• Front cover of 1 1/2 Fret: Using It And Getting The Most Out Of It by Aaron O'Rourke, mountain dulcimer method book
  • Table of contents of 1 1/2 Fret: Using It And Getting The Most Out Of It by Aaron O'Rourke
  • Sample page from 1 1/2 Fret: Using It And Getting The Most Out Of It: Chapter 1: Flatpicking With The 1 1/2 Fret
  • Over The Waterfall in mountain dulcimer tab, from 1 1/2 Fret: Using It And Getting The Most Out Of It by Aaron O'Rourke
  • Child Grove in mountain dulcimer tab, from 1 1/2 Fret: Using It And Getting The Most Out Of It by Aaron O'Rourke
  • Banish Misfortune in mountain dulcimer tab, from 1 1/2 Fret: Using It And Getting The Most Out Of It by Aaron O'Rourke
  • Back cover of 1 1/2 Fret: Using It And Getting The Most Out Of It by Aaron O'Rourke
1 7

Fingers Of Steel

Aaron O'Rourke - 1 1/2 Fret: Using It And Getting The Most Out Of It

Aaron O'Rourke - 1 1/2 Fret: Using It And Getting The Most Out Of It

$25.00
$25.00 $25.00
Sale Sold out

So you just bought a new dulcimer, and it has a 1 1/2 fret (also known as a 1.5 fret, or a 1* fret) . What now? How do you "get used" to it? And what, other than fumble over it, can you do with it?

This book takes you, in a methodical and purposeful way, through the process. It is like having Aaron O'Rourke (arguably one of the best dulcimer players on the planet) sitting at your side, helping you make the transition. How to get used to the fret, how to do some new (or newly accessible) chords, how to use the fret as a melodic enhancement. This book has it all, and you really ought to know the stuff he's teaching here. 

To supplement this already outstanding book, we've included (with your download) a folder that has 28 audio files, with demonstrations of the most important examples and exercises.

Take your playing to the next level, and have some fun at the same time with this amazing book!

54 pages.

INSTANT DOWNLOAD · NOTHING SHIPSWe email your download link the moment you buy. Unzip the folder, then print or play from any device.How downloads work

Your ZIP file will include:

  • The complete book, in PDF format (54 pages)
  • A folder with recordings of each song/exercise, in MP3 format, so that you can hear the sheet music as it is written (28 tracks)
  • A folder with each song in a separate PDF, so you can sort the titles alphabetically (28 files)

This book is published by Fingers Of Steel®, and is made available here as an authorized, licensed download.

Songs included:

Going To Boston (Simple Version) - DAD Tuning
Going To Boston (Fancy Version) - DAD Tuning
June Apple (Simple Version) - DAD Tuning
June Apple (Fancy Version) - DAD Tuning
Old Joe Clark (Simple Version) - DAD Tuning
Old Joe Clark (Fancy Version) - DAD Tuning
Over The Waterfall (Simple Version) - DAD Tuning
Over The Waterfall (Fancy Version) - DAD Tuning
Boil ’Em Cabbage Down - DAD Tuning
Amazing Grace - DAD Tuning
Mississippi Sawyer - DAD Tuning
Angelina Baker - DAD Tuning
Old Joe Clark - DAD Tuning
What Wondrous Love Is This - DAD Tuning
Child Grove - DAD Tuning
Shady Grove (With Lots Of Chord Substitutions) - DAD Tuning
Geese In The Bog - DAD Tuning
McDonagh’s Reel - DAD Tuning
Banish Misfortune - DAD Tuning
Cluck Old Hen (Simple Version) - DAD Tuning
Cluck Old Hen (Slightly Fancier Version) - DAD Tuning
Amazing Grace (Bluesy Version) - DAD Tuning
Liza Jane (Bluesy Version) - DAD Tuning
Whiskey Before Breakfast (Bluesy Version) - DAD Tuning
Angelina Baker (Bluesy Version) - DAD Tuning
Soldier’s Joy (With Fancy Blues Licks) - DAD Tuning
Mississippi Sawyer (With Fancy Blues Licks) - DAD Tuning
Old Joe Clark (With Fancy Blues Licks) - DAD Tuning

About the author: Aaron O'Rourke

View full details

Song histories for this book

Read where 12 of the songs in this book came from:

  • 5 stars: 9 (100%)
  • 4 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 3 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 2 stars: 0 (0%)
  • 1 star: 0 (0%)
S
Susan DeBell
Great instructional book

I found this book easy to follow and very useful in my goal to learn playing my dulcimer with a 1 1/2 fret. I highly recommend this instructor’s approach.

D
Deborah Pullins
New Sound

I have found the book by "Aaron O'Rourke-1 1/2 Fret: Using It And Getting The Most Out Of It" easy to learn from and it's fun to learn the difference in the sound the 1 1/2 fret contributes to the songs when used. I am having fun trying this new fret on my new Folkcraft Dulcimer and applying it to other songs I to find when and where it can be used.

New Sounds abound!!

N
Nelson Haynes
Good Boo

This is a good basic dulcimer book for those new to the 11/2 fret.

J
Jim Furry
O’Rouke 1 1/2 Fret

Best I have seen. Gives new ideas and ways to use the 1 1/2

K
Karen E ONeal
Great instruction

I had been looking for some time for a book dedicated to the 1+ fret. After finding out from Aaron he had written one and Folkcraft had it there was no question what book was to be added to my Dulcimer book library. The information provided and progression of work has given me new understanding of the fret and how it adds to additional chord choices and sounds I’ve been looking for. Beginners to advanced players will benefit from the content here. This book is a keeper!

N
Nelson Vinson

It was absolutely necessary to learn 1 1/2 fret, Bing Futch was also helpful

B
Betty Jordan
Aaron O'Rourke 1/1/2 fret

Just in case I get a 1/1/2 fret I bought Aaron's book. I thought I'd explore it and found out I'm now excited about getting that 1 1/2 fret added. I used the book to partially air play the fret I don't have yet. It made me want one because I loved the tunes.

A
Amy Gavin-Zachek
Aaron O'Rourke 1 1/2 fret: Using It and getting the most out of it

I especially enjoy the blues licks and the ordinary song tabs with the blues flavor that the book includes. I'm not sure I'm advanced enough to apply much to my other tabs but I understand the idea and like playing his arrangements with 1 1/2 frets.

E
Ellen Rice
A very nice intro to the 1.5 fret

Aaron makes the 1.5 fret accessible. Definitely worth the purchase price for the confidence it inspires!