Susan Trump - O'Carolan For Mountain Dulcimer

I just happened to be browsing through the book department here at Folkcraft and landed my eyes on this book by Susan Trump. I have taken at least 2 one-hour online workshops with Susan and I found her teaching style to be sympatico with my learning style so I decided to give this book a chance. I consider myself to be an intermediate player, so I was a little put off by the "Intermediate to Advanced" rating of the arrangements, but I know I need to keep challenging myself so I took a gamble. So glad I did! Susan's arrangements are very clear and easy to read and the CD with all of the songs played on Mountain Dulcimer is so very helpful. I am still focusing on the first three songs of the book so far (as the songs are arranged from easiest to hardest), but I feel I am making good progress. I knew very little about O'Carolan until recently and I am enjoying this new experience with these new (to me) songs.

I was glad to see that Folkcraft offers a book of Turlough O'Carolan's arrangements as I enjoy playing his songs. Susan Trump did a fine job of arranging the dozen ditties in the book, which includes a CD. It would have been nice if she played longer versions of each song on the CD, but it's a welcome addition to the book. Some of her arrangements are targeted for more advanced players, but they don't require as many pull-offs and hammer-ons that Neal Hellman, for example, includes in his O'Carolan arrangements. Some of the numbers I've played before but most I had not. Overall, a decent value.

Even if no other music existed for the mountain dulcimer other than this fine book I'd still be totally happy!

I’m a long time musician but new to the dulcimer. I love O’Carolan music and very much enjoyed this book!

I am new to the dulcimer but have discovered I love books by Susan Trump. She puts in those extra little touches that make the songs sound beautiful. The instructions are also very clearly presented. Highly recommended.