dulcimer week at halsway manor 2019 … · fingerpicking butch ross md (int/adv): playing with pick...

Dulcimer Week At Halsway Manor 2019

Welcome to the fourth Dulcimer Week at Halsway, programmed by the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club.

This note and the accompanying documents are for old lags and newcomers alike. Please print

them off and bring them with you to the course.

1. Summary and Detailed Programmes: Workshops, their timings and who will lead them are

given on the Summary. Rooms are shown for the first full day, but on Wednesday and Thursday

will be announced daily, depending on the balance of numbers in each group. Tutor

biographies and information about their individual workshops are on the Detailed Programme.

2. Playing Level Guidelines: These aim to give you an idea of which workshops are right for your

level of ability. For each instrument there are workshops suitable for Beginner/Improvers and

for Intermediate/Advanced players – as well as some suitable for all levels. This is clearly

indicated on both programmes. If you’re not sure which workshops are right for you, talk to me

or to the tutors involved.

3. Things to Do on Wednesday PM: Because workshops require some concentration and effort,

we schedule a break, mid-way through the course, for the latter part of Wednesday afternoon.

In previous years, small groups have got together to walk over the hills or travel on the heritage

steam railway, but if you want to go your own way, this leaflet gives some ideas – and maps.

4. List of Participants: This is our latest list of who is booked on the course, indicating who is

playing the mountain dulcimer (MD), hammered dulcimer (HD) or not playing, but just enjoying

the music and the fine scenery (NP)! N.B. If there is a question mark against your name, you

have not returned the pre-course questionnaire which was sent out. We do not know which

instrument you want to play, your playing level, or whether you need to borrow an instrument.

Please contact me by phone or email ASAP.

You’ll be glad to know there’s no homework to do before you turn up! None of the tutors need you

to learn any tunes in advance. They will allow plenty of time in the workshops for you to get to

grips with any music – and for the MD, much of it will be in easy-to-read TAB format.

There will be items for sale during the week – practical things such as spare strings, tuners, picks,

hammers and capos, but also music books and new or used instruments. There’s also plenty of

expertise on hand – just ask!

Any questions or comments about the food or accommodation, talk to Halsway Manor staff.

Anything else about the course, talk to me. So, we look forward to seeing you – enjoy!

Geoff Black, Course Leader

Telephone: 07817 310083 Email: [email protected]

Dulcimer Week Programme : Halsway Manor 20th – 24th May 2019

Mon 20th Tues 21st Wed 22nd 8.30-9.10 BREAKFAST BREAKFAST

9.30-10.45

Geoff Black

MD (Beg/Impr):

MD Grounding

Dining Room

Butch Ross

MD (Int/Adv):

Thinking ‘Inside’ the Box

Bar

Pieter Blondelle

HD (Beg/Imp):

Learning the Landscape

Library

Rick Thum

HD (Int/Adv): The Art of Droning

Coach House

Thomasina Levy

MD (Beg/Impr):

Beginning Fiddle Tunes

Butch Ross

MD (Int/Adv):

Rhythms Beyond 4/4

Rick Thum

HD (Beg/Imp):

Unlocking Your Instrument: Pt 1

Matt Dickerson

HD (Int/Adv):

Hand Interdependence

10.50-11.10 MORNING COFFEE MORNING COFFEE

11.15-12.30

Butch Ross

MD (Beg/Impr):

It's All Cabbage, Really

Dining Room

Thomasina Levy

MD (Int/Adv):

Understanding the Capo

Bar

Matt Dickerson

HD (Beg/Imp):

Crossing the Bridge Library

Rick Thum

HD (Int/Adv):

Free Embellishment Coach House

Thomasina Levy

MD (Beg/Impr): Beginning

Fingerpicking

Butch Ross

MD (Int/Adv):

Playing with Pick and Fingers

Rick Thum

HD (Beg/Imp):

Unlocking Your Instrument: Pt 2

Matt Dickerson

HD (Int/Adv): Rainbow

Connection

1.00-1.45 LUNCH LUNCH

2.15-3.30

Butch Ross

MD (Beg/Impr):

Get Right with Rhythm

Dining Room

Thomasina Levy

MD (Int/Adv): Left Hand

Embellishments Bar

Matt Dickerson

HD (Beg/Imp):

Tune Mapping

Library

Rick Thum

HD (Int/Adv):

Embellishment from the Melody

Note Coach House

GROUP WORKSHOP

For all MD and HD levels: Rick Thum

Jamming Tips and Tricks

Dining Room or Bar

GROUP WORKSHOP

For all MD and HD levels: Butch Ross

The Beatles for Dulcimer

Bar or Dining Room

3.30-4.00 AFTERNOON COFFEE AFTERNOON COFFEE

4.15-5.45

ARRIVAL 4PM

ONWARDS

GROUP WORKSHOP

For all MD and HD levels: Thomasina Levy + Rick Thum

Arranging Songs on the Dulcimer

Dining Room or Bar

GROUP WORKSHOP

For all MD and HD levels: Matt Dickerson + Butch Ross

Arranging a Tune for Performance

Bar or Dining Room

FREE TIME:

Local Walks, or

One-to-One Sessions, or WHY?

6.30-7.30 EVENING MEAL EVENING MEAL EVENING MEAL

8.00 til late

LIGHT-HEARTED COMPETITION +

INFORMAL SESSIONS

TUTOR CONCERT

8.00 – 9.30 (Dining Room)

INFORMAL SESSIONS

Thurs 23rd Fri 24th 8.30-9.10 BREAKFAST BREAKFAST

9.30-10.45

Butch Ross MD

(Beg/Impr):

Weird Tunings

Dining Room

Duncan Gibbs/Geoff

Black MD

(Int/Adv): The Electric

Muse Bar

Rick Thum HD

(Beg/Impr):

Tune Structure

Library

Matt Dickerson HD

(Int/Adv):

Skills for Solo Performance Coach House

DEPARTURE

9.30 ONWARDS

10.50-11.10 MORNING COFFEE

11.15-12.30

Butch Ross / Thomasina Levy

MD (All):

Developing an Ensemble Piece 1

Bar

Rick Thum/ Matt Dickerson

HD (All):


Dining Rm

1.00-1.45 LUNCH

2.15-3.30


MD (All):


Bar


HD (All):


Dining Rm

3.30-4.00 AFTERNOON COFFEE + Close of registration for Concert Slots

4.15-5.45


MD (All):

Agony Aunt / Q and A Session

Bar


HD (All):

Agony Aunt / Q and A Session

Dining Rm

6.30-7.30 EVENING MEAL

8.00 til late

END OF COURSE

CONCERT 8.00-10.30

Halsway Manor Dulcimer Week Programme

May 20th – 24th 2019

Your Tutors:

Butch Ross (MD)

Butch Ross, from Chatanooga, Tennessee, is a mountain dulcimer maestro who has played everything from Bach to Radiohead. He’s a

patient, inspiring teacher and also an in-demand performer who is a regular and hugely popular visitor to the UK.

Thomasina Levy (MD)

Thomasina Levy, from Connecticut, is an award winning, internationally recognized mountain dulcimer player, singer, poet and song writer

whose performances weave together the best of traditional and contemporary folk music.

Rick Thum (HD)

Rick Thum, from Missouri, is widely influential in the hammered dulcimer world, as teacher, performer and now maker. He brings a

combination of passion and accessibility to his workshops and is an experienced performer - a long-time favourite on the US festival scene.

Matt Dickerson (HD)

Matthew Dickerson, from South Carolina, won the 2012 National Hammered Dulcimer Championship and is now a successful and popular

full-time musician, playing in a variety of styles and genres. He performs and teaches across the US and now makes his first visit to the UK.

Pieter Blondelle (HD)

Pieter is an experienced hammered dulcimer player and long-time friend of Nonsuch. Formerly a headteacher and education adviser, he is

now inspiring a whole new generation of hammered dulcimer players in his native Flanders.

Geoff Black /Duncan Gibbs (MD)

Geoff is a past chair of the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club and has led dulcimer workshops at many UK folk festivals. He runs his own specialist

dulcimer business, Revels Music. Duncan is a consummate musician, has played keyboards in a wide variety of rock and blues bands, and

became a long-term fan of the mountain dulcimer in the 1970s. He now combines these interests, playing acoustic and electric dulcimer at

workshops and festivals, and recreating rock classics – played solely on the dulcimer - for his popular YouTube channel.

Butch Ross

Tues W1 (MD Int/Adv) “Thinking ‘Inside’ the Box” – Using cross-string picking and three finger "boxes" to tame tricky tunes without

simplifying melodies or removing notes. Improve speed and dexterity without actually playing faster.

Tues W2 (MD Beg/Imp) “It's All Cabbage, Really” – The first song most people learn (and get sick of) is actually a Rosetta Stone of

information. Learn how much harmonic information is contained in this simple song and how you can use it to learn new

songs quickly or play along in jams, even if you don't know the tune.

Tues W3 (MD Beg/Imp) “Get Right with Rhythm” – The secret to great playing is great rhythm. Full stop. Learn how to get a solid rhythm and

consistent tempos in fun and interesting ways.

Tues W4 (MD/HD All levels) With Matt Dickerson

“Arranging a Tune for Performance” – Matt and Butch will take a couple of tunes, playable on either the HD or MD, and give you a hands-on masterclass in developing and embellishing them for performance.

Wed W1 (MD Int/Adv) “Rhythms Beyond 4/4” – An exploration of the rhythms that exist beyond common 4/4 time. Jigs, Hornpipes, Bluesy

shuffles and even odd time signatures will be explored.

Wed W2 (MD Int/Adv) “Playing with Pick and Fingers” – Learn to switch from fingerpicking to strumming (and back again) as well as

embellishments and fun syncopations with this simple technique.

Wed W3 (MD/HD All levels) “Beatles for Dulcimer” – Find out how these folk songs from NW England lend themselves to arrangements on both mountain and hammered dulcimers.

Thurs W1 (MD Beg/Imp) “Weird Tunings” – An exploration of unusual, but really useful tunings, including Bagpipe and 1-3-5 tunings. New

strings STRONGLY suggested.

Thurs W2 (MD All levels) With Thomasina Levy

“Developing an Ensemble Piece: Part 1” – We will develop some pieces of music, arranged in parts and suitable for all abilities, for performance at the Final Concert on Thursday night.


“Developing an Ensemble Piece: Part 2” – As Part 1 contd.


“Agony Aunt/Q & A Session” – Your opportunity to ask those burning questions…about the instrument, technique, practice routines, musicality etc or even about how/why the tutors got into playing themselves.

Thomasina Levy with Geoff Black/Duncan Gibbs

Tues W1 (MD Beg/Imp)

Led by Geoff Black

“Mountain Dulcimer Grounding” – A boot camp for all beginners, starting from the basics of posture and the diatonic

fretboard, to simple strumming and picking out a tune on the melody string(s). (DAd and DAc).

Tues W2 (MD Int/Adv) “Understanding the Capo” – You may never have to retune again!! Learn how to play the same song in different keys. And learn some songs in minor scales/modes without having to retune your dulcimer. Some basic music theory will be discussed. Tune to DAd and bring a capo [on sale at the MD stand if you don’t have one].

Tues W3 (MD Int/Adv) “Left Hand Embellishments” – Left hand embellishments will help you to “dress up” your music once you are familiar

with the basics of playing the mountain dulcimer. Once you get some of these techniques under your fingertips, you

can even make a simple song like Bile Them Cabbage Down sound exciting. Techniques we will explore are:

Hammering-On, Pulling-Off, Vibrato, Slides, Harmonics.

Tues W4 (MD/HD All levels) With Rick Thum

“Arranging Songs on the Dulcimer” – We will compare our arrangements of songs to see how they differ and why. Open to lots of questions. We will be looking at the ART of music and how to personalize it.

Wed W1 (MD Beg/Imp) “Beginning Fiddle Tunes” – Add to your repertoire by learning popular jamming songs and tunes that are played by

many other musicians. We will go over some easy back up chords you can use in jamming sessions with other players.

Come tuned to DAd.

Wed W2 MD (Beg/Imp) “Beginning Finger Picking” – Put down that pick and let your fingers do the walking. Some basic finger placement and

easy beginner finger picking songs will be introduced. Come tuned to DAd.

Thurs W1 (MD Int/Adv) Led by Geoff Black/Duncan Gibbs

“The Electric Muse” – Discover some key rock techniques and how they can be applied to your everyday playing. We will work on some rock classics – bring your usual acoustic dulcimer (or electric dulcimer and amp), your fringed leather jacket, mullet etc etc.

Thurs W2 (MD All levels) With Butch Ross






Matt Dickerson With Pieter Blondelle

Tues W1 (HD Beg/Imp)

Led by Pieter Blondelle

“Learning the Landscape” – Finding your way around the dulcimer in several keys, using simple exercises drawn from easy Belgian folk tunes.

Tues W2 (HD Beg/Imp) “Crossing the Bridge” – Many HD players tend to see themselves as a right hand or left hand lead player. In this class I will teach the importance of learning equally and using both, with hands-on examples demonstrating how crossing the bridge plays a key role in choosing our lead.

Tues W3 (HD Beg/Imp)

“Tune Mapping” – Navigating through a tune on the Hammered Dulcimer can be tricky with double hitting, crossing the bridge, hand separation, and percussive techniques. Discover how to map out tunes for easy execution and smoother playing.

Tues W4 (MD/HD All levels)

With Butch Ross

“Arranging a Tune for Performance” – Matt and Butch will take a couple of tunes, playable on either the HD or MD, and give you a hands-on masterclass in developing and embellishing them for performance.

Wed W1 (HD Int/Adv) “Hand Interdependence” – Hand interdependence is a technique most advanced hammered dulcimer players are familiar with. But do we honestly know how to use this ability well? With a few days of instruction the mysteries of the "pat your head and rub your belly" phenomena can be put to rest.

Wed W2 (HD Int/Adv) “Rainbow Connection” – Learn to play the "Rainbow Connection" made popular by "The Carpenters" and "The Muppets". Maybe even hear a few Kermit the frog impressions….

Thurs W1 (HD Int/Adv) “Skills for Solo Performance” – Push your dulcimer skills to the next level by learning to turn the tunes you already know into solo masterpieces. I will introduce methods of developing chords, arpeggios, runs, and filler within any given melody.

Thurs W2 (HD All levels) With Rick Thum






Rick Thum

Tues W1 (HD Int/Adv) “The Art of Droning” – Droning is not just simply adding one boring note over and over. We will learn how to drone and make it interesting and intriguing. The response to this newer class has been very positive. I hope to change the way you think about drones! Lots of hands-on playing in this class.

Tues W2 (HD Int/Adv) “Free Embellishment” – This is what makes fiddle tunes so fun to play. We will learn how, when and where to do it. The listener will hear the song and not be bored because the tune is played in a new way each time. Free up your playing with this technique. We will learn an American fiddle tune on which to practise the techniques.

Tues W3 (HD Int/Adv) “Embellishment From the Melody Note” – I have developed a method to be sure of where the key embellishment notes for a song are, simply by knowing where I am on my dulcimer. This is a fool proof way to embellish a song the very first time you play it, without guessing – ideal for those like me with a short memory! It helps make music more spontaneous and fun. This is a mind-stretching class with lots of work.

Tues W4 (MD/HD All levels) With Thomasina Levy

“Arranging Songs on the Dulcimer” – We will compare our arrangements of songs to see how they differ and why. Open to lots of questions. We will be looking at the ART of music and how to personalize it.

Wed W1 (HD Beg/Imp) “Unlocking your Instrument: Part 1” – We will learn how and why your instrument works the way it does and how to make that work for you. We will explore some of the short-cuts to playing your instrument. It is a straightforward instrument to play when you learn a few tricks about it – you do not need to read music to be a great player.

Wed W2 (HD Beg/Imp) “Unlocking your Instrument: Part 2” – Learning chords will help you to own your instrument. We will learn how to find chords and some ways to play them rhythmically. This class will get you started in using your whole dulcimer. Lots of hands-on playing.

Wed W3 (MD/HD All levels) “Jamming Tips and Tricks” – for all levels, all instruments. We will learn how to recognise the chords you need to use, and how to hear the tunes in a way that helps you know how to use those chords. Playing the chords is only half of the goal. We also want to try to learn the tune. I will teach you the tricks to being able to start to play an unknown tune right there in the jam at the first time of asking. Jamming is a craft and a learned skill. I will provide you with the tools necessary for you to become a better jammer.

Thurs W1 (HD Beg/Imp) “Tune Structure” – We will discover the easy way to learn and memorize your tunes. It will also help you in a jam. We will learn this technique and then apply it to learning a fiddle tune. We will use the song "Missouri".

Thurs W2 (HD All levels) With Matt Dickerson


Thurs W3 (HD All levels) With Matt Dickerson


Thurs W4 (HD All) With Matt Dickerson


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Will the workshop be OK for me? Will I be able to keep up?

The Club exists to help players improve and enjoy themselves on the dulcimer. So whether you have barely

touched the instrument or you have been playing for years, we try to provide something in our workshops

to stimulate and even challenge you. But it’s no fun if you find you really can’t keep up or you’re going over

ground you covered long ago. So we produced these Playing Level Guides to help you understand what a

tutor might expect you to know before you start a workshop. N.B. Do let us know if you are an absolute

beginner. We can help you join in fully after a few starter sessions – and we’d love to see you!

1. Beginner HD Familiarity with tuning a dulcimer, basic care & maintenance, using hammers comfortably (alternating). Some awareness of basic musical terms and rhythms can be helpful. Reasonable knowledge of HD note positions, esp. in popular keys (G & D). Ability to play simple scales and one or two simple tunes at a steady, even rhythm.

2.Beginner/Improver HD ALL of #1, plus some of #3

3.Intermediate HD Good knowledge of all note positions, esp. duplicated notes. Familiarity with popular rhythms. Ability/confidence to play in the ‘common’ keys (G, D, C, F & relative minors), play a tune in another octave or key and work out efficient hammering patterns. Understand simple chord structure, ornamentation, arpeggios, harmonies, and dynamics. Able to follow a workshop at a reasonable pace. Keenness to perfect techniques and become more adventurous!

4.Intermediate/Advanced HD ALL of #1 and #3, plus some of #5

5.Advanced HD Able to play with a good degree of fluency, understand the HD layout comfortably, find notes as required, keep a fair rhythm and pace during the workshop. Ability to play tunes by ear and join in with sessions confidently. Good knowledge of appropriate musical theory as it applies to the HD. Play varied repertoire and enjoy exploring music aspects such as style, phrasing, dynamics, accents, rhythms, harmony, ornamentation & technique. Able to make a substantial contribution to sessions etc. with other musicians.

1. Beginner MD Familiarity with tuning a dulcimer to at least one tuning, basic care and maintenance, making clear and distinct notes and simple chord shapes, strumming in rhythm. Some awareness of basic musical terms and music tablature can be helpful. Able to play some simple tunes at a steady, even rhythm – at least one or two from memory.

2.Beginner/Improver MD ALL of #1, plus some of #3

3.Intermediate MD Ability to play in more than one tuning or mode. Familiarity with basic playing styles, chording, harmony, strumming and rhythm variations, plus capo use. Able to follow a workshop at a reasonable pace and play with reasonable speed and dexterity, including dynamics. Keenness to refine playing techniques and become more adventurous!

4.Intermediate/Advanced MD ALL of #1 and #3, plus some of #5

5.Advanced MD Ability to play with fluency, using more challenging chords, different tunings & modes. Familiarity with various embellishment and ornamentation techniques, e.g. hammer-ons, pull-offs, slides & harmonics. Knowledge of alternative finger-picking and/or picking styles. Good knowledge of appropriate musical theory as it applies to the MD. Able to play tunes by ear, work with other musicians and join in sessions confidently.

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Dulcimer Week at Halsway Manor: Possible options for Wednesday afternoon

West Somerset Railway

Twenty miles of heritage railway running through lovely countryside and alongside the sea. Steam drawn

trains at 12.40 from Bishop’s Lydeard, 13.04 and 15.06 from nearest station (Stogumber) or 15 mins later from

Williton. Major attractions at Watchet, Dunster and Minehead are all accessible from the railway (see below).

Watchet

Six miles to the West. Small, picturesque harbour which imported salt and wine, and exported minerals from

the nearby Brendon Hills and paper from the paper mill. Two small museums, lifeboat station, galleries, and

open-air craft and produce market on the Esplanade. The steam railway runs into the centre of the town (see

above). Don't miss CAMRA Cider award winning Pebbles Tavern – also famous for its range of gins!

Dunster and Dunster Castle

Ten miles to the West. Pretty town with tea shops, old Yarn Market, interesting church, pigeon loft, working

water mill and castle. The latter, dramatically sited on a wooded hill, has an impressive medieval gatehouse

and ruined tower. It became a lavish country home during the 19th century for the Luttrell family, who lived

here for 600 years. The castle boasts spectacular views toward the Bristol Channel, the Quantock hills and up

to the moors of Exmoor. Owned by the National Trust.

Cleeve Abbey

Seven miles to the West. A 10 minute walk from Washford station. The well-preserved ruins of an 800 year old

Cistercian monastery. Discount on entry for rail passengers. Managed by English Heritage.

Coleridge’s Cottage

Six miles to the North West, over the Quantocks at Nether Stowey. This humble Georgian home was the home

of Romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge in the 1790s. The cottage and its surrounding hills became

inspiration for much of the early Romantic literary movement. Owned by the National Trust.

Oatley Vineyard

Personal vineyard tour and wine-tasting at Iain & Jane Awty’s award winning 2.5 acre vineyard. 20 minutes

from Halsway, over the hills towards Over Stowey, pick up the A39 for 5 minutes then follow a quiet no-

through road to the vineyard. Very informal, no pressure sales! Contact the owners on 01278 671340.

Kilve Beach

Six miles due North. Has a car park, followed by a short walk to grassy clifftops, ideal for a picnic, and a pebble

beach. The beach is an SSSI and its shale rocks harbour plentiful fossils, ammonites in particular. The nearby

Chantry Tea rooms or Hood Arms are recommended!

Holford Combe

Seven to ten miles North West, depending on route. A scenic drive into a shaded valley, past the hotel and into

a car park. Paddle in the stream, walk up the gently sloping wooded valley or venture up onto the ancient hill

fort of Dowsborough to your left - with views across the Bristol Channel, its islands Steep Holm and Flat Holm,

and the Hinkley Point nuclear power station. Walkable from Halsway - see below.

Walks across the Quantocks

Footpaths start right outside Halsway and take you onto the Quantock Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,

with its upland views and hidden combes. Head to Halsway Hill or Halsway Post, or if you want a longer, more

varied walk, to Hodder’s Combe or beautiful Holford Combe and the adjacent Dowsborough hill fort.

Drives further afield

Within a two hour round drive are the charming historic villages of Selworthy, Bossington, Porlock and Porlock

Weir (follow A39 beyond Minehead) and the eastern edge of wild Exmoor, with its ponies, combes and

panoramic views across the Bristol Channel (via the Brendon Hills and Raleigh’s Cross).

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Dulcimer Week May 2019: Halsway Manor

List of Participants

Victoria Baines MD

Malcolm Baldwin MD

Julie Beaven MD/HD

Pieter Blondelle HD

Amanda Boyd MD

Peter Bromwich HD

Diane Bromwich MD

Peter Bull HD

Rachel Cheyne MD

Amanda Collicutt MD/HD

Simon Cooper N/P

Jan Cormie MD

Hamish Cormie MD

Peter Corser MD

Paul Crocker MD

Sue Crump MD/HD

Colm Daly N/P

Hilary Davies MD/HD

Louis Ferraris MD

Annelise Franck HD

Duncan Gibbs MD

Linda Harris ??dulcimer

Chris Hornby MD

Irene Jackson HD

Alan Kennett HD

Maureen Knight MD

Linda Lloyd HD

Bill Lloyd MD

Anna Lunk N/P

Cathy Marsden MD

Christopher Matthews MD

Frans Morre MD/HD

Jill Nicholas HD

Gloria Parra MD

Michael Parra N/P

Jack Pennell MD

Anne Reeve-Black HD

Geoff Reeve-Black MD

Jenny Reynard MD

Philippa Robinson MD

Carole Ross HD

Jackie Setter ?

Christine Smith MD/HD

Tony Smith HD

Jane Syers MD

Bob Thompson MD

Caroline Thompson MD

Judith Van Dijkhuizen HD

Tutors:

Butch Ross (MD) Rick Thum (HD)

Thomasina Levy (MD) Matt Dickerson (HD)

Geoff Black (MD) Pieter Blondelle (HD)

Duncan Gibbs (MD)

As at 07/05/19

dulcimer week at halsway manor 2019 … · fingerpicking butch ross md (int/adv): playing with pick...

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