Mel Bay First Lessons Dulcimer [Paperback]

Joyce Ochs (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 23, 2002

This instruction book for beginning lap dulcimer in DAD tuning is unique in two ways. First, it instructs the beginning student in the increasingly popular DAD tuning. Secondly, the author, a classroom music teacher, has carefully and systematically layered the lessons to guide the student through familiar songs while teaching skills and musical concepts. This not only enables the student to enjoy the lap dulcimer but also enhances total music understanding and participation. The accompanying CD provides instructional dialogue and demonstrations of the techniques and songs included in the book. Additional hints and exercises are presented in an inviting and encouraging conversational text.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joyce ("Joy") Ochs is a retired K-8 music teacher with a BA degree in Music and a Master Degree in Music Education. She has also taught 1st grade and Language and Reading Development to primary children. Her ultimate goal in any teaching experience has always been to provide a fun, creative, stimulating environment to enable students to not only learn, but to make the subject matter a significant part of their lives. A number of years ago, Joy’s musical world seemed to enter the “traditional/folk” stage. She became infatuated with the lap dulcimer while sitting under an oak tree on a warm, autumn day. After playing it for a short time she found herself teaching this friendly folk instrument to children and adults. She has authored and home-published Strum-A-Long with JOY!, a beginning dulcimer book. Her favorite student quote: "My interest in the dulcimer began with and will forever be enhanced by Joy’s teaching. Her vitality and enthusiasm are contagious. She is not only a great dulcimer teacher but a music teacher as well. That makes a winning combination" Joy feels that it is important to convey this same enthusiasm and joy for new musicians in her instruction books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Mel Bay Publications, Inc. (January 23, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786650915
• ISBN-13: 978-0786650910
• Product Dimensions: 11.8 x 8.8 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #219,646 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #91 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Entertainment > Music > Theory, Composition & Performance > Theory

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great beginner book, December 30, 2007

By 

Mimbres Valley Girl "Carol" (Mimbres, NM USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mel Bay First Lessons Dulcimer (Paperback)

This is a great beginner book for the self-taught mountain dulcimer student and/or for a group of beginning mountain dulcimer students. Even for those who have never picked up an instrument or for those who don't read music, the companion CD with Joyce Ochs leads the student in a simple introduction from the elements of music, tuning, tablature, strumming, music note values to many familiar American folk songs. I am presently using this book to teach two students (one 70 yrs. and one 80 yrs.). Both are enjoying the learning process in both individual practice and in group study.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Teaching book and Beginning Repertoire, January 27, 2009

By 

Rachelle Ayala (USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mel Bay First Lessons Dulcimer (Paperback)

This book is a wonderful introduction to playing the mountain dulcimer in DAD tuning. The beginner does not have to know any music theory, how to read notes, or even how to tune the dulcimer. Everything is explained gently and demonstrated. The CD offers far more than just the tunes, but also demonstrates strumming, counting, and tuning.

Reading TAB (the numbers that correspond to fret positions) is explained for those who don't read music. Each of the tunes includes both the musical notation and the tab. Chords are also given so that a guitar or other instrument can play along.

The sections proceed in a logical order, first with only melody, then adding simple chords, and few more chords, and some embellishments in the later tunes.

The arrangements, especially the later ones, are quite artistic, which means it does not sound like a training tune. In fact, there is a good combination of chording and melody, with single-picked notes to make the tunes interesting enough to sound intermediate level, yet easily played by a beginner. The accompanying CD plays each tune twice. Once at a slower speed for practicing, and the second time with accompaniment by other instruments.

The only thing I found missing was suggested fingerings. But other than that, I don't hesitate at all to recommend this book to beginners. The satisfaction of being able to play Amazing Grace by the time you finish this book is well worth it.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nicely done, September 1, 2008

By 

G. Thomas "Tom" (CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Mel Bay First Lessons Dulcimer (Paperback)

Bought this for my wife, who is teaching herself the dulcimer. She has no musical experience, but the layout and explanation made it easy for her to grasp the basic concepts.