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Mark Nelson's mastery of the Appalachian dulcimer and guitar wows audiences from coast to coast. His numerous recordings, books and instructional videos have redefined what the dulcimer is capable of – in his hands, it becomes an instrument of uncommon expressive power.
In demand as a session musician (check out his inspired percussion track played on an antique Primo beer bottle on legendary Hawaiian musician Keola Beamer's award winning Island Born CD), touring artist and workshop leader, Mark is also an outstanding player of the Hawaiian slack key guitar. Co-authored with Keola Beamer, his Learn To Play Hawaiian Slack Ley Guitar (Mel Bay Publications) has introduced thousands to Ki Ho`alu – the sweet-sounding tropical guitar style of Hawai`i.
Just to keep things interesting, he maintains a recording studio and often free-lances as an engineer– clients include the Terra Nova Consort, Keola Beamer, Hear to Him Productions, Sonny Smith, The Oregon Shakepeare Festival and many, many others – and writes about music technology for O'Reilly Digital Media and other publications.
You can hear some of Mark's music on his MySpace page. Check it out!
Learn Slack Key Guitar On-Line!
Thanks to JamPlay.com, you can now take video lessons with Mark online. His first set of 15 lessons starts with the basics of Taropatch tuning and moves up to some fairly complicated slack key songs. A second set of 15 lessons explores new songs and techniques in Double Slack and Drop C tunings. If you have always wanted to learn slack key, you'll love these lessons. Learn at your own pace-JamPlay charges only $19.95 per month for unlimited lessons!. Click on the image below to take a look at the lessons, and get started learning today! More lessons soon.
Mark's brand new CD, Ke Kukima Polinahe is the first-ever collection of classic Hawaiian & Polynesian music arranged for the Appalachian dulcimer - "Hi`ilawe," the essential Hawaiian song about an illicit love affair; "Tiare Tahiti," a beautiful Tahitian melody, King Kalakaua's immortal "Sweet Leilehua" - and many more.If you like slack key music, wait until you hear it played on the dulcimer!
Mark's groundbreaking book of slack key arrangements for Appalachian dulcimer is now available in an expanded second edition with complete transcriptions of all of the music on the CD.
Click the image below for more information and to purchase the CD and book online..
Check out Mark's tutorial about slack key dulcimer at Dulcimer Sessions.com
And check into Everything Dulcimer.com, a terrific on-line resource.
"Old Time Hawaiian Slack Key Guitar" is a steller collection of 24 classic Hawaiian slack key solos. Recorded live, the CD is a must-have for any lover of slack key. The TAB book contains note-for-note transcriptions of all the songs, including all the intros, variations, solos, bridges and codas. If you are studying slack key, you need this book. Click on the image below to learn more, then order yours today!
Learn to Play Fingerstyle Solos for `Ukulele -If you love the `ukulele and want to have fun playing cool solo arrangements of Hawaiian, folk and classical music, this is the book for you. Click the image below to learn more, then order your copy today!
He also co-hosts the Aloha Music Camp, an week-long immersion into Hawaiian music and culture with Hawaii's beloved Beamer Family, held each summer at a secluded rural retreat in Hawai`i.
"A performer of wit, skill, and exceptional audience rapport" -The Oregonian
Come visit my store on CafePress!
Order cool T-shirts, hats, and other fun logowear. Why wear a boring old LardRock Diner tee when you can strut your stuff in a groovy slack key guitar and dulcimer shirt?
Check out Mark's critically acclaimed CD, The Water is Wide.
Featuring 12 contemporary instrumentals from Hawai`i, the South Pacific, the Celtic lands and Alta California artfully arranged for slack key guitar and dulcimer. A wonderful musical voyage across the wide oceans of the world.
"It's my sunset-have-a-martini-on-the-lanai-soundtrack every night!" – Duke Walls, Hana, Maui
"Nelson is a musician who possesses that rare combination of insight and talent necessary to successfully transcend conventional concepts of genre and culture.Hawaiian standards and Scottish airs alike assume wondrous new forms in these arrangements.A slack-key treatment of Duke Ellington's "Mood Indigo," an Appalachian-flavored take on "Pua Sadinia" and a bluesy interpretation of "'Opihi Moemoe" are among the gems that await discovery." – John Berger, Honolulu Star Bulletin
"Mark Nelson seems to be on to something new and sweet with his marriage of Appalachian dulcimer and Hawaiian slack key guitar. 'Drizzle' is one of the most achingly beautiful slack key numbers heard in years." – Danny Carnahan, Acoustic Guitar Magazine
"Nelson's intricate guitar work revels in a mood indigo and will be warmly embraced by slack key enthusiasts and new acoustic fans."
– Sing Out!
Favorite Old Time American Songs For Appalachian Dulcimer
Over 100 wonderful old American folk songs skillfully arranged for beginning and intermediate level dulcimer players. Now available!!
Click on the image to learn more.
