Phyllis Gaskins

Phyllis Gaskins is one of the foremost experts on the Galax-style dulcimer, one of the oldest traditions of the mountain dulcimer, dating back to the mid-1800s in southwest Virginia. She learned the style from the late Raymond Melton of Woodlawn, Virginia, a master player and builder whose family's instruments dominated the dulcimer competitions at the Galax Fiddlers' Convention.

Based in Elkton, Virginia, Phyllis has won many dulcimer competitions and has served as a Master Musician with the Virginia Folklife Program, teaching the Galax style to a new generation of players. She performs with The Highlander String Band, and in 2025 she received the Fries Musical Heritage Award from Legends of Grayson.

Her books, Galax Dulcimer: A Job Of Journey Work and Pig In A Pen (And Other Fiddle Ditties For Galax Dulcimer), pair dozens of tunes written in her own Galax-style notation with photos, history, notes on how the instruments are built, and her own illustrations.

For a complete list of Phyllis Gaskins' products available at DulcimerDownloads.com, please click here.