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Meeting People
Meeting People
Something that I found vitally important in the early years of my learning to play the dulcimer, was the opportunity to meet other players and to learn from them. The difficulty with this, so far as living in East Kent is concerned, is the lack of any locally living dulcimer players to 'compare notes' with. To use the title of the foremost collection of recordings of dulcimer players in the UK, 'I Thought I Was the Only One' (see the information about this under Recordings and Books). I now know of a small number of players who live not too far distant, but the dulcimer players of East Kent remain quite a 'select' group. Joining an organisation to make contact with other dulcimer players from around the UK and beyond, for me, proved an inspiration and an invaluable spur to improvement.
Something that I found vitally important in the early years of my learning to play the dulcimer, was the opportunity to meet other players and to learn from them. The difficulty with this, so far as living in East Kent is concerned, is the lack of any locally living dulcimer players to 'compare notes' with. To use the title of the foremost collection of recordings of dulcimer players in the UK, 'I Thought I Was the Only One' (see the information about this under Recordings and Books). I now know of a small number of players who live not too far distant, but the dulcimer players of East Kent remain quite a 'select' group. Joining an organisation to make contact with other dulcimer players from around the UK and beyond, for me, proved an inspiration and an invaluable spur to improvement.
The Nonsuch Dulcimer Club
The Nonsuch Dulcimer Club
I cannot speak highly enough of the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club for the help that it provides to anyone starting to learn the dulcimer. I joined the Club soon after I began learning the dulcimer and found the help that I received invaluable in many different respects. The Club produces an excellent quarterly newsletter, Nonsuch News, which is a mine of information for dulcimer players at any level, beginners or experts. I learnt a massive amount of useful things by attending the annual teaching weekend in October (previously at Launde Abbey) and various other gatherings. I am particularly grateful to Jenny Coxon (the then President) for her fantastic advice and support during my early days as a total beginner, but many other members have been invaluable in their enthusiasm and teaching (particularly Sue Harris, Chris Fitt and Amanda Lowe). Nonesuch has also introduced me to many other people who I now think of simply as friends and fellow dulcimer players.
I cannot speak highly enough of the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club for the help that it provides to anyone starting to learn the dulcimer. I joined the Club soon after I began learning the dulcimer and found the help that I received invaluable in many different respects. The Club produces an excellent quarterly newsletter, Nonsuch News, which is a mine of information for dulcimer players at any level, beginners or experts. I learnt a massive amount of useful things by attending the annual teaching weekend in October (previously at Launde Abbey) and various other gatherings. I am particularly grateful to Jenny Coxon (the then President) for her fantastic advice and support during my early days as a total beginner, but many other members have been invaluable in their enthusiasm and teaching (particularly Sue Harris, Chris Fitt and Amanda Lowe). Nonesuch has also introduced me to many other people who I now think of simply as friends and fellow dulcimer players.
This is a picture from the Facebook page of Nonesuch Members and guests from the Nonsuch Facebook page showing an annual gathering a Malvern which ran into the International Dulcimer Association World Congress in 2015.
Amongst the notable events at the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club annual gathering is a Saturday Evening Concert which draws upon the diverse and entertaining talents of the people who are present. The following are video clips from these events (then held at Laude Abbey) where I am assisted by Bob Fitt and other skilful musicians. I do not pretend that the performances are technically perfect, but they do convey something of the lively and participative atmosphere of the evening.
Amongst the notable events at the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club annual gathering is a Saturday Evening Concert which draws upon the diverse and entertaining talents of the people who are present. The following are video clips from these events (then held at Laude Abbey) where I am assisted by Bob Fitt and other skilful musicians. I do not pretend that the performances are technically perfect, but they do convey something of the lively and participative atmosphere of the evening.
This is a link to the Foggy Dew, performed by 'The Launderers' (Bob Fitt, Sholto Lenaghan and Me) from the Saturday Night Concert of the Annual Meeting of the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club at Launde Abbey on 25 October 2014. Thanks to Anne Reeve-Black for the filming of this.
This is a link to the Foggy Dew, performed by 'The Launderers' (Bob Fitt, Sholto Lenaghan and Me) from the Saturday Night Concert of the Annual Meeting of the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club at Launde Abbey on 25 October 2014. Thanks to Anne Reeve-Black for the filming of this.
This is a link to The Rose of Allendale performed by 'The New Lauderers' (Bob Fitt, Ken Hudson and Me) at the Saturday Night Concert at Launde Abbey for the Annual Meeting of the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club on 29 October 2016. Thanks to Jeremy Hopkin for the photography and thanks to everybody who sang along so brilliantly!
This is a link to The Rose of Allendale performed by 'The New Lauderers' (Bob Fitt, Ken Hudson and Me) at the Saturday Night Concert at Launde Abbey for the Annual Meeting of the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club on 29 October 2016. Thanks to Jeremy Hopkin for the photography and thanks to everybody who sang along so brilliantly!
This is a shot of one of the many informal sessions that invariably take place at Nonsuch gatherings, here playing alongside Sally Whitehead, who has been a leading light in the club for many years, at Malvern October 2015. Thanks to Caroline Riches for the photo.
Inevitably, since the Coronavirus Lockdown, the face to face activities of the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club have been postponed and the annual gathering has been cancelled for this year.
Inevitably, since the Coronavirus Lockdown, the face to face activities of the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club have been postponed and the annual gathering has been cancelled for this year.
However, it is great to see that face to face activities have been replaced by Zoom gatherings which have been organised by Hilary Davies and Chris Fitt (for the Northern Members Group). These sessions have been brilliant in drawing people together to play tunes and discuss their dulcimer playing. Despite the limitations of Zoom (see my Pandemic Postscript page on this) it is extremely convenient to meet up with Nonsuch friends without having to leave home.
However, it is great to see that face to face activities have been replaced by Zoom gatherings which have been organised by Hilary Davies and Chris Fitt (for the Northern Members Group). These sessions have been brilliant in drawing people together to play tunes and discuss their dulcimer playing. Despite the limitations of Zoom (see my Pandemic Postscript page on this) it is extremely convenient to meet up with Nonsuch friends without having to leave home.
Nonsuch continues online through Zoom session such as this one hosted by Hilary Davies, April 2020.
Other Groups and Organisations
Other Groups and Organisations
The Nonsuch Dulcimer Club provided me with a 'home base' as regards meeting dulcimer players as its members and activities were primarily UK based. It has been possible to attend some of the annual gatherings, though I tend not to travel so much as I used to.
The Nonsuch Dulcimer Club provided me with a 'home base' as regards meeting dulcimer players as its members and activities were primarily UK based. It has been possible to attend some of the annual gatherings, though I tend not to travel so much as I used to.
However, with the rapid expansion of online communication and social media over the years that I have been playing the dulcimer a lot is now happening within the virtual world. Particularly, through Facebook groups I have become aware of quite a number of international groups and organisations for dulcimer players. Most of these groups are for members, so it is necessary to fulfil some kind of membership requirements, but once you are a member it is possible to connect with dulcimer players around the globe and to swap dulcimer performances on video and learn from others. Amazing!
However, with the rapid expansion of online communication and social media over the years that I have been playing the dulcimer a lot is now happening within the virtual world. Particularly, through Facebook groups I have become aware of quite a number of international groups and organisations for dulcimer players. Most of these groups are for members, so it is necessary to fulfil some kind of membership requirements, but once you are a member it is possible to connect with dulcimer players around the globe and to swap dulcimer performances on video and learn from others. Amazing!
I am a member of the following dulcimer groups and would highly recommend then to anyone interested in dulcimer playing and related matters. The different groups cover different interests and to some extent different instruments, but all of them contain important and sometimes inspiring material for dulcimer players. Click on the name of the group to link with the Facebook Page.
I am a member of the following dulcimer groups and would highly recommend then to anyone interested in dulcimer playing and related matters. The different groups cover different interests and to some extent different instruments, but all of them contain important and sometimes inspiring material for dulcimer players. Click on the name of the group to link with the Facebook Page.
Link to 13. Instructional Videos
Link to 13. Instructional Videos
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For links to other pages, use the drop down menu at the top right of the page.
Please feel free to email me at bill.howarth54@gmail.com with any comments on the website.
Please feel free to email me at bill.howarth54@gmail.com with any comments on the website.
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