cynthia copeland

Hi Cythia, Thanks for the warm welcome

Wow! What an overwhelming response from so many. Thank you for making me feel so welcomed here. I am a retired band director. Taught almost 3 decades. After retiring a few years back, I bought a hammered dulcimer and have been learning that magical instrument. Being a woodworker by hobby, I've been wanting to purchase a kit so as to build a mountain dulcimer. Then last week, I was in the right place at the right time. A person was selling a two year old dulcimer (solid walnut with sassafras soundboard) made by Cedar Creek in Branson. The dulcimer had two strings missing in action and the other two strings were strung incorrectly. Other than that it was mint condition, pristine, flawless, show-room quality....no dents, scratches, dings, dents, cracks or imperfections of any kind. The asking price was $125 and even included the case and strap. That's cheaper than any kit. I didn't even try to haggle. Brought it home, put on new strings, tuned it to DAD and started strumming. I've been to Cedar Creek many times and knew the sound was going to be beautiful. And it was!!! I'm hooked.

I dived head first in to chording. Because of my background, I don't have to be concerned about rhythm, counting, steady beats, tempo, theory, reading music, etc. Those are windows I can open and close at will. Instead, I'm focusing on 3 different songs and each one I just finger the chord, strum, enjoy the beauty of the resonance, then move to the next chord (rather slowly). After numerous repetitions I'll eventually add back in the other critical elements. My main concern at this time is getting the fretting fundamentals accurate. I don't know the rules of which fingers to use for the various chords. Are there rules? I'm attempting to use a common sense approach and do what is smoothest. Any help here would be appreciated. I always told students that I dearly loved teaching....and truly hated unteaching! I was fanatical in the early stages of developing correct fundamentals. Saves lots of frustration on down the road.

Thanks again for all the kind words. I'm looking forward to learning along with each of you.

Duane

No, I haven't received it yet. I've also got a new Aeolus coming soon. So, I should be busy.

Hi, Cynthia. The pieces that I played are not yet available commercially, but I use them as hand-outs when I give private lessons in Davis. There are five pieces in five different keys, all in D-A-d tuning, and none of which require any extra frets. The first piece is easy enough for a complete beginner, but the fifth piece requires considerable attention to detail. One cautionary note: I make extensive use of the left thumb.

Feel free to contact me at plfurnas@gmail.com

Hey Cynthia, welcome aboard. Glad ya found us.

Welcome, Cynthia, to this little corner of dulcimer heaven. The dulcimer is a great way to keep music in your life; it's sweet song should bring at least some degree of hapiness! Hope you enjoy it here.

Rob

Hi Cynthia, 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, and to meet some good people.

Ben