[ From Butch Ross ] QuaranTUNE 5 dulcimer Fest registration opens tomorrow.

[News, info and tourdates for Butch Ross]

QUARANTUNE 5 REGISTRATION OPENS TOMORROW AT 4PM EST - I have a tendency to
"bury the lede" so I thought I'd get that out there first.
https://www.virtualdulcimerfest.com

Did you know that the idea behind the QuaranTUNE festival was meant to be a
one-time event that the pandemic caused? Did you know that some people
didn't even think it was gonna fly? Well the doubters were wrong. Way wrong.

The QuaranTUNE festivals have grown by leaps and bounds with more and more
teachers and even more students from literally around the world. And
while the Coronavirus seems to have gone out of it's way to find new ways
to bother us, that's not *at all* why we're on festival #5....

It's 'cuz it works...really well!

Online festivals aren't as much about the pandemic anymore as they are
about their effectiveness, their accessibility (I've had tons of people who
couldn't take workshops from me in any other fashion) and the fact that the
world can literally be in one place at the same time. To me, the best
description of the festivals came from something I overheard at the first
one. Someone said, "I miss seeing everybody, but I'm learning so much
more." Personally, I've really enjoyed them, they're hard work but they
keep me on my toes, forced me to come up with new, fun workshops as well as
resurrecting ones I'd almost forgotten about.

Now look, I'm probably preaching to the choir here. But just in case you
haven't attended one before, and are considering it. DO IT! It's a bit like
Woodstock, if everyone had been on stage at the same time.

So here we go. Registration is at 4pm Eastern Standard Time. Workshops go
fast! So be ready!!! https://www.virtualdulcimerfest.com.

Here's what I'll be teaching......level descriptions and such are on the
website as well.

*"O, Shenandoah, I Long To Play Thee"* - Level 2; Fri. Session 3

Learn to play this beautiful song in the simplest chord melody version
possible. We'll explore alternate, but easy, chord voicings. Various
fingering techniques, and using lyrics to aid in the counting of rhythms.
This song is trickier than it looks, but using these techniques you master
it in no time.

MD5015


*Intro To Fingerpicking* - Level 2; Fri. Session 4

There’s more to playing the Uke than just strumming and singing (although
that’s fun too). Learn to get all ten fingers (well, really eight) working
together to bring the Ukulele to life.

UK5002


*Great Is Thy Faithfulness* - Level 4; Fri. Session 7 BRAND NEW

Learn this great, but challenging hymn. In addition, we’ll discuss how to
create arrangements from standard sheet music, researching multiple
versions to create your own and even how to play chords that don’t seem
like they should be available on the dulcimer.

MD5016


*Playing With Pick And Fingers* - Level 3; Fri. Session 8 HAVEN'T TAUGHT
THIS ONE IN SEVERAL YEARS

Learn to switch from fingerpicking to strumming (and back again) as well as
embellishments and surprising syncopations with this fun and simple
technique.

MD5013


*Intro to Drone-Noter Style Dulcimer Playing* - Level 1; Sat. Session 1
BRAND NEW!

We'll explore the techniques & history of drone-noter style playing, with
an emphasis on right hand technique. This style was played for decades–
maybe centuries– before Jean Richie took the dulcimer out of the mountains
& made it famous. This class offers valuable insight into not only the
history of the dulcimer, but the inherent musicality of our instrument. A
perfect way for beginners to start making music right away.

MD5210


*Skipping The Third Beat*  - Level 3; Sat. Session 4 BRAND NEW!

What’s the secret to playing island music, jazz and even rock-n-roll? They
all skip the third beat. It’s perhaps the trickiest thing you can do
rhythmically, but I know some shortcuts that will get you playing those
beats in no time.

MD5014


*Chord-Melody Uke* - Level 2; Sat. Session 6 NOT NEW BUT SOME GREAT NEW
SONGS

Chord-melody Uke is a style of playing that lets one person sound like a
full band. It’s not as hard as you might think, and there’s a secret to
being successful at it. Come learn the tricks of the trade.

UK5001


*If You Like One Tune, You'll Like 'Em Both* - Level 3; Sat. Session 8 NOT
NEW, BUT AGAIN, WITH NEW SONGS

Learn to recognize recurring patterns in old-time tunes and use them to
help you quickly learn new tunes.

MD5017


C-ya in here


-Br

www.butchross.com