07/23/2026
2026 Fort New Salem Dulcimer Festival
Workshop and Concert Descriptions by Time
As of July 24, 2026
Friday 7:30 – 9:30
Evening Concert – Workshop Leaders Showcase Part 1: Jeff Fedan, Rayme Pullen, Jacob Lambert, Linda Sigismondi
Saturday Workshops
Saturday 9:00 – 10:00
Beginner Dulcimer for Children – Ages 8 and up (Part 1) – Rayme Pullen – In this 2-part workshop, children will learn the basics of mountain dulcimer. In part 1, we will learn the anatomy of the dulcimer, how to tune to D-A-A, tips for playing with good technique, and simple strumming patterns on open strings. If time permits, we will start learning some of the traditional tunes. MD – B Note: Children’s workshops will take place in the Jonathan Bee Cabin and will be flexible in time with breaks as needed.
Strengthen Your Strum 1 – Bill Locke – The idea of using a flat pick to structure a strum into a rhythmic pattern is explored in this workshop. A single well-known and simple tune will be used with a series of strum methods to develop a variety of sounds that can add a different energy to a tune. This may be used to provide sounds familiar from the playing of other instruments in an old-time band. We start with the basics and add complexity as we go. MD – AB, I
Standard/Basic Jam Tunes for Hammered Dulcimer – Jacob Lambert – Students will learn a few common old-time jam tunes in various keys to bring to their next outing on the hammered dulcimer. Tunes to be selected from Soldier’s Joy, Whiskey Before Breakfast, Mississippi Sawyer, Redwing, Hop High Ladies, Poor Liza Jane, Lil Liza Jane and Goodbye Liza Jane. HD – AB
Saturday 10:15 – 11:15
Getting Started on Mountain Dulcimer – Cynthia Brissey – This is a workshop for the very beginner. Participants will be shown how to tune the mountain dulcimer, how to find notes, and how to strum. Participants will also learn how to play several easy melodies. MD – B
Strengthen Your Strum 2 – Bill Locke – In this workshop Bill will show some more advanced strumming techniques including triplets (cross-picking) and damping methods which may be used to further add variety to playing. A range of tune genres might be tried using these methods including old-time and blues sounds. As before, we are playing the instrument in a fashion that tends to “join the band” as it relates to the overall sound. MD – I
How to Learn and Teach Tunes More Effectively – Jacob Lambert – Ever feel completely lost at a workshop? Frustrated that your students are not picking up your tunes quicker? This class will help students and teachers alike develop their inner ear, recognize patterns, and practice habits through drills, warm-ups, listening examples, and visual aids. All
Semiquincentennial (America250) Song Celebration – Bill Schilling – We will sing and play some songs that were sung in 1776, some patriotic songs from throughout the years, and some songs from early American wars. Lyrics and music and/or chords will be provided for several songs. All
Saturday 11:30 – 12:30
Brewing Up Some Cabbage Stew – Laura Elder – Use the basic chords from the song “Boil Them Cabbage” to sing some similar tunes. MD – AB
American Folk Songs – Linda Sigismondi – This is a repertoire-building workshop for intermediate dulcimer players. Participants will be taught several songs from the American tradition including a few tunes from the time of the Revolutionary War. DAD tuning. MD – I
Never Touched a Hammered Dulcimer Before – Jeff Fedan – This is a workshop for someone who has not done more than look at a hammered dulcimer, but wants to try it out to see if they’d like to play it. We’ll cover the layout of the instrument, tuning, hammering technique, and learn a real song or two. A lender instrument will be available. B – HD
Ohio Murder Ballads – Bill Schilling – Bill Schilling will share his interpretations of songs and their backgrounds based on material found in Curt Dalton’s 2023 book, Murder Ballads from 19th Century Ohio, and from Bill’s internet research about tunes for those ballads. (All instruments and levels with music provided, but mostly a presentation since the songs are unfamiliar.) All
Saturday 1:15 – 2:15
Beginner Dulcimer for Children – Ages 8 and up (Part 2) – Rayme Pullen – In the second session of this 2-part workshop, children will learn how to read simple dulcimer tablature and how to play a few traditional tunes in drone style. MD – B Note: Children’s workshops will take place in the Jonathan Bee Cabin.
The Amazing Fretboard – Laura Elder – We will explore the I-IV-V chording method while accompanying Amazing Grace in four different keys. Capo required. Laura will also demonstrate how a 1.5 fret can be used to obtain additional keys. MD – AB, I
Hammered Dulcimer Tunes from North-Central West Virginia we should play more often – Jeff Fedan – Maybe there’s one or two West Virginia tunes you don’t know yet. Let’s learn a few and think about ways to embellish them. Be brave! HD – I
Ukulele Jam – Bill Schilling – Ukuleles are the little big thing these days, and playing and singing with them in a group can be great fun! We will have sopranos to baritones (and maybe bass) with standards, banjo ukes, taropatches, and more (including several loaners for those who have never played before or who don't have their ukes with them). We will start with instruction on a few chords and strumming as needed. Then we will go from simple to more complicated songs that everybody can play (or try to play) and sing including simple songs, folk songs, and ukulele standards to play and sing along. Other instruments are welcome as long as the emphasis stays on the ukes. We will start in the key of C and may go to G, F, D, or others. Others may help Bill Schilling lead this one. Ukulele – B, AB
Saturday 2:30 – 3:30
Basic Blues on the Mountain Dulcimer – Steven K Smith – It's easy and fun to play the blues on the mountain dulcimer! In this workshop you'll learn the basics of the 12-bar blues pattern and how to improvise your own melodies. DAD tuning, capo very helpful, but not required. MD – AB
Native American Songs – Linda Sigismondi – While Europeans brought many songs to North America, there was already a rich tradition of songs among the native people. Learn a few of these traditional tunes on the mountain dulcimer (as well as hear a few played on the Native American flute.) Those just wanting to learn about these songs are also welcome to attend. DAD Tuning. MD – AB, I
Newer Scottish/Irish Tunes from the Old Countries – Jeff Fedan – Many of the tunes played in north-central West Virginia are from Scotland and Ireland. And there is a treasure trove of tunes from the motherland that are not often played in these parts. Give these a try. HD – I
Beginning Harmonica – Luther Michael – In this workshop Luther will show you how to get started on the harmonica. Harmonicas in the key of C will be available for sale at the start of the workshop. Harmonica – B
Saturday 3:45 – 4:45
Easy Appalachian Tunes – Linda Sigismondi – This is a repertoire-building workshop for novice dulcimer players. Participants will be taught several songs from the Appalachian Mountain Region that are a foundation for our heritage. Some techniques to enhance your playing will also be included. DAD tuning. MD – AB
Renaissance Music on the Mountain Dulcimer – Steven K Smith – In this repertoire-building workshop I'll present several tunes from the Renaissance era, focusing mostly on England, and dance tunes from Playford's collection, "The Dancing Master," first published in 1591. DAD tuning, Capo required.
MD – AB, I
Simple Chord Accompaniment for Hammered Dulcimer – Bill Schilling –The purpose of this workshop is to acquaint the participants with some options they have for playing hammered dulcimer while they are part of a jamming group and they don’t know or want to play the melodies. Participants will be encouraged to listen for and experiment with some of the options like playing single bass notes, 1-5 notes, full chords (including using the valley), arpeggiated chords, and chords in various positions on the dulcimer or inversions within a 4-5 string range. HD – B, AB, I
Improvisation with Boomwhackers – Mike Sutter and Laura Elder – Boomwhackers are lightweight, hollow, color-coded plastic tubes that are tuned to specific musical pitches. They are a fun way to learn how to improvise rhythms and melodies. Also, they are a fun way to relax after a long day of learning new techniques and songs. No prior experience necessary! Boomwhackers provided for use. Come and have fun! All
Saturday 7:30 – 10:00
Evening Concert – Workshop Leaders Showcase Part 2: Laura Elder, Bill Locke, Bill Schilling, Steven K. Smith
Sunday 9:30 – 10:30
Song Circle – Bill Schilling – This is a time to gather on Sunday morning and share some music in an informal session. Each person in the circle will be given a chance to play a song, to request a song or to just sit and listen. All
Sunday 10:45 – 11:45
Playing Hymns on the Mountain Dulcimer – Rayme Pullen – In this workshop, we will play traditional "red-back" hymns in D-A-A tuning and learn to read simple tablature. Each hymn will include a melody tab as well as a tab sheet for chords only. Dulcimer enthusiasts of all skill levels can joyfully play together in harmony in this accessible workshop! MD – All
Spoons are for more than eating with – Jeff Fedan – If you tap your feet when you play, why not do something with your hands too? Spoons add a special flavor to up-beat, old-time tunes and are easy to play. Some (mostly me) have suggested that spoons are (is?) the most important part of any old-time band. If you can clap your hands, you can play the spoons. Funny, no one uses forks or knives in a band!
Spoons – B
Traditional Music Community Building Round-Table – Jacob Lambert – This workshop offers a round table discussion for building up (or rebuilding) your local traditional music community. We will share tips, tricks, and common pitfalls for organizing jams, concerts, ensembles, and festivals. All
Sunday 1:00 – 2:00
Easy Stephen Foster Tunes: Mountain Dulcimer – Steven K Smith – I'll present 5 tunes by Stephen Foster in easy arrangements, suitable for new players of the instrument. These will include familiar tunes, and some lesser-known ones. DAD tuning. MD – B, AB
Drum Circle – Linda Sigismondi – Is your head hurting from all the new techniques and music you worked this weekend. Come and beat out some tension with percussion. This is not a workshop per se, just a chance to get together, make some rhythms and relieve stress/tension. Bring your own percussion or use some of the instruments available. All
Fingerstyle Guitar – Bill Locke – I will meet up where you are and help you along your journey with the guitar. I teach various styles of guitar playing as well as helping understanding chords up the neck and interesting additions to the basic chords. Guitar – AB
Sunday 2:15 – 3:00
Finale – Linda Sigismondi and Bill Schilling – The festival will conclude with an all-participant gathering in which everyone is invited to join in to sing and play as we end the festival in song and perhaps harmony. All
