Historically, music composed specifically for the hammered dulcimer has been rare. Here are 56 Rizzetta original pieces, including reels, waltzes, hornpipes, jigs, rags, blues, boogie, airs, and music for meditation and healing, that explore all the depth, power, versatility, and emotion of this ancient and expressive instrument. The book includes background about the people, places, and events that inspired each composition. While some pieces require a 16/15 chromatic dulcimer, many fit a 12/11. Melody lines are in standard notation with chord symbols. Many have variations with advanced ornamentation; some have alternate arrangements for four octave chromatic dulcimers. In addition to solos, there are six ensemble arrangements, including quartets, which are useful for groups and workshop teachers. While this collection is most appropriate for intermediate and experienced players, advanced beginners will be able to play some of the tunes.

The collection includes originals from the Sam Rizzetta CDs Dulcimer Boogie, Saving Trees, Trapezoid, Flowing Waters, Ocean's Edge, Bucks & Does, and Seven Valleys.

Index by Music Type                     
Introduction                            
After The Rain                         
Augusta At Midnight                    
Blackie’s Rag                          
Boiler House Blues                     
Bucks And Does                       
Carrie Saving Trees                     
Carrie Under The Arbor                 
Christmas In The Air                    
Cloud Canyons, Dusk                   
Dad’s Favorite                         
Dolly Sods                            
Dora’s Waltz                          
Dulcimer Boogie                       
Eagle Nest                            
Emil’s Rag                            
Esther’s Rambles                      
Finches In The Snow                   
Fire In The Cloud                      
Floodwater Creek                      
Flowing Waters                        
Healing Springs                        
Heartland Bouquet                     
High Falls Of Cheat                    
Jay And The Double Deuce              
Laverne’s Pie                          
Lilac Time                            
Love Above All                        
Lullaby                              
Maddie’s Garden                       
March In The Forest                    
Ocean’s Edge                         
Patty In The Snowbank                  
Paul’s New Dulcimer                   
Playing In The Mud                    
Ragtime Robin                        
Return To Texas                       
Rippling Waters Waltz                  
Russell Fluharty’s Dream                
Rusty Dusty                           
Sacred Place                          
Seneca Farewell                       
Seven Valleys                         
Shagbark Hickory Jig                   
Sleepy Creek Waltz                     
Sunrise                              
The Comet                            
The Hawk And The Trout                
The Hidden Waterfall                   
The Royal Paulownia Hornpipe           
Toad In The Road                      
Volcano Strut                          
Wake Up Rag                         
Woody’s Waltz  
                      
Ensemble Arrangements 

Around The Great Hall                  
Esther’s Rambles                      
Holy Manna                          
Nonesuch                             
Northfi eld                            
The Reluctant Swan                    
Recordings