No experience is necessary to enjoy the gentle, Tai Chi related exercises for relaxation and rejuvenation. All levels of dulcimer players are welcome. Learn to combine the benefits from the exercises with innovative playing techniques to explore the depths of playing traditional mountain music on the dulcimer.
Limited enrollment (15) insures more individual attention as well as facilitating fellowship amongst the participants. Concerts and Jamming with instructor Don Pedi and Special Guest artists, provide a direct link to mountain traditions going back for generations.
Don Pedi has been playing the dulcimer since 1968. He’s been practicing T’ai Chi Ch’uan and related healing and meditation arts since 1971, and teaching them since the mid 1980s. He ran the T’ai Chi Center of Asheville from 1989 – 1993. Don then taught an introduction to T’ai Chi class for the College for Seniors at UNCA in Asheville until 2007. More recently, with a busy music schedule to keep up with, he teaches T’ai Chi related exercises mostly at music camps. Most of Don’s music was learned face to face from authentic traditional sources, both past and present. The same is true of his healing arts.
A gifted player and teacher, Don shares his knowledge in a relaxed, friendly, and non-competitive manner, creating an atmosphere conducive to everyone learning at their own pace. The simple and effective T’ai Chi and related exercises help to reduce stress and improve balance. When we apply the these ancient principles and techniques to playing the dulcimer, the result is to improve playing skills and aid in the development of economy of motion.
The classes are scheduled to create a cumulative effect, allowing one to leave with a working understanding of the topics presented. Please apply only if you are at least willing to participate in all the workshops. Most people find these retreats fun, as well as a source of inspiration and rejuvenation. One leaves with a wealth of dulcimer playing techniques, songs and tunes.
Hand outs of most of the music and Taoist rejuvenation exercises help one continue to practice at home.
The Way of Dulcimer Retreat Schedule:
Wednesday – May 24th
- 3:00 – 5:00pm Registration
- 5:00 – 6:30pm Orientation -Orientation will start with introductions.Then we will discuss the benefits of T’ai Chi related exercises and relaxation techniques, and how they apply to playing of music with it’s roots in the agrarian culture of our ancestors.
- 6:30 – 7:30 Supper
- 8:00 ’til ?
Jamming
Thursday – May 25th
- 8:00 – 9:00 – Breakfast
- 9:30 – 10:00 – T’ai Chi Warmups – Easy and gentle routine to loosen up.
- 10:15 – 11:00 – Dulcimer History – A short video presentation of the History of the dulcimer. Followed by examples of playing styles demonstrated on antique and vintage dulcimers.
- 11:15 – 12:30 – Free Style Strumming – Variations and techniques to strum any style of song or tune.
- 12:30 – 1:30 – Dinner
- 1:30 – 2:45 – Natural Noting – Patterns and techniques to develop ease of flow and economy of motion for fretting the dulcimer.
- 3:00 – 3:45 – Five Elements Qi Gong -Easy ancient exercise to relieve stress and balance energy.
- 4:00 – 6:00 – Individual Q & A -Time to go over what we covered during the day. Play by yourself or in small groups of people with similar skill levels. I will go from each person or group to the next to address individual or specific questions.
- 6:00 – 7:00 – Supper
- 7:30 – ?
Jamming
Friday – May 26th
- 8:00 – 9:00 – Breakfast
- 9:30 – 10:00 – T’ai Chi Warmups
- 10:15 – 11:00 – Tunings – How and why to retune for single string melody.
- 11:15 – 12:30 – Little Songs from the Southern Mountains – Simple and clever songs for all levels.
- 12:30 – 1:30 – Dinner
- 1:30 – 2:45 – Sacred Songs – Old-Time songs of praise.
- 3:00 – 3:30 – Five Elements Qi Gong Review
- 3:30 – 6:00 – Free Time – Hike, shop, practice, rest, etc.
- 6:00 – 7:00 – Supper
- 7:30 – 8:30 – Concert
- 8:30 – ?
Jamming
Saturday – May 27th
- 8:00 – 9:00 – Breakfast
- 9:30 – 10:00 – T’ai Chi Warmups
- 10:15 – 11:00 – Play By Ear
- 11:15 – 12:30 – Fiddle Tunes
- 12:30 – 1:30 – Dinner
- 1:30 – 3:00 – Ballads
- 3:15 – 4:00 – Rejuvenation Exercises
- 4:15 – 6:00 – More Songs and Tunes from the Southern Mountains
- 6:00 – 7:00 – Supper
- 7:30 – 9:00(?) – Open Mic & Concert
- 9:00 – ?
Jamming
Sunday – May 28th
- 8:00 – 9:00 – Breakfast
- 9:00 – 9 :30 – Checkout
- 9:30 – 11:00 – Farewell Gathering
