The Relaxing Sounds of the Dulcimer
Mountain Dulcimer Music and Instruction by Jerry Rockwell
My last album, The Singing Messenger, was released November 15th, 2016. Since then I’ve been busy with a Winter-themed album (which is still in process), and this brand-new EP entitled Starlight Variations.
This new EP will be available in all the major streaming platforms and at Bandcamp on September 15, 2018. Until then, you can hear some of the tracks right here:
Listening to Jerry Rockwell’s new EP “Starlight Variations” is like opening a magic box. The gentle but sharp sound of the dulcimer, combined with heartfelt and unpretentious composition, makes this into something truly unique – even divine. If you are new to Jerry Rockwell’s music, “Starlight Variations” EP is a great place to start. – Read the whole BT Fasmer review
You gave quite different and fresh taste to this familiar classic song. Very beautiful! B.S. on House of the Rising Sun……
Hi Jerry, I really enjoyed listening and I wanted to run down stairs and grab up my dulcimer! This would have to be my favorite version ever! U. O. on House
That’s very beautiful. We are always looking for ambient/chilled versions of rock or older classics. This is definitely that! Ocean Radio Chilled on House
Beautiful playing Jerry – the old tune is reborn T.R. on House
5 months in to comments pages…..
Now – per tune on new album:
Really wonderful interpretation of a classic. And classic in its own right as well. Pianissimo Tim on House
Very cool music , it seems to me i’m in nature , listening to all tiny sounds , seeing nice passiflore flowers ! your music speak to me , nice track ! C.L. on Singing Messenger
Contemplative, serene, and touching. Wonderful work. Tim P on SM
Beautiful sound, has some resemblance to a Weissenborn, but brighter. Beautiful instrument, fantastic music! T.B. on SM
amazing sound and work – not only from the instrument but the recording. B.T. on SM
Great music Jerry – calm, meditative, accomplished. A.C. on SM
a great chilled sound. And that dulcimer is lovely. Having made the instrument yourself makes your music all the more entriquing and beautiful. thanks S.F. on SM
Love your style, very fine composition and nice playing C.S. on SM
this is one of the more delightful tracks i’ve listened to recently O. on SM
this instrument that sounds beautiful, truly magical, very nice !! …most beautiful music, you’re a great artist, success and thanks J.F. on SM
wow! such soothing, peaceful sounds, Jerry. thanks for the touch of tranquility : ) L.T.P. on SM
Beautiful piece ! Soothing and relaxing. One man music laboratory indeed. Great work. N. Z. on SM
blessings emanate from your Tone n Flow…… 😀 A.N. on SM
Thank you for six minutes of total freedom, Jerry. WVPG on SM
Amazing sound!! Really beautiful & unique!! Great track! P.T. on SM
Lovely, so very soothing and gentle, real feelgood sound! T.T. on SM
Brilliant sounds and arrangement, Jerry! Incredibly soothing, calming the soul … thank you! S.S. on SM
What a beautiful sound! I think your music has healing effect. You maybe living surrounded by beautiful nature. I feel your love for nature from your tunes. B.S. on SM
A unique sound and such an elegant production. I’m captivated. Thanks for sharing Jerry M.B. on SM
Really loving this Jerry. Wonderful sounds!! Craig K. on SM
What a nice track to start thhe day with! Really interesting sound…I play dulcimer as well, the latvian one, but never recorded it…maybe I should give it a try soon:-) Really good feel on this piece of music! Best regards D.V. on six tones
Haunting, yet a serene vibe at the same time. Beautiful! D.B.A.
Am enjoying the smooth sound, and it made me sing along with this track. Love it! – Kori C.
Arrestingly beautiful–sad but uplifting and peaceful!! Great track! P.T.
hello Jerry, the music you make with the Mountain dulicimer you handcrafted is so important in our strife ridden world. S.A.C.
This is so transparent and fragile. Beautiful! H K
Love the harmonics..this also has a ‘music box’ vibe. Peaceful and a kind of lullaby. played well! D.B.R.
floating down the river of life, around the rocks and through the eddy pools 🙂 …..just great! M.W.
Such a haunting and arresting piece and I can’t say I heard you breathing as I stopped breathing myself. What a powerful piece M.B. on Thugamar……..
Really like this soft music, Very nice to to ear!, keep it up Jerry. Healing music it is. M.G. on Thugamar………
Waves of summer washing over….Yes, its a lovely tune Jerry, but you have taken it to a new level with the pacing, and delicate touch. C.O. on Thugamar……
In today’s world, where everything seems to go faster and faster, it feels like a privilege to slow down and experience something genuine and heartfelt. These two words sum up the essence of Jerry Rockwell’s Nine Meditations for Dulcimer. And when you take the time, you’ll see that there’s a poetic depth here too that makes this into a remarkable album. (BT Fasmer, from his review)
Here’s what listeners are saying about Jerry’s restful dulcimer sounds:
Wonderful, Jerry. Its relaxing flow gives me a peace of mind 🙂 F. G……
This is a joy – meditative……. A.W……..
wow, what a clear sound and pure melody! S. W. ……….
Such an atmosphere:) Wonderful tune! B. R. Green on Twinkle Variations……..
I found you and I love this track and I am adding it to a big playlist I am making of those I follow – Sunni ………
this makes me feel wonderfully relaxed! G. W. F……..
A beautiful piece and very much enjoyed! A truly beautiful dulcimer in your Masthead! D. S……..
Think I’ve just become a big fan of electric dulcimer….. 🙂 E.P………
Beautiful layers and so easy on the ears. I have to listen to more of your work Jerry. Thanks for sharing M. B. on………..
Lovely to hear an ambient waltz ..!! D. D………
An outstanding mood piece. Keep ’em comin’! L.Z. on twinkle variations……
Well, you’re certainly right about it being addictive…I could listen to this for a while and wind up feeling a lot better. H.T. on twinkle variations…………
June 24 – 29, 2018
Bardstown, KY
I’m really feeling blessed and excited for KMW this year!! I’ll be teaching four classes:
Play Modal Tunes and Songs While Tuned DAD – No retuning, no capo, just learning some E Dorian, A Mixolydian, and B Aeolian repertoire!
Easy Rounds and Jam-A-Rounds For Ensembles – Really, this is THE MOST fun you can have playing with a group of dulcimers!
Making Up Your Own Jams – Tired of Whiskey Before Breakfast, Old Joe Clarke, Soldier’s Joy??? – This class is your chance to get away from the fiddle tune repertoire and start to discover your very own dulcimer style, working off of very simple chord progressions and short melodic seeds.
Slow Airs From Ireland – Some of the more ethereal music from the Celtic lands – slower pieces that really take you on an inner journey. This is music that goes incredibly well on the dulcimer!!
Classes fill up pretty fast and this is coming right up, so if you want to get in any of these classes, don’t hesitate! For more information, here is a link to the Classes page on the KMW web site:
Here is a particularly hypnotic and trance inducing take on Star of the County Down, which is one of my favorite Irish tunes. I’ve mostly done this one in waltz time or 3/4, but this one is in 4/4 with more of a “two” feel:
We now have my 1994 album of Celtic instrumentals for mountain dulcimer on bandcamp as a free download. Actually it is set up as “pay what you want” including nothing, but it will require you to submit an email:
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