Embedded Files
This photo was taken at the the Dover Tales performance of Chaucer's Miller's Tale at the Arden Theatre which was staged as part of the Faversham Hop Festival, September 2017. Thanks to Christopher Briggs for the shot.
Introduction
Introduction
This website was first created in August 2015 and has been significantly revised in March 2017 and July 2020 (ongoing).
This website was first created in August 2015 and has been significantly revised in March 2017 and July 2020 (ongoing).
The latest revision has taken place during the UK Lockdown for the Coronavirus Pandemic. The Lockdown has provided some much-needed time to work on the website, but has also caused me to reflect upon the present predicament in respect of dulcimer playing, musical activities and life in general.
The latest revision has taken place during the UK Lockdown for the Coronavirus Pandemic. The Lockdown has provided some much-needed time to work on the website, but has also caused me to reflect upon the present predicament in respect of dulcimer playing, musical activities and life in general.
All the photos that I have included of musical gatherings and folk dances date from before 23 March 2020, when Lockdown officially began in my part of the UK. What will follow Lockdown is uncertain, but it is my guess is that it will be sometime before these kinds of gathering will take place again. I hope that this will be sooner rather than later, but the 'historical' (pre-Lockdown) nature of much of what follows should be appreciated throughout
All the photos that I have included of musical gatherings and folk dances date from before 23 March 2020, when Lockdown officially began in my part of the UK. What will follow Lockdown is uncertain, but it is my guess is that it will be sometime before these kinds of gathering will take place again. I hope that this will be sooner rather than later, but the 'historical' (pre-Lockdown) nature of much of what follows should be appreciated throughout
Contents
Contents
This page provides links to video and sound clips of dulcimer being used to accompany traditional English folk songs.
This page provides links to video and sound clips of dulcimer being used to accompany traditional English folk songs.
This page is about the Dover-based folk band that perform frequently at concerts, festivals and pubs playing a range material, with English dance tunes and songs a speciality.
This page is about the Dover-based folk band that perform frequently at concerts, festivals and pubs playing a range material, with English dance tunes and songs a speciality.
The Jumbles are a Canterbury and Deal-based trio that play contemporary and folk material in an enthusiastic style incorporating the dulcimer.
The Jumbles are a Canterbury and Deal-based trio that play contemporary and folk material in an enthusiastic style incorporating the dulcimer.
4. Dover Tales
4. Dover Tales
Dover Tales are a Dover-based group of storytellers that recount local historical events in a dramatic way and have included music in performances such as The Folkestone Murders and Chaucer's Miller's Tale.
Dover Tales are a Dover-based group of storytellers that recount local historical events in a dramatic way and have included music in performances such as The Folkestone Murders and Chaucer's Miller's Tale.
Hoodening is an old East Kent custom involving singing, music and horse play, and this tradition is kept alive by the Deal group, who are also a popular choice for playing music for barn dances all across east Kent.
Hoodening is an old East Kent custom involving singing, music and horse play, and this tradition is kept alive by the Deal group, who are also a popular choice for playing music for barn dances all across east Kent.
Jon and Phili Mills and Bill combine forces to produce a lively and distinctive style of music, with a particular emphasis upon traditional Cornish material.
Jon and Phili Mills and Bill combine forces to produce a lively and distinctive style of music, with a particular emphasis upon traditional Cornish material.
Bill and Pip Ives collaborated on this collection of traditional songs and tunes, using dulcimer alongside other tradiional instruments that has been generously reviewed.
Bill and Pip Ives collaborated on this collection of traditional songs and tunes, using dulcimer alongside other tradiional instruments that has been generously reviewed.
8. Local Folk Music Sessions (East Kent, UK)
8. Local Folk Music Sessions (East Kent, UK)
This lists informal local music making sessions in East Kent which provide plenty of opportunities to hone dulcimer playing skills and learn from other folk musicians.
This lists informal local music making sessions in East Kent which provide plenty of opportunities to hone dulcimer playing skills and learn from other folk musicians.
This page has several subpages to recount my experiences in learning the dulcimer, the different dulcimers that I have played and the related equipment that I have used.
This page has several subpages to recount my experiences in learning the dulcimer, the different dulcimers that I have played and the related equipment that I have used.
11/A. My First Dulcimer (a 19th century English Dulcimer probably from Birmingham)
11/A. My First Dulcimer (a 19th century English Dulcimer probably from Birmingham)
11/B. My Second Dulcimer (a 19/21/9 Grand Concertmaster by Jerry Read Smith)
11/B. My Second Dulcimer (a 19/21/9 Grand Concertmaster by Jerry Read Smith)
11/C. My Third Dulcimer (a 16/15 D45 by Dusty Strings)
11/C. My Third Dulcimer (a 16/15 D45 by Dusty Strings)
11/D. My Fourth Dulcimer (a Double-sided 13/13 dulcimer by Alec Anness)
11/D. My Fourth Dulcimer (a Double-sided 13/13 dulcimer by Alec Anness)
11/E. My Fifth Dulcimer (a Music Magic Harmony by Tim Manning)
11/E. My Fifth Dulcimer (a Music Magic Harmony by Tim Manning)
11/F. Hammers (experimentation to find balanced hammers)
11/F. Hammers (experimentation to find balanced hammers)
11/G. Stands (on different stands including the curtain-rail experiment)
11/G. Stands (on different stands including the curtain-rail experiment)
11/H. Self-Accompaniment (using the foot-drum and mouth-organ)
11/H. Self-Accompaniment (using the foot-drum and mouth-organ)
11/I. Amplification (experiences with pick ups and portable speakers)
11/I. Amplification (experiences with pick ups and portable speakers)
12. The Nonsuch Dulcimer Club (and other dulcimer groups)
12. The Nonsuch Dulcimer Club (and other dulcimer groups)
The Nonsuch Dulcimer Club provides a wonderful opportunity for UK-based dulcimer players to meet up and exchange information on all aspects of dulcimer playing at annual meetings and workshops and produces an excellent magazine.
The Nonsuch Dulcimer Club provides a wonderful opportunity for UK-based dulcimer players to meet up and exchange information on all aspects of dulcimer playing at annual meetings and workshops and produces an excellent magazine.
A workshop at the Nonsuch Annual Meeting in 2016 prompted me to produce three short video clips on ways to use the dulcimer for folk song accompaniments and links to these are made available here.
A workshop at the Nonsuch Annual Meeting in 2016 prompted me to produce three short video clips on ways to use the dulcimer for folk song accompaniments and links to these are made available here.
This provides a short list of recordings and instructional books that may be of interest to those taking their first steps as dulcimer players, particularly those interested in playing in an English folk style.
This provides a short list of recordings and instructional books that may be of interest to those taking their first steps as dulcimer players, particularly those interested in playing in an English folk style.
15. Oscar
15. Oscar
This page gives Oscar, the amazing singing (howling) dog, a chance to show off his musical talent.
This page gives Oscar, the amazing singing (howling) dog, a chance to show off his musical talent.
It has been great to be learning and enhancing my dulcimer playing as part of a very supportive musical community in East Kent and beyond. Thanks to all for this
It has been great to be learning and enhancing my dulcimer playing as part of a very supportive musical community in East Kent and beyond. Thanks to all for this
Some Limitations!
Some Limitations!
This shot was taken at the start of a performance by the Old Lone Gin Band at an Open Day at Goody Ales Brewery, Herne near Canterbury, October 2017. Thanks to Nic Lucas for the photo.
A very brief introduction to the dulcimer - for anyone who has not encountered one!
A very brief introduction to the dulcimer - for anyone who has not encountered one!
This is a link to a short video clip of me giving a brief impromptu talk about the dulcimer and playing a song at the Monmouth Busking Festival, July 2016.
This is a link to a short video clip of me giving a brief impromptu talk about the dulcimer and playing a song at the Monmouth Busking Festival, July 2016.
I am grateful to Wye Valley TV for producing this video.
I am grateful to Wye Valley TV for producing this video.
Link to Wye Valley TV video clip of Bill Howarth - Dulcimer Player.
Link to Wye Valley TV video clip of Bill Howarth - Dulcimer Player.
For anyone interested in the history of the dulcimer and its forerunner, the psaltery - this is one of the best accounts that I have come across:
For anyone interested in the history of the dulcimer and its forerunner, the psaltery - this is one of the best accounts that I have come across:
'The Psilvery Psound of the Psaltery: a brief history' by Ian Pittaway.
'The Psilvery Psound of the Psaltery: a brief history' by Ian Pittaway.
How to play the dulcimer under poor lighting conditions! Preparing for a performance at the 'atmospherically illuminated' Whitstable Folk Club, November 2017. Thanks to Phillipa Ferst for the photography and the loan of the light.
Link to 1. English Traditional Folk Songs with Dulcimer
Link to 1. English Traditional Folk Songs with Dulcimer
For links to other pages, use the drop down menu at the top right of the page.
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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