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Arranging a Duet for Mountain Dulcimer in the Chord-Melody Style

What is the Chord-Melody Style?
In my book, Playing Dulcimer in the Chord-Melody Style, I described the style as "a delicious hodgepodge: a mix of hammers, pulls, slides, steps, arpeggios and pinches played a dozen different ways... everything that enriches the texture of a piece and makes your playing more interesting and more beautiful." The book's 25 solos for all playing levels include examples of the techniques.

This article, however, focuses on using the style in a duet arrangement -- Stephen Foster's "Slumber, My Darling." Although the piece will sound acceptable without a playing-partner, adding the duet I believe, will more than double your pleasure.

The first order of the day is:

Don't Wake the Baby!
Because Stephen Foster's "Slumber, My Darling" (in the original the comma is sometimes omitted) is not a traditional song, my principal obligation as an arranger was to be true to the composer's vision. Foster's notebooks reveal that he spent much time working out a satisfying balance between words and music. Therefore I had to respect his concept and ensure that "Slumber" remains a lullaby. If we show such respect, I believe we can use fresh, new chords. But in a lullaby, I certainly would not crash in with a jarring dissonance that would alarm the baby. I believe my arrangement honors the composer's intent; it was a great pleasure when Dr. Deane L. Root, director of Pittsburgh's Stephen C. Foster Memorial told me that he enjoyed my arrangements.

Noodling Around
The noted composer-arranger Alice Parker advises "...own the song, become the song, to transmit it whole." I suggest that you sing and listen -- repeatedly. Experiment. Noodle around. My dictionary defines "noodle" as you might expect: "to improvise in an idle and haphazard fashion." Take note (literally) of every idea you stumble on. If something doesn't work as you put the tune together, it may fit in elsewhere. If the piece has been arranged before, listen to each version and consider what you like -- or don't like -- about it. Be specific. "It sounds funny" or "I like it" are not useful responses. Ask why it sounds funny, weird, exciting or beautiful. If you enjoy others' arrangements, study them. Play slowly and listen critically. Interesting ideas can come also from choral and instrumental arrangements. For Early Music, recorder ensemble books are a good source. By listening to recordings and performances, taking lessons and workshops, discussing and playing with others, reading music and reading about music, you must, in summary, develop an intelligence of the ear.

Specific Stuff

Here are some techniques you may want to use in a duet arrangement:

Begin the piece with just one part. Let it anticipate the entrance of the second part. You may do this for repeated verses or choruses -- not solely for introductions. One part played alone will make the music "breathe." Silence brings spaciousness -- especially to slow music. Aim for a balance between silence and sound, motion and stillness.

Arpeggiate (break) the chords in many ways. Play the middle or bass string and pinch or broken-pinch the others. Drag or brush them slowly or quickly or play the bass first -- hesitate briefly -- then drag the remaining strings. Dig into the strings and pull out a rich, deep sound.

Employ contrary motion, in which the notes in one part rise (ascend the scale) as the other falls. The voices may "answer" each other or interweave.

Try one part moving while the other holds the appropriate harmonies or plays a few notes gently. This technique may include a suspension -- a dissonant note which finally sinks into the harmony of the chord.

Take advantage of the drone. Place the melody on one string alone (I love the middle string for its warm, viola-like sound) and let the drones softly back it up.

Change octaves. Move one part to a higher range.

Avoid doubling chords in both parts. In DAD, if you cannot find a different voicing that is to your liking, then "flip" the chord and spell (play) it from the melody string to the bass or vice versa.

Put each part in a different tuning (same key). The problem of doubled voicings is solved.

Have the parts share or alternate accents. Or change a chord to minor. Do this for one verse only, as a kind of "surprise," perhaps saving it for the end.

No Hot-Dogging, Please!

When you play in duets -- or in any ensemble -- please leave your ego at the door. You will miss most of the fun as well as a good performance if you and your partner are not open to suggestions and changes. Learn both parts. Then you can agree on tempo, where to stretch notes to give your partner moving-time, where to shade a phrase and how to strengthen weak spots and smooth uneven ones. Be willing to change notes that make the arrangement sound uninspired (ask why?), crowded (why?) or inappropriate (why?).

I believe a successful duo yields a special musical math: one capable player plus another equals the music of three terrific players. To quote Alice Parker again, "There are differences in notes that can't be written down. They can only be heard." A good duo will make those notes sing.

A number # in a circle indicates a melody note that is played on a string other than the first string. An alternative chord is shown in parentheses (). An arrow ------- means the note should be held. "Subst." (r4/t) suggests a finger that may be substituted for another.

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Rosamond Campbell is the founder of the Dulcimer Society of Northern Illinois and has given workshops and performances at festivals throughout the country.

Her Midwestern credits include TV appearances, live theater, and programs at the Chicago Public Library Cultural Center, the Chicago Historical Society, the Terra Museum of American Art, the Wrigley Mansion, and even the Lincoln Park Zoo!

As an antique dealer as well as a classically trained musician and dulcimer player, she parlayed both interests into two collections of 19th-century music for dulcimer: The Victorian Dulcimer and The Parlour Dulcimer. She is also the author of Playing Dulcimer in the Chord-Melody Style, an instruction book with music for all playing levels (a Mel Bay Publication).

A partner in the dulcimer duo, "Grace Notes," Rosamond shares peaceful music in local hospitals as part of their music therapy programs.

Rosamond Campbell may be reached at Rosamondcbell@aol.com

Mel Bay book by Rosamond Campbell:
MB97533BCD Playing Dulcimer in the Chord-Melody Style
This book is your invitation to slow down and enjoy the gentle style of the melodic dulcimer. Chord-melody style is a delicious hodgepodge of hammers, pulls, slides, steps, arpeggios, pinches, and other techniques that enrich the texture of the ...
Book/CD Set, $24.95