Welcome to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer!
Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer is the most extensive site for Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer players and builders on the internet. Welcome!
Join Groups and Forum discussions that interest you, make new music friends. Share photos, music clips, and videos, resources for buying instruments, music, and learning materials. Ask your beginner questions and learn to play! All are welcome here no matter what your playing style, skill level, or musical tastes. Become a member of Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer (FOTMD) community -it's friendly and totally FREE!
After joining, please read the Site Rules before posting. You'll find your very own Member Profile Page by clicking on your name link at the top of any page. Click on different links to get familiar with where things are. Questions about using the site?- ask them HERE . You've come to exactly the right place to receive or give free help and encouragement in playing music. Here on FOTMD we all learn from each other as friends. Join our block party! -Strumelia
Latest Activity
@ken-longfield
• 45 minutes ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Back to the Bowed Psaltery ":
Posted a response to "Back to the Bowed Psaltery ":
"That's a beautiful psaltery, Susie. Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less from Masterworks. I am sure it will give you many hours of enjoyment. Thank..."
@strumelia
• 45 minutes ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "The Drifting Thread...":
Posted a response to "The Drifting Thread...":
"hahaha Dusty!
This particular spot has very gourmet coffee, and not all that cheap. They do prepare exotic drinks like turmeric coffee and 'golden milk',..."
@susie
• 2 hours ago
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "Back to the Bowed Psaltery ":
Created a new forum topic "Back to the Bowed Psaltery ":
"After selling my bowed psaltery several years ago, I decided to get back to it. I knew I wanted a Master Works, so I took the plunge. I ordered it in..."
@salt-springs
• 3 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "The Drifting Thread...":
Posted a response to "The Drifting Thread...":
"Did you remember.."Going in Circles" and "Grazin' in the Grass" by the Friends of Distinction?"
@dusty
• 4 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "The Drifting Thread...":
Posted a response to "The Drifting Thread...":
"Just one correction, Strumelia: the coffee place was not hip until you arrived. Wherever you go to grab your morning joe is the hip coffee place.
I find the..."
@ken-longfield
• 4 hours ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on @eh:
Posted a new Comment on @eh:
"Welcome to FOTMD, EH. It's good to have you aboard. Feel free to ask you questions and we will try to answer them. You will find many helpful folks here. I..."
@ken-longfield
• 4 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "The Drifting Thread...":
Posted a response to "The Drifting Thread...":
"Sounds like a fun time. It certainly brings back memories watching the Sam the Sham video. Although we have a small coffee shop in our town, it is not much..."
@strumelia
• 5 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "The Drifting Thread...":
Posted a response to "The Drifting Thread...":
"Yesterday my husband suggested we go to a hip coffee place that recently opened in our village. They also sell old vinyl records. Lots of millenniums and..."
@nate
• 10 hours ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on Current Set:
Posted a new Comment on Current Set:
"Thank you very much for the kind words Robin and Ken"
@richard-streib
• 20 hours ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on @eh:
Posted a new Comment on @eh:
"Welcome EH to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. Glad that you have joined. Since your interest is in noter drone style you may consider joining the Old Style..."
@davisjames
• yesterday
• comments: 0
Liked a forum discussions item created by @nathina: Hammered Dulcimer EXR
Liked a forum discussions item created by @nathina: Hammered Dulcimer EXR
@gerardo1000
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "2024 Folkroots dulcimer hand made by Folkcraft. $890.00.":
Posted a response to "2024 Folkroots dulcimer hand made by Folkcraft. $890.00.":
"Price reduced to $890! Thank you for your attention."
@mick-mclaughlin
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Any body have an idea what this is ?":
Posted a response to "Any body have an idea what this is ?":
"Hi Nate, appreciate your comments about my oddball find. Yes I do still play dulcimer. Never been a good player but like the nice feeling it's sound gives...."
@ken-longfield
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Hammered Dulcimer EXR":
Posted a response to "Hammered Dulcimer EXR":
"Great story, Jim. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@nate
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Hammered Dulcimer EXR":
Posted a response to "Hammered Dulcimer EXR":
"That's an awesome story Jim. Thanks for taking the time to share it."
@jim-yates
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Hammered Dulcimer EXR":
Posted a response to "Hammered Dulcimer EXR":
"When I was hitchhiking in Ireland in the late sixties, I was picked up by this guy and taken to a fleadh cheoil in New Ross. When I got into the car..."
@jim-yates
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Balalaika, the most Russianist of Russian instruments":
Posted a response to "Balalaika, the most Russianist of Russian instruments":
"My brother Bob has a yard sale balalaika that he got a few decades ago. Since he had no idea how to play or tune it and he got it before everyone had..."
@nate
• 3 days ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Tuner help please:
Posted a new Comment on Tuner help please:
"There are too many words for tuning pegs lol. Pegs, machines, gears, tuners, heads, tensioners, knobs, etc. Meanwhile, "pegs" could also mean anchoring..."
@bernadette
• 3 days ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Tuner help please:
Posted a new Comment on Tuner help please:
"NateBuildsToys:
Bernadette:
The good news is that you can play with three strings. I have a three string dulcimer. I use a clip on KLIQ Uber Tuner on using..."
@nate
• 3 days ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Tuner help please:
Posted a new Comment on Tuner help please:
"Bernadette:
The good news is that you can play with three strings. I have a three string dulcimer. I use a clip on KLIQ Uber Tuner on using the chromatic..."
@nate
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Any body have an idea what this is ?":
Posted a response to "Any body have an idea what this is ?":
"Mick McLaughlin:
I was never convinced about any heritage as a mountain dulcimer. I believe to was better related to some of the dulcimers European cousins..."
@nate
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Any body have an idea what this is ?":
Posted a response to "Any body have an idea what this is ?":
"I have heard, and tend to generally accept similar things. I almost never play in the second octave unless it's with a noter, and the frets have to be so..."
@strumelia
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Any body have an idea what this is ?":
Posted a response to "Any body have an idea what this is ?":
"@nate, I've seen well known luthiers do that in the past... only adding extra frets on the first octave, when building a new dulcimer. Like you, I thought it..."
@nate
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Any body have an idea what this is ?":
Posted a response to "Any body have an idea what this is ?":
"Kind of funny to see the 1.5 and 3.5 on the first octave, but no 1.5 fret on the second octave (8.5 fret). It makes me wonder if the extra frets were added..."
@mick-mclaughlin
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Any body have an idea what this is ?":
Posted a response to "Any body have an idea what this is ?":
"Hi @jim-yates thanks for post. I puzzled for quite a time over that instrument. Finally I concluded that it was definitely homemade despite some fine..."
@john-c-knopf
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Any body have an idea what this is ?":
Posted a response to "Any body have an idea what this is ?":
"That looks almost like a full-chromatic fret pattern. It would be hard for me to play without the more familiar diatonic pattern. Hope you can have some..."
@jim-yates
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Any body have an idea what this is ?":
Posted a response to "Any body have an idea what this is ?":
"Sorry, I see there is no edit option. My second paragraph should have been:Traditional dulcimers are fretted diatonically. If "W" is "whole tone" and "H"..."
@jim-yates
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Any body have an idea what this is ?":
Posted a response to "Any body have an idea what this is ?":
"It's a little late to be adding to this thread, but I was surprised that no one had mentioned the way Mick's dulcimer is fretted.Traditional dulcimers are..."
@steve-c
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Wanted: info on my dulcimer":
Posted a response to "Wanted: info on my dulcimer":
"You might find help with this group as well..."
@steve-c
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Anyone here from UK?":
Posted a response to "Anyone here from UK?":
"This might be of interest to you:..."
@ken-longfield
• 4 days ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Tuner help please:
Posted a new Comment on Tuner help please:
"I have a Musical Traditions dulcimer similar to yours. The tuners are made by Grover and most likely are ukulele tuners. They are friction tuners. You..."
@richard-streib
• 4 days ago
• comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on @sal-monella:
Posted a new Comment on @sal-monella:
"These tuning machines use a fiber washer or a pair sometimes. The fiber over the years will deteriorate and no longer hold the tune as well. So replacement..."
@orvilina
• 4 days ago
• comments: 577
Posted a new Comment on @benjamin-w-barr-jr:
Posted a new Comment on @benjamin-w-barr-jr:
"Thanks for your greetings Ben! Happy new year"
@orvilina
• 4 days ago
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "Anyone here from UK?":
Created a new forum topic "Anyone here from UK?":
"I'm Scotland based and whilst there's an awful lot of cool spots for folk, I rarely find a place where I come across a dulcimer and wow do I miss that sound..."
@john-petry
• 4 days ago
• comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on @sal-monella:
Posted a new Comment on @sal-monella:
"Took you a screen shot of an Amazon offering...E-bay has some individual Grover tuners, and used tuners as well... I can't tell from your picture what..."
@bernadette
• 4 days ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Tuner help please:
Posted a new Comment on Tuner help please:
"I am a novice, so I want to follow and see what others say. I also want to get back to learning my instrument. But I will share what I know or what I do and..."
@benjamin-w-barr-jr
• 4 days ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @ricco:
Posted a new Comment on @ricco:
"Hi Ricco, and welcome to the wonderful world of the Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. It's a good place to come, spend some time, learn about the dulcimer,..."
@jonnyd
• 5 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Wanted: info on my dulcimer":
Posted a response to "Wanted: info on my dulcimer":
"Thanks everyone for your generous responses!"
@john-c-knopf
• 5 days ago
• comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on @sal-monella:
Posted a new Comment on @sal-monella:
"Hi, Sal! Welcome to the group!
You have a wonderful dulcimer made by Musical Traditions in New York, and it has Grover "banjo" pegs on it.
These pegs were..."
@sal-monella
• 5 days ago
• comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on @sal-monella:
Posted a new Comment on @sal-monella:
"Hello friends.I write to you all in need of help. Last year I was given a dulcimer by a friend who thought that I would play it more than her. I resolved to..."
@nate
• 5 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "String vibrates":
Posted a response to "String vibrates":
"Im really glad you mentioned camera and light source angle Ken. That is definitely what i was failing to consider. I guess if the camera and light source..."
@ken-longfield
• 5 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "String vibrates":
Posted a response to "String vibrates":
"I think it is an optical illusion created by the shadow and camera angle. With different lighting, especially no glare, and camera directly above the fret..."
@nate
• 5 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "String vibrates":
Posted a response to "String vibrates":
"Id really love to know more about this. I've seen Bing do it in a few videos and I just can't wrap my head around it. I believe it is due to the interaction..."
Join a Group! All
Beginner players
Are you a brand new player? Join this group and ask all...
OLD STYLE Drone & Noter...
If you are an avid fan of the older traditional mountain...
Dulcimer Making
A group for those building dulcimers or interested in...
Modern/Chord style Players
Do you play chords and fret across all strings? Then...
Fingerpicking
A place to discuss fingerpicking styles of dulcimer...
Hymn and Worship Song Players
a place to share the hymns and worship songs we are playing.
The Music Theory Corner
A Group to talk about Music Theory!
Dulcimer Care & Maintenance
Tips, tricks and techniques to help care for your dulcimer.
Rockin' in the Free World
A group for those of you who like to play music not...
Mountain Dulcimer History &...
Share historical information and resources on the...
Technology/Software/Amplifying
to share info on all aspects of using tech: Amplifying,...
Singing with the Dulcimer
Here's a group for those of us who are interested in...
Arranging/composing for...
A group to discuss creating arrangements of songs and...
Baritone & Bass Dulcimer...
A Group for discussing the unique aspects of playing...
Little Dulcimers
Do you play an octave, mini, or traveling dulcimer?
fans of Jean Ritchie
A group for those of us who have been inspired by...
Four-Equidistant Strings
A place to share about 4-equidistant string playing, how...
Help Me Learn this Song
Need help learning to play a particular song? Let another...
I have extra frets.....
This group is for those who have a 1 1/2 fret, an 8 1/2...
Public Domain... or Not?
Ever wanted to record or post that tune, but you just...
Early & Classical Music
For discussing music from earlier eras: Ancient,...
Dulcimer Therapy
This group is dedicated to those that visit, or have a...
Home Studio Recording
Recording dulcimers, vocals and other instruments in the...
Dulcimer teachers
Do you teach dulcimer? Are you helping others to learn?
Dulcimer Ancestors
Looking at some of the ancestors of the Mountain...
Stick Dulcimers/Strumsticks
Regardless of what name you favor, this group is a...
UK and European Mountain...
A group which hopefully allows players/makers in this...
Box Dulcimers
A group for those who play, make, or admire all types...
Chromatic Dulcimers
For players who enjoy playing dulcimers with ALL the frets!
Galax Dulcimer Lovers
Just a group to discuss all things Galax Dulcimer. Tips...
Call the Tune
"Call the Tune" is a place to post audio and video...
GIG TALK!
Do you play gigs? Tell us about your good and not-so-good...
Civil War era music
For discussing music that was played around the time of...
Scrap/Recycled wood...
A group for those thrifty and creative folk who like to...
Challenged Players
A meeting place for players dealing with disabilities.
Rosin the Bow!
Welcome to all who play music using a bow on any type of...
NorthEastern U.S. dulcimer...
For those of us who live in the northeastern United States.
Virginia Dulcimer Players
Just thought it would be neet to know how many other...
Prayers, Hugs, and Kindness
A group for private sharing and support, whether you are...
California Dulcimer Dreamin'
For dulcimer players living in or just visiting California
Texas Dulcimer Enthusiasts
Howdy ya'll! Come on by for a cup o' joe and jammin....
6 string dulcimers
Owning and playing a 6 string, regardless of tuning, and...
North Carolinians Plus
The Three Sides of North Carolina: Mountains / Piedmont /...
Kentucky Dulcimer Players
A group for any players from Kentucky where we can meet...
West Virginia players
A group just for dulcimer players in beautiful West...
Florida Sunshine Dulcimer...
Florida Dulcimer Players
Pacific Northwest Players
For players who live in or have strong connections to the...
FOTMD on the Road
Are your traveling, on vacation, on your way to a...
Missouri Dulcimer Players
for all the Show Me State dulcimer players
Indiana Players
Welcome all dulcimer players in the state of Indiana!...
North of the Lakes
for any MD players in Upper Canada (aka Ontario) and the...
Arkansas Mtn Dulcimer Players
For those who live in Arkansas and love playing the...
AussieTalk!
For dulcimer players in Australia.-Be sure to create...
Site Moderators Group
A private group to allow FOTMD moderators to communicate...
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Latest Forum Posts All
Back to the Bowed Psaltery
Posted: Monday January 13 2025, 5:00 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
The Drifting Thread...
Posted: Monday January 13 2025, 5:00 PM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
2024 Folkroots dulcimer...
Posted: Saturday January 11 2025, 10:25 AM
By: @gerardo1000
By: @gerardo1000
Any body have an idea what...
Posted: Saturday January 11 2025, 7:11 AM
By: @Mick McLaughlin
By: @Mick McLaughlin
Hammered Dulcimer EXR
Posted: Saturday January 11 2025, 2:46 AM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Balalaika, the most...
Posted: Friday January 10 2025, 9:54 PM
By: @Jim Yates
By: @Jim Yates
Wanted: info on my dulcimer
Posted: Friday January 10 2025, 8:12 AM
By: @cairney
By: @cairney
Anyone here from UK?
Posted: Friday January 10 2025, 8:03 AM
By: @cairney
By: @cairney
String vibrates
Posted: Wednesday January 8 2025, 8:35 PM
By: @Nate
By: @Nate
Hello! Anyone know about...
Posted: Monday January 6 2025, 6:04 PM
By: @Nate
By: @Nate
What Are You Working On?
Posted: Sunday January 5 2025, 2:16 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
FOTMD needs your support
Posted: Wednesday January 1 2025, 12:43 AM
By: @Maddie Myers
By: @Maddie Myers
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL FOMTD...
Posted: Tuesday December 31 2024, 7:02 PM
By: @Richard Streib
By: @Richard Streib
instrument question-...
Posted: Tuesday December 31 2024, 3:38 PM
By: @Nate
By: @Nate
Question for newbie on a...
Posted: Sunday December 29 2024, 12:34 AM
By: @Dusty Turtle
By: @Dusty Turtle
One other question '78...
Posted: Friday December 27 2024, 11:11 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Dulcimer music tab for rounds
Posted: Friday December 27 2024, 11:04 PM
By: @jimws
By: @jimws
Warren May Special dulcimer...
Posted: Friday December 27 2024, 12:02 AM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
Scallops between the frets
Posted: Wednesday December 25 2024, 1:48 PM
By: @Dwain Wilder
By: @Dwain Wilder
Happy Christmas to ya!!!
Posted: Tuesday December 24 2024, 8:24 AM
By: @Dan
By: @Dan
Three Strings or Four ?
Posted: Sunday December 22 2024, 12:52 PM
By: @Nate
By: @Nate
Shipping costs question
Posted: Saturday December 21 2024, 4:57 PM
By: @tonyg
By: @tonyg
dulcimer kit
Posted: Friday December 20 2024, 9:37 PM
By: @John C. Knopf
By: @John C. Knopf
Recent acquisitions...
Posted: Tuesday December 17 2024, 10:26 AM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Optimum spacing for the two...
Posted: Monday December 16 2024, 4:21 PM
By: @ggray
By: @ggray
1981 Jeremy Seeger Dulcimer
Posted: Thursday December 12 2024, 9:15 AM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
Confused about strings...
Posted: Monday December 9 2024, 7:51 PM
By: @Jeannie
By: @Jeannie
Jerry Rockwell Short Scale...
Posted: Monday December 9 2024, 1:03 PM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
WNCDC Free Emailed...
Posted: Sunday December 8 2024, 10:44 PM
By: @Steve Smith
By: @Steve Smith
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