For what it's worth, I think of the dulcimer the same way. I'm not playing lots of notes; I'm playing patterns and ornaments. "Atomic" is a good word for that.
I've never tried to learn someone else's solo note for note, but I have sometimes decomposed someone else's playing into melodic passages and ornaments. (This has led to insights about where certain ornaments are paricularly effective -- or ineffective.)
(no subject)
I've never tried to learn someone else's solo note for note, but I have sometimes decomposed someone else's playing into melodic passages and ornaments. (This has led to insights about where certain ornaments are paricularly effective -- or ineffective.)