About Us
About Us
Our Club & Instruments
We play mostly old-time, folk, country and traditional music. Many of us are sing-and-strum-along folks, while others are old pro's adept on playing amazing melodies on various instruments. We welcome all skill levels and acoustic instruments.
Most club members play by ear, and many also are skilled at reading the 'tablature' specific to 'harps and dulcimers. We're always ready help beginners learn the basics, and the tips and tricks of playing with a group. We even have a few "loaner" instruments for beginners.
Also, guitarists, mandolin-ers, banjo players, fiddlers, and other acoustic instruments are welcome to join in.
Both the dulcimer and autoharp are easy to learn, even if you have no previous musical background. Many players picked up the instruments later in life, after having acquired a dulcimer or autoharp from yard sales or flea markets. Almost immediately, beginners can strum along with basic songs and join in the jams. It doesn't take long for most folks to learn to pick out melodies, and start working on more advanced techniques.
We meet several times a month to learn new songs and practice together. We also play at nursing homes and community events throughout the year. Our members also travel to festivals near and far to learn and have fun with like-minded musicians. Overall, we're an active bunch!
In November 2009, Carlene Wood and Carolyn Gilbert officially started the Big Country Autoharp & Dulicmer Club. Like most old-time music fans, Carlene and Carolyn enjoyed to music festivals all over the country, attending workshops and jamming with other old-time musicians. Since West Texas is a big place, they wanted a local home base where they could play, learn, and attract new people to the sound. "There just wasn't anything like this in our area," says Carlene.
In November 2010, we hosted our first workshop, and it was a resounding success. About a dozen Big Country dulcimer players joined recording artist Margaret Wright for two days of amazing lessons & fun. Since then, Margaret's been back several times. Karen Daniels, national autoharp champion, an her husband Chuck have also found time in their busy schedule to visit our club twice for workshops and autoharp repair. In January 2011, autoharp hall of famer Charles Whitmer presented beginner and intermediate workshops. Charles has continued to hold workshops often here. We hope to continue hosting workshops and playing for folk/old-time music events in the Big Country.
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