Please see below for an actual example of a lesson, 'Searching for Lambs'. This comprises three different versions: one for beginners, one for intermediate and one for advanced players with music notation and guidance notes.
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Hammered Dulcimer lessons
Searching for Lambs
Searching for Lambs (sung by Mrs Sweet on August 16th 1907 in Somerton in the county of Somerset, England and transcribed by Cecil Sharp) is very rare: a traditional English folk song characterized by the use of an irregular time signature. It is in 5/4, apart from one bar of 3/4. Searching for Lambs utilises a G minor hexatonic scale and the transcription of Mrs Sweet’s rendition can be found in the Vaughan Williams Memorial Library at
This lesson also provides material from a developmental perspective. I have provided three notated versions of Searching for Lambs for three different levels: version 1 (beginner), version 2 (intermediate) and version 3 (advanced). All three include the exact melody as sung by Mrs Sweet in 1907 and they can be played on a standard diatonic hammered dulcimer. I have also included the exact words as sung by Mrs Sweet which are usually changed or omitted by musicians who record Searching for Lambs. Furthermore, I have included three pause signs in each version. The pauses are aimed at helping your practice by breaking the song down into 4 sections (4 melodic lines) that can be worked on separately and then gradually combined. As your performance gradually improves you can work towards eventually removing the pauses and potentially increasing the tempo.
Sticking / hammering guide
On the music notation I have included a sticking guide (left right etc in blue) and also a guide to the position of each note (in red) on the diatonic dulcimer in relation to the right side of the treble bridge, the left side of the treble bridge and the bass. (B = Bass position i.e. the notes on the bass bridge. Rt = right treble position i.e. notes on the right side of the treble bridge. Lt = left treble position i.e. notes on the left side of the treble bridge).
Version 1 (beginner)
Version 1 should be practiced at a tempo of 70. The hammering for version 1 is single stroke alternation. The only variation is in the third line (after the second pause) which begins with a left stroke and not a right stroke. The alternation then continues to the end.
In due course, version 1 should also be practiced using the right hand hammer only.
This will help prepare you to eventually try the intermediate version.
Version 2 (intermediate)
Version 2 should be practiced at a tempo of 70. It has been split into two staves in order to help visual clarity and understanding. The bottom stave contains the melody which is played by the right hand. The top stave incorporates a high D drone which is played by the left hand and alternates with the melody. The D drone should be played more quietly than the melody so that it does not obscure, or distract from, the melody. Playing the D drone with this sensitivity will make its presence dynamic and effective: also practice varying the volume of the drone D and try to make it sound like an echo that is fading in and out. The use of the alternating D drone in version 2 will help you to prepare for the eventual challenge of version 3.
Version 3 (advanced)
Version 3 should be practiced at a tempo of 70. It has also been split into two staves. In version 3 the bottom stave contains the melody which is also played by the right hand (as in version 2). However, for the top stave I have composed a counter melodic accompaniment which as well as complementing the melody also enhances the harmonic interactions between the intervals of the minor hexatonic scale: this counter melody is played by the left hand. Therefore the hammering for version 3 is also predominantly alternate single strokes (Notes: (i) the only exception regarding the separation of left & right between the two staves is the moment in bar 8 of the top stave when the right hammer forms a ‘Flam’ in combination with the left hammer i.e. where the ‘A’ grace note is played just before the ‘B flat’ (ii) the final melody note ‘G’ in the bottom stave is played an octave lower than in version 1. Version 3 is challenging but very rewarding. It is particularly productive for developing hand independence, coordination, maneuverability and dynamics. Don’t forget to practice the four melodic lines separately and then gradually combine them.
I hope you enjoy Searching for Lambs.
