Articles & the Press

25th October 2019

mixolydian mode – major or minor ?

the mixolydian mode – is it a major or minor scale ?

those of you who are familiar with my music will know that I play modal folk melodies and I have also composed pieces in various modes

I used to think of the modes as all being minor scales, except Ionian of course – recently however, several people have told me that the mixolydian mode is a major scale

this did not sit comfortably with me as the Mixolydian scale sounds minor to me – so I asked 3 highly qualified musicians that I regularly work with to shed some light on the matter

this blog post shows my initial question, their fascinating answers and my updated view now

22nd October 2019

interview with Steve O Ryan

Dan Evans from Olney, near Milton Keynes, UK

I first met Dan Evans at the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club’s annual weekend, at Launde Abbey, 3 years ago when I was starting out on dulcimer. A very sociable and helpful guy, as well as a very thorough tutor, I was delighted when, last year, he came to teach at the Nonsuch Spring Fling in Allendale, Northumberland (which I now help Liz Conway to organise).

19th August 2019

my approach to the dulcimer

my approach to the dulcimer ~ or why I play in DAA

I am often asked why I play mostly in DAA, rather than today’s more dominant DAD tuning. Whilst I enjoy many benefits from DAA, and there are many, the real reason is not just about the pros and cons of DAA vs DAD, but about the configuration of the instrument itself. This article aims to explain that configuration and thus the approach I have to the dulcimer.

17th March 2019

remembering Roger Nicholson

Whilst an official obituary of Roger can be found here on the Independent newspaper website, this blog post is more of a personal perspective.

5th March 2019

my digital effects

effects for my acoustic instruments

My dulcimers have natural sounding pickups which, via a very high-quality Fishman preamp, feed the Boss DD-500 delay unit. This Boss box processes the signal to the highest of audio standards, so the integrity of the acoustic sound is preserved. The delay effects that I use for dulcimer, with a few exceptions, are subtle and you might only notice them by their absence. They add warmth and place the music in a natural sound space.

5th September 2018

CITES – what musicians who travel need to know

Ivory Act update – September 2022

This update summarises a short article on The Ivory Act from the ISM Journal, Autumn 2022 issue.

In June this year The Ivory Act became law, prohibiting commercial activity in elephant ivory. Musicians should be relatively unaffected however, as the act exempts pre-1975 instruments with less than 20% ivory content. The article nonetheless recommends that musicians travelling with exempt instruments should apply for a MIC. Whether MICs will granted for exempt instruments remains to be seen – see my personal update below.

6th June 2018

how to finger-pick the dulcimer

the following article was published in Nonsuch News, summer 2018, the UK’s dulcimer club magazine and the international Dulcimer Players News, February 2019 – it has been updated in October 2020 with a little more information in the section: ‘which fingers to use’

how to finger-pick the dulcimer

Those of you who are familiar with my music will know that I play the dulcimer (and guitar) mostly finger-style. To me, fingerpicking is one of the prettiest ways of playing the dulcimer. This article outlines what I see as best practice fingerpicking technique and it should help you play fingerstyle too, should you wish to do so.

6th May 2018

beginner advice for Nashville dulcimer club

the following article was drafted for and published by Nashville’s Grand Old Dulcimer Club:

‘A pro English dulcimer player advises beginners’

listening skills

Listening is hearing with intent to understand. It is a discipline that requires patience and focus. Listening is perhaps the most important skill a musician can acquire. The more you develop your listening skills, the better you will understand music and the better you will play, both solo and with others. Equally import perhaps, if you listen well you will win the respect of industry professionals.

26th March 2018

interview in Dulcimer Players News

the following interview, conducted by Linda Paulus, was published in the international Dulcimer Players News magazine spring 2018 issue

Dan Evans: A Musician for all Seasons

Close your eyes and imagine mountain dulcimer history and the pros who play these beloved instruments on this side of The Pond. Now, open your eyes and meet Dan Evans, the UK’s premier English dulcimer player. Dan shares his unique perspective on our beloved instrument and his history as a musician and composer. He returns to the United States in June for another international tour, starting with a concert for the players and friends of The Grand Old Dulcimer Club in Nashville. So, sit down with a cup of tea and enjoy a bit of his story. You’ll discover Great Britain’s leading dulcimer musician offers plenty to inspire beginners as well as advanced players and teachers.

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