Sam G.
One of the first Mountain Dulcimer method "books"... short but packed with info.
Written by Jean Richie, the lady that saved the Appalachian mountain dulcimer from being lost to our use. She brought the dulcimer back by performing and singing with dulcimer before both small and vast crowds during the folk music revival of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. In this little book (that was reprinted in 4 or five editions from late 1950s to 1992) she gives a lot of background stories and practical playing tips for beginners and experienced players. She states that her preference in her performances was the most basic, simple and most haunting technique... the noting of a melody on a single string with a short stick (kind of like a golf pencil) and the strumming of all strings with a pick or fingers. The book includes some great old timey tunes. My personal favorite is Pretty Saro... the most soulful sound I've ever heard.
