Galax Dulcimer: A Job Of Journey Work

Galax Dulcimer: A Job Of Journey Work is Phyllis Gaskins' guide to the tunes, history and traditions of Galax-style mountain dulcimer playing. Few people know the style better: Phyllis learned from Raymond Melton, a leading Galax dulcimer builder and player, and she's well known as a performer and a teacher.

Along with the tunes, the book is full of photos, stories and background on the dulcimer's history, especially the dulcimers of Galax, Virginia, and the important part they played in how the instrument developed.

Tuning: all songs assume every string is tuned to D. D tunes start "Do" at fret 0; G tunes start "Do" at fret 3; A tunes start "Do" at fret 4 and use a partial capo on the drone strings at fret 1 (Phyllis explains how to make one on page 19). Instructions for playing the songs in DAD tuning are also included.

MP3 recordings are a free download. Get them from Folkcraft.

Songs included:

D tunes: Big Liza Jane, Black-Eyed Susie, Chapel Hill March, Ducks On The Millpond, Fortune, Green Willis, Job Of Journey Work, Julie Ann Johnson, Katy Cline, Luther's Walkin In The Parlor, Old Molly Hare, Old Time Sally Ann, Peek A Boo Waltz, Sugar Hill, Walkin' In The Parlor #1

G tunes: Dance All Night With A Bottle In Your Hand, Did You Ever See The Devil Uncle Joe?, Ebenezer, Evening Star Waltz, The Girl I Left Behind, John Brown's March, Long Journey Home, Merriweather, Sandy River Belle, Seneca Square Dance, Silly Bill, Unclouded Day

A tunes: Breakin' Up Christmas, Cluck Ol' Hen, Cold Frosty Morning, Dinah, Falls Of Richmond, Highlander's Farewell, Kitchen Girl, New Castle (Texas), Sail Away Ladies, Sally Goodin, Sheep Shell Corn, Sugar In The Gourd, Train On The Island

Two-key tunes: Flop-Eared Mule, Jenny Lind Polka