 Irma Mountain Dulcimer class |
 Scott Bowed Psaltery class |
Examples of Zoom online group classes
1. Private and Group Lessons (in person or online)
We have returned to teaching out of our home studio in Albuquerque, NM. Due to continuing COVID-19 concerns or students wanting lessons outside the local area, you can also study music with us from the comfort of your own home online via Zoom following initial coordination. Prior to the first lesson, we'll coordinate what kind of devices and web cams work well, provide guidance on obtaining your own Zoom account (free) and downloading/installing the client software on your computer. Here are the classes we'll normally teach. Contact us to discuss or schedule.
| Irma | Scott | ||
| Mountain Dulcimer | (Beginning to advanced) | Hammered Dulcimer | (Beginning to intermediate) |
| Folk harp | (Beginning) | Bowed psaltery | (Beginning to intermediate) |
| Folk Guitar | (Beginning to intermediate) | Acoustic Guitar | (Beginning to advanced) |
| Voice | (Beginning to advanced) | Irish penny whistle | (Beginning to intermediate) |
| Bodhrán (Irish drum) | (Beginning) | Recorder (Trad & folk) | (Beginning to intermediate) |
Recurring Mountain Dulcimer Group Classes and Opportunities
(Irma) I offer a host of recurring group mountain dulcimer classes. Sessions are geared to help students develop basic skills, then build on that foundation. Learn finger/flat picking, arranging, accompaniment, playing parts/harmony, performance skills, different tunings and more while experimenting with different musical styles!
| Beginning 101 | Here you'll learn all the basics from how to hold your instrument to understanding left- and right-hand movements to playing songs and reading TAB! |
| Beginning Again | Whether you're starting new or starting over, this is a great way to review and practice the basics you need to move forward in your playing. |
| Intermediate I | You're comfortable with the basics, and now looking to play more complicated tab, learn to play in parts, become familiar with chords in different positions, and conquer more complex timing. |
| Intermediate II | You're ready to find your own style! You are reading more complex tab, working on your own arrangements, learning about keys, chords, and how to transpose. You are working on embellishments and finding ways to add them to songs |
| Sandia Mountain Dulcimers | This is a group of players of different skill levels that work on music of different styles and programs to present once a month at library branches in the area. We meet twice a month to fine tune the program and learn new music. |
| Strings of the Southwest Dulcimer Jam | Come play music with us! The 501(c)(3) New Mexico Dulcimer Association which we co-founded sponsors a monthly club jam for mountain and hammered dulcimers, as well as other acoustic instruments. Together, we enjoy playing our favorites and learning new songs. All skill levels welcome, and anyone interested in dulcimers is encouraged to come and experience these instruments first-hand. Some instrument loaners will be available. Click here for details. |
Paying for Classes
Do not send us any payments if you have not coordinated lessons with us first. We prefer a private or group Zoom lesson to be purchased via a debit/credit card with your Paypal account using the buttons below right. You may also use these buttons as a PayPal Guest without a PayPal account. Paying on the day of the lesson works best for our accounting. With prior coordination, we can also receive payment from some distant students via mailed check. Local students can also use these buttons, or we can accept on-site payment via debit/credit card, cash, or check at the same rate as below.
2. Music Instrument Rentals
For mountain dulcimers, hammered dulcimers, and Celtic harps, we have students rent from Apple Mountain Music. We also rent mountain dulcimers, hammered dulcimers, Celtic harps and bowed psalteries (1 month minimum/6 months maximum), usually only to active students. Rental contracts are done face-to-face. You can set up a rental contract payment schedule by "subscribing" via a debit/credit card with your Paypal account after a rental contract has been signed in person. Once you've returned the instrument, we will cancel the PayPal contract and refund your damage deposit as appropriate. We may make special rental arrangements for some group classes.
| Instrument | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Mountain Dulcimer |
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Lever Harp |
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Hammered Dulcimer |
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Bowed Psaltery |
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3. Music Transcription and Arrangement Services
(Irma) For mountain dulcimer, I will produce new TAB or create new arrangements from your existing TAB to fit your skill level ($34.00/hour which includes sales tax). Arrangements for more than 2 parts require an additional fee. You can pay via a debit/credit card with your Paypal account.
4. Group Lessons around Town
Group classes are intended to give prospective players a taste of some wonderful instruments. You don't need to own an instrument to try something new! Loaner instruments are available for class sessions and rental instruments are available in some cases through Apple Mountain Music or through us.
• Albuquerque Oasis
We are now teaching various instrument classes though Albuquerque Oasis. Search for our last name "Reeder" on this page as each semester approaches to view class offerings, or contact us and we can give you a broader schedule of our upcoming classes. We'll update this list as schedules mature.
| Mondays starting 10/16/23 (3 sessions) | (Irma) Introduction to the Mountain dulcimer |
| Mondays starting 02/05/24 (3 sessions) | (Irma) Introduction to Celtic Harp |
| Mondays starting 03/25/24 (3 sessions) | (Irma) Introduction to Celtic Harp |
| Mondays starting 05/14/24 (3 sessions) | (Scott) Learn to Play Penny Whistle |
| Monday, 03/14/25 (1 session) | (Irma) Learn to Play Bodhrán (Irish frame drum) |
• Corrales Arts Center
In early 2020, we teamed up with the Corrales Arts Center in Corrales, NM, to offer group classes throughout the year on mountain and hammered dulcimers, bowed psaltery, Celtic harp, tin whistle, and singing. The pandemic saw all those contracts canceled, but we hope we'll be teaching there in the future.
• UNM Continuing Education
We taught mountain and hammered dulcimer, Celtic harp, and bowed psaltery group classes through UNM for years. Classes are held at the Continuing Education campus in Albuquerque (just north of Indian School Rd on University Blvd). For more information, click here. (Note some classes won't be listed in the on-line catalog until you reach that semester. UNM may cancel a class if a minimum number of required students don't sign up.) The pandemic canceled all those teaching contracts, but we hope they will begin again.
5. Online Workshops (for clubs or groups)
(Irma) You can hire me to teach one or a series of mountain dulcimer workshops for your club or group. Following coordination, you'll pay for prearranged online workshop(s) by going to our PayPal.Me page and entering the announced cost. In the "Add a note" field, please indicate what the payment is for.
6. Online Workshops (through other organizations)
(Irma) I've taught online workshops through Western Carolina University's Dulcimer U (mountain dulcimer), and both Scott and I have taught through the QuaranTUNE Dulcimer Fest and the North Georgia Foothills Dulcimer Association festival via Zoom (multiple instruments). You pay fee(s) to the organization for these workshops.
7. Music Festivals
Festivals are a wonderful way to learn new instruments and grow with familiar ones. Be a part of an encouraging musical community! Here's what we teach at these festivals:
| 08/02‑04/2024 | Red River Dulcimer Festival (NM) | Mountain & Hammered Dulcimers, bowed psaltry, whistle, etc. |
| 09/29/2024 | Albuquerque Folk Festival (NM) | Mountain & Hammered Dulcimers, etc. |
| Various | New Mexico Dulcimer Festival (NM) | Mountain & Hammered Dulcimers, Harp, etc. - check website for activities. |
8. Teaching Comments
Dulcineas Mountain Dulcimer Performance Class
(Irma) Teaching has been a rewarding part of my life, and I welcome the opportunity to work with students of all ages and backgrounds to help them attain their musical goals. My first guitar student was my best friend when I was 10, and I have been teaching continuously since age 15. In addition to teaching privately and in church settings, I had the chance to teach music at a parochial school, 200 kindergarten through 8th graders, daily classes and 2 performances a year with the entire student body. Five-year-olds buzzing to The Flight of the Bumblebee, 4th graders who pretended they were movie stars performing at the local cable TV station or having them adopt "grandparents" at the local nursing home for several visits a year, 6th-8th graders bopping to 50's tunes and learning the instruments in symphonies, seeing my Science Olympiad students take top awards for their music instrument inventions - the best day job I've ever had! A few years back, several Celtic harp students wanted to learn to play in hospice/nursing home environments. We met for a few practices, then I took them to facilities to give them on-the-job training. Well beyond the music, this involves showing students by example how to deal with the typical distractions, and how to connect in love with the residents and staff before, during, and after the music takes place. Now the Dulcineas, my mountain dulcimer performance class, play at nursing homes, libraries and hospice units.
As adults we don't have a lot of time for lessons and practice, and I like to work towards realistic expectations with my students as they try the juggle the many facets of their lives. I'm not interested in building up a large group of long-term students. A success story is when the student no longer has to rely on me, but has the confidence to branch out on his own, developing his own style and repertoire. Of course, I'm always available for "tune-ups" as needed!