This book is designed to help fretted dulcimer players at all levels grow in their technical abilities by developing strength, precision, control and flexibility in both the right and left hands. Acquiring a solid technical foundation provides a base upon which to build strong musicianship, enabling one to play more satisfying music regardless of style. Explore flatpicking, fingerpicking, slurs, chords, strumming, left hand precision and placement, right hand strength and control, volume, tone, articulation, and more using both dulcimer tablature and standard music notation. In this book, Mike has used ideas drawn from classical guitar study plus years of teaching dulcimer to develop exercises that will inspire and challenge players at all levels. The tunes and exercises are in the common dulcimer tuning of D-A-D, with a few exceptions. Some exercises are included for the four-string and five-string dulcimers, and a 6+ fret is required. The accompanying online audio download demonstrates key exercises and most of the tunes in the book.

Grace Nugent      
Harvest Home      
Loch Lomond      
Megan's Daughter      
Old Molly Hare      
Sally in the Garden      
Shooting Creek      
The Ash Grove      
The First Noel      
The Langour of Love      
The Munster Buttermilk      
The Scotch Cap      
The South Wind