When are you available for dulcimer lessons?
I am available to teach private lessons on weekdays throughout the year. Please contact me to discuss specific times and fees. Before you begin attending lessons, I recommend that you watch my video series "How to Play the Mountain Dulcimer." My book and DVD set Mountain Dulcimer Wildflowers might also be helpful to you in our lessons and in your individual study because it gives you some beginning repertoire and both written and visual instruction in technique.
When are you available for concerts, workshops, or special events?
Depending on your unique needs and vision, I am available for concerts and special events throughout the year on a case-by-case basis. If I am scheduled for a public event, an announcement will be available on my Pensacola Mountain Dulcimer Wildflowers page on Facebook and/or on my home page here at www.JessicaComeauDulcimer.com.
Do you offer dulcimer tutorials or private lessons via Skype, YouTube, or video recordings?
I now offer video coaching to owners of my book and DVD set Mountain Dulcimer Wildflowers; send me a video sample of your mountain dulcimer playing (uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo, or a similar video hosting service), and I will send you a written response specifying up to five areas for growth and providing guidance in these areas. For more information, please visit my Video Coaching page.
What is that little pickup that appears on your dulcimer in some of your videos?
In some of my videos, I am using a Dean Markley Artist Transducer Acoustic Pickup. You can find out more about this device at this page.
What type of dulcimer do you play in your videos?
All the mountain dulcimers that I play in my videos are made by McSpadden Dulcimers. My primary instrument is a redwood and walnut flathead dulcimer that I named Rhiannon in honor of her bold, Celtic voice.
Which instrument should I purchase? / Which capos do you recommend? / Where can I meet other mountain dulcimer players online? / Do you know of any international mountain dulcimer resources?
I have gathered together some information on my Links and Resources page to help you get started. If you are searching for the right mountain dulcimer to buy, I strongly recommend taking any opportunity you might have to listen to and play some instruments on site at a music store or dulcimer festival. That way, you can see how it feels to play each instrument and hear its tone. Perhaps this video by Lee Cagle might be helpful to you as well in comparing the sounds of mountain dulcimers made from different kinds of wood. I would be happy to answer any more specific questions you may have as you begin your mountain dulcimer journey. :-)
What key are you playing in?
If you find that it is difficult to play along with one of my songs in D-A-D, it is likely because I am tuned to C-G-C or C#-G#-C#, perhaps with a capo as well. I use these alternate tunings either to create a warmer sound, to place a song in a more comfortable key for singing, or both.
How did you create the temporary 1 1/2 fret under the middle string of your instrument?
It is a trick I learned from a friend long ago... I cut off a small piece of guitar string that was large enough to use as a fret under the middle string only, and I taped it down with office tape after placing it evenly between the 1 and 2 fret. The guitar string gauge that I used was .86 mm or .0338 in. The same trick can be used to create a temporary 6 1/2 fret on the melody string if your dulcimer does not have one.
Do you offer international shipping?
Yes. Costs vary according to order, but on average it would be $10.99 for a single CD to $19.99 for a single book.
Do you have a preferred digital resource for purchasing your album as a digital download?
All other factors being equal, I recommend purchasing my album digitally from CdBaby.com if it is available in your country because more of the purchase rate goes back to the original artist.
If I choose to download your album digitally, is there a way that I can obtain your liner notes also?
The text of my liner notes is available under the long album description at CdBaby.com. However, extra comments and pictures are available only with the purchase of a physical album (available either locally or through my online store).
I am available to teach private lessons on weekdays throughout the year. Please contact me to discuss specific times and fees. Before you begin attending lessons, I recommend that you watch my video series "How to Play the Mountain Dulcimer." My book and DVD set Mountain Dulcimer Wildflowers might also be helpful to you in our lessons and in your individual study because it gives you some beginning repertoire and both written and visual instruction in technique.
When are you available for concerts, workshops, or special events?
Depending on your unique needs and vision, I am available for concerts and special events throughout the year on a case-by-case basis. If I am scheduled for a public event, an announcement will be available on my Pensacola Mountain Dulcimer Wildflowers page on Facebook and/or on my home page here at www.JessicaComeauDulcimer.com.
Do you offer dulcimer tutorials or private lessons via Skype, YouTube, or video recordings?
I now offer video coaching to owners of my book and DVD set Mountain Dulcimer Wildflowers; send me a video sample of your mountain dulcimer playing (uploaded to YouTube, Vimeo, or a similar video hosting service), and I will send you a written response specifying up to five areas for growth and providing guidance in these areas. For more information, please visit my Video Coaching page.
What is that little pickup that appears on your dulcimer in some of your videos?
In some of my videos, I am using a Dean Markley Artist Transducer Acoustic Pickup. You can find out more about this device at this page.
What type of dulcimer do you play in your videos?
All the mountain dulcimers that I play in my videos are made by McSpadden Dulcimers. My primary instrument is a redwood and walnut flathead dulcimer that I named Rhiannon in honor of her bold, Celtic voice.
Which instrument should I purchase? / Which capos do you recommend? / Where can I meet other mountain dulcimer players online? / Do you know of any international mountain dulcimer resources?
I have gathered together some information on my Links and Resources page to help you get started. If you are searching for the right mountain dulcimer to buy, I strongly recommend taking any opportunity you might have to listen to and play some instruments on site at a music store or dulcimer festival. That way, you can see how it feels to play each instrument and hear its tone. Perhaps this video by Lee Cagle might be helpful to you as well in comparing the sounds of mountain dulcimers made from different kinds of wood. I would be happy to answer any more specific questions you may have as you begin your mountain dulcimer journey. :-)
What key are you playing in?
If you find that it is difficult to play along with one of my songs in D-A-D, it is likely because I am tuned to C-G-C or C#-G#-C#, perhaps with a capo as well. I use these alternate tunings either to create a warmer sound, to place a song in a more comfortable key for singing, or both.
How did you create the temporary 1 1/2 fret under the middle string of your instrument?
It is a trick I learned from a friend long ago... I cut off a small piece of guitar string that was large enough to use as a fret under the middle string only, and I taped it down with office tape after placing it evenly between the 1 and 2 fret. The guitar string gauge that I used was .86 mm or .0338 in. The same trick can be used to create a temporary 6 1/2 fret on the melody string if your dulcimer does not have one.
Do you offer international shipping?
Yes. Costs vary according to order, but on average it would be $10.99 for a single CD to $19.99 for a single book.
Do you have a preferred digital resource for purchasing your album as a digital download?
All other factors being equal, I recommend purchasing my album digitally from CdBaby.com if it is available in your country because more of the purchase rate goes back to the original artist.
If I choose to download your album digitally, is there a way that I can obtain your liner notes also?
The text of my liner notes is available under the long album description at CdBaby.com. However, extra comments and pictures are available only with the purchase of a physical album (available either locally or through my online store).