hammered dulcimer virtuoso

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: (1) To provide the part that I am asked to play (2) To provide free bonus overdub ideas which the client can use or not use as they wish.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: The endless possibilities of exploring the hammered dulcimer within DAWs.

Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A: I have hammered dulcimer samples in my sample library. What can you offer that I cannot achieve by playing just samples on my keyboard?

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: That the hammered dulcimer is not a versatile instrument. The hammered dulcimer can in fact play many different roles, particularly in recording when the immense creative and experimental possibilities available in DAWs can be explored.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: In relation to a session recording booking: If possible, please can you supply the music notation for the part you want me to play? What is your deadline?

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: I would suggest that it’s worth spending time doing research so that you hopefully find me and get in touch for a conversation.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: I assume that there will of course be no electricity on the desert island. Therefore, I would take (1) my Fluid hammered dulcimer (with adjustable microtonal tuning) (2) my chromatic hammered dulcimer (3) replacement strings (4) paper for music notation (5) set of pencils.

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I have been working as a professional musician for four decades. I started playing drums at the age of 11. In my early twenties I started playing the hammered dulcimer and subsequently also became a vocalist and a songwriter. I formed a band called Attacco Decente and released various records and performed live on numerous tours in the UK and Europe. In the late 1990s I undertook a Masters degree in composition at the London College of Music. I was awarded the Howard Goodall prize for composition. Following on from the completion of my Masters degree, I invented the Fluid PIano. The Fluid Piano incorporates Microtonal Fluid Tuning mechanisms that enable musicians to alter each note individually and separately by precise microtonal intervals per note before or during performance. The construction of the Fluid Piano was completed in 2009. This was the third in a trilogy of prototypes. During this time I also started working as a session musician. I also composed various film soundtracks and performed the scores on live tours in the UK and Europe. From 2010 - 2019, up until Covid, I presented seminars and lectures about the Fluid Piano at universities and music colleges in a range of countries, for example: China, South Korea, Turkey, Poland, Belgium, Czech Republic, Slovakia, UK and the US. In 2015 I worked with the Indian pianist Utsav Lal on his album ‘The Fluid Piano’. Following on from this recording I then taught advanced hammered dulcimer techniques and composition at the China Conservatory in Beijing. Since 2020 I have released four of my own albums and two singles. In 2024 one of my soundtracks ‘Haxan’ was included in a DVD Blu Ray release of the film by Radiance Films.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: Innovative, powerful, expressive, poignant, evocative and extremely dynamic

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: I would like to work with Ren. Ren is an incredibly talented, pioneering and versatile artist. I think that he would be able to make very creative use of what I can offer as a hammered dulcimer player. Furthermore, I think Ren would be interested in using the Fluid Piano.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Explore and experiment with the use of different types of filters.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Film Soundtrack, Singer Songwriter, Funk, Hip-Hop, Soul, Ambient, Latin, Folk, World music, Jazz, Synth-Pop, Experimental, Future-Jazz, Downtempo, Synth-Pop, Experimental, Classical, Contemporary Classical, Microtonal.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: In addition to playing what is requested / notated, I can usually provide some special ‘magic’ - i.e. recordings which are unique and that include techniques, expression and dynamics that no one else can play.

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: In combination with my expertise on the hammered dulcimer, I bring a ‘lateral’ approach to a song. This is because the various tuning layouts of my hammered dulcimers are completely different to the tuning layouts on a keyboard or a guitar as well as other instruments. Therefore, for example: in addition to playing a required melody I am able to provide additional ideas for overdubs, counter melodies, harmonies and solos which are unique and distinctive. Furthermore, because I am also a songwriter and a vocalist with a deep knowledge of composition and a Masters degree in composition, I am able to relate to and connect with the character and heart of a particular song.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Logic Pro, RME audio interface, Tannoy speakers, AKG & Apogee microphones, Ashworth transducers. A collection of seven chromatic and diatonic hammered dulcimers. My inventions: the Fluid dulcimer (with adjustable microtonal tuning per note) and the Fluid Piano (with adjustable microtonal tuning per note). Gretsch drum kit & Roland V drums. A collection of prototype tongue drums including giant bass tongue drums.

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Here are a few examples from many: Ennio Morricone, Ren, Akala, Wretch 32, Mina, Stravinsky, Debussy, Fairuz, Victor Jara, Manuel de Falla, Joe Meek, Allan Holdsworth, Tony Williams, Talk Talk.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Hammered dulcimer sessions in and across all styles of music.