Tips from the Pro's

Do you wonder how others seem to play so confidently?  Our music director Marsha Kozlowski posed this question to the Silver Strings club and spoke with a number of members about this dilemma. The following is a compilation of their ideas to improve your musical confidence. Because yes, you can learn how to be a better, more confident musician, and yes you can have fun while doing so. 

Apps are a great way to learn a tune by ear, or if you read music, to keep yourself on tempo and that tendency to speed in check. 

• Chordbot Learn chord progressions 

• Band In a Box Type in chord progressions & it creates a backup band to play along with 

• AnyTune Pro Record or import a recording, change the tempo, change the pitch, create loops 

• Amazing SlowDowner Change the tempo

• Trad Musician & The Session Plays ABC & midi files

• ForScore Organize all your sheet music on Apple. Create endless set lists 

• Mobile Sheets Pro Organize all your sheet music on Android

• YouTube Someone else has played this tune before 

Take a moment to remind yourself why you’re doing this. Personal satisfaction? The joy of music? Jamming with friends? A desire to get on stage and perform for others? A means of mental exercise?  Perhaps you’d like to share your music with others in hopes it will brighten their day? Whatever your reasons, know that if you have made yourself or anyone else smile or tap their foot that’s enough. You have done good.

If your goal is to get more comfortable playing for an audience, do it anytime you have the chance to, especially in a low/no threat environment. 

• Play for your dog, your mother, your kids 

• Travel to a different city where nobody knows you

• Play in a group where you can count on others to carry the tune if you falter

• Play where you won’t be recorded and posted on social media

• • Create/start/join a practice group. Get acquainted with other members at about the same level and get together weekly. Make it fun, give yourself a name. (Turtles, Snails, Slugs, Unite!)

  • Keep your instrument out on its’ stand and pick it up multiple times every day.  Waiting for supper? Play. Waiting for the paint to dry? Play. Need to chill? Play. If you only have the mental or physical stamina for a few minutes at a time, play that few minutes.

  • Learn to tune it. Fix it, clean it, pet it, gaze fondly on your musical best friend.  Play loud, play soft. Play along with a recording. Let it be your personal therapy device. 

  • Sure, have goals, but don’t worry about them too much. Have fun with however you play your instrument right now. Enjoy the learning process.  Why do so many accomplished musicians decide to start over with a brand new instrument? Because learning something new is fun!

  • Listen and watch other players. If there is something they do that you like or admire, ask for a short lesson. People are honored and sometimes astonished to be asked. “Who me? I’ve only been playing for....” Assure them, “Yes, you. I really want to learn this thing from you..” Because we are all here to help each other. Before you know it, someone will ask You for help in the same way. 

  • Silver Strings Dulcimer Society YouTube practice library. If the tune you need isn’t in the practice library, ask the SSDS Board if it could be added

Performance anxiety is real, even for professionals. Since performing is a part of our club, you are encouraged to try some of the things that could alleviate anxiety and help create a confidence in playing to audiences.

• BREATHE! Slower, controlled breaths help a person stay focused and relaxed. He further suggests slowly wiggling your fingers and toes to be helpful.  

• ACT CONFIDENT even if you don’t feel that way. Stand or sit up straight. “Sell” confidence with confident body language. You may even fool yourself!

• KNOW most of of the tunes you will be playing. It helps defeat the fear factor.

• CHOOSE YOUR GIG Play in settings where you will not stress out. Some gigs are more stressful than others. Farmers Market gigs where people come and go gigs are more relaxed.  

• SMILE Choose a couple of friendly faces in various directions in the audience. 

• LOOK UP  from playing a few times. Catch their eye and smile. They will think you are playing just for them. Their happiness is catching.

You’ll make mistakes. Everyone does, even the pros. Accept the inevitability of mistakes. Have a plan to “get back in the game” when that happens. 

• Work on smiling every time you make a mistake. Don’t grimace! If you smile from the mistake, do it with a twinkle in your eye, like it was just a joke. Pretend like you are having fun. (Fake it until you make it!)

• “Own your mistakes –then work on that measure, phrase, to make the tune second nature to your muscle memory.” 

• Don’t “squeeze in” any notes you missed, just skip them and stick to the tempo. If you squeeze in the notes, this will call attention to the error and can  speed up the tempo of the tune,  starting a “death spiral” where the tune keeps getting faster and faster. Remember, a mistake is only a millisecond long. 

• Use your practice aides to play along with the tune without following the exact melody. Concentrate more on the chord structure and what places are easiest to get back on board. The start of the A or B part frequently works well for this, as well as the start of new musical phrases, especially the ones you really know well. 

• Tempo Drills. When learning a tune, use the tempo controls on YouTube or your apps to accurately work up to speed and then to “overspeed”—playing faster than you’ll need to in the performance.  

• If a tune is giving you a bad attitude, then take a break. Get some water. Go chat with friends. 

“But it sounded pretty good in my living room” Once you have the tune down, add some new stressors. 

• Change the lighting. Change your location. Add background noise.  

• Wear hearing protectors so you don’t have the same acoustic feedback you are used to.  

• Stand if you normally sit or vice versa. 

• Play your dulcimer flat on a table or kitchen countertop. 

• Change the relative height of your instrument by putting books under the legs of your stand. Stand on one foot.

It’s easy to be nervous and start a tune too fast. It’s also more common and easier to speed up during a tune than to slow down. So, how do you start the tune at an appropriate (slow enough) tempo when under the pressure of a performance and a tendency to speed up? 

• Make your starting slightly more complex than just playing “potatoes” or the last bit of the melody.  

• Try Rolling-Arpeggiated Chords. Do a Chromatic Run. Use Block Chords.

More Tips on starting tunes

• For a waltz, play the entire last phrase of the song

• Don't quit if you don't hear anyone start playing at the right time. They will figure it out and join you

What happens when you have achieved mastery? What do you do when all those exciting difficult tunes are now ‘ho-hum’?

• Learn a new instrument! All the sudden those easy tunes just got very challenging! (Don’t want to lug around a new instrument, then get a harmonica!) 

• Don’t look at the music, try to play it by ear

• Play a backup, counter melody, or variation. Add fancy embellishments

• Play that old easy tune the best you have ever played. Put your heart & soul into that tune

• Pay close attention to your technique, style & performance presentation. Find areas you need to improve

• Look up - watch everyone else while playing, smile at the audience!

• Smile! Dance & Play!

UnrealBook is one of the several tablet apps that our members use to keep their music library. The following are instructions in how to load SSDS music from Dropbox and into unrealBook.

1. Log into your Dropbox account on your iPad. You may already be logged in. Check to make sure you can see the SSDS sheet music folders and the sheet music in the folders

2. OpenunRealBook on iPad.

3. Tap on the center of the screen. This is the “secret” spot as it makes a menu baron at the top of the screen. REMEMBER this! Try it several times until it is etched in your memory! It says icons ofSongs, Go-Do, dB, Circle, Pencil, Box with arrow and Gear. See it???

4. Turn the menu bar on. Tap on Box with Arrow. It displays an Action menu.

5. Choose Dropbox-Remote Files.

6. A Dropbox screen is displayed. Note the Menu Bar at top of screen. Press the HOME box. You may already be at Home but press it anyways to make sure. NOTE:If this does not display your Dropbox folders, you may need to Logout of Dropbox and Log back in Dropbox. Top right corner of screen. unRealbook remembers your password if you have accessed Dropbox before. If this is your first time doing this, you will be asked to enter your password to Dropbox. You may have to repeat Steps 4 and 5 several times until you see your Dropbox folders.

7. You should now see your Dropbox folders. You have 2GB free space so you canuse it for other personal files.

8. Press on Silver Strings Sheet Music folder. It will display all the sheet music files in the shared folder.

9. Press on Get New and unRealbook for transfer sheet music files that you don’t have into unRealbook. The screen will display the progress and show music being loaded.

10. When all new sheet music has been loaded, unRealbook will display Finished Downloading. Press OK.

11. Press Close at the top left of the screen to return to unRealbook

MobileSheets is one of the several tablet apps that our members use to keep their music library. The following are instructions in how to load SSDS music from Dropbox and into MobileSheets. 

1. Accept the Invitation from Dropbox: First, accept the Dropbox invitation to the new sheet music folder.

2. Open MobileSheets & Go to Settings: Tap the three dots for the menu, select "Settings."

3. Select Storage Settings: In the Settings menu, go to "Storage."

4. Set the MobileSheets Folder: Ensure that "Let MobileSheets Manage My Files" is checked. Below this, you'll see "Set the MobileSheets Folder." This is where you specify the local device folder MobileSheets uses. This should not need to be changed.

5. Go to Sync Settings: Back out of the Storage menu and go to the "Sync" or "Cloud Sync" settings.

6. Update the Sync Directory:

   • If a sync was already configured, it will now show an error or be pointing to the old, invalid path.

   • Choose "Sync to a folder on the cloud."

   • Select "Dropbox" as the cloud service.

   • You will be prompted to choose a folder. Navigate to and select the NEW Dropbox folder (SilverStrings/SSDS Music).

7. Initiate Sync: After setting the new folder, MobileSheets will compare the files in its library with the files in the new Dropbox folder. It is very effective at matching existing files, so it should not create duplicates. It will download any new files and flag any conflicts for you to resolve.

1. Go to your computer or device’s browser and enter the following: www.dropbox.com/basic 

2. Click on Sign Up forFree and follow the on screen directions tocreateyour account. Write down your email address and password that you will use for Dropbox!

3. Go to your personal email and look for an email from silverstrings.webmaster@gmail.com. If it is not in your in box, be sure to check your spam box.

4. In the email Dropbox invitation, click on the link to the SharedFolder and follow any other on screen directions. During this step the sheet music and other files will load into your Dropbox account.

5. Go to your newly created Dropbox account and open each shared folder to make sure the content has been loaded.

Spirit Jam was a jam hosted on Facebook Live during shut down, and perhaps again. All past Spirit Jams have been posted to the SilverStringsClub channel SpiritJam playlist

These instructions are for an Apple device but should be similar on an Android device.

Some people use headphones, ear buds or stream the sound through their hearing aids! Whether you use your devices speakers or a Bluetooth device is up to you. Enjoy the jam! 

1. If you haven’t already loaded the Facebook App on you device or computer, do so now.To get the app, go to the“store” that supports your device, i.e. App Store, Google PlayStore or the Microsoft Store. It is a free app.

2. If you are installing FB (Facebook) for the first time, you will need to enter your email address and a password. Be sure to write this information down for future use!

3. Once logged in or on Facebook, find your “News Feed” button and press it. Do it again just to make sure you are where you need to be. Make sure you do this so you will be at the top of the feed and not in someone’s profile or the middle of the feed. This will ensure that your “Search” searches all of FB for the Spirit Jam.

4. Find the “Search Facebook” bar. On the Apple device, it is at the top middle of the screen. Enter these exact words: “Spirit Jam-SSDS” and press Search on your keyboard. Do not enter the quotes on the search bar.

5. On the Apple device, you will see all the results for Spirit Jam-SSDS. The group SpiritJam-SSDS page should be at the top of your results. It says “Group 283 Members”. Press on this result. We are at 283 members at the time of this document creation, so it could be a higher number when you join or continue to the group page.

6. This will take you to the Public Group Page entitled “Spirit Jam-SSDS”. If you are not a member of this group yet, press the JOIN button. The Spirit Jam Admins will be checking frequently to approve new members, set up your instrument, playlist and device 5-10 minutes before 7pm. Keep refreshing the page at 6:58pm to 7:00pm until you see the Spirit Jam hosts. On the Apple device, refresh the page by pulling down from top to bottom. The Spirit Jam Leaders will be turning on their camera 1-2 minutes before 7pm to give us a chance to find the broadcast and prepare for the jam.

Silver Strings Dulcimer Society - JAM Etiquette 

Our jams are playing sessions for acoustic musicians who may or may not know each other but play together informally for our own enjoyment.  Our jams are open to all, beginners as well as accomplished players. We welcome listeners. Knowing there are many dynamics in play as not everyone at a given jam will be of equal ability, we work to make it fun and informal. Jamming with others improves one’s ability and grows everyone’s musicianship – our mission.

1.  All should tune instruments before coming, particularly those with Hammered Dulcimers. (A: 440)

2. Try to be on time and set up before the music begins. 

3. Put your cell phone on vibrate or turn off for the duration of the jam. 

4. Listen to the others.  If you can’t hear the lead, wait to begin playing. Try to play soft enough to hear the person next to you.

5. Refrain from noodling while someone is giving directions, stating the key, or doing a start. Noodling is a habit of continuing to play in between songs.  It is very distracting.

6. If you need to converse with someone, leave the jam area and go to the fellowship area. 

7. Watch for visitors and new players.  Make them welcome by making room for them. Be encouraging.  Remember you were new once. If you see someone is lost, help them out. 

8. Position yourself close to other players.  The tighter the circle the easier it is to stay together and the better the jam. 

9. Come with a list of 2-3 tunes you might call. Try to choose a tune that most people can play.  When calling a tune, announce what key you wish to play it in. If you can start a tune you call, announce it and then do it with confidence. 

10.   No speeding up – jamming is not a race. Timing is everything, so keep the beat. To help newer players, play the tune at a slower tempo the first couple of times. Eventually, the tune needs to be played as it is meant to sound.  SSDS has a slow jam to help more inexperienced players, a regular jam where most tunes are played at a “moderate” speed and an ‘After Hours’ jam where most tunes are played up to speed or new tunes are introduced.

11.   Be aware of your volume and make adjustments that help support the tune.

12.   Practice between jams. Identify a few tunes you want to play (including one you don’t know) and make a note to learn it. Recording a tune for later practice at home is allowed. Click on the: Silver Strings YouTube Page for the Practice Tune Videos to help you learn. Ask for it to be included at the Slow Jam until you feel ready to call for it at a regular jam.  

13.   If you get lost, stop playing and reenter when you can. Find a strong player and sit/stand next to or right behind them.  Learn by copying. 

14.   Know when not to play.  There are times to back off in a jam or on certain tunes where a need for balance is necessary.  If you don’t know the tune, wait and listen for a bit.  We are all there to help the tune sound good. This takes discretion.

15.   Play softly when other instruments are featured or someone is singing.

16.   It is acceptable to YELL out one more time if you need to play again to “get it.” Watch the leader for the signal to end the tune. 

17.   The best jams include a variety of keys, tempos and rhythms.  Be aware of this when picking a tune. Community and encouragement are strengthened when we engage in a variety of tunes from “beginner” tunes to the latest favorites, a variety of keys, and rhythms (reels, waltzes, airs, marches, and jigs). Jamming at SSDS is a democratic process.