Forum Activity for @lexie-r-oakley

Thank you for sharing this video, great interview with Warren May and fun to see his shop. He is truly a Master!

BlackDog, seems the foot stomper would be easy to come up with on your own, it is a good idea. Lisa I do like the tambo on the shoe thing too. 

 http://fotmd.com/martin-oesterle/youtube/1811/duo-dulcimus-burggrabenfest-nrnberg-2015-dulcimer-und-djembe

One of our members here on FOTMD has some fun ways to provide percussion. Check  him out you may get a lots of ideas and he and his pal are really enjoyable to watch. Enjoy!

I really like the idea of stringing bells to your shoes.

Jennifer, I think you'll like the A Sparrow Hawk, it is a great start and I believe High Spirits do want to help people learn how to play NAF. Are you getting the package deal with the instructional video and a song book?

Also check out High Spirit instructional videos as was suggested, they really helped me and give good information on your new NAF.

Thanks Rob, it is interesting how they combined the instruments and make them work together. I really enjoyed learning about these musicians.

This is a very wonderful threesom of musicians thanks for pointing this out to us Robin. I really enjoyed hearing them play.

I have the HS Sparrow Hawk in high A and it is easy and nice to play, but it is a little high for my liking.

For my next flute I am considering HS Red Tail Hawk in b. I think either one would work for small hands.

Very good Lisa you did great! I can't quite tell how many finger holes on the whistle???

Seems that one finger covers a couple holes.

Susie that is very pretty stand with your flutes on the stand. Enjoy! 

Beautiful bag Jennifer, you are very creative.

Terry and Lisa, we are sitting on the edge waiting for you to  "Coordinate"  this new musical journey.   

I looked up you-tube videos and it is very interesting, have fun!

Interesting story, thanks Robin.

Sheryl that is awesome you have such a great musical community and got to go to a NAF group. 

When you tried out the many flutes did you find a key you would like to play with another instrument? I am contemplating a Bb by High Spirits for my next NAF. 

I am happy to hear you got to play a solo and have support from your new group.   Happy fluting. 

Sense I play only noter/drone and have 3 dulcimers based on Thomas, Jefferies and now Prichard I like playing with 3 strings because of the balance of tone. However, I do play sometimes with 4 strings on my Jefferies, it is also set up for equidistant, but I did not enjoy the sound as much. I notice when I play with double melody I keep my noter light on the strings as to not separate them.

I now am playing all three of my dulcimers with 3 strings, I just love that ole' time silvery sound and the simplicity of playing.

This has been an interesting thred, but I agree you need to enjoy playing and so choose your way which works for your pleasure of playing.....  It is Fun so, have fun!

Sounds interesting Terry, I shall look it up. Have fun with it and will look forward to hearing how it goes.

Terry, sorry your flute order didn't turn out and hope James gets better.

I really like High Spirits and hope you get your new flute soon.

Hi Barb, I have aggressive Rheumatoid Arthritis, which has diminished the use and strength of my fingers/ hands. I chose to play the mountain dulcimer, first because I love the sound and I play noter/drone. I have found it to challenge me to defy the disease by finding creative ways to use my noter like when I wear splints to make my hands comfortable I put a chop stick up my splint and when I do not wear splints my noter is a wooden spoon made out of hard wood which I cut the handle off to length and I hold the rounded spoon within the palm of my hand. This activity has kept my brain in concentration mode and has become my therapy and joy.

I wish you well in discovering your dulcimer journey. 

By the way, Strumelia's Noter/Drone blog is how I began to learn about playing the MD.

I did my research and chose to buy from our local luthiers' of our wonderful site and could not be happier with my 2 dulci's.

I love the history and stories of the old time builders and also play noter/drone. First, because I love the sound and second because, of the lack of ability of my fingers and comfort because of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

I also live in Central MT, where a MD has not been seen and heard, so buying on line is my option, I don't think I am brave enough to buy from someone outside of our site, an unknown seller. I really enjoy following the process of our Luthiers' who share with us on our site.

As you can see in my picture I choose a Thomas replica by Kevin Messanger which is a real joy to play and a beautiful instrument.

I also have a Butternut by Robert Schuler who models after Jefferies, it is a real beauty and provides me with a balance of modern and old time sounds and playing. If you are interested, I have pictures of each on my page.

My future dulcimer purchases will be from other lutheriers' of our site. They are wonderful people, honest and treat you with alot of care. Unfortunately, I am not in a position right now to satisfy my wants of more wooden beauties with strings from several other exceptionally talented Luthiers from our site, but I have my list. 

Lisa it is something how simply complicated things may feel when our lovely instrument is all new to us. Yes this easy fix will help someone, I just worked it out on my Thomas replica the other day. A-HAA! 

Rob, although I've not seen you play live, but I have seen you perform on this site I do not compare you to others', you are your own best character and a great musician. I like when you wear an ole' time hat and period clothes, just say I like your image just how it is. I enjoy your voice and just think you are unique and wonderful all on your own.

I know this isn't what your looking for, but just wanted you to know and that I do not know how to describe to the folks you are targeting, but I wish you well getting gigs.

Irene possum boards help with the sound of dulcimers some of the older style dulcimers have feet on the back so when you play placing the dulcimer on top a table this helps with increasing the sound.

Marge, that is one beautiful possum board.

Nice pictures, fun seeing John picking out his new dulcimer with Warren and very nice picture of Jan playing one of his dulcimers.

And Jan all that and you didn't take one home? Ahh No what's up Girl?

Me and my Coper Girl, in Tillamook, OR trail riding what a life!

Thanks Patricia and Wayne, I very much enjoyed Neil Hellman's story. Whew, you are doing well bringing us such interesting people who have supported our beloved mountain dulcimer. I really appreciate the work you do.

John how wonderful you were able to come and meet Jan, really sweet of her to give you such a great tour and lead you to a new and very beautiful dulcimer you had to take home with you.

I get the impression that Jan would spend the time showing anyone of us the hot spots of our dulcimer history and sites of her home. She is just sweet that way and I am sure she enjoyed your company.

Dave it is worth scratching the itch, my profile pict. is a Uncle Ed Thomas and it is terrific, best played noter/drone and I love it.

My fingers aren't able to handle wood pegs, so I had perfection pegs put on, they are a little tricky, but work very well. I say pursue your historical interest, this is what keeps me a strummin' enjoy it and have fun.

If you look at many of the videos people posted on this site you will see many play the noter/drone style and I know I have learned much more and appreciate the old style more and more.

Best of luck and have fun....Lexie 

Hi David, I have been playing the old style noter/drone sense my Dulci Journey began and I learned the most and began with Strumelia's noter drone blog. She gives clear and simple instruction and there is so much good information, I highly recommend beginning with  her blog. This will give you understanding of other tabs which aren't written for noter/drone and you will learn how to work around the tab for more chording with your noter playing.

Have fun!!!

Bernuk1, what a fine story and I guess the MD was calling to your heart. Enjoy your Dulci Journey and if you can get in touch with Robin Clark as Ken H. suggested, I bet he would answer any questions and get you strumming. I also know folks on this site will answer questions and help you along also.

The beginning of my Dulci Journey began with a MD that wasn't up to snuff, but I learned the basics on it until I bought 2 dulcimers which really fit my style of the old time sound and noter playing. They are both just fun to play with that silvery old time sound that I love.

I began my journey because of some challenged times with severe aggressive Rheumatoid Arthritis, my MD's became my therapy and challenged distraction of finding ways to play with painful hands.

If I remember correctly I accidentally found this site along with Strumelia's Noter/Drone Blog and took lessons from her videos, it was amazing to not have musical experience and be able to learn from her wonderful lessons. Thank you so much Lisa..

Along with this wonderful woman, I then found many very helpful folks who guided and suggested and taught me along my journey, very wonderful friends from this site who are able to explain and answer my questions to help me understand what to do with my wooden instruments with sweet strings. I am very grateful and fond of this site. 

I can't remember but I actually began 4 yrs ago and had to pull away due to illness of my parents for a couple years and I came back a year ago again for emotional and physical recovery. My Mountain dulcimers are my therapy and solace for both my mental and physical well being. I am very grateful to have the ability to play my mountain dulcimers, they are beautiful! 

Very nice article, I am excited to have read more about you and your work, it is fabulous and you atta be excited. 

Kevin, I disagree with you not playing well, you and I play well enough to hear the sweet silvery sound of the instruments you so beautifully craft. I know I love my Thomas it sleek beautiful shape and that sweet, sweet sound. Best is that you made it, Thank you Kevin.

I really like your Prichard's and one day hope to be able to get one, but it needs to be JI fretting. Y'all sold me on that!

Great work Kevin, very happy for you and your success. 

Hi Erin,

 I want to encourage you to play on your own till you find folks to play with. I am in Central MT and no one around has even heard of a mountain dulcimer. I am slowly introducing it. I am a beginner to music and to the dulcimer and have reached out to folks on this site who have very generously helped me learn everything I am ready for about the instrument, strumming, using a noter to basic music tabs, building and the history of our wonder "sweet strings".

There are many folks that offer skype lessons and instructional videos on this site and U-Tube.

I hope you enjoy your dulcimer journey and I hope you just play and have fun with it.

Lexie

I have been catching up on the pod casts; thank you for introducing me to a beautiful soul Judy Klinkhammer. She was quite a pioneer there in the mountains. I really appreciate her spirit for her music and how she shared it with anyone.

What an inspirational woman with the MD and her life with passing on music.

Yes Gail, it is fun to play around with my dulcimers along with my Girly, who is just 9.

It is a great tutor for me to really listen to what is played. It works lots on my strumming techniques also. We have fun with it.

It has been fun and a test for me to involve this child.

 Beautiful work Kevin, it really rings and sings. I hear that you play just fine, we all know you understand how to make um sing!

I love the zither drones! 

My favorite places to play are at home in my living room in font of my fire with my dulci' books etc, sometimes I do strum patterns with my lil' girly sitting side by side each with a dulcimer, it is our "copy me game", we have also included fret numbers.

When I have to ice or relax my injured knee, ( the knee part is healing) and practicing or working on a song alone, it is on my sofa recliner with my tabs etc next to me where I can reach both my dulcimers so I have a choice of which to play per song. 

When I am studying or need help I sit in front of my computer working on instruction from a friend on this site, I have no skyp, so it is not interactive, but occasionally it has been interactive through chat.

On a sunny, less windy day I sit on my shaded deck in my glider swing, oh I can't wait for the rain to stop and the sun to shine! I love strumming for the birds that are flittering in my bushes along side my deck....  

My mistakes all lend towards my joy and love of playing and the sound of my dulcimers, they have been a great benefit to my intrigue and learning more about playing. It is a nice feeling to improve my playing or a technique. 

I received my small leather picks today, and I love them, I will see about the size, I may want the bigger ones eventually. I can't wait till I get them warn in, really enjoy the sound of the dulci when I use them.

Susan, thank you for the suggestion on leather picks. I am expanding my pick selection and ordered the leather and also thumb and finger picks. I believe I will try learning finger picking soon.

Thanks guys for your expansive knowledge on everything we want to know about picks,   No really y'all are very helpful...you got me picking. 

I didn't know of Jerry, my prayers are with his family.

Jan happy that you and your husband can go to this event together.

Y'all have a great time, learn allot and have fun.