This instruction manual and song collection is a well-crafted collection of basic dulcimer technique and traditional songs that might have been popular in Cripple Creek, Colorado in the 19th Century-- plus a few modern day tunes by its current inhabitants. The techniques and songs have been transcribed from the performances of Bud and Donna Ford who have been collecting songs for their favorite instrument for some time. Bud and Donna explain the basics of playing the dulcimer, including instructions on strumming, tunings, and picking. Solos are offered in all of the various modes (Ionian, Dorian, Locrian, etc.) in standard notation only with lyrics and chord symbols. The end result is an attractive yet pragmatic book that offers a solid grounding in the art of dulcimer playing. The recording features verbal instruction and performances of most of the tunes in the book on solo dulcimer, making learning easy and fun. The recording used tunings which are lower than those in the book, but this will not affect players reading the tablature. Includes access to online audio.

 Amazing Grace        
 Applesauce       Les Slaughter 
 Barbry Ellen        
 Black Is The Color Of My True Loce's Hair        
 Buffalo Gals        
 Cindy        
 Crawdad Song        
 Cripple Creek    
 Daddy's Little Helper        
 Down In The Valley      
 Gentle Thoughts Meditative Chant       Les Slaughter 
 Hush Little Baby        
 In The Good Old Colony Days        
 Jacob's Ladder        
 Jesse James        
 Let Us Break Bread Together        
 Liza Jane        
 Lonesome Valley        
 Nearer My God To Thee        
 Ode To Joy       Ludwig Van Beethoven   
 Oh! Susanna        
 Old Dan Tucker        
 Old Joe Clark        
 Phary's Song       Les Slaughter 
 Praise Chant        
 Rock-A-My-Soul        
 She'll Be Comin' Around The Mountain        
 Shenandoah        
 Simple Gifts      Slaughter 
 Skip To My Lou        
 Summer Fog        
 Sweet Betsy From Pike      
 Sweet Hour Of Prayer        
 Swing Low Sweet Chariot        
 The Ash Grove        
 The Boll Weevil        
 The Holey Leg Band       Les Slaughter  
 Turkey In The Straw        
 Wayfaring Stranger        
 Weeping Mary        
 When Jesus Wept       Billings  
 When Johnny Comes Marching Home