by Linda Ratcliff
Listening = Learning.
Listening to dulcimer music can keep us motivated day to day – between jam sessions, festival, or lessons. Without that boost, practicing can become a chore – easily left for another day, and then another, and then another … until we begin to completely lose interest.
Now you don’t have to set aside a special time of day to listen to your dulcimer music, the way you schedule your time to practice. But get a nice collection of dulcimer CDs and put them in different places … in your car, in your family or media room, even at the office. Then, when you have the time to listen, they will be easily accessible. We have several teachers who offer their own CDs.
- Aubrey Atwater
- Larry Conger
- Matthew Dickerson
- Steve Eulberg
- Robert Force
- Deborah Hamouris
- Erin Mae Lewis
- Don Pedi
- Bill Robinson
- Butch Ross
- Linda Thomas
- Vi Wickam
- Nina Zanetti
In addition to listening to others play, it’s important to listen to yourself.
Our own teacher, Nina Zanetti, explains it best.
Nina also emphasizes the importance of bringing out the melody, so it can be heard over the drone or chords you may be playing. You won’t know for sure if you are doing this … unless you listen.

In this video, observe how Nina is practicing what she preaches about listening to herself while she is playing this beautiful tune “Bridget Cruise, Third Air”, by Turlough O’Carolan.