14. Recordings and Books

I would not want to set myself up as any kind of music or literary critic, but the following is a select list of some of the things that I have found most inspiring, interesting or useful in learning the dulcimer. Please note also my admitted bias towards traditional English sources. I feel sure that there are many excellent things that are relevant to dulcimer playing in other parts of the world, but my approach is to start with the musical traditions that I find 'closest to home'.

Recordings

Various players, Dulcimer Players from England: I Thought I Was the Only One (1998 - Veteran) - for me, this is the best source of recordings of English dulcimer playing.

Some of the recordings (those from East Anglia) have been included in a CD re-release of this (originally cassette recording) by Veteran (VCDC12CD). The Re-release includes an invaluable DVD of Billy Bennington playing in 1979. Amazing!

There is also a CD, Billy Bennington - The Barford Angel (2005).

Various musicians, English Country Music (2000 - Topic TSCD607) - these recordings from the 1960s (including important recordings of Billy Cooper) have had a massive influence upon the revival of interest in English traditional music.

Jimmy Cooper - Dulcimer Player (2003 - Forest Tracks) - this must be one of the most important collections of Scots dulcimer music.

Various musicians, Irish Traditional Music (2000 - Topic) - includes recordings of the superb John Rea.

Books

David Kettlewell, All the Tunes that Ever there Were . . . : An Introduction to the Dulcimer in the British Isles (1975, 1982) - this is a wonderful book which taught me a massive amount about dulcimer playing past and present.

Ian Hay, Hammered Dulcimer Accompaniment Notes (2009) - originally prepared for Nonsuch Dulcimer Club teaching sessions.

Karen Ashbrook, Playing the Hammered Dulcimer in the Irish Tradition (1984) - this contains quite a lot of useful information about dulcimer technique and ornamentation which may be useful beyond Irish music.

East Anglian Traditional Music Trust, Before the Night Was Out . . . (2007) - this contains transcriptions of tunes played by Billy Cooper and Billy Bennington and much fascinating biographical information about traditional dulcimer players from East Anglia.

Link to 15. Oscar

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