DulciCats of Charlottesville led off the May 16 gathering with pieces they have been working on all spring as hosts of our Blue Ridge Mountain Dulcimer Players jam at the Studio at Bridgewater Retirement Village Community in Bridgewater, VA. The group has five players: Jim Albert, Sharon Baiocco, Lynn Gould, Penny Reighart, and Trisha Taylor.
Penny Reighart, coordinator, introduced the group, and Sharon Baiocco introduced their tunes, beginning with “Celtic Melodies,” arranged by our own Dinah Ansley. (Video above.)
Sharon explained how they chose the tunes, with each member proposing one they liked, because they have varied dulcimer playing styles and musical interests. Jim likes to arrange bass lines, and, as a music archivist for the Library of Congress, he chose an Irish jig,”The Road to Lisdoonvarna.” Trisha enjoys a learning challenge, so she chose “You Raise Me Up,” and played harmony.
Penny likes to sing and accompany her voice with chords, so she chose “Puff, the Magic Dragon.” Sharon likes old time Appalachian tunes and singing, and her selection was “Froggie Went a’ Courtin,’” which dates back to the 1500’s, and which she arranged for the group. (Download the Tab here.)
After the 15-minute performance and sing-a-long, Dinah Ansley invited Jim to offer a little lesson about musical expression on the dulcimer. He demonstrated how even a tune like “Bile Them Cabbage Down,” can sound different by increasing or decreasing volume.
We broke for snacks and conversation, until Phyllis Gaskins and her student Audra played “Little Liza Jane” on the Galax dulcimer, with Audra playing the instrument her husband Brian McReynolds made.
Then we all played jam tunes from the Dave Haas book, with Lori Lineweaver leading. When we came to “Arkansas Traveler,” Dinah Ansley and Phyllis narrated some of the corny jokes that comprise verses of that tune.
Our next jam will be July 18, at the same location, when group leaders have agreed we will celebrate our nation’s 250th Birthday with some songs about the diverse American experience. The Joyful Noise will host it in the Studio.