Artichoke Community Music Teachers

Sally S. Smith

Music Bio

The mountain dulcimer – or lap dulcimer – is of Appalachian heritage. Its three strings provide a sweet sound perfect for traditional or gospel music. If you love music but have little musical background, the dulcimer is a great place to get started!

The mountain dulcimer found me in 1999 and I fell in love. Living in Ohio, I quickly found a strong subculture of dulcimer players and I shelved my guitar and became immersed in the dulcimer and the style of music typically played - old time, traditional, gospel, etc.

The dulcimer's simple fret board (tuned to an open "D" chord) and easy-to-read tablature enables even the MOST novice player to quickly make lovely music. And the more dulcimers together, the better, so groups form easily and the camaraderie blossoms.

Dozens of workshops in the Midwest and lessons from many "masters" have provided me with a solid background in the instrument. I began teaching four years ago, with a program for the local elementary school and one for adults at the Countryside YMCA. Both groups toured and entertained locally. As founder of the Caesar Creek Dulcimer Friends group in Waynesville, Ohio, I taught many new members to play, and the group (now 35 strong) performs for the community.

As a Certified Music Practitioner, I most often use the dulcimer at bedside for my patients, though I play other instruments. Having studied music at Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio as a voice major, I use my knowledge of music theory to help my students, and have developed a beginners’ program which includes tablature and tips.

As a new resident in Oregon, I’d love to help create a strong dulcimer community in the Portland area.

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