Friday, December 30, 2022

Episode 629 - “Auld Lang Syne”

 


Dulcimerica's 15th season wraps with a tune for New Year's Eve; “Auld Lang Syne.” Download the tablature at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/75176125

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Friday, December 23, 2022

Episode 628 - “Do You Hear What I Hear?”

 


Dulcimerica's 15th season wraps this month with five easy holiday favorites on the mountain dulcimer. This week, Bing teaches “Do You Hear What I Hear.” Download the tablature at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/75175992

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Friday, December 16, 2022

Episode 627 - “I Have a Little Dreidel”

 


Dulcimerica's 15th season wraps this month with five easy holiday favorites on the mountain dulcimer. This week, Bing teaches the Hanukkah song, “I Have a Little Dreidel.” Download the tablature at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/75175878

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Friday, December 09, 2022

Episode 626 - “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas”

 


Dulcimerica's 15th season wraps this month with five easy holiday favorites on the mountain dulcimer. This week, Bing teaches “Jolly Old Saint Nicholas.” Download the tablature at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/75175777

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Friday, December 02, 2022

Episode 625 - “Joy to the World”

 


Dulcimerica's 15th season wraps this month with five easy holiday favorites on the mountain dulcimer. First up, Bing teaches the traditional rendition of “Joy to the World.” Download the tablature at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/75175143

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Friday, November 25, 2022

Episode 624 - "Part of Your World"

 


To celebrate the 33rd anniversary of Disney's “The Little Mermaid”, Bing debuts a new arrangement of the song, “Part of Your World.” Download the free tablature here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/75025285

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Friday, November 18, 2022

Episode 623 - “Happy Christmas (War is Over)”

 


Bing walks through a 48-hours-old arrangement of “Happy Christmas (War is Over)” by John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band. Download the free tablature from Patreon at: https://patreon.com/posts/74740469

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Friday, November 11, 2022

Episode 622 - “Bring a Torch, Jeanette Isabella”

 


It's time for some Christmas tunes and Bing kicks things off with this great 17th century French carol. Download the free tablature here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/74460182

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Friday, November 04, 2022

Episode 621 - “Chord & Strum Exercise”

 


Bing shares an exercise for developing muscle memory for playing rhythm and chords in DAD tuning, key of D major. Download the tablature for this episode from his Patreon Open House at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/74198550

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Friday, October 28, 2022

Episode 620 - “Piedmont Folkways: Part 3”

 


Bing performs Live! On the Clocktower stage at WAME 92.9FM/550 AM in Statesville, North Carolina for Piedmont Folkways. Part 3 of a 3-part episode.

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Friday, October 21, 2022

Episode 619 - "Piedmont Folkways: Part 2"

 


Bing performs Live! On the Clocktower stage at WAME 92.9FM/550 AM in Statesville, North Carolina for Piedmont Folkways. Part 2 of a 2-part episode.

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Saturday, October 15, 2022

Episode 618 - “Piedmont Folkways: Part 1”

 


Bing performs Live! On the Clocktower stage at WAME 92.9FM/550 AM in Statesville, North Carolina for Piedmont Folkways. Part 1 of a 2-part episode.

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Monday, October 10, 2022

Episode 617 - "The Strangest Episode"

 


It's a strange one, indeed, shot at a KOA campground in Doswell, Virginia. Bing shares how to handle pointy string ends, teaches the “Shave and a Haircut” tag, demonstrates a 1-4-5 improvisation and then recounts some of the events that have taken place since Winfield.

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Friday, September 30, 2022

Episode 616 - "Return to Trough Creek"

 


A special episode featuring the subject of Bing's composition, “Day at Trough Creek”, performed on chromatic mountain dulcimer with some new imaginings at Trough Creek State Park in James Creek, Pennsylvania. The tune can be found on “Dulcimerica: Volume 3.”

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Friday, September 23, 2022

Episode 615 - "Improvisation: Table Rock Lake"

 


Bing performs an improvisation on baritone mountain dulcimer in Table Rock State Park – Branson, Missouri. Tuning is AEA.

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Saturday, September 17, 2022

Episode 614 - "Stand in the Place Where You Play"

 


From the 50th Annual Walnut Valley Festival in Winfield, Kansas, Bing takes a look at the new mountain dulcimer stand made by Wolf Hill Woodworking.

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Friday, September 09, 2022

Episode 613 - "Simple Gifts"

 


The Stark Sessions are bare-bones song studies shot in high contrast black and white with no dialogue, allowing viewers to focus on the tune at hand. For this session, the song, “Simple Gifts”, is broken down into melody, drone melody and then chords are added.

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Friday, September 02, 2022

Episode 612 - "Bass Basics"

 


An excerpt from the “How to Play Bass Mountain Dulcimer” workshop from August 31st, 2022. Bing records “Bile Dem Cabbage” into a looper pedal and then demonstrates a number of different bass techniques. Download tablature and backing track practice materials for this episode from: http://www.Patreon.com/posts/71379505

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Friday, August 26, 2022

Episode 611 - "Birds of a Feather"

 


Bing performs a new tune written on August 23rd, 2022. “Birds of a Feather” is in the key of D, DAD tuning and pivots into the key of C for the second half. A work in progress!

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Friday, August 19, 2022

Episode 610 - "Keep on the Sunny Side"

 


The Stark Sessions return with a request for “Keep on the Sunny Side.” Bing lays it out as melody, then adds chords, then fires up the looper pedal and begins stacking parts to create a full arrangement.

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Friday, August 12, 2022

Episode 609 - "Let's Talk Compensation"

 


Bing demonstrates how to make a standard mountain dulcimer nut and bridge from supplied blank pieces. This is an excerpt from his workshop, “Turn Your Standard Into a Baritone.”

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Friday, August 05, 2022

Episode 608 - "Music & 'Musement"

 


Another travelogue episode from summer tour, this one showcasing some of the theme parks that Bing visited while on the road.

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Friday, July 29, 2022

Episode 607 - "Back on Tour"

 


It's been a long time, but this episode marks a return to the touring road as Bing sets out for Kentucky Music Week in Bardstown, Kentucky. Along the way, see beautiful scenery from the sky via drone and hear some fun jam and performance tunes! Bing's recording of Charley Pride's “River Song” serves as the soundtrack.

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Friday, July 22, 2022

Episode 606 - “Loch Lomond: Harmony”

 


Wrapping up a huge season of fundamentals, Bing puts the finishing touches on “Loch Lomond” with harmony and teases the next several weeks of Dulcimerica. Download mountain dulcimer tablature here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/65264913

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Friday, July 15, 2022

Episode 605 - “Stay Awake: Harmony”

 


Continuing a study of harmony, Bing gets into borrowed notes and chords from other keys for effect in this advanced-level episode. Download mountain dulcimer tablature for “Stay Awake” from https://www.patreon.com/posts/65262603

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Friday, July 08, 2022

Episode 604 - “Waltzing Matilda: Harmony”

 


Bing Futch continues a study of harmony with an intermediate-level episode that works with the melody to “Waltzing Matilda.” Download mountain tablature from the open house at Bing's Patreon site: https://www.patreon.com/posts/65259770

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Friday, July 01, 2022

Episode 603 - “Birmingham Jail: Harmony”

 


Bing opens the month of July with a beginner-level episode that's a follow-up to episode 599 from last month. He demonstrates harmonic concepts like consonance, dissonance and breaks down the process of adding harmony to build chords. Tablature available at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/65253279

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Friday, June 24, 2022

Episode 602 - “Loch Lomond: Melody”

 


Wrapping up a month of melodic study with an all-levels episode, Bing ties the source of melody together with the movement of chords in a sneak peek of next month's topic. The old Scottish tune, “Loch Lomond” serves as the exercise piece to close us out.

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Friday, June 17, 2022

Episode 601 - “Stay Awake: Melody”

 


Continuing a series on melody for the month of June 2022, Bing goes into non- diatonic notes in this advanced-level episode that features the song, “Stay Awake” from “Mary Poppins.”

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Friday, June 10, 2022

Episode 600 - “Waltzing Matilda: Melody”

 


The melodic series continues with an intermediate episode on the classic tune, “Waltzing Matilda.”

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Friday, June 03, 2022

Episode 599 - “Birmingham Jail: Melody”

 


The month of June shifts the focus to melody. In this beginner-level episode, Bing explores where melody comes from, talks a bit about scales, and shows what it means to play in a particular key. The traditional tune, “Birmingham Jail' serves as an exercise piece.

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Friday, May 27, 2022

Episode 598 - “Get Rhythm: All Levels”

 


Bing wraps a month-long look at rhythms by offering up some practice strums in 2/4, 4/4, 3/4 and 6/8 time. For all skill levels!

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Friday, May 20, 2022

Episode 597 - “Get Rhythm: Advanced”

 


An advanced level episode on rhythm opens up the field to include techniques such as palm muting, hammer-ons, pull-offs, chops, and switching between strums and flatpicking for variety.

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Friday, May 13, 2022

Episode 596 - “Get Rhythm: Intermediate”

 


Continuing an emphasis on rhythm, this intermediate level episode recaps some basic elements of building a strum, and how to find the support rhythm for every tune. This leads into selective strumming with demonstrations of various tunes throughout.

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Friday, May 06, 2022

Episode 595 - “Get Rhythm: Beginners”

 


For May 2022, the focus is on rhythm for all skill levels, starting with beginners. Bing goes into detail on the fundamentals for strumming. This includes where to strum and why, pick selection and grip, cadence exercises and playing actual tunes.

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Friday, April 29, 2022

Episode 594 - “The Fiddler Has Played His Last Tune For The Night (all levels)”

 


Here's another episode for all skill levels to wrap a repertoire-building series with backing tracks in the month of April. We close with “The Fiddler Has Played His Last Tune For The Night.” Download tablature and backing tracks from Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/64847884

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Friday, April 22, 2022

Episode 593 - “Amen (all levels)”

 


This all-levels episode works with the song, “Amen.” Bing teaches a simple version and breaks it down, then adds more advanced approaches to rhythm and combining melody + chords. Download tablature and backing tracks from Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/64823948

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Friday, April 15, 2022

Episode 592 - “The Pirate O'Reilly (advanced)”

 


This advanced-level episode features the 1987 tune, “The Pirate O'Reilly” from Bing's album, 21. Download tablature and backing tracks from the Patreon open house at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/64812977

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Friday, April 08, 2022

Episode 591 - “Mississippi Sawyer (intermediate)”

 


Our intermediate tune is “Mississippi Sawyer” and Bing teaches both the basic and “notey” versions. Download tablature and backing tracks from the Patreon open house at: https://www.patreon.com/posts/64779783

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Monday, April 04, 2022

Episode 590 - "The Boatman (beginner)"

 


The month of April brings 5 episodes of Dulcimerica in a repertoire-building series that selects tunes from the Mountain Dulcimer in the Band jam books. First up, a beginner-level dive into “The Boatman. Download tablature and backing tracks from Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/posts/64530689

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Friday, March 25, 2022

Episode 589 - “Just Can't Get Enough”

 


Wrapping up six weeks of episodes on using a loop pedal, Bing unveils a new mountain dulcimer arrangement of the Depeche Mode song, “Just Can't Get Enough.”

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Friday, March 18, 2022

Episode 588 - “Looper Pedals (advanced)”

 


In an advanced-level episode, Bing demonstrates his arrangement of “Promentory” from The Last of the Mohicans using mountain dulcimer and looper pedal. Download the parts via the Patreon Open House - https://www.patreon.com/posts/62901536

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Friday, March 11, 2022

Episode 587 - “Looper Pedals (intermediate)”

 


For this intermediate level episode on looper pedals for mountain dulcimer, Bing performs “Wellyn” by Force & d'Ossche' and demonstrates layered performance using “With Or Without You” by U2 as a perfect example of a looping song.

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Friday, March 04, 2022

Episode 586 - “Looper Pedals (beginner)”

 


Bing begins a new month of tiered study with a beginner-level look at using a looper pedal for practice and performance. Using “Bile Dem Cabbage” and “You Are My Sunshine” as examples, Bing demonstrates how to use a looper and suggests techniques to create various parts that fit together.

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Friday, February 25, 2022

Episode 585 - “Jammin' With Myself”

 


As a bridge to next month's episodes, Bing uses the looper pedal to explore full-blown arrangements in the jam. Includes a demonstration of layering multiple parts.

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Friday, February 18, 2022

Episode 584 - “In The Jam (advanced)”

 


For this advanced level episode, Bing brings in the looper pedal to demonstrate the layering of parts for “Black Mountain Rag” on mountain dulcimer.n dulcimer, Bing conducts an intermediate-level episode that focuses on using a capo, playing chops and countermelody, plus a neat trick for playing the I-IV-V and vi chords in three different keys.

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Friday, February 11, 2022

Episode 583 - “In The Jam (intermediate)”

 


Continuing a study of playing in the jam with mountain dulcimer, Bing conducts an intermediate-level episode that focuses on using a capo, playing chops and countermelody, plus a neat trick for playing the I-IV-V and vi chords in three different keys.

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Friday, February 04, 2022

Episode 582 - “In The Jam (beginner)”

 


Bing offers up a beginner-level episode on playing in the jam with mountain dulcimer. Key signatures, scales and chords are covered as well as tips on finding and learning the melody or simply playing accompaniment.

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Friday, January 28, 2022

Episode 581 - “I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)”

 


After Meat Loaf's recent death last week, Bing created a mountain dulcimer arrangement of “I'd Do Anything For Love (But I Won't Do That)” in tribute. This episode is for all skill levels and the tablature can be downloaded free from Patreon at: http://tinyurl.com/meatloafMD

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Friday, January 21, 2022

Episode 580 - “Aura Lee/Love Me Tender (Advanced)”

 


Bing wraps a three-episode jaunt through “Aura Lee/Love Me Tender” with an advanced-level look at adding non-diatonic notes and chords via chromatic mountain dulcimer. Download the tablature and chromatic Tabledit template here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/61332245

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Friday, January 14, 2022

Episode 579 - “Aura Lee/Love Me Tender (Intermediate)”

 


Bing adds another layer to “Aura Lee/Love Me Tender” for intermediate mountain dulcimer by adding harmonies and chords into the mix. DAD Tuning: Key of D. Tablature can be downloaded from Bing's Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/61117349

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Friday, January 07, 2022

Episode 578 - “Aura Lee/Love Me Tender”

 


Season 15 kicks off with a new format and a look at the traditional folk song, “Aura Lee”, which Elvis Presley used as a basis for his hit song, “Love Me Tender.” This is a beginner-level mountain dulcimer episode and tablature can be downloaded from Bing's Patreon page here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/60829106

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