Silver Bells (from Bill Spence, origin unknown!)

0 ratings

Bill Spence was a hugely influential figure in the hammered dulcimer world and inspired countless players to pick up the instrument. He called this tune “Sort of Silver Bells” but it sounds nothing like the Western swing fiddle tune by the same name. Although right-handed, Bill was an unrelenting proponent of “left hand lead.” I will never forgot our demo at The Memphis Dulcimer Festival in the late 80’s. He couldn’t believe that I also ascribed to left lead as well! This simple tune is very “chordal” with lots of arpeggios and scale runs. It provides a super vehicle to: (1) Illustrate how a left-hand lead works and the advantages it provides. (2) Play with swing; (3) Shift accents from the “one” and “three” to “two and four.” (4) Use the chord progression to learn and define the melody. (5) Understand how to develop a harmony and several backups. (6) Create many variations. This is super fun to jam if you nail down the melody, backup and harmony and then split into parts!


Here's What You Get:

$38 (Sheet music PLUS video lessons)

Sheet music for melody, backup,, harmony, and arranging ideas. Ken talks through the tune, chord choices, hammering patterns, backups, embellishments, arranging, play-throughs, and more on his dulcimer (shot from above so that you can see what he's doing).

Video Lessons Included:

  • Intro Story
  • Basic Tune
  • Hammering (A part)
  • Hammering (B part)
  • Backup (A part)
  • Backup (B part)
  • Backup Play-through
  • Harmony (A part)
  • Harmony (B part)
  • Harmony play-through
  • Arranging Ideas (A part)
  • Arranging Ideas (B part)
  • Play-through

Approximate length: 78 minutes

***Videos can be streamed, downloaded, or viewed in the Gumroad App on mobile devices. Watch your email for instructions after purchase***

It's like having private mini-tutorials from Ken that you can watch over and over!

NOTE: Even if you already own the sheet music, your purchase ensures that you receive the latest updated versions, and future additions to new arranging ideas, backups and so forth as Ken experiments and develops his playing of the tune.

Thank you for your support - I hope you enjoy the tune! Please do not share your purchased music and videos.

Recorded at Fenchurch Music Studio, Baltimore MD for the Spring 2019 Sandbridge Hammered Dulcimer Retreat 

I want this!
Copy product URL
$38

Silver Bells (from Bill Spence, origin unknown!)

0 ratings
I want this!