As PattyFest 2024 in Fairmont approaches, we take a look at Patty Looman’s influence on old-time music and the folks who love to hear and play it. Patty Looman was instrumental in passing on traditional music through her dedication to playing and teaching hammered and mountain dulcimer, as well as collecting old-time musical instruments and songs. Patty grew up in Mannington, WV, where her parents encouraged education and music. Patty’s mother, Edith (Ford) Looman started a collection of old-time instruments, and sometimes traded goods from the family’s feed store in exchange for folk instruments such as fiddles, banjos, mandolins, guitars, and mountain dulcimers. Patty’s father, Arden (Dutch) Looman played piano in church and was a substitute for the pianist at the local silent-movie theater.
Patty Looman. Photo credit: Gerry Milnes.
Patty’s musical abilities flourished in her teen years; in high school she played cello for the All-State orchestra and trumpet in All-State band. After graduation, she attended Fairmont State college to study music, and then Central Michigan University for Theater, Speech and Music. She obtained her degree in education and taught theater and speech with high school students in Michigan for 35 years. After Patty’s retirement from teaching, she returned to West Virginia and became immersed in the musical tradition of her youth. Patty’s love for music, performance, and education led her to continue her musical tradition in retirement by teaching others how to play old-time music on hammered dulcimer.
Patty Looman (first on left, second row) with Augusta Lap Dulcimer class. Photo by Doug Yarrow.
Oral tradition is an integral part of preserving important aspects of Appalachian mountain culture. Patty Looman understood this, and shared her stories often. In multiple interviews, Patty spoke about the influence of Russell Fluharty and Worley Gardner on her life and music. In a 1994 interview with Gerry Milnes at her home in Mannington, Patty remembered feeling rebellious when her mother insisted she attend Fluharty’s old-time dulcimer performances at the Mannington Fair every year when she was a teenager. She joked she hated the music and the instrument back then. Yet, like many West Virginians who leave the state only to be called back home, Patty Looman returned to her roots in retirement to discover and share a deep appreciation for the living tradition of the dulcimer sound in old-time music.
Old-time songs are passed on through oral teaching and hands-on lessons. Patty Looman learned this way from Russell Fluharty and Worly Gardner, and she passed this on by offering lessons (for free!) to students in WV, PA, MD, and DE. Patty’s lessons on mountain and hammered dulcimer embraced both musical and human elements, a representation of old-time music itself. The old-time tunes were taught without paper music sheets, but by listening, watching, and playing. She called this method “playing by hear.” Patty’s approach brought forth a deep understanding of the music, and an even deeper human connection rooted in acknowledging lessons from the past, living those lessons in the present, and handing them on to future generations.
Have a listen to recordings of Patty’s interview with Gerry Milnes, and Patty playing dulcimer at Augusta’s Spring Dulcimer week:
Patty Looman interview and dulcimer tunes; 8/18/1994 – Augusta (augustaartsandculture.org)
Patty Looman, “Ragtime Annie,” 4/27/1995 – Augusta (augustaartsandculture.org)