Hearts of the Dulcimer
61 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 61 ratingsThe Hearts of the Dulcimer Podcast explores the mountain dulcimer's past, present, and future. If you like mountain dulcimers, this is the podcast for you.
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
The End
January 29, 2023 23:21 - 5 minutes - 8.31 MB060 This is the final Hearts of the Dulcimer Podcast episode. Thanks to David Massengill for taking us out with On The Road to Fairfax County.
Dulcimer Originals
January 16, 2023 01:40 - 21 minutes - 20 MB059 In this episode we’re playing originals composed and performed on the mountain dulcimer by the artists themselves. You’ll be hearing music from dulcimer players Gary Gallier, Leo Kretzner, Mary Giger, Aubrey Atwater, Neal Walters, Christine Shoemaker, Holly Tannen, and Ken Bloom.
Ashley Ernst, Publisher and Owner of Dulcimer Players News
November 24, 2022 05:31 - 31 minutes - 29.1 MB058 In this episode we’re featuring our conversation with Ashley Ernst, the owner and publisher of Dulcimer Players News. DPN has been the quarterly magazine for mountain and hammered dulcimer players since 1975. With music from both hammered and mountain dulcimer musicians.
New York, New York
July 25, 2022 22:49 - 45 minutes - 42 MB057 We spoke with people born and raised in New York City in the 1950s and 60s who have become well-known dulcimer players. With Joellen Lapidus, Holly Tannen, Doug Berch, and Rob Brereton.
Early Music and the Mountain Dulcimer
March 13, 2022 03:06 - 34 minutes - 31.5 MB056 In this episode we’re exploring Early Music on the mountain dulcimer. Although the mountain dulcimer didn’t exist until centuries after the Early Music time frame, its tonality fits perfectly with the temperament of Early Music. With music from Howie Mitchell, Holly Tannen, and Jessica Comeau.
A Winter Miracle
December 08, 2021 04:56 - 3 minutes - 2.85 MB055 Special announcement from Hearts of the Dulcimer Podcast.
Fiddle Tune Stories with The Bach and Beethoven Experience
November 25, 2021 22:19 - 30 minutes - 28.2 MB054 In our final episode, we bring you the Chicago-based group The Bach and Beethoven Experience sharing stories behind some of the fiddle tunes they played on their album An Appalachian Summer. We spoke with fiddler Brandi Berry Benson and dulcimer player Keith Collins, who have their feet firmly grounded in the classical and traditional music worlds.
Fiddle Tune Stories with Pam Weeks
October 25, 2021 20:50 - 15 minutes - 14 MB053 If you’re a mountain dulcimer player, chances are you know how to play more than a few fiddle tunes on your dulcimer. Each tune has its own origin story. These stories are often attached to specific places, events, or people. In this and the next episode, we’ll bring you the backstories of some of these fiddle tunes.
Grant Olson Dulcimer Explorer
August 30, 2021 22:22 - 25 minutes - 23.5 MB052 We spoke with the talented young dulcimer player Grant Olson from Minnesota. In 2019 at the age of 17, Grant won the coveted first place in the Mountain Dulcimer National Championship at the Walnut Valley Music Festival in Winfield, Kansas. In addition to playing the dulcimer, Grant also composes his own music.
The Sweet Harmonies of Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly
May 10, 2021 22:50 - 52 minutes - 47.6 MB051 In this episode we feature the stories and music of Aubrey Atwater and Elwood Donnelly, a husband and wife musical duo based in Warren, Rhode Island. They’re well known for their blend of gorgeous vocals as well as being multi-instrumentalists. The amazing array of instruments they play include old-time banjo, tin whistle, guitar, mandolin, harmonica, limberjacks, feet, and of course, mountain dulcimer.
Jim and Betty Woods: The Longtime Owners of McSpadden Dulcimers
February 05, 2021 19:33 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MB050 In this episode we feature our conversation with Jim and Betty Woods, longtime owners of the renowned McSpadden Dulcimers. Over the last two decades, Jim and Betty were able to maintain and raise the reputation of McSpadden Dulcimers. In 2020, Jim and Betty transferred ownership of McSpadden Dulcimers.
Stay Home and Sing with the Dulcimer: with Aubrey Atwater
December 29, 2020 21:56 - 16 minutes - 18.9 MB049 Here’s another stay home and play dulcimer episode created during the COVID-19 pandemic. Aubrey Atwater shares tips on how to improve singing and singing with the dulcimer.
Stay Home and Play Dulcimer: with Heidi Muller and Bob Webb
May 17, 2020 05:36 - 17 minutes - 19.6 MB048 This is another episode created especially for dulcimer players. We spoke with Heidi Muller and Bob Webb, who shared tips and ideas for using time at home to improve your dulcimer playing.
Stay Home and Play Dulcimer: with Stephen Seifert
April 10, 2020 00:12 - 21 minutes - 24.3 MB047 This episode was especially created for dulcimer players. We spoke with Stephen Seifert, one of the top dulcimer performers and teachers in the mountain dulcimer world. Steve gives tips and ideas for what dulcimer players can do to help improve their playing while they’re staying at home.
The Deep Sounds of Neal and Coleen Walters
March 25, 2020 13:06 - 36 minutes - 41.3 MB046 We spoke with Neal and Coleen Walters, a husband and wife musical duo who have been playing music together for more than 5 decades. Neal is well-known for his deep voice and his dulcimer and autoharp playing. Also featuring music from The Mill Run Dulcimer Band and Doofus.
Nina Zanetti: The Gentle Side of the Dulcimer
January 25, 2020 03:22 - 30 minutes - 35.5 MB045 We spoke with 2008 National Dulcimer Champion Nina Zanetti about her approach in playing the dulcimer. Nina’s known for her gentle style of fingerpicking the dulcimer.
Dulcimer Lullabies
October 23, 2019 16:01 - 30 minutes - 34.9 MB044 The gentle sound of the dulcimer lends itself to lullabies. They ease us into the day and calm us down at night. Lullabies give comfort to the inner child in all of us, no matter how old or young we are. In this episode you’ll hear lullabies played by dulcimer players David Schnaufer, Molly McCormack, Neal Walters, Aubrey Atwater, Dusty Turtle, Jessica Comeau, Stephen Seifert, Carol Walker, Kevin Roth, Lorinda Jones, and Duane Porterfield. With commentary by lullabologist Julia Soto Lebe...
A Children’s Music Special
August 01, 2019 04:35 - 19 minutes - 21.9 MB043 We're focusing this episode on music for children on the mountain dulcimer. You'll hear traditional and original songs, songs about whimsical instruments, animal adventures, and songs about people and places. With music from dulcimer players Heidi Muller, Bob Webb, Molly McCormack, Kevin Roth, Aubrey Atwater, Joellen Lapidus, Rick Scott, and John Elwood.
The Multifaceted Bonnie Carol and Max Krimmel
June 01, 2019 05:38 - 35 minutes - 24.3 MB042 Meet Bonnie Carol and Max Krimmel, multi-instrumentalists and the builders of the well-known and loved Bonnie Carol Dulcimers.
The Healing Dulcimer
April 01, 2019 00:34 - 36 minutes - 25.3 MB041 We spoke with dulcimer players Lorinda Jones, a professional music therapist, Sally Smith, a hospice music volunteer, and Marian Perdas and Carollyn Robinson, music volunteers for memory care about how they use the mountain dulcimer to help those in need.
The Orchestral Dulcimer
February 01, 2019 15:05 - 33 minutes - 23.1 MB040 In this episode we feature Oregon-based composer and conductor Mark Steighner, who has written two concertos for the mountain dulcimer. We're also featuring Stephen Seifert, who performed both of Mark's concertos as the dulcimer soloist.
The Winter Holiday Dulcimer 2018
December 10, 2018 02:41 - 22 minutes - 15.2 MB039 With music from all over the globe, celebrate the season with wintry seasonal dulcimer music from Butch Ross, Lorraine Hammond, Jessica Comeau, Don Pedi, Tull Glazener, Madeline MacNeil, Nina Zanetti, Aubrey Atwater, and Christine Shoemaker.
3 Stories and 3 Tunes from Heidi Muller and Bob Webb
November 16, 2018 16:23 - 29 minutes - 20.6 MB038 Winter's Turning, My Barista, and Sacred Ground. What do they have in common? They were all written by singer songwriter and dulcimer player Heidi Muller. Heidi and her life partner Bob Webb tell us the stories behind each of these three tunes.
Golden Ring: A Gathering of Friends for Making Music
August 29, 2018 18:38 - 48 minutes - 33.4 MB037 The 1964 LP Golden Ring: A Gathering of Friends for Making Music became one of the most popular recordings of the early folk music revival. In this episode, find out why Golden Ring was a groundbreaking album for the mountain dulcimer.
The Many Modes of Stephen Seifert
June 29, 2018 16:17 - 31 minutes - 21.7 MB036 Stephen Seifert is one of the most accomplished dulcimer performers today. Possessing an impeccable command of the instrument, he's a favorite at festivals and clubs around the country and has performed as a soloist on his mountain dulcimer with symphony orchestras.
The Dulcimer Adventures of Joellen Lapidus
May 31, 2018 03:01 - 48 minutes - 33.7 MB035 In this episode we feature innovative dulcimer player, teacher, and builder Joellen Lapidus. Her dulcimers are simply the most unique and beautiful dulcimers ever built. Equally impressive is Joellen's rhythmically sophisticated dulcimer playing.
Heidi Muller and Bob Webb: Music with a Purpose
April 11, 2018 02:03 - 54 minutes - 37.7 MB034 In this episode we feature the music and musical journey of life partners Heidi Muller and Bob Webb. Heidi and Bob are multi-instrumentalists who play original and traditional tunes. They blend each other's influences that reach from the Pacific Northwest to the Appalachian Mountains.
An Irish Music Special
February 19, 2018 16:31 - 29 minutes - 20 MB033 In this episode we're playing music from Ireland, all on the mountain dulcimer, of course. With music from dulcimer players Carol Walker, Aubrey Atwater, Neal Hellman, Jonathan Dowell, Mark Gilston, Linda Brockinton, Gary Gallier, Molly McCormack, Lorinda Jones, and Larry and Elaine Conger.
The Legendary Howie Mitchell
January 13, 2018 21:56 - 56 minutes - 38.7 MB032 In this episode, we present the stories and music of Howie Mitchell. An innovator of dulcimer building and playing in the 1950s and 60s, Howie is credited with spreading the idea of the 6 and half fret, the DAD Mixolydian tuning, and the chord melody style of playing dulcimer starting in the late 1950s. All three of these ideas caught on in the dulcimer world and for many players is the standard way of playing dulcimer.
The Winter Holiday Dulcimer 2017
December 15, 2017 18:56 - 20 minutes - 13.8 MB031 Celebrate the winter season with wintry seasonal music by dulcimer players John and Karen Keane, Christine Shoemaker, Stephen Seifert, Wendy Songe, Jessica Comeau, Holly Tannen, and Heidi Muller and Bob Webb.
Richard Ash: The Face of Folkcraft Instruments
November 16, 2017 17:24 - 30 minutes - 20.9 MB030 We spoke with Richard Ash from Folkcraft Instruments about the dulcimers his company has built since 1968. With music played on Folkcraft dulcimers from Bing Futch, Stephen Seifert, John and Karen Keane, and Wendy Songe.
The Driven Wendy Songe
October 04, 2017 16:10 - 30 minutes - 21.1 MB029 In this episode we feature dulcimer player Wendy Songe who is an award winning singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, poet, performer, teacher, and nationally touring musician.
A Conversation with Judy Collins
September 07, 2017 20:39 - 30 minutes - 20.7 MB028 We spoke with legendary award-winning singer-songwriter Judy Collins about her good friend Richard Fariña. We also explored the importance of Judy Collins' Fifth Album in introducing the dulcimer in the mid-1960s. With additional commentary by Neal Hellman and readings from Richard Fariña's cousin Omar Lugones.
A Conversation with Judy Collins
September 07, 2017 20:39 - 30 minutes - 20.7 MB028 We spoke with legendary award-winning singer-songwriter Judy Collins about her good friend Richard Fariña. We also explored the importance of Judy Collins' Fifth Album in introducing the dulcimer in the mid-1960s. With additional commentary by Neal Hellman and readings from Richard Fariña's cousin Omar Lugones.
Dulcimer Week in the Wallowas
August 28, 2017 19:49 - 53 minutes - 36.6 MB027 Dulcimer Week in the Wallowas is an annual adult music camp held over the July 4th week and is devoted to learning the mountain dulcimer. This episode is about our experience at the camp with interviews and music from the festival instructors and attendees.
Mark Gilston: The Transcontinental Dulcimer
July 15, 2017 03:49 - 29 minutes - 40.7 MB026 From the Balkans to Scandinavia to the UK and the US, Mark Gilston, the first place winner of the 2016 National Mountain Dulcimer Championship, tells us stories behind the tunes he plays.
Aaron O’Rourke: Soulful Virtuosity
May 14, 2017 21:52 - 51 minutes - 35.4 MB025 We feature the music and our conversation with Aaron O'Rourke, one of today's most innovative dulcimer players and composers. At the age of 31, Aaron has already produced an amazing amount of work in solo and ensemble recording and instruction.
A Mother’s Day Special Featuring Margaret Wright and Cassandra Damper
April 15, 2017 03:42 - 36 minutes - 24.9 MB024 For this Mother's Day, we'd like to celebrate all mothers who play dulcimer. We especially appreciate the dulcimer mothers who teach dulcimer to their children and to others. To honor all dulcimer mothers, we're presenting the heartwarming story of a special dulcimer mother: Margaret Wright and her daughter Cassandra Damper.
Richard Fariña and the Cambridge Folk Music Scene PART 2: A Conversation with Ed Freeman
February 27, 2017 22:29 - 33 minutes - 23.3 MB023 Ed Freeman was part of the Cambridge folk music scene in the early 60s and interviewed Richard and Mimi Fariña on his radio show in 1965. We spoke with Ed about this and much more.
Richard Fariña and the Cambridge Folk Music Scene PART 1: A Conversation with Rick Turner
February 27, 2017 18:32 - 37 minutes - 25.8 MB022 The well-known luthier Rick Turner shares personal stories about Richard and Mimi Fariña and how his luthier skills led him to become part of dulcimer history that was almost forgotten.
AppalAsia: Bridging Traditions
January 11, 2017 02:14 - 34 minutes - 24.1 MB021 With the unusual combination of two American and one Chinese instrument, the trio AppalAsia bridge the Appalachian and Chinese music traditions to create music that is soulful, sophisticated, and genre bending.
The Winter Holiday Dulcimer
December 01, 2016 22:03 - 30 minutes - 20.8 MB020 From a contemporary jazz folk original to holiday staples and medieval music, we present tunes that are joyous, reflective, and capture the essence of winter. With music by Linda Brockinton, Heidi Muller and Bob Webb, Lance Frodsham, Jack and Mary Giger, Mark Gilston, Jessica Comeau, Bing Futch, and AppalAsia.
National Dulcimer Championship 2016
November 20, 2016 00:59 - 28 minutes - 19.7 MB019 One of the best places to hear new talent in the mountain dulcimer world is at the National Mountain Dulcimer Championship. This annual event takes place at the Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas. We spoke with 2016 winners Mark Gilston, Cassandra Damper, and Wendy Songe, as well as Jim Woods from McSpadden Dulcimers.
Ivan Ng Sheng Kai: Singapore’s Only Dulcimer Busker
October 08, 2016 01:52 - 16 minutes - 11.9 MB018 Singapore seems to have only one performing mountain dulcimer player. He's a 24 year old busker named Ivan Ng Sheng Kai. Hear what it's like to be the lone dulcimer performer in Singapore, and the extraordinary measures he's had to take to find and learn how to play it.
Dulcimer Short Story with Neal Hellman: Celebrities at the Renaissance Faire
August 28, 2016 16:25 - 10 minutes - 7.61 MB017 This episode features stories told by Neal Hellman about celebrities who encountered the dulcimer at the Renaissance Faire.
Blues on Dulcimer
June 06, 2016 00:27 - 27 minutes - 19.3 MB016 On the surface, it seems that the mountain dulcimer is not an instrument created for playing the Blues. The impression of the dulcimer's sweet simple sound seems that it would be too gentle to express the raw feelings evoked with the Blues. Additionally, the dulcimer's diatonic fret pattern often doesn't have the notes that are in the pentatonic Blues scale. Needless to say, it takes creativity and persistence to play the Blues on the dulcimer.
Steve Eulberg: Dulcimer Crossing
May 02, 2016 12:00 - 28 minutes - 19.6 MB015 Steve Eulberg is a multi-instrumentalist who plays and sings traditional songs and fiddle tunes; weaving together Celtic, Old-Time, blues, and jazz on both the mountain dulcimer and hammered dulcimer. He runs the website Dulcimer Crossing, which provides hundreds of online video dulcimer lessons by several known dulcimer teachers.
Neal Hellman: Part Folk, Part Classical, All Acoustic
April 06, 2016 00:04 - 36 minutes - 25.6 MB014 Neal Hellman has played the mountain dulcimer for more than 40 years and is the founder, director, and one of the primary artists on the Gourd Music record label. Gourd Music recordings are known for lush arrangements often pairing the dulcimer with folk and classical instruments. With music by Gourd Music artists.
Linda Brockinton: The Art of Fingerpicking
February 27, 2016 21:14 - 27 minutes - 38.1 MB013 Linda Brockinton is known for playing a full chord fingerpicking style on the mountain dulcimer. In 2001, she was the first woman to win first place in the National Mountain Dulcimer Championship as well as the first to win playing a full chord fingerpicking style.
Judy Klinkhammer: A Dulcimer Life, Part 2
February 06, 2016 17:34 - 38 minutes - 26.8 MB012 The second in the two part celebration of Judy Klinkhammer's life. She was a well-loved dulcimer player and teacher who lived in the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. Many people credit Judy for introducing the dulcimer to that part of Arkansas in the early 60s. She truly lived with the dulcimer in the center of her life.