33rd Annual
Fort New
Updated
To get Bill’s
General Information
The
dulcimer weekend features hands-on music workshops during the day for all
levels of players. The workshops will be primarily on mountain dulcimer and
hammered dulcimer with additional workshops on other folk instruments. Our
workshop leaders/performers are experienced musicians from
There
will be concerts on Friday and Saturday evening. Both nights will feature
20-minute sets by the workshop leaders.
Books
and CDs will be available from many of the workshop leaders.
Hotels
are available in
Donuts
and coffee will be available for breakfast. Sandwiches (meat and cheese tray)
will be available for lunch. Food is available at several restaurants along
Use the pdf Registration Form or what is below to copy, print,
fill out, and send the above form to register.
There is also an online registration form with a slight
increase in cost to cover the fees to PayPal at: https://fb.jotform.com/241765947011155?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR07_9LI4HM-iZxOPdQPoxgHan9na_S8rxEuNhlDX7Foi2Y-vYjznKRqY2g_aem_3ry9cCEvuhxa-nLcD2Bj5w
Thanks!
Registration Form
2024 Fort New
Name
_______________________________________________________________
Address _____________________________________________________________
E-mail address
________________________________________________________
Phone _______________________________________________________________
Names of Additional Attendees:
__________________________________________
Primary Instrument(s):
__________________________________________________
Cost for
____ All weekend ($40* or 45 per person)
____Saturday Only ($25* or 30 per person)
____Sunday Only ($20 per person)
____General Admission for
those not participating in workshops is $7 per day
Total Enclosed ___________
*$5 discount on admission if received by
**Make checks payable to Fort New Salem Foundation, Inc.
Send Registration by regular mail to:
Linda Sigismondi
For questions contact Linda at lsigis@yahoo.com, 740-709-1400
2024 Fort New
Workshop Leaders
Cynthia
Brissey is resident of
Marge Diamond started playing dulcimer in 1985, after witnessing the fun and
friendship old time musicians were having in playing their music together she
decided that was what she wanted to do. She started out with a cardboard
dulcimer in May and by August felt she deserved a wood
dulcimer as she was hooked big time on the challenge of getting her fingers
moving up and down the fret board in time with the music. The love of the
instrument and the joy of making new friends has kept
her going for nearly 40 years.
Jeff Fedan lives in
Bill Locke has played guitar, dulcimer, and clawhammer banjo for many years. He has performed with us
several times as well as at Dulci-More and many other
venues. His music spans areas of old-time music, blues, and jazz.
Brett Ridgeway's philosophy is that Anyone can make music, regardless of age, musical ability or knowledge! –
a philosophy that resonates with people as evidenced
in the positive responses he receives regarding his workshops. He currently
teaches hammered dulcimer, mountain dulcimer, ukulele, clawhammer
banjo, and bluegrass banjo, and also conducts several
unique
Bill Schilling has been singing and playing various folk instruments (at least 20
with variations of several) for over 50 years. He has performed for audiences
of all ages in many settings from coast to coast. His high-energy performances
may include songs, slide programs, and/or stories selected specifically for
your group. His performances often involve members of your group with audience
participation songs or activities. Bill often performs with others including
Rich & Kathy Small and with Linda Sigismondi with
whom he has recorded “Songs from Canal Days”. Since Bill believes that his
music should be inclusive, he is involved in many groups
which share music. A few of them are: Dulci-More: Folk & Traditional Musicians (Bill is the
founder and leader of this group); the annual Dulci-More
Festival (Bill was the director for the festival's 25 years); the Canton Folk
Song Society (Bill is one of the original members); the Dulcimer Society of
Trumbull County (Bill has reorganized and leads this group); Folknet (Bill is a charter Executive Committee Member,
treasurer, & past President); the PattyFest Board
(Bill is a relatively new member); and Folk Music at Weatherbury
Farm (Bill is one of the originators of this program and a workshop leader).
His “Dulci-More Public Domain
Songbooks” (in several variations) are used by clubs and individuals around the
country. www.billschilling.org
Linda Sigismondi is a mountain
dulcimer player and folksinger from
Steven K. Smith has been a
player, composer, teacher, and recorder of dulcimer music since 1983. His
playing expands on the traditional Appalachian repertoire for the instrument to
encompass tunes from
Tish Westman My first instrument was a Ukulele at 4 yrs. old. Music is
my life. I teach several instruments and I love to listen to newbies as they learn and experience the joy of playing
music. I love to build instruments and hear the different voices of the woods.
I love to write music and hear others play it. I love to knit and I love my
gardens. You will often find me having coffee in my garden in the morning,
knitting and listening to soft music. My husband, Greg
and I are the Resident Woodworkers at Tamarack in
Potential Workshops
Hymns for
Mountain Dulcimer and Others - Cynthia Brissey – This workshop will introduce you to a few
simple hymns that can be played on the mountain
dulcimer. Others are welcome to play and/or sing along. MD – B and All
Just
Add More
Tunes to Your Play List - Marge Diamond – Marge has a large repertoire of fiddle and old-time tunes
from her many years of playing at festivals. She will share a few of these with
you in this workshop as well as answer questions on techniques. MD – AB
Never touched a hammered dulcimer before? – Jeff Fedan
– This is a workshop for
someone who has not spent more than five minutes at the instrument, mostly looking
at it, but wants to try it out to see if they’d like to play it. We’ll cover the layout of the instrument, tuning,
hammering technique, and learn a real song or two. Loaner
instruments will be available for use. B-HD
Spoons are
for more than eating with – Jeff Fedan – If you tap your feet when you play, why
not do something with your hands too? Spoons add
a special flavor to up-beat, old-time tunes and are easy to play. Some have suggested that spoons are (is?) the most
important part of any old-time band. If you can
clap your hands, you can play the spoons. Funny,
no one uses forks or knives in a band! All
Hammered
dulcimer tunes from north-central
Hammered
dulcimer tunes from north-central
Strengthen
Your Strum 1 – Bill Locke –
The idea of using a flat pick to structure a strum into a rhythmic pattern
is explored in this workshop. A single well
known and simple tune will be used with a series of strum methods to develop a
variety of sounds that can add a different energy to a tune.
This may be used to provide sounds familiar from the playing of other
instruments in an old-time band. We start with
the basics and add complexity as we go. MD - AB, I
Strengthen
Your Strum 2 – Bill Locke –
In this workshop Bill will show some more advanced strumming techniques
including triplets (cross-picking) and damping methods which may be used to
further add variety to playing. A range of tunes
genres might be tried using these methods including old-time and blues sounds. As before, we are playing the instrument in a
fashion that tends to “join the band” as it relates to the overall sound. MD –
I
Use Chords in
your music - Bill Locke -
We will discuss and practice basic chords. Additionally this workshop could be used to learn some fiddle tunes in D.
The strum methods used in the workshops will take some practice over time, but
we will give it a good first start. MD – AB
FlatPicking With Your LEFT Hand – Brett Ridgeway – In most Flatpicking
workshops, the focus is on the "picking" or right hand, and while we
will cover those basics, the emphasis of this workshop will be on the LEFT
hand! Once you discover the work and purpose of the left hand, well beyond
chords, your playing will become much more interesting, colorful, and create
those lovely hills and valleys of your music! The LEFT hand is every bit as
important as the right when it comes to Flatpicking!
The 8-Note
Miracle Cure for Hammered Dulcimer – Brett Ridgeway –This eight-note lick will change the way
you play and “fancify” your playing with a lively
syncopation! And we will also apply this lick to
several tunes so you understand exactly where and how to use this little
miracle cure! When I learned this technique many years ago, it literally
changed how I played and open up new possibilities for
embellishment and crazy fun! We will also share tricks and exercises to
strengthen your less dominant hand thus improving your
playing all the way around! HD – AB, I
Building Your Mountain Dulcimer Arsenal – Brett Ridgeway – In this
workshop, you’ll build an “arsenal” of embellishments
and techniques from which to draw as you play. This arsenal will contain 20
different skills you can use to provide you with numerous ways to play each
phrase of any tune, thus allowing you to play around the melody at-will and
from the heart, rather than simply playing a memorized arrangement. MD – AB, I
Intro To Four-Chord
Loops - Jerry Rockwell - I will demonstrate a few of
my favorite short chord progressions and how to do some fun and interesting
variations on them. These short chord loops serve as a basic underlying
structure for you to get creative with your dulcimer, and they are slow and
easy to play! DAD Tuning. MD - I
Descending Scales and Modes
- Jerry Rockwell - I
have learned SO MUCH over the past decade by harmonizing descending major
scales as well as a few modes. I will show you how these chords descend very logically
- fret-by-fret - down the fingerboard, and how easy it is to put some intuitive
melodic ideas with them. DAD tuning.
Fun With Pentatonic Scales
- Jerry Rockwell - The
simple major pentatonic scale is the basis for many folk songs we know and
love, and this easy-to-play five-tone scale is the quickest route to making
your own music and getting started with improvisation. I will show you how to
play the D, G, and A pentatonic scales and how they relate to these three
chords. And I have written a few very easy pentatonic
tunes I will share with you. DAD tuning. MD-All
Beginning
Vocal Accompaniment for Autoharp– Bill Schilling – Combining consistency and variety, we
will play several beginning autoharp accompaniment
styles while singing “Clementine” in D, “Jesse James” in D, and
“Nine Hundred Miles” in Dm (using just Dm and A7 chords). You can then apply
these styles to other solo songs or even as backup for singers or
instrumentals. Autoharp – B, AB
Beginning
Ukulele Chording and Strumming – Bill Schilling –The purpose of this workshop is to
introduce the participants to ways to play simple accompaniment in the key of C
(and maybe G, F, or D as time allows) on the ukulele. Players will learn how to
read ukulele chord charts, will learn some basics of strumming, and will play
chords for accompanying lead instruments or vocals using songs that are simple
to play. Participants will work on singing while they are playing. Ukelele - B
Playing Parts
in Folk-Style Music – Bill Schilling – The purpose of this workshop is to introduce the learners to
playing parts of a song with other players. Workshop participants will
concentrate on listening and working with others as they try different parts of
several songs. Since some players can simply play the melody or chords, the
workshop can be appropriate for most instruments. Songs planned are in the keys
of D and Em. All instruments and levels
Drum Circle – Linda Sigismondi
– Is you head hurting
from all the new techniques and music you worked on today? Come and beat out
some tension in a drum circle. Some percussions instruments will be available
for use. You can bring your own drum and percussion instruments.
Playing
Harmony on the Mountain Dulcimer – Linda Sigismondi – In this
workshop, participants will start with a simple song and will be shown how to
make harmonies using octaves, thirds and fifths. Rounds
will also be explored as a method of harmonizing. (DAD
tuning)
Traditional Native American Tunes – Linda Sigismondi
– In this workshop, you will have a chance to hear and learn about
the stories behind several traditional Native American tunes including Wendeyaho, Cherokee Lullaby, Lakota Lullaby
and others. Tab will be available for those who would like to try out some for
the tunes.
Basic Blues on the Mountain Dulcimer –
Steven K Smith - Yes,
you really can play the blues on the mountain dulcimer. It’s
fun, it’s easy, and it sounds GREAT! In this class
we’ll go over the basics of the instrumental 12 bar blues pattern in several
keys, all while tuned to DAd. Rather than teach a
couple of individual songs, I’ll show you the basics
of a popular blues pattern so you can improvise your own music. Capo required.
A limited number of extra capos will be available. MD-AB
Irish Music on the Mountain Dulcimer–
Steven K Smith - I'll present four lesser-known tunes from the Emerald Isle
in this repertoire building workshop. We'll also
discuss techniques for decorating the tunes and adapting non-dulcimer-based
sources to the mountain dulcimer. Capo required. a
limited number of extra capos will be available. MD-I
Easy English Country
Dance Tunes on the Mountain Dulcimer – Steven K Smith -.
Four easy arrangements of English country
dance tunes for the mountain dulcimer. Most of these will be from Playford's collection, first published in 1651. Capo
required. A limited number of additional capos will be available. MD-AB
Chord
Progressions – Tish Westman – Learn to recognize and play
chord patterns easier.
MD – AB
Bowed
Psaltery – Tish Westman – This
workshop presents an Irish repertoire including King of the Fairies, The Maids
from the Parish of Penderyn and others if time allows. Bowed Psaltery AB
Accompaniment
Melodies and Rhythms –
Tish Westman – This workshop will focus on accompaniment patterns
for familiar jam tunes you already should know…Yes, Boil them Cabbage is one. Ukelele,
Autoharp and others - AB
Tentative Workshop Grid (pdf link in new window – http://billschilling.org/2024FNSWorkshopGrid.pdf)
33rd
Fort New
Dulcimer Weekend
|
Times |
McIntyre’s Cabin |
Jonathan Bee Cabin |
Farmhouse |
Meeting House |
|
to |
Getting Started MD Cynthia Brissey MD – B |
Strengthen Your Strum 1 Bill Locke MD – AB, I |
HD Set-Up/ Tuning |
Bowed Psaltery Tish Westman MD –AB |
|
to |
Just Past Beginner Marge Diamond MD – B, AB |
Strengthen Your Strum 2 Bill Locke MD – I |
Never Touched HD Jeff Fedan HD – B |
Trad. Native American Songs
and Stories Linda Sigismondi Native Flute - All |
|
to |
Playing Harmony Linda Sigismondi MD – AB
|
Intro to Four-Chord Loops Jerry Rockwell MD - I |
HD Tunes from WV to Play More Often Jeff Fedan HD – AB, I |
Playing Parts in Folk-Style Music Bill Schilling All |
|
to |
Lunch |
|||
|
to |
Chord Progressions Tish Westman MD – AB |
Irish Music Steven K. Smith MD – I |
8-Note Miracle Cure Brett Ridgeway HD – AB, I |
Beginning Ukulele Bill Schilling All - B |
|
to |
Basic Blues on MD Steven K. Smith MD – AB |
Descending Scales and Modes Jerry Rockwell MD - All |
Open for Jamming |
Accompaniment Melodies & Rhythms Tish Westman All – AB |
|
to |
Fun with Pentatonic Scales Jerry Rockwell MD - All |
Flatpicking
with your LEFT hand Brett Ridgeway MD – I |
Drum Circle Linda Sigismondi All |
Beg. Vocal Accomp.
for Autoharp Bill Schilling Autoharp – AB |
|
to |
Dinner Break |
|||
|
to |
Evening Concert Workshop Leaders Showcase
Part 2: Bill Locke, Jerry
Rockwell, Bill Schilling, Steven
K. Smith |
|||
|
to ? |
Late Night Jam Session Linda Sigismondi
and Bill Schilling |
|||
33rd Fort New
Dulcimer
Weekend
|
Times |
Event |
|
to |
Registration |
|
to |
Evening
Concert Workshop
Leaders Showcase Part 1: Marge Diamond, Jeff Fedan,
Brett
Ridgeway, Linda Sigismondi, Tish
Westman |
|
to ? |
Late Night Jam
Session Linda
Sigismondi and Bill Schilling |
33rd Fort
New
Dulcimer
Weekend
|
Times |
McIntyre’s
Cabin |
Jonathan
Bee Cabin |
Farmhouse |
Meeting
House |
|
to |
Bill
Schilling |
|||
|
to |
Add More Fiddle Tunes to
Your Play List Marge Diamond MD – AB |
Use
Chords in Your Music Bill
Locke MD
– AB |
Jeff Fedan HD – I |
Hymns for MD and Others Cynthia Brissey MD – B, AB + others |
|
to |
Lunch |
|||
|
to |
Easy Country Dance Tunes
for MD Steven K. Smith MD – AB |
Building Your Mountain
Dulcimer Arsenal Brett Ridgeway MD – AB, I |
Spoons for More Than Just
Eating Jeff Fedan All |
|
|
to |
All-Participant
Finale Linda
Sigismondi/Bill Schilling |
|||