Forum Activity for @robin-thompson

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
04/23/24 05:48:08PM
1,429 posts

Something to watch


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I'm glad Mark Brewer got back to you, KenL, with this advice!  (I only know Rusty and he's on the radio side of things for WOUB.)  

P.S.-A friend suggested you all may be interested in knowing Mike Seeger plays "Waterbound" on the episode with Elizabeth Cotton.  


updated by @robin-thompson: 04/23/24 06:17:08PM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
04/21/24 05:09:15PM
1,429 posts

Something to watch


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Rusty (at WOUB-- he's radio program director, I think) got back to me after my first query to let me know he thought just WOUB-area folks could stream the program.  I asked him, then, specifically, if it would be somehow possible for others to watch.  I'm guessing he may not even be able to check about it until Monday (tomorrow).  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
04/21/24 02:59:47PM
1,429 posts

Something to watch


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@ken-longfield and all, I messaged a guy who works at WOUB.  I think he's going to check if it's possible for someone outside the WOUB viewing area to somehow view the episode.   

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
04/19/24 11:42:51AM
1,429 posts

Something to watch


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

In the Ramblin' piece, it was nice to see how many were in the audience to see Jean Ritchie!  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
04/18/24 02:08:49PM
1,429 posts

Rare Kurt Simerman chromatic dulcimer for sale (SOLD)


FOR SALE:instruments/music items/CDs/Wanted to Buy...

Glad to hear!  You made lots of good mountain dulcimer videos!  Happy strumming! 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
04/18/24 11:21:30AM
1,429 posts

Rare Kurt Simerman chromatic dulcimer for sale (SOLD)


FOR SALE:instruments/music items/CDs/Wanted to Buy...

Hey, Cliff-- such a nice instrument!  I hope you're still making music!   

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
04/18/24 07:51:17AM
1,429 posts

Hindman Boys (and Gal)


OFF TOPIC discussions

Thanks, Dan-- the trailer looks really good! 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
04/16/24 07:58:02PM
1,429 posts

Something to watch


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I just finished watching-- a real gem!  

Thanks, KenL and KenH, for the information which pointed me to where I could watch the program.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
04/15/24 02:47:27PM
1,429 posts

Something to watch


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Way cool!  We're members of Ohio University's WOUB-- it's located the next county south of where we are here in Perry County OH.  sun  

On an unrelated note, though I have never lived in Athens County OH one set of my ancestors married there in 1818.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
04/13/24 10:52:17AM
1,429 posts

Does soundbox tension affect volume and tone


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

NateBuildsToys:

A while ago on here I saw a dulcimer that had gap under the tail end of the fingerboard, with the string tension pulling it up from the box. The idea was that by having the tail end of the fingerboard (where the strings were mounted) detached from the box, the string tension would pull hard on the area with the string pins, lifting it so that it hovers a couple millimeters above the soundboard potentially increasing volume. Does anyone know what this feature is called, so I can look into it more?

 

Makes me think of Keith Young's fretboards.  I think I don't have any photos of the end of the fretboard-- I used to have 2 of Keith's wonderful instruments.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
04/13/24 07:53:04AM
1,429 posts

Chapman Stick


OFF TOPIC discussions

Chapman Sticks are very cool!  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/31/24 07:44:22PM
1,429 posts

International Appalachian Dulcimer Day


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

KenL, if you didn't have time to make a recording, you should've taken a picture of your workbench to post for IADD!  I believe you worked on the dulcimers yet photographic proof may be needed.  grin  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/30/24 06:30:02PM
1,429 posts

International Appalachian Dulcimer Day


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I think I've listened to music from 4 countries on this International Appalachian Dulcimer Day.  grphug In addition to friends who shared audio or video here, there was more participation on Facebook than I might've imagined.  The spread of the love of the Appalachian dulcimer around the world is, truly, a beautiful thing.    

I hope y'all have nice weather for your 20 April music circle, Leo!  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/30/24 08:05:07AM
1,429 posts

International Appalachian Dulcimer Day


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Happy International Appalachian Dulcimer Day, friends!  

I just listened to the first offering to celebrate from @macaodha and it's a jewel.  I haven't uploaded a tune yet, yet will soon.    

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/28/24 06:45:06AM
1,429 posts

International Appalachian Dulcimer Day


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Yay, @dusty!  I hope lots of folks do the same, too!   

We have an audio recorded and uploaded and will make it "Public" on IADD.  party2

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/27/24 10:33:48AM
1,429 posts

What's the exact difference between a dulcimore and dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

In her HomeSpun instructional recording, Jean lists many names for the lap-held zither and says its names come from the parts of the country in which you find it.  She goes on to say that for her lessons she's just going to call it a dulcimer.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/25/24 08:05:03PM
1,429 posts

If you could have just one dulcimer...


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I'm fortunate to own a dream dulcimer, a Blue Lion Jean Ritchie model instrument.  Top is Western Red Cedar, sides & back are Walnut.  I can't tell you the VSL off the top of my head-- I only play with a noter so VSL isn't much of a factor.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/23/24 10:59:08AM
1,429 posts

International Appalachian Dulcimer Day


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

1 week from today is International Appalachian Dulcimer Day!  dulcimer  

Feel free to share any work you create (music, photography, embroidery, jewelry, poetry, etc.) which celebrates the Appalachian dulcimer and its spread around the world!  


updated by @robin-thompson: 03/23/24 11:59:38AM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/19/24 10:13:40AM
1,429 posts

Are two melody strings louder than one?


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I like the sound of the wound bass drone with the doubled high drones a lot!

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/18/24 08:48:49AM
1,429 posts

Are two melody strings louder than one?


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Some months ago, I was just messing around with string configurations.  Doubled melody vs. doubled drone vs. 4 equidistant.    It was cool to hear the differences.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/18/24 08:45:10AM
1,429 posts

Introduce Yourself!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Welcome,@robmachin !  Enjoy your McSpadden when it's made its way to you!  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/16/24 05:23:14PM
1,429 posts

Are two melody strings louder than one?


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Could it be some sympathetic vibration is in play with the doubled strings-- especially since, as Randy indicated, one string is struck a tiny fraction of a second before the other? 

In a related yet unrelated matter, I play a doubled high drone and a single melody string.  (String array: wound bass tuned an octave below doubled high drones then a melody string tuned either a 4th or 5th above the bass.)  If I just un-double that high drone and play the same style (noter)  with 4-equidistant strings, the sound is just not the same.  It is fuller with the doubled high drone.   

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/08/24 01:40:36PM
1,429 posts

New Cherry Galax Dulcimer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

It's a beauty, John, and Ohio is a nice place for that Galax.  dulcimer1

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/04/24 02:48:11PM
1,429 posts

Folklife in Ohio


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thank you for sharing this cool video from '73, @ken-longfield !  I really like Mr. Nicholas's dulcimers and it was really something to see the other folks making creations of some type or another.

Thanks for the tag, @dusty -- except for brief times away at grad school, I've spent all my life in O-H-I-O.   

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/02/24 06:50:41PM
1,429 posts

International Appalachian Dulcimer Day


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Today, it's the first Saturday in March.  The last Saturday in March will be International Appalachian Dulcimer Day.  dulcimer

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/20/24 07:25:42PM
1,429 posts

International Appalachian Dulcimer Day


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Indeed, the last Saturday is 30 March and Easter is the following day.  Perhaps some may wish to celebrate the Appalachian dulcimer on IADD with a hymn or two.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/08/24 12:33:55PM
1,429 posts

How precisely do you tune up?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Tuning from the tuner is one thing.  Sharpening a note when I use a noter is another-- noter pressure can do that. oma (me with my noter)   

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/03/24 08:15:16AM
1,429 posts

How precisely do you tune up?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I think repertoire and whether or not one plays alone make big differences in what is "good enough".  

For me, I use a Peterson tuner and Mark and I both try to be very much in tune with one another or we'll make our tunes even worse.  giggle   When I'm playing by myself, I like to be in tune with myself or it can drive me a little crazy. krazy  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/01/24 11:52:47AM
1,429 posts

general instrument question


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@lilley-pad My experience is I play the mountain dulcimer with the sound I want to fit the repertoire(s) I want to play.  Also, my experience is there is no Holy Grail.dulcimer Depending on style of play and repertoire, one instrument may suit over another.    

Bob Stephens is a member here at FOTMD and you can find his page by searching members.  Here is a video of Aaron O'Rourke playing a prototype (so, an early model) of one of Bob's wonderful-sounding dulcimers: 

https://youtu.be/EPClQt6v0Z0?si=0D_xkDv1OR9fTkH7


updated by @robin-thompson: 02/01/24 12:34:58PM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/30/24 12:36:14PM
1,429 posts

Reasons NOT To Get a Chromatic


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

@nate Your perspective was one I hadn't considered-- I'm glad you wrote of it!  

Colloquially, although my newer Jean Ritchie model Blue Lion has "extra" frets, I'll still call it a mountain dulcimer.  dulcimer  

Happy strumming, y'all!   

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/28/24 10:18:19AM
1,429 posts

John Molineux box dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Beautiful!  The sound hits my ears like it's a lute being played. 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/25/24 12:20:33PM
1,429 posts

International Appalachian Dulcimer Day


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

You're welcome, @wildcat !  Hope you'll enjoy the day strumming your Warren May mountain dulcimer!  

@ken-longfield , Yes, it falls late in the month this year.  Happy strumming! 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/24/24 06:15:13PM
1,429 posts

International Appalachian Dulcimer Day


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hey, friends-- our special holiday is approaching!  Always the last Saturday in March.  dulcimer

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/23/24 01:27:53PM
1,429 posts

Looking for tabs/books devoted to old style drone & noter playing


Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs

If you'd like to hear Jean talking a bit about her life and her approach to playing, I recommend these: 

https://www.homespun.com/profile/Jean%20Ritchie

https://folkways.si.edu/jean-ritchie/the-appalachian-dulcimer-an-instructional-record/music-instruction/music/album/smithsonian

Also, search Jean on YouTube and you'll discover many wonderful recordings.  


updated by @robin-thompson: 01/23/24 01:29:11PM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/22/24 06:30:31PM
1,429 posts

Introduce Yourself!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Warren May builds lovely instruments, lovely both in looks and in sound.  Happy strumming, @wildcat !  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/20/24 01:07:18PM
1,429 posts

Traditional role of the mountain dulcimer.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

A couple cool links: 

https://youtu.be/uQaLuklN73Q?si=zt632ssDhTAiSg8d

https://www.conniellisor.com/orchestra/blackberry-winter

It is to be noted the traditional tune Blackberry Blossom is foundational to the piece.  


updated by @robin-thompson: 01/20/24 01:51:29PM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/08/24 05:49:59PM
1,429 posts

I bought a Sunhearth!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

You've got a beauty!  Regardless of what you do about the tuners, I hope you enjoy it.  dulcimer  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/03/24 04:08:41PM
1,429 posts

Robert N. Lackey, rest in peace


OFF TOPIC discussions

I offer my sympathies to Rob's family and friends.  

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