Learn how to play dulcimers

Garfield Farm Museum will host two hands-on dulcimer workshops Sunday, April 10. During each workshop, musician Dona Benkert will give instruction on these stringed instruments. No experience is needed.

Benkert will have some instruments on hand for individuals who do not have their own. The 1 p.m. session will cover mountain dulcimers, and the 3 p.m. session will cover hammered dulcimers.

The mountain dulcimer is often considered the only real American instrument. Visitors can discover the origins and evolution of this traditional, easy to play instrument during the 1 p.m. session. After learning the basic right and left hand techniques, participants can try their hands at playing some easy traditional melodies.

The hammered dulcimer is among the most beautiful sounding and oldest instruments. The forerunner to the piano, it is a trapezoidal instrument played by striking the strings with hammers. The 3 p.m. session will explore its history and visitors will learn basic playing techniques and a few easy tunes.

Reservations are required, as the class size is limited. Reserve early as there are a limited number of instruments available for use during the workshops. There will be a $25 donation for each session and refreshments will be provided. Reservations can be made by calling the museum at (630) 584-8485 or e-mailing info@garfieldfarm.org.

Benkert is the owner of Folk-Lore Center music school in Warrenville and founder of Warrenville Folk Music Society. She is an accomplished hammered and mountain dulcimer artist and winner of the 2003 Studs Terkel Humanities Award.

She is on staff at the renowned Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, as well as DuPage Girl Scouts as a music and dance badge program facilitator. Her arrangements are rooted in the traditions of the British Isles, New England Country dance music, Appalachian fiddle tunes and the music Irish harpist Turloch O’Carolan.

Garfield Farm Museum is five miles west of Geneva, off Route 38, on Garfield Road. Garfield Farm is a former historically intact 1840s prairie farmstead and teamster inn that is being restored as a working 1840s farm.