A Mel Bay Publications, Inc. Webzine
June 2007 · Bimonthly
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In this issue: Leo Kretzner on Rhythm: Part 1 | Gary Owen for Hammered Dulcimer | Durme for Hammered Dulcimer | When Johnny Comes Marching Home for Mountain Dulcimer
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Durme for Hammered Dulcimerby Karen Ashbrook This is a traditional Sephardic lullaby. The Sephardim are the Iberian Jews. Ladino, their language, is a combination of old Spanish and Sephardi Hebrew. The word "durme" is also the Spanish command for "sleep." Clearly this song can be attributed to an exasperated mother! For many years I played in the Jewish band "King David's Harp." David Scheim founded the group and played piano and harp. You can hear us playing "Durme" together on this track from my CD "Spring Will Come," recorded at a concert I gave in 2006 celebrating my 30th anniversary playing hammered dulcimer. David, the Celtic band "Ceoltoiri" and my current music partners, Paul Oorts and Steve Bloom, all joined me at the show. More information about the CD is available on my website at http://karenashbrook.com/cds.html. Listen to "Durme"This tune has 3 parts. In the first part David creates tension playing a ground on the harp of eighth note F# to Gs and basically holding an open E minor chord on top of that. The B part, which starts on a D chord, moves towards a softer feel as we add chords. The C part modulates to G major before ending back in E minor. We play the C part with a more open, arpeggiated feel. My arrangement here is very simple (slightly more elaborate than the recording though). In the A part I use octaves to keep the sound open. In the B part I put in a few small fills and chords. In the C part I use fuller arpeggios. We play it 4 times with the melody first on harp. The whistle takes over in the C part and then leads a round. The third and fourth times the dulcimer leads with the harp accompanying. In between rounds the harp noodles on an E minor scale (partly so I have time to switch from whistle to dulcimer!). In the intro and at the very end of the tune in performance, I play "fake" harmonics created by lightly touching a course (one note) on the bridge while striking the note with a hammer. This gives a very pure tone and is much more reliable than trying to find the exact halfway spot of the string to get a true harmonic. With the hand touching the bridge I roll my hammer into the fingers so I can use my thumb on the bridge and then play the note with the free hand (see photo).   About the Author Karen Ashbrook - hammered dulcimer, wooden flute, pennywhistle In 1976, Karen built her first dulcimer as a high school project. For five years she lived overseas in pursuit of Irish music, learning her craft in the pubs of England and Ireland while taking time to travel in Europe and Asia. She subsequently wrote the first book for intermediate/advanced dulcimer playing in the States, Playing the Hammered Dulcimer in the Irish Tradition, on Oak Publications. Karen plays a wide variety of musical styles including Appalachian, Belgian, English, classical and Jewish. She teaches at numerous festivals and music camps around the States, and is now central in bringing instruction to the revival of hakkebord (the Flemish hammered dulcimer) in Belgium! These days she performs as a duo with her husband, Paul Oorts, playing his native Belgian and French music, and as a trio in "Pavilion 3" with world percussionist Steve Bloom added. Karen also plays with the avant garde contra dance band "Cabaret Sauvignon." Karen's books and CDs are available through her website at: http://karenashbrook.com Bibliography •Playing the Hammered Dulcimer in the Irish Tradition – book/CD set, Oak Publications •Mel Bay Presents 2000 Hammered Dulcimer Discography Spring Will Come a 2006 live concert, available through Karen's website, cdbaby.com and amazon.com On the Maggie's Music label: Knock on the Door – MM212 Hills of Erin – MM207 Celtic Café – MM224 With Ceoltoiri: Celtic Lace –MM203 Silver Apples of the Moon - MM202 Women of Ireland - MM218 Compilations: Celtic Mist – MM301 Carolan's Gift – MM304 Merrily Greet the Time - MM228 Other label samplers (available from Karen's website): Celtic Tapestry – Time Life Journey to the Heart – Hammer Dulcimer Expressions – Deerpath Music [ top ]
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