• Performer • Workshop Instructor • Songwriter • Poet • Private Lessons •
CONTACT & BOOKING INFORMATION 
Linda has had some technical trouble with her computer and as a result her email address has changed. If you have tried to contact her since the end of February, 2008, your email most likely did not get through. Please try again using Linda's new email address. Thank you for your patience and we are sorry for the inconvenience!
Linda Brockinton started playing flute at age eleven and has played flute and piccolo previously with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra. As a music major in college, she won First Chair in several regional orchestras. Linda began playing mountain dulcimer in 1988 and she has taught dulcimer lessons since 1990.
Turlough O'Carolan and Celtic music are favorites of Linda Brockinton and her fingerpicking style of playing the mountain dulcimer bring these songs to life. Linda has a CD of her favorite Turlough O'Carolan tunes and several Celtic mountain dulcimer tablature books.
An award-winning dulcimer musician, Linda formed the Heartstrings group with some of her music students and also plays harp, guitar, hammered dulcimer, and bodhran with the group. Linda continues to teach flute and private dulcimer lessons as well as teaching at numerous venues across the country.
Linda has produced several mountain dulcimer tablature books and CDs that contain original compositions and tablature arrangements. The combination of the tablature books & CDs along with teaching mountain dulcimer at festivals, clubs, and privately allow Linda to follow the folk music tradition of passing on songs and the playing of mountain dulcimers to all who want to share in the adventure.
(McSpadden photograph used with permission.)
Linda has always loved McSpadden dulcimers. She says, "Their builders are the best. George is a genius and he is the only one I let work on my dulcimers. I have a Cherry Custom that I bought, then I won a walnut standard, a cherry/redwood top baritone, a Cherry/spruce top Ginger, a maple/spruce top custom (my personal favorite of them all) and a beautiful Koa Custom that I won at Nationals. I just love McSpadden instruments and they have been so good back to me." When McSpadden was contacted about Linda they said, "We are proud of Linda and appreciate that she chooses to play a McSpadden dulcimers. We certainly wish her well as she continues her musical career."
Linda wants to congratulate Nina Zinetti, and Jan Hammond on their wins at the Dulcimer Nationals. (Linda TOLD them both they were good enough to win!) Nina is the 2008 National Mountain Dulcimer Champion and Jan Hammond placed 3rd. This was the first time in history for two women to place in the top three positions. Both are great composers, arrangers and players.
Check out Nina's tab books and CD's <HERE>.
Check out Jan's CD's <HERE>.
Hear Linda's music online at <Sweetwater Folk Internet Radio>.Read Testimonials about Linda and her music <on her TESTIMONIALS page!!!>.
Check out the recordings Linda has on sale!!!An interesting article Linda wanted to share...
"Tune Out Your Pain"Often, in surgery with local anesthesia, patients need additional drugs to help them relax. But those who groove to music during surgery need less of this sedation.
Studies have shown that music calms, but doctors at Yale-New Haven Hospital weren't sure whether this was just because music drowns out OR noises. So they put 90 people undergoing outpatient surgery into three groups: One listened to tunes, another heard white noise, and the third, OR sounds. All 90 controlled the amount of propofol, and IV sedative. The white-noise and OR sounds group needed twice as much propofol as the music group, 72% of whom didn't use any at all.
Study co-author Zeev N. Kain says music distracts, but it also activates the flow of endorphins, which helps lessen pain. "Music gives you a sense of control and helps you master your fear," he says.
These are just a few of Linda's favorite Scottish and Irish tunes that she has arranged over the years. You will find a mixture of novice - intermediate tabs with lots of harmony and chord parts.
CONTENTS: • Ardaigh Cuain • Aaron Boat Song • Carrickfergus • Dark Island (MP3) • Foggy Dew • Harvest Home • Haste to the Wedding • I Know Where I'm Going • Keel Row • Lark in the Clear Air (TAB) / (MP3) • Londonderry Air (Danny Boy) • Oh Rowan Tree • Parting Glass • Robin Adair • Rosin the Beau (TAB) • The Thrush's Nest • Saint Anne's Reel • Saint Patrick's Day (GDg) • Southwind (TAB) / (MP3) • Star of the County Down • The Water is Wide •
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"When we join the dulcimer world we all have to begin somewhere. As beginners we stand amazed at the good players around us. Most go on about their business never noticing that you are struggling and are so desperate to learn to play as well as they can. But there are some who graciously, even when tired, will stop to give you a tip or teach you a tune."
"The first five years that I attended the festival at Mt. View Arkansas there were two people always there and always ready and willing to help. Neil Gaston was one and David Schnaufer was the other. They were always there. I learned "Blue Moon Of Kentucky" from David sitting on the stage behind the big auditorium and I can remember learning "Spotted Pony" from Neil in the restaurant there. They were tired and probably had other things to do but they took the time to teach me. There were no players in my area at the time so when you get to have a good instructor you are so happy. I remember at 45 years old going to Mt. View and I had just changed my tuning to DAd and wanted desperatly to learn to play in that tuning. I was assigned to a class and went the first hour, where I was devistated to have the teacher take a vote on whether we wanted to play in DAA or DAd. I came out crying like a baby because I wanted to learn and had spent my money only to stay in DAA. I inquired to see if I could change to Neil's class. He had one spot left and took great pity on the old crying lady and let me stay. They both were very supportive, even when David told me "you're just gonna be a fingerpicker, nuttin' wrong with that". I also remember how scared and honored I was to get to play "Nancy" with Neil in Oklahoma City. I learned a lot from Neil and David and things won't be the same in the dulcimer world without them. I only hope that I can be as helpful to new players as they were to me. I do know if you listen to players around you now you will know that they are still present here in the songs that are being played. The knowledge and the love for the dulcimer that they had is all around you in the people they taught. Thanks Guys -- we will miss both of you. Thank you for your life's work that has been passed on to so many people. We love you."
-- Linda Brockinton, the Lowly Fingerpicker
<More about David and his life.>
Join Linda's Mailing List!!!For booking information for Birthday Parties, Christmas, Open Houses, Special Church Services and Receptions or to place an order call 501-231-8212
or <e-mail Linda>
Linda would like to share her memories and friends on her <SCRAPBOOK> page. Please see the contact information at the bottom of that page if you have something to share.
Check out the <Vintage Dulcimer Pictures here!>
