Merv Rowley's tablature arrangements for the diatonic mountain dulcimer tuned to D-F#-A

Merv Rowley - 1 * 3 * 5
Mountain Dulcimer Arrangements

Click here for information on the next 1-3-5 workshop at the The Cincinnati Dulcimer Celebration taught by John Sackenheim on August 7, 2004

"April Showers"

This tune requires G#, D# and A# - notes at locations provided only by a D-F#-A tuning. The music plays almost like a piano score arranged for the left hand. I think it will bring back old memories for many of us. This one is "out of season", but one that many remember from yesteryear.

There are two pages in various formats (some are larger for those that have DSL or Broadband).

Lyrics: B. G. De Sylva

Music: Louis Silvers

Published: 1921

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Lyrics:

Though April showers may come your way,
They bring the flowers that bloom in May.
So if it's raining, have no regrets,
Because it isn't raining rain, you know, (It's raining violets,)
And where you see clouds upon the hills,
You soon will see crowds of daffodils,
So keep on looking for a blue bird, And list'ning for his song,
Whenever April showers come along.

"When Irish Eyes Are Smiling"

"When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" is one of my all-time favorites, but requires a few accidentals to be played on the dulcimer. Again, 1-3-5 tuning meets the challenge. My tablature arrangement of this song for the diatonic mountain dulcimer uses the tuning D-F#-A. There are two pages in various formats (some are larger for those that have DSL or Broadband). I think this selection is a good one to showcase the 1-3-5 tuning for several reasons. First, as you will note, although the tuning is D-F#-A, the arrangement is played with full chord support in the key of A major, without need for a capo.

The melody itself has only one accidental (D# used in two places). The chord support seen here, however, makes use of "new" notes like the D# and A#, not found in other tunings like D-A-A or D-A-d. These add new color to the music, beyond the usual I-IV-V chords with which we are more familiar.

I hope you enjoy the music (thank you Merv).

Lyrics: C. Olcott/G. Graff

Music: Ernest R. Ball

Published: 1912

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Lyrics

There's a tear in your eye, And I'm wondering why,
For it never should be there at all.
With such pow'r in your smile, Sure a stone you'd beguile,
So there's never a teardrop should fall.
When your sweet lilting laughter's Like some fairy song,
And your eyes twinkle bright as can be;
You should laugh all the while And all other times smile,
And now, smile a smile for me.

Chorus:

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

For your smile is a part Of the love in your heart,
And it makes even sunshine more bright.
Like the linnet's sweet song, Crooning all the day long,
Comes your laughter and light.
For the springtime of life Is the sweetest of all
There is ne'er a real care or regret;
And while springtime is ours Throughout all of youth's hours,
Let us smile each chance we get.

CINCINNATI CINCINNATI DULCIMER CELEBRRATION

The Cincinnati Dulcimer Celebration, will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2004, at Northwest High School in Cincinnati, Ohio. Instructors include: Molly McCormack, Joyce Harrison, Sam Stone, John Sackenheim, Tom and Missy Strothers, Gary Sager, Tull Glazener, and Guy George.

The festival will stress techniques and each workshop will last 75 minutes.

John Sackenheim will be teaching two workshops in 1-3-5 tuning.

The first workshop: "Old Favorites: Intro to 1-3-5 Tuning"

Old favorites played in 1-3-5 tuning. Will teach chord recognition and notes on the fretboard for chords in the key of "D". Primarily the chords of "D", "G", and "A", but also some 7ths. Students will learn some tunes in 1-3-5 tuning that they probably already play in DAd or some other tuning. Goal is to let them hear the other sound available in the 1-3-5 tuning.

The second workshop: "More About 1-3-5 Tuning."

Will build on the first. Will expound more on chords in the 1-3-5 tuning. Using some of the tunes from one or more of Merv Rowley's books, will teach the student to begin recognizing chord shapes and formations in the 1-3-5 tuning.

How to Get More Music From Your Dulcimer (An Introduction to 1-3-5 Tunings) by Merv Rowley

Gail West
58299 Randy Drive
Goshen, IN 46528
Phone: 574-361-6459 (cell)
Email:gwest1955@aol.com

Life can bring us MANY challenges ... but somewhere inside of us God makes sure there is a SONG IN OUR HEARTS if we just listen.

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