been extensive and generally well documented, and his book will be a useful resource for anyone interested in the dulcimer, Appalachian history, or folk music in general. (Ethnomusicology )
Don't leave...thinking this book will interest only the hardened dulcimer fans. It is too entertainingly written for that. As befits a professional journalist, the author traces the finer points of dulcimerology, down to the various shapes of the sound holes, without losing or confusing or boring the reader. Moreover, there is a wealth of information, which anyone into Appalachian music will find extremely useful. It is profusely illustrated...the world has never been too flush for books on the Appalachian dulcimer. This is a welcome addition to a restricted market. (Folk Roots ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
Ralph Lee Smith has set forth six well-illustrated chapters concerned with dulcimer traditions in the Allegheny, Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains of Southern Appalachia. (Newlsetter Of The American Musical Instrument Society )
Smith's research...has been extensive and generally well documented, and his book will be a useful resource for anyone interested in the dulcimer, Appalachian history, or folk music in general. (Ethnomusicology )
Don't leave...thinking this book will interest only the hardened dulcimer fans. It is too entertainingly written for that. As befits a professional journalist, the author traces the finer points of dulcimerology, down to the various shapes of the sound holes, without losing or confusing or boring the reader. Moreover, there is a wealth of information, which anyone into Appalachian music will find extremely useful. It is profusely illustrated...the world has never been too flush for books on the Appalachian dulcimer. This is a welcome addition to a restricted market. (Folk Roots ) --This text refers to the Paperback edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent,
By A Customer
This review is from: Appalachian Dulcimer Traditions (Hardcover)
Ralph Lee Smith teaches a course in dulcimer history at the annual Dulcimer Playing Workshop at Appalachian State University, of which I am the director. His presentations are invariably among the high points of the Workshop. Through him, we all keep in touch with the dulcimer's beautiful heritage in the mountains, and the people of the mountains who have handed the dulcimer down to us. This charming book contains much of the exciting information and many of the tales that he brings to us each year. For people who love the dulcimer, and people who love the mountain world even if they aren't familiar with the dulcimer, this book is a treasure. Don't miss it!
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
...an attractive, informative and fun book to read!,
By A Customer
This review is from: Appalachian Dulcimer Traditions (Hardcover)
Appalachian Dulcimer Traditions is an attractive, informative and fun book to read. Who would think a detailed historical treatise on this rather unusual folk instrument would be such a treat. Ralph Lee Smith's folksy writing style reveals his equal love for the dulcimer and its people. Get ready for an adventure. You'll wind your way up into a part of Americana steeped in tradition, hairpin curves and high mountains. Smith cleverly peels back the folds of time to reveal a remarkable account of the dulcimer, its interesting characters and music. Scattered throughout the book among the many photos and llustrations are vignettes about the humble people of the mountains, their character and struggles. All evolve together in this intriguing account of the dulcimer and those who continue to scratch out a living in the mountains of the eastern United States. This book is a jewel! *****
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A great book for the novice player and the historian,
By John (Okeana, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Appalachian Dulcimer Traditions (Hardcover)
A great book! It is a good reference work on the mountain dulcimer. Mr. Smith has performed a great service to everyone interested in it. It is a tremendous history lesson on the development of the mountain dulcimer and is loaded with photographs documenting how it has changed from its roots to what it is today. It also identifies those people who were important in its development. A real historical learning experience for the novice player and, I would assume, the experienced, too. If you're interested in the dulcimer or just an Appalachian history buff, you will like this book.
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