Product Description

Madeline MacNeil brings her considerable expertise in teaching the dulcimer to this video companion to the book of the same title. The format is both comprehensive yet easy to understand. Ms. MacNeil covers such areas as tuning, scales, strumming, fingering, chord studies, alternate tunings, use of the capo, and the "noter." In addition, she demonstrates a substantial number of fine dulcimer arrangements.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #41927 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-02-17
• Rating: G (General Audience)
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 95 minutes

About the Actor
Madeline Macneil is well known for her talents as a singer and performer on the hammered and fretted dulcimers. She is equally well known for the warmth and generosity with which she shares her music and encourages others to play and sing. The silver-haired woman with the golden voice has won the admiration of countless fans across the country, performing in concerts and festivals throughout the United States. Maddie's twenty-five years as a professional musician have produced many recordings as well as several books for Mel Bay Publications. She arranged the music for Ralph Lee Smith's book from Mel Bay, Songs of the Wilderness Road. Maddie publishes Dulcimer Player News, which reaches dulcimer enthusiasts throughout the United States and in many other countries.

Customer Reviews

The BEST way to begin!
This set is excellent. The teacher in my town couldn't even begin to teach as well as Madeline does in this book and DVD. I have loads of dulcimer books and CD's and this is by far the most well done set for beginners. A MUST for the beginning student; there is nothing better than seeing (on the DVD) an accomplished player playing each of the tunes slowly so that you can pick up the proper way to hold, strum and work the frets. I've been playing for two years now and still play some of the tunes from the book. My favorite is Soldier's Joy.

Great beginner's guide to dulcimer playing!
This is a great beginner's video for teaching yourself how to play the Appalachian (also known as mountain, lap, or fretted) dulcimer.

Madeline MacNeil has a soothing voice, and takes it slow. She shows how to start with very simple tunes, demonstrating techniques patiently.

If you want to begin to play the dulcimer, and don't want to pay for expensive lessons, this is the way to start.

Good DVD but get the book first....
So I made the mistake of getting the DVD before I bought the book. Get the book first so that you can actually see what you are playing.The show the notes on the screen but they are quite blurry. This is a great book and DVD for beginners. You do not need to be able to read music to enjoy learning to play the dulcimer. She goes through ton of standard tunes and takes you though a few modes. I would suggest actually learning the notes and not relying on the tablature forever, but what can I say, I am a musician and I like people to expand their musical boundaries. This book and DVD is a good start.