Linda Smith - I got my first dulcimer as a surprise Christmas present in 2001. My husband,
David, and I had been to Dollywood in October and seen a demonstration of dulcimer playing and I
made the remark that it looked easy enough for even me, who had no musical background, to play.
He remembered that and found a beginner's model of dulcimer for me that Christmas. I then set
about teaching myself to play, after all, the basics are pretty easy, but the problem was to keep
motivated to play. In January, 2002, I joined the Knoxville Area Dulcimer Club and found there, people
who were very friendly and helpful in teaching me more about the dulcimer. I went to every
workshop I could find to learn more. In January, 2004, I bought a better quality dulcimer from
Wood-N-Strings Dulcimer Shop in Townsend, TN, and after that, things began to change in my playing
ability. I attended Mountain Dulcimer Week in Cullowhee, NC, for the first time in June, 2004, and
that was a huge step in improvement. I've been back every year since. I guess the biggest factor in
learning to play and play well, is to play every day. I play, at the very least a half hour, but usually
more like an hour or more a day. It's a better way to spend my evenings than watching TV! I've
been playing now for over 5 years, and it still is so much fun and gives me much satisfaction!
David, and I had been to Dollywood in October and seen a demonstration of dulcimer playing and I
made the remark that it looked easy enough for even me, who had no musical background, to play.
He remembered that and found a beginner's model of dulcimer for me that Christmas. I then set
about teaching myself to play, after all, the basics are pretty easy, but the problem was to keep
motivated to play. In January, 2002, I joined the Knoxville Area Dulcimer Club and found there, people
who were very friendly and helpful in teaching me more about the dulcimer. I went to every
workshop I could find to learn more. In January, 2004, I bought a better quality dulcimer from
Wood-N-Strings Dulcimer Shop in Townsend, TN, and after that, things began to change in my playing
ability. I attended Mountain Dulcimer Week in Cullowhee, NC, for the first time in June, 2004, and
that was a huge step in improvement. I've been back every year since. I guess the biggest factor in
learning to play and play well, is to play every day. I play, at the very least a half hour, but usually
more like an hour or more a day. It's a better way to spend my evenings than watching TV! I've
been playing now for over 5 years, and it still is so much fun and gives me much satisfaction!
| Copyright T.N.T. Dulcimers. All rights reserved. T.N.T. Logo designed by Mandi Smith, October 2006 |
Deby Libby - I, too, saw my first dulcimer when visiting in the Pigeon Forge area during a trip to
Silver Dollar City (now Dollywood) - it really intrigued me! Years later after we moved to Tennessee, I
saw a group playing in church and decided to give it a try. So, I bought my first dulcimer, a “student
model”, in July of 2002 and after learning 3 chords, I was playing in church a couple of weeks later. I
was told that if you wait until you think you are ready to play for other people, then you may never
do it - you’ve just got to jump right in! I started out learning on my own with video tapes and books.
Then, I attended my first dulcimer festival in March, 2003, and found out that there are lots of
different kinds of dulcimers out there and different ways to play them! There were workshops,
concerts, and vendors with all kinds of great instruments and other cool stuff! I was officially
HOOKED on the dulcimer! April 2003 Dogwood Dulcimers & Friends was formed and we started playing
at church regularly, at festivals and other events. In November, 2005, I attended my first Knoxville
Area Dulcimer Club (KADC) retreat in Townsend, TN, and started getting active with the club, where I
met Ginny and Linda. With encouragement from June Goforth, I started teaching classes at KADC in
the spring of 2006. In June 2006, I attended my first week long dulcimer retreat at Mountain
Dulcimer Week, Western Carolina University - an absolutely wonderful learning experience - I plan on
returning every year! In October, 2006, I joined the Highstrung group and TNT was also formed.
What a blast! I enjoy each of the groups that I play with immensely! My advice to those beginning to
learn how to play the dulcimer is to find a teacher, find someone to play with regularly, go to
festivals, practice, practice, practice, and have fun!
Silver Dollar City (now Dollywood) - it really intrigued me! Years later after we moved to Tennessee, I
saw a group playing in church and decided to give it a try. So, I bought my first dulcimer, a “student
model”, in July of 2002 and after learning 3 chords, I was playing in church a couple of weeks later. I
was told that if you wait until you think you are ready to play for other people, then you may never
do it - you’ve just got to jump right in! I started out learning on my own with video tapes and books.
Then, I attended my first dulcimer festival in March, 2003, and found out that there are lots of
different kinds of dulcimers out there and different ways to play them! There were workshops,
concerts, and vendors with all kinds of great instruments and other cool stuff! I was officially
HOOKED on the dulcimer! April 2003 Dogwood Dulcimers & Friends was formed and we started playing
at church regularly, at festivals and other events. In November, 2005, I attended my first Knoxville
Area Dulcimer Club (KADC) retreat in Townsend, TN, and started getting active with the club, where I
met Ginny and Linda. With encouragement from June Goforth, I started teaching classes at KADC in
the spring of 2006. In June 2006, I attended my first week long dulcimer retreat at Mountain
Dulcimer Week, Western Carolina University - an absolutely wonderful learning experience - I plan on
returning every year! In October, 2006, I joined the Highstrung group and TNT was also formed.
What a blast! I enjoy each of the groups that I play with immensely! My advice to those beginning to
learn how to play the dulcimer is to find a teacher, find someone to play with regularly, go to
festivals, practice, practice, practice, and have fun!
Ginny Cliett – In 2003 my husband and I were staying in Townsend just prior to moving to East
Tennessee – I was very intrigued by the Wood-N-Strings Dulcimer Shop. My husband suggested we
“stop in” – and the rest is history!! I was immediately taken with the “sweet” sound of the
instrument – bought one – and by the spring of 2004, I was a very serious student of the dulcimer. I
attended Rudy Ryan’s fabulous beginner’s class at Pellissippi State during that time, took lessons
from Rudy and then more lessons from the dulcimer guru, June Goforth – both members of the
Knoxville Area Dulcimer Club, of which I was a new member. As time passed, I found that I was able
to play increasingly complex pieces, and it was with this excitement that I first attended Mountain
Dulcimer Week at Western Carolina University. I have attended another since then, and cannot say
enough about what a wonderful, uplifting experience both years were. I enjoy performing and
playing with my good friends in both my Highstrung group, and this one, T. N. T. Currently I own
seven dulcimers (one of which I gave to my mother-in-law). Three of the dulcimers are standard
(diatonic), one is a chromatic dulcimer, one is a baritone (tuned five notes lower), one is a
dulcimette (tuned an octave higher), and the last is a banjammer (played like a dulcimer but sounds
like a banjo). I also play guitar and am learning to play the mandolin and bodhran. I have a
beautiful Hardanger Bowed Dulcimer on order from Ken Bloom – that will be an entirely NEW
experience to me!!! Making music is such a joy and a wonderful gift from God – I only hope that by
sharing my music I can make someone’s day a little brighter, someone’s hope a little stronger, or,
perhaps, someone’s problems a little smaller.
Tennessee – I was very intrigued by the Wood-N-Strings Dulcimer Shop. My husband suggested we
“stop in” – and the rest is history!! I was immediately taken with the “sweet” sound of the
instrument – bought one – and by the spring of 2004, I was a very serious student of the dulcimer. I
attended Rudy Ryan’s fabulous beginner’s class at Pellissippi State during that time, took lessons
from Rudy and then more lessons from the dulcimer guru, June Goforth – both members of the
Knoxville Area Dulcimer Club, of which I was a new member. As time passed, I found that I was able
to play increasingly complex pieces, and it was with this excitement that I first attended Mountain
Dulcimer Week at Western Carolina University. I have attended another since then, and cannot say
enough about what a wonderful, uplifting experience both years were. I enjoy performing and
playing with my good friends in both my Highstrung group, and this one, T. N. T. Currently I own
seven dulcimers (one of which I gave to my mother-in-law). Three of the dulcimers are standard
(diatonic), one is a chromatic dulcimer, one is a baritone (tuned five notes lower), one is a
dulcimette (tuned an octave higher), and the last is a banjammer (played like a dulcimer but sounds
like a banjo). I also play guitar and am learning to play the mandolin and bodhran. I have a
beautiful Hardanger Bowed Dulcimer on order from Ken Bloom – that will be an entirely NEW
experience to me!!! Making music is such a joy and a wonderful gift from God – I only hope that by
sharing my music I can make someone’s day a little brighter, someone’s hope a little stronger, or,
perhaps, someone’s problems a little smaller.
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WHO WE ARE
