Dulcimer Music Performer & Instructor

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. I provide musical entertainment for weddings, private parties, community events, churches and festivals. Lately, however I do a LOT of entertaining at retirement centers, nursing homes, and luncheons.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. I advise the students to make a commitment to come every week and schedule regular short practice times frequently. Unlike the common saying, practice doesn't make perfect.... PERFECT PRACTICE makes perfect playing.

To folks who are planning an event for which they're interested in my music as entertainment, I always want to have a clear understanding of how the sound is to be projected. The dulcimer has a clear, but quiet voice, and requires amplification to be heard well in a large crowded setting. I have a small sound system, but I need to understand their requirements in order to determine if my system is adequate, or if a house system is required.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. Many times when I perform at a venue the audience (and prospective clients) ask, "How do you make it look so easy?" and the obvious answer is, "Practice, practice, practice!" That's the inside secret.... that's what it takes. Its not magic!

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Clients who are seeking my services as an entertainer would need to be able to share the size of the venue and physical considerations such as what kind of sound system and what kind of access to the stage. They would need to let me know if they want a solo performance or an ensemble, and if period costumes are called for. They should also be able to share budget items such as the fee for the performer(s), and any allowances such as on-site meals, transportation, or overnight expenses.

Clients seeking a music teacher should be able to let me know the age (if a child) and previous musical experience of the student.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. There aren't a lot of others in my home-area who teach and perform on the hammer dulcimer. The dulcimer has an enchanting appeal and provides entertainment thats out of the ordinary and has real class. My performances are polished and professional offering variety and a lot of spirit.

As a teacher, I offer a background of experience and creativity. Not to brag, but through the years I've had many students who've been successful in using music to add interest and focus to their lives, ad some have gone on to perform and entertain, and have even won some impressive competitions, including the National Hammer Dulcimer championship.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. Are you kidding? I spend my time making music! What could be more satisfying?

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Q: Is it hard to learn to play the hammer dulcimer?

A: Learning any new skill, including playing a musical instrument requires focus and dedication. The learning curve for the dulcimer is gentle, and finding a good teacher to keep you headed in the right direction is a huge key to success.

Q. Do you have a favorite story from your work?

A. I have performed and taught music for many years.... do have time to read a novel?

I guess the most amusing story is about the time I had just finished a very moving solo at church and as I began to be seated in a chair on the stage, one of the chair's legs was too close to the edge and it toppled to the floor below, and I along with!

The minister attempted to alleviate my embarrassment by saying that it was a very graceful fall, and then he just couldn't HELP making his next remark.... something along the line of, "Its better to fall gracefully than to fall from grace!"

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. I want them to know that I'm accomplished in my field, and have a wide range of styles so that I can tailor my music to fit their needs. I can even write or arrange favorites or hard-to-find music for their special occasion.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. I was about 4 years old, sitting on my Daddy's shoulders watching a marching band in a parade and I said, "Daddy, I LIKE that noise." I knew from that moment that music would be my life. I'm so fortunate to have been able to have a successful career in this field and to continue to teach and perform in my retirement.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. I recently performed for an audience of thousands in an outdoor stadium with a group of backup musicians that I pulled together over a period of just 4 days. Putting together a program that was exciting and varied and brought out the best of the abilities and skills of a mis-matched group of strangers who had never played together before was a real challenge, but our 25 min. set was exciting and polished and received tremendous applause.

Even now, months later, I'm still getting messages from folks in the audience who understood the challenges and appreciated the performance. Someone videotaped the performance and it can be seen on several YouTube videos. The musicians who played with me on stage were appreciative of the opportunity to participate in a polished, well-arranged, professional performance, and the back stage crew was also very complimentary of our professionalism and musicianship.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. I learn new music continually, and participate in on-line discussions on teaching techniques.

I take regular computer classes to learn how to create on-line music instruction, and to market my musical performance activities.

Q. What are the latest developments in your field? Are there any exciting things coming in the next few years or decade that will change your line of business?

A. The most important development that affects my specific field is the availability of the internet and the opportunity to develop web-lessons and offer my instruction books as E-books for customers to download. This is especially exciting for me because since I'm traveling so much teaching workshops across the country, I can continue to teach my students on the internet. I can accept new students who live too far to come for weekly private lessons.

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. Weddings are my most frequent gigs, but there was one a few weeks ago that was at a B & B at a working ranch West of Houston. The ceremony and the reception that followed were in an oak grove with a carpet of leaves and the branches for cover. I played gathering music for 30 min before the ceremony, then The bride approached through the trees as I played Pachelbel's Canon in D. I played other special music during the ceremony, and after the ceremony I continued to play for 2 hours as the couple was toasted and guests enjoyed refreshments. The wedding party posed for pictures as the guests enjoyed the reception. My fee was generous and the bride even gave me a generous tip.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. Private lessons on the dulcimer are $30 for 30 min. Discounts are available to those who take a lesson every week and pay in advance.

Performance rates are based on the same hourly rate, but can vary due to distance and travel time.

Q. If you were advising someone who wanted to get into your profession, what would you suggest?

A. Learn as much as you can about music: Music theory, music history, music appreciation, music performance. Set realistic goals based on your interests and your abilities. Expect to spend many hours perfecting your skills.

My advice to students entering music as a career is... its a field with MANY intrinsic rewards, but its a RARE thing to become rich and famous. Although some do, there are many many others who have successful careers and make a good honest living in a field thats totally enjoyable. There are many others who enter the field of music as an avocation, or even just as a hobby, and some are able to play music for $$$ and maintain another professional career.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. Q: Where can one go to find live musical entertainment thats out of the ordinary and has real class?

A: Beautiful Music by Peggy Carter

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. Q: What recent dulcimer festivals have you been to? and what did you teach?

A: The Texas Winter Dulcimer Retreat the first weekend in January. It was in Madisonville TX but there were lots of folks there from Louisianna, and as far away as Abilene TX. I taught Mt. Dulcimer and Hammer Dulcimer .... several workshops on various levels. The welcome was warm and enthusiastic, and the jamming was energetic and fun.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. Q: Where can we go to hear your music?
A: I have a weekend workshop and concert coming up in a few weeks (The last weekend in March) in Kerrville, at the First United Methodist Church. I'll be teaching workshops for Mt. dulcimer Friday afternoon and all day Saturday, and playing in a free concert on Sat. March 26 at the church and for services on Sunday, March 27.

In April I will be presenting a program entitled, "Shall We Gather, an Evening of Dulcimer Music With Peggy Carter" on Sat. April 16th at the Walker Education Center, Sam Houston Memorial Museum in Huntsville TX. It is a free concert, and the public is invited.