Mountain and Hammer Dulcimer
Books, Tapes, CDs and Videos

Lark In the Twilight

This CD contains 59 lovely minutes of instrumental music from Scotland, Ireland, England, France and America, mostly traditional, featuring the mountain dulcimer. Airs, ballads, jigs, marches and dances. Solo dulcimer and ensemble arrangements! Fingerpicked & strummed pieces! Newly recorded versions of three of Larkin's own dulcimer classics: "Song For Polly," "Deep Like A River," and "Lark In The Twilight!" Exotic instruments featured on ensemble pieces! (also available in cassette)

Song List:
Le Chat Blanc -- The High Road to Gareloch/The Nameless Jig -- The Mary Suite: Mary Hamilton /Lady Mary -- Song for Polly -- Scarborough Fair -- Skewbald/Lovely Joan -- Cradle Song/Farewell -- Le Chat Blanc Avec les Quatres Petits Chats -- Green Rocky Road -- Wondrous Love -- The Back O' Bennachie/The Duck Jig -- Geordie -- The Winding Banks of Erne -- Banks and Braes of Bonnie Doon -- La Belle de Charenton -- Lark in the Twilight

Larkin's Dulcimer Book and Tape

Combines over 30 of her whimsical illustrations with her arrangements of 23 traditional tunes (including 7 duets), step-by-step instructions, examples, and charts. 102 pages.
Cassette is keyed to the book and contains all of the songs featured in the book. Larkin performs each song up to tempo as well as playing all songs and examples at a practice tempo. Best learning book/tape set for beginning players.

Deep Like A River

Song List:
Deep Like a River -- Moon Beams -- Green Hills of Tyrol -- Whirling Dervish -- Farewell to Tarwathie -- Song for Polly -- Lark in the Twilight -- Leaving Rhu Vaternish / Gartan -- Mother's Lullaby -- Give Me Your Hand

Come Life, Shaker Life

Song List:
The Ancients Song of Mourning --Angel Invitation --The Angel Reapers --The Burning Day --Come Life, Shaker Life --Dance No. 1 -- Dance No. 2 --Encouragement --Faithful Soldiers Travel On --Fall on the Rock --Farewell Earthly Joys --Father James Song --He Haw Tallabo Tallabo --How My Soul Is Now Delighted --I Love Mother --I Never Did Believe --I Will Walk With My Children --I'll Spend and Be Spent --Let Me Have Mother's Gospel -- Light --Little Children --Living Souls, Let's Be Marching --Love Is Little -- Love O Love --Love, More Love --Lovely Love --March No. 14 --Mother Ann's Song No. 1 --Mother Ann's Song No. 2 --Mother Has Come with Her Beautiful Song --Mother's Love Is Like an Ocean --Mother's Pretty Dove --Mother's Tongue --My Carnal Life I Will Lay Down --Now, My Dear Companions --O Give Me a Little Love --O the Beautiful Treasures --On Zion's Holy Ground --The Precious Jewel --Purity --The Rolling Deep --Simple Gifts --Solemn Song No. 11 --Solemn Song No. 17 --Standard-Bearers --Star of Purity --Sweep as I Go --We Must Be Meek --What Joy and Comfort --Who Will Bow and Bend Like the Willow

The Best In The Bag:
Irish Jigs and Slip Jigs for Appalachian Dulcimer

Song List:
The Humors of Winter -- The First Night in America -- A Draught of Ale -- Miss Monroe's Jig -- Father O'Carroll -- The Humours of Ballingarry -- The Humors of Cavan -- Jackson's Bottle of Brandy -- Stagger the Buck -- The Maid on the Green -- The Best in the Bag -- A Sporting Bachelor -- The Priest's Leap -- Humors of Ennistymon -- Move Up to Me -- The Dancing Master -- The Blooming Meadows -- The Gobby, O -- The Trip to Sligo -- The Road to Lexington -- The Three Little Drummers -- The Humors of Whiskey -- Top of Cork Road -- When Sick Is It Tea You Want? -- The Mooncoin Jig -- Miss Bruce -- Billy Barlow -- The Rakes of Clonmel -- The Thrush's Nest -- Silvermore -- Roudledum -- Here's Good Health to the Piper -- The Irish Girl -- Paddy O'Snap -- A Blast of Wind -- Dublin Streets -- Jack on the Green -- Sir Philip McHugh -- Don't Leave Me Alone -- Gurty's Frolics

A collection of 21 intermediate-and-up arrangements for mountain dulcimer of lesser-known tunes by Turlough O'Carolan. Includes tab and musical notation, plus background information on the tunes and playing suggestions. The tunings are mostly DAd with a few in DGd and one in DAA#d. Some require capo.

Among the tunes are: Hugh Kelly - Miss MacMurray - Ode to Whiskey - Lady Athenry - Carolan's Welcome - Planxty Burke - Loftus Jones - Carolan's Farewell to Music

For the Fun of It!

Song List:
Biggest Man in Town -- Curse of WWI -- Been in and out of Love -- William Tell Overture -- Father Grumbles -- The Farmer's Cursed Wife -- Butterbeans -- Heartsong -- Rooster Song -- Talkin' Blues -- Rueben Spencer -- Homecoming -- Finger-pickin' Deacon -- Turn Down that Country Music -- The Smile of Jesus -- The Minstrel -- Goodnight

"I just got the newest CD by (3rd place Winfield winner 2003) Joe Collins "For the Fun of It!" . . . wow folks if you have not bought this yet . . . do it! Without doing a whole review of the CD I'll just say this is one funny recording and the playing and singing is outstanding. I can't stop playing it . . . over and over and over again and can't stop laughing."
-- Terry Lewis

Dulcimer Basics: A Mountain Dulcimer Primer

Designed for beginners. The first 2/3 of the book contain simple, recognizable songs appropriate for beginners. The last 1/3 of the book contains the first eight lessons that a beginner needs to get started on the dulcimer. Each lesson covers several skills and has exercises designed to help the beginner develop their skills. Learn things about tuning with an electric tuner or by ear, the parts of the dulcimer, playing sitting down or standing up, reading dulcimer tablature, developing your strum, developing your chord fingerings, coordinating two fretting fingers, and much more. A companion CD is also included with this substantial 78-page book. This book will replace "Simple Tunes", a book that has done very well since it was first published it in 1998. Simple Tunes is now officially out of print.

Christmas With the Dulcimer

Unique collection of 20 carols arranged for the mountain dulcimer.

Tunes include:
All Through the Night -- Angels We Have Heard On High -- Away In A Manger -- Bring A Torch, Jeanette Isabella -- Cherry Tree Carol -- Good Christian Men, Rejoice -- Good King Wenceslas -- I Saw Three Ships -- I Wonder As I Wander -- Kentucky Wassail -- Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming -- O Christmas Tree -- O Come, All Ye Faithful -- O Come, O Come Emmanuel -- Silent Night -- Sing We Now of Christmas -- The Friendly Beasts -- The Holly and The Ivy -- We Three Kings -- What Child Is This?

Flat-Picked Fiddle Tunes

For mountain dulcimer - Arrangements of old-time fiddle tunes designed to develop and challenge the skills of the intermediate player.   32 tunes with tablature, notation and chords.

Tunes include:
Arkansas Traveler -- Buckwheat Batter -- Bumble Bee In a Hollow Log -- Captain Jinks -- Denis Murphy's Slide -- Eighth of January -- Farmer's Jamboree -- Fiddlers Three -- Happy Jack -- Jenny Lind Polka -- Jock Tamson's Hornpipe -- Lamplighter's Hornpipe -- Leather Britches -- Little Brown Jug Hornpipe -- Liverpool Hornpipe -- North Shore -- Off She Goes -- Old Rosin the Beau -- Paddy Whack -- Rickett's Hornpipe -- Sandy River Belle -- Shortnin' Bread -- Smash the Windows -- Soldier's Joy -- The Minstrel's Fancy -- The Old Red Barn -- The Red-Haired Boy -- The Road to Lisdoonvarna (capo 1) -- The Star of the County Down (capo 1) -- Turkey In the Straw -- Warm Stuff -- Yonder She Goes

Hymns of Faith

A collection of 30 favorite hymns arranged for the mountain dulcimer. With tablature, notation and chords.

Tunes include:
Abide With Me -- Be Thou My Vision -- Deep River -- Face to Face with Christ, My Savior --- For the Beauty of the Earth -- He Leadeth Me -- I Surrender All -- Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross -- Just As I Am -- Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone? -- My Shepherd Will Supply My Need -- Nearer, My God, To Thee -- O Worship the King -- Softly and Tenderly -- Sunshine In My Soul -- Sweet By and By -- Sweet Hour of Prayer -- The Haven of Rest -- This is My Father's World -- Wherever He Leads, I'll Go -- Whiter Than Snow

Spirituals from Black America

28 traditional American Negro spirituals arranged for mountain dulcimer. With tablature, notation and chords.

The Classical Dulcimer

Classical themes from the Baroque, Classical and Romantic music periods. Intermediate level. 29 tunes with tablature, notation, chords and historical notes.

Traditional Wedding Classics

A Collection of 9 time-honored favorites arranged especially for the mountain dulcimer. In cludes standard musical notation, dulcimer tablature and guitar chords.

Tunes include:
Wedding March (Mendelssohn) -- Bridal Chorus (Wagner) -- Canon in D (Pachelbel) -- Processional (Handel) -- Trumpet Voluntary (Clarke) -- Ode To Joy (Beethoven) -- Air (Handel) -- Morning Has Broken -- Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Bach).

September on the Mississippi

For mountain dulcimer - 19 traditional tunes and one original tune in easy arrangements in tablature with lyrics and melodies in standard notation.

Tunes include:
The Blarney Pilgrim -- My Shepherd Will Supply My Need -- Sweet Hour of Prayer -- Sidh Beag Sidh Moir -- September on the Mississippi -- Bridget Cruise -- My Old Kentucky Home -- Greensleeves -- Deep River -- Londonderry Air -- Bonnie Doon -- Scarborough Fair -- Wayfaring Stranger -- Blind Mary -- Morning Has Broken -- The Water is Wide -- Sandy River Belle -- Jigs Medley (Off She Goes/Smash the Windows/Denis Murphy's Slide)

Kelly's Fancy

14 tunes, including three medleys, embracing classical to contemporary and traditional to original from Larry Conger, the 1998 National Mountain Dulcimer Champion.

Tunes include:
Swingin' The Blues (Larry Conger) -- Siciliana (J.S. Bach) -- The Tennessee Waltz (Pee Wee King/Redd Stewart) -- Old Rosin The Beau (traditional) -- Bumble Bee In A Hollow Log (traditional) -- Cradle Hymn (Kirkpatrick) -- Annie's Song (John Denver) -- King Of The Fairies (Celtic) -- Balm In Gilead (spiritual) -- Steal Away (spiritual) -- Kelly's Fancy (Larry Conger) -- Arkansas Traveler (traditional) -- Spotted Pony (traditional) -- Brahms Waltz (Johannes Brahms) -- I Want Jesus To Walk With Me (spiritual) -- Amazing Grace (traditional) -- Shortnin' Bread (traditional)

Christmas Duets

"Folks, these are absolutely beautiful arrangements and if you do any dulcimer playing with someone else, or even by yourself, you will want to have this book of tablature. Larry has designed it so that when you purchase the duet package you actually get two books, one for each player."
-- Robert Magowan

Tunes include:
Angels From The Realms of Glory -- Angels We Have Heard On High -- As With Gladness, Men of Old -- Away In a Manger -- Cradle Hymn -- Flow Gently, Sweet Afton -- Gentle Mary Laid Her Child -- God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen -- Hark! The Herald Angels Sing -- Infant Holy, Infant Lowly -- Joy To The World -- Let All Mortal Glesh Keep Silence -- O Come All Ye Faithful -- O Come, O Come Emmanuel -- O Little Town of Bethlehem -- Silent Night -- Tell Me The Story of Jesus -- The First Noel -- We Three Kings -- What Child is This?

Dennis' Waltz

A collection of gems and classics for the hammer dulcimer, performed and arranged by Christina Connell, including pieces by O'Carolan, Bach, Handel, waltzes, a rag, 2 original tunes, traditional tunes, a Hispanic tune, and a gospel tune.

Song List:
Lauterbach Waltz/Westphalia Waltz -- Dennis' Waltz -- Courante from Bach Cello Suite #1 -- Si Bheag, Si Mhor -- Chaconne Variations -- Andante Handel's Glockenspiel Sanate -- Planxty Irwin -- Andante Variation -- Morning Has Broken -- Beaumont Rag -- The Glockenspiel Waltz -- How Great Thou At -- De Colores -- Rock the Cradle Joe

"Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love the CD. What a difference a professional makes playing the dulcimer. I played it twice right away and was so pleased with it, so I'm keeping it on the player with the James Galway and Irish Melodys which I play a lot, having changed from Eddie Duchin, Ray Noble and some other goodies some time ago. There are certain ones I just love to play over and over and Christina's is surely one of them too. I am so impressed, but of course, knew that she had to be good."
-- Edna Turner
-- retired organist

The Road to Caleb's House

... played on hammered dulcimer, Autoharp, pennywhistle, guitar, mountain dulcimer, tongue drum & bodhran.

Tunes include:
Coileach An Lae/Irish Washerwoman/Hugh O'Donnell -- Flop-Eared Mule/Black -- Mountain Rag -- Reunion/The Shepherd's Wife -- Road to Lisdoonvarna/Swallowtail Jig -- Duke of Kent -- Golden Slippers/Liberty -- Five Foot Two -- Sandy River Belle -- John Ryan's Polka/Knockabower Polka -- Si Beag, Si Mohr/Hewlett -- Temperance Reel/Pigtown Fling -- Lady Mary -- Wildwood Flower/Redwing -- Scotland the Brave -- Texalousasippibama Rag

"Country Strings debut CD, "The Road to Caleb's House" is a smashing success! It is a great selection of familiar tunes and old favorites sprinkled with a few originals and surprises. It takes the listener on a gentle journey through traditional American, Irish dance tunes, waltzes and airs.

The major strength of Country Strings is their tasteful and interesting arrangements. The CD is a great example of how to use our instruments to compliment one another, highlight certain phrases of the tunes and weave in and out sharing melody and harmony. The use of the pennywhistle was particularly effective in this role; catching the ear with its presence and gracefully passing the melody back to the lead instruments.

Each instrument is distinctly heard within the lovely blend of the band's overall sound. Upon hearing the CD, I can understand why Country Strings is in such demand for live performances.

"The Road to Caleb's House" is a feel good, lift your spirits and tap your toes CD which will bring enjoyment at each hearing."
--Susan Trump

Dulcimer Fandango

Tunes include:
Tam Lin -- Step Around Johnny -- John Stinson's #3 -- John Lover's Gone -- Sonny's Mazurka Waltz -- Lynchburg Town -- Old Horse and Buggy -- Sweet Bama -- Cluck Old Hen -- Rock the Cradle Joe -- Johnson Gal -- Elk River Blues -- Love Won't You Marry? -- Old Gray Cat -- Spanish Fandango -- Chickens Crowin' at Midnight

Walkin' That Banjo Home
Banjo Tab Book and CD

17 BANJO INSTRUMENTALS WITH GUITAR & FIDDLE
The book has simple tabs (not note for note) for all the tunes on the CD.

Tunes include:
Greasy Coat -- Snowdrop -- Westphalia Waltz -- Pig ankle Rag -- Julie Ann Johsnon -- Southwind -- Duck River -- Rachael -- Walkin' that Pretty Girl Home -- Blackberry Blossom -- Old Tobacco Hills -- Old Yeller Dog -- Icy Mountain -- Seven Hills -- Squirrel Heads and Gravy -- Hunchback Liza -- Last Chance

Great Shunga River

More Old Time and Bluegrass favorites by dulcimer champion Jim Curley with Special Guests: John Hartford, David Schnaufer, Kim Forehand, Scott Klamm, Betty, Kyle and Cody Curley.

List of Tunes:
Angeline De Baker (Steven Foster) -- Oh Susanna (Steven Foster) -- My Baby She Left Me (©1995 Jim Curley/Dave Partin) -- Morning Has Broken (Traditional) -- Whiskey Before Breakfast (Traditional) -- Song For Myra (©1995 Jim Curley) -- Foggy Mt. Breakdown (Earl Scruggs) -- Simple Gifts (Traditional) -- Jesse James (Traditional) -- Mississippi Sawyer (Traditional) -- The Great Shunga River (©1995 Jim Curley, Betty Curley) -- Itsy Bitsy Spider (Traditional) -- Buffalo Gals (Traditional) -- Froggie Went A Courtin' ( Traditional) -- Somewhere Over The Rainbow (Traditional)

Born Hillbilly

Old Time and Bluegrass, Favorites and Originals, by Dulcimer artist Jim Curley with Special Guests: Scott Klamm, Jamey Hilleary,Dave Partin, Ken Slyter, Brad Alexander...Grandpa and Mom

List of Tunes:
Cripple Creek (traditional) -- Barefeet And Bagpipes (©1993 Jim Curley) -- Shortnin' Bread (Traditional) -- Cherokee Shuffle (traditional) -- Wings Of A Dove (Bob Ferguson) -- Little Red Wagon (traditional) -- Sandy River Belle (traditional)
-- (My Teacher Shot Me In The Head With A) Paper Clip Blues (©1993 Jim Curley, inspired by Lorraine Lee Hammond)
-- Buffalo Gals (traditional) -- Old Joe Clark (traditional) -- My Home On The Hill (traditional) -- Soldiers Joy (traditional) -- Red Wing (traditional) -- Keel Row (traditional) -- Polly Pretty Polly (traditional) -- Home Sweet Home (traditional)

"I appreciate your interest."
Thanks, Jim