Friday, December 31, 2021
Episode 577 - “2021: A Look Back”
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, December 24, 2021
Episode 576 - "Fairytale of New York"
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, December 17, 2021
Episode 575 - “Merry Christmas (Wherever You Are)”
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, December 10, 2021
Episode 574 - "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)"
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, December 03, 2021
Episode 573 - "Blue Christmas"
In the first of a four-part series on sad Christmas songs, Bing works with a new arrangement of the tune, “Blue Christmas” on mountain dulcimer. Download tablature from Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/dulcimerica-573-59449362
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, November 26, 2021
Episode 572 - “Blue Ridge Breakdown”
The final of four improvisational pieces recorded next to Wolfpit Branch in Black Mountain, North Carolina. Bing plays “Blue Ridge Breakdown” on the mountain dulcimer.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, November 19, 2021
Episode 571 - “Two Miles of Smiles”
Another improvisational piece on mountain dulcimer by Bing Futch, from “The Improv Files” EP from October 2021, available exclusively on Patreon. Recorded next to Wolfpit Branch in Black Mountain, North Carolina.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, November 12, 2021
Episode 570 - "My God, It's Full of Hearts"
Bing performs an improvisation called “My God, It's Full of Hearts” next to Wolfpit Branch in Black Mountain, NC. This is track two of four such tunes from “The Improv Files” recorded last month.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, November 05, 2021
Episode 569 - "By Wolfpit Branch"
Each month, Bing records a 4-song EP for an ongoing Patreon project called “The Improv Files” where he improvises four pieces starting with only a key signature. October's EP was recorded by Wolfpit Branch, a creek that runs through Blue Ridge Center in Black Mountain, North Carolina. Here, he composes/performs the first piece.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, October 29, 2021
Episode 568 - "Carol Anne's Theme"
Bing performs his arrangement of “Carol Anne's Theme” by Jerry Goldsmith from the motion picture Poltergeist. Download the free mountain dulcimer tablature at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/mountain-carol-31191336
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, October 22, 2021
Episode 567 - “Improvisation in DGD Tuning”
Bing takes a wander on a mountain dulcimer tuned DGD.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, October 15, 2021
Episode 566 - “Hurts So Good Pt.2: Pink Floyd”
From the 49th Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, Bing performs an improvisation-fiiled rendition of “Bricks” with Kansas band Sally and the Hurts on Stage 1.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, October 08, 2021
Episode 565 - “Hurts So Good Pt. 1: Journey”
Returning to scenes from the 49th Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, Bing performs an 80s rock classic on Stage 1 with the help of Kansas band Sally and the Hurts.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, October 01, 2021
Episode 564 - “Chord Progressions: Voice Leading”
Part nine, and the grand finale of a multi-part look at chord progressions. To wrap things up, Bing demonstrates chord inversions and how they work for voice leading smooth chord progressions.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, September 24, 2021
Episode 563 - “A Sorbet From Winfield, Kansas”
We interrupt this series on chord progressions to bring you this almost-live backstage look at the 49th Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas. Features Sally and the Hurts performing a bit of “Overalls” and “Don't Stop Believing”(with Bing) and a jam of “John Stinson's No. 2” with Abby the Spoon Lady! This is also the Dulcimerica debut of Tim, Bing's new Folkcraft Instruments mountain dulcimer.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, September 17, 2021
Episode 562 - “Chord Progressions: Chromaticism”
Part eight of a nine-week study on chord progressions takes the gloves off and wrestles with chromaticism, a technique that brings chromatic elements into diatonic composition and arrangement. The episode covers secondary dominants, chromatic mediants and a wee bit on voice leading with chromatic elements.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, September 10, 2021
Episode 561 - “Chord Progressions: Minor Moves”
Part seven of a nine-week study on chord progressions begins to step outside of the diatonic box with a look at some alternate minor scales used for reharmonizing chords. Theory includes the harmonic minor scale, how to create it and build the chords, as well as the ascending and descending melodic minors.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, September 03, 2021
Episode 560 - “Chord Progressions: Function”
Part six of a nine-week study on chord progressions plunges into functional harmony with a quick recap. Then, Bing goes through all seven scale degrees and their characteristics before demonstrating the theory of how and why certain chords work best in a progression. Download resource material at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/55704638
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, August 27, 2021
Episode 559 - “Chord Progressions: Dominant Fun”
Part five of a study on chord progressions focuses on the often misunderstood diminished chord and where it fits in the grand scheme of things. We'll look at how to build it, how to use it in a progression and we'll also introduce another diatonic chord that's closely related in construction and function: the dominant seventh.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, August 20, 2021
Episode 558 - “Chord Progressions: Minor Drama"
Part four of a study on chord progressions explores the emotional major/minor mix of “Hallelujah” before leading into a study of minor chord progressions with a hint of things to come.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, August 13, 2021
Episode 557 - "Chord Progressions: Adding Minors"
Part three of a study on chord progressions, Bing talks about and demonstrates intervals for emotional power. Harmony-building and an intro to voice-leading segue into a look at the ii-iii-vi minor chords and how to mix them in with the I-IV-V major chords.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, August 06, 2021
Episode 556 - “Chord Progressions: I-IV-V”
For the second part of multi-part series, Bing recaps some of the basics behind chord progressions and chord-building, focusing on the key of D in DAD tuning while also showing some neat tricks on finding the root, 3rd and 5th of chords. Then, through a number of popular songs, he shows how the I-IV-V progression can be worked.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, July 30, 2021
Episode 555 - "An Introduction To Chord Progressions"
Bing kicks off a multi-part series of episodes on chord progressions with an introduction to the theory behind key signatures, scales and chord-building. Also, some variations on the I-IV-V progression are demonstrated on mountain dulcimer. Download the "12 Major Keys" PDF at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/54295043
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, July 23, 2021
Episode 554 - "I'll Fly Away"
The Stark Sessions wrap for a while with a build-up and play-through of the old gospel classic, “I'll Fly Away” in DAD tuning on the mountain dulcimer.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, July 16, 2021
Episode 553 - "Old Yeller"
The Stark Sessions continue with a quick look at playing the theme song from the Walt Disney picture, “Old Yeller.”
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, July 09, 2021
Episode 552 - "Don't Stop Believin'"
Bing travels back to his rock 'n' roll high school days as he works out a new arrangement of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" on the mountain dulcimer. Two new pieces of gear are on the pedalboard; an Electro-Harmonix Freeze pedal and a Boss RC-5 Loop Station.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, July 02, 2021
Episode 551 - "Home on the Range"
Bing brings a baritone mountain dulcimer into The Stark Sessions tuned AEA and performs a simple breakdown of “Home on the Range.” Tablature available during the ongoing Patreon Open House at: www.Patreon.com/BingFutch
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, June 25, 2021
Episode 550 - "Rocky Top"
The Stark Sessions continue with a few passes through the old classic, "Rocky Top" on mountain dulcimer in DAD tuning. You can download the tablature during the ongoing Patreon Open House by visiting: https://www.patreon.com/posts/52912756/
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, June 18, 2021
Episode 549 - "Annie's Song"
Another Stark Series episode featuring “Annie's Song” by John Denver on mountain dulcimer tuned DAD. Tablature available during the ongoing Patreon Open House at: www.Patreon.com/BingFutch
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, June 11, 2021
Episode 548 - "People Are Strange"
A formal introduction to the Stark Series, an ongoing string of episodes that demonstrate a tune simply by playing it. Rendered in high-contrast black and white to reduce visual distractions, each segment features multiple camera angles to clearly show left and right hand technique. Zero talking, as music is the focus. The basics.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, June 04, 2021
Episode 547 - "For Joy"
Bing Futch performs his original mountain dulcimer tune, "For Joy", from the album "Dulcimerica: Volume Two."
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, May 28, 2021
Episode 546 - "Seminole Solstice"
Bing performs his original tune, “Seminole Solstice”, from the 2007 album, Dulcimer Rock.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, May 21, 2021
Episode 545 - "Mes Parents"
Bing performs “Mes Parents” on mountain dulcimer while highlighting the melody, drones, chords and rhythm change-ups through multiple passes. Download the tablature at the Patreon Open House here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/51502526
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, May 14, 2021
Episode 544 - "The Rose"
Bing shares a new arrangement of the song “The Rose"on mountain dulcimer.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, May 07, 2021
Episode 543 - “Through The Eyes Of Love”
Bing shares a new arrangement of the song “Through The Eyes of Love” from the film “Ice Castles” on mountain dulcimer.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, April 30, 2021
Episode 542 - "Capot Depot"
Learning how to switch keys with a capo is the focus in this episode, which features tips on how to boost your playing range. Also, a demonstration of three different capo designs. And a little theory.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, April 23, 2021
Episode 541 - "Things About Strings"
Bing changes his mountain dulcimer strings and offers up some insight into the construction, science and purchasing of strings. http:tinyurl.com/stringtensioncalculator - http://juststrings.com
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, April 16, 2021
Episode 540 - "Southwind"
Another stark look at a timeless classic. Bing plays “Southwind” on mountain dulcimer as pure melody, drone melody and chord melody in DAD tuning.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, April 09, 2021
Episode 539 - "Wildwood Flower"
A simple breakdown and build-up of the traditional tune "Wildwood Flower" on mountain dulcimer tuned DAD.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, April 02, 2021
Episode 538 - "Somebody"
Bing performs the Depeche Mode tune, “Somebody”, on Appalachian mountain dulcimer.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, March 26, 2021
Episode 537 - “Composing 'Murmuration'”
Bing works on a developed improvisation of a new tune called “Murmuration.” Armed with a chord progression, he creates a melody to go with the chords. Key of A Major tuned DAD with a special guest borrowed/altered chord.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, March 19, 2021
Episode 536 - “Fan-Boy Arrangement”
For the first time in the history of Dulcimerica, Bing goes full fan-boy in this episode that follows in the format of the previous one; a from-scratch arrangement of a song. This time, it's the 1967 hit “I Think We're Alone Now”, but with a late-80s twist.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, March 12, 2021
Episode 535 - “Arranging 'Shenandoah'”
In a first-of-its-kind episode, Bing arranges the tune “Shenandoah” from scratch, deploying bits of music theory and shedding light on the process over the course of 45 minutes.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, March 05, 2021
Episode 534 - “Come Early, Stay Late”
Wrapping up a trilogy of rhythmic episodes, Bing delves deeper into syncopation and the use of “push rhythms” to shift emphasis from strong beats to weak beats.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, February 26, 2021
Episode 533 - “Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'”
Continuing on the rhythm “feels” track, Bing presents time signatures divisible by three in order to provide examples of creating rolling motion in arrangements. ¾, 6/8, 9/8 and 12/8 are covered in this episode.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, February 19, 2021
Episode 532 - "Get In The Swing"
Another multi-part series coming your way and, this time, the subject is rhythm! Bing begins with a discussion on “feel” and introduces the practice of “swinging the eights.”
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, February 12, 2021
Episode 531 - “Bass Study: Part Two”
Bing continues a two-part study on the function of bass in music. This week, the focus is on playing the bass dulcimer as support for an ensemble. What notes to play and how creative can you get? Using a looper pedal and a four-chord progression, Bing breaks down the theory.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, February 05, 2021
Episode 530 - “Bass Study: Part One”
By popular demand, Bing introduces part one of a two-part workshop on “being the bass player.” First, he demonstrates how to add some bass presence and dynamics to the mountain dulcimer, also tips on supporting chord movement and creating melodic lines.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, January 29, 2021
Episode 529 - “Elements of Song: Bass”
In the final episode of a four-week series on elements of song, Bing demonstrates the function of bass in music, some variations, and then puts all four elements together in a live-looped performance of “Black Mountain Rag” in four parts. Download the tablature from Patreon for free! https://www.patreon.com/posts/46807260
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, January 22, 2021
Episode 528 - “Elements of Song: Chords”
In part three of a four-part series on elements of song, Bing recaps melody and harmony before going into chords; how to build and play them. Also, using the melody to signal when the chord changes.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, January 15, 2021
Episode 527 - “Elements of Song: Harmony”
Continuing with part two of a four-part series, Bing introduces harmony as another element of song, adding it into “Black Mountain Rag” and showing how to easily find parallel harmonies on the mountain dulcimer in DAD tuning.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, January 08, 2021
Episode 526 - “Elements of Song: Melody”
Bing presents the first episode of a four-part series that takes a close look at four basic parts of a song. Beginning with melody, and with “Black Mountain Rag” as the example tune, this episode breaks down a simple melody and looks at the theory and emotion of songs.
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Friday, January 01, 2021
Episode 525 - "Double Trouble"
For the first episode of 2021, and the start of season number fourteen, Bing takes a new Folkcraft Instruments alto/bass double dulcimer for a test drive with some fun music for the new year!
Enjoy "Dulcimerica"? Consider supporting the program by becoming a patron!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)