“Lorraine Hammond is the most versatile dulcimer player I know,” observes North Carolina dulcimer wizard Don Pedi. Lorraine’s numerous credits as a traditional singer, songwriter, teacher and instrumentalist include her groundbreaking Shanachie release with fiddler Gerry Milnes, Hell Up Coal Holler, a Homespun dulcimer instruction series, and two elegant Appalachian dulcimer books with Yellow Moon Press. Lorraine also plays, performs on and teaches five string banjo, mandolin and harp.

Lorraine’s new CD, The Opal Ring, on the Snowy Egret label, combines the traditional New England ballads of her childhood with her own songs drawn from that childhood in the Connecticut Berkshires. Reviewer Mark Flanagan observes: “Lorraine Lee Hammond opens her latest CD with some of the sweetest notes ever produced on the mountain dulcimer.” Lorraine is Music Director of the WUMBfm SAMW programs, and a lecturer in American Folk Music and World Music at Lasell College in Newton, MA. She and her husband, guitarist Bennett Hammond, have been touring, teaching and performing and recording together for the past thirty years.

Dulcimer Workshops

Singing With The Mountain Dulcimer

Some great songs with techniques for backing both vocals and instrumentals. New players can learn the basics while more experienced players develop full accompaniments. All levels. Suitable for both three and four string dulcimers.

Slide Dulcimer

Slide dulcimer? Why not? I picked up lipstick case and first tried it in the 1970s after a chance meeting with Memphis bluesman Bukka White. We’ll find some great blues and classic country sounds. Slides available from the teacher. Intermediate. Three or four equidistant strings.

Bagpipe Tuning

All D all the time. Bagpipe tuning, (one D an octave lower than the others) and Galax tuning (unison Ds) have strong folk roots, lots of flexibility and are great for that ‘high lonesome’ dulcimer sound. Beginners.

Old-Timey Mountain Dulcimer

Great West Virginia old-timey songs and tunes and useful back-up techniques. An intermediate level workshop starting in D-a-d’. Three or four equidistant strings.

Hammers & Pulls

These left hand ornaments lend grace, bounce and expression to our music. We’ll combine tunes and exercises to make these techniques manageable and fun. An intermediate level workshop starting in D-a-d’. Three or four equidistant strings.

Workshops For Singers And Other Instruments

Clawhammer Banjo

Two keys, no re-tuning. We’ll play two double’C tunes, one major and one minor. Intermediate/advanced.

Meet The Folk Harp

Hear some lovely music and learn about this ancient instrument. Lecture/demonstration.

Scottish Music For Folk Harp

The Scottish repertoire of harp music is filled with beautiful melodies and we will play several of them with attention to ornamentation and flow. Advanced Beg./Intermediate.

Mandolin Basics

For folks who haven’t played before, and those who can play a little but could use some guidance. Get off to a playful start on this folkie descendent of the lute.

Singing For The Confidence Impaired

Lorraine is an experienced singing teacher who delights in helping folks find their expressive musical voice. Everyone is welcome for warm-ups, vocal techniques, simple songs and plenty of fun.