Forum Activity for @sally-pena

Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/22/09 12:19:41PM
35 posts

Buzzing Strings


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

Thanks Lisa... good idea! When I bought the dulcimer, it had the standard set of McSpadden strings on it. I called my guru "The Dulcimer Doctor" and he sold me a set of strings that he thought were better, with the melody string being .10 ga. and at the time, I wondered if that would suit me, I kinda like heavier melody than the others in my group (I think it's cause I'm bolder!). I'll get back with him soon to see if perhaps that will cure my problem. He's easy to talk to.
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/22/09 09:10:32AM
35 posts

Buzzing Strings


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

Well... I'm fortunate enough to live within spitting distance (actually, about 35 miles) of "The Dulcimer Doctor", Joe Shelton. I'm sure if I take my instrument to him, he'll do something like that too. I have another dulcimer, lovely instrument which was built specifically for me...) and it had some tone issues, which Joe fixed. I do like this McSpadden, though, and would like that small fault to not be there. The mellow tones just call to me. I'll give him a call, see if I can take my dulcimer down to him... he's always wonderful to visit with and his studio is something to behold.I see you live in Myrtle Beach... we have a friend in N. Myrtle and my golf friends and I go to Ocean Isle for occasional outings so, I'm relatively familiar with the northern extremes of your area.Thanks, Carson Carson Turner said:
I had some string buzz on one of mine and my string-things friend adjusted my frets (with a little hammer - I was so worried watching that) and sanded down the bridge some and it fixed it right up. Lowering the action really helped with finger-dancing too.

Then he worked on the sides of the frets - seems they were hanging over the edge a little and was causing some discomfort since I do mostly noter and use my finger to guide along the side of the fretboard. Spent about an hour with a fine file on those.

Oiled my machines, conditioned the fretboard, totally tweaked it up for me. Cost me a dinner is all.

Your mileage may vary though - I trust this guy to know his stuff. You need a tweaks strings-things friend.
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/21/09 11:28:43PM
35 posts

Buzzing Strings


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

My McSpadden dulcimer sometimes has a problem with the strings "buzzing". I already posted this to the dulcimer builders but thought maybe someone here may have the same problem. Seems there should be a cure for it.
updated by @sally-pena: 06/08/16 09:24:05PM
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/23/09 08:15:21PM
35 posts



Carson... went to the Post article, read the whole thing and watched the videos... totally unreal.
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/23/09 05:12:21PM
35 posts



I don't know why but, I just went websurfing... and found myself at the official Eric Clapton site. Did you know that he used to go busking to make a living!!! You just never know.
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/23/09 02:21:00PM
35 posts



Super thread, Carson... sounds like most of you have a "group" to play with. My fellow dulcimer players here are pretty shy, wouldn't consider playing "in public" and, I haven't lived here long enough (much less know enough...) to have other instrumentalists to play with. I'd have to do it solo, I think.
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/23/09 11:38:17AM
35 posts



Great stories, folks! Keep 'em coming... maybe I'll get brave enough, yet! So, do you just play whatever you want to or, do you know enough tunes to do requests? I think that scares me a lot!
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/22/09 10:01:02PM
35 posts



Sure glad someone explained "busking". My friend, Jane, who's been traveling the western states and canada for the last month really laughed when I told her about "busking". Her husband was a Scot and I guess "busking" is quite the tradition in Great Britain and so, she knew about it. She figures he's up above laughing himself silly about my interest in it. Seems a friend would tell a friend about such matters, yes? Oh well, now I'm educated on "busking". Maybe I'll give it a whirl one of these days.
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/22/09 02:33:37PM
35 posts



Hmmm... how'd I get here? Sorry about that, folks. I think I need to clean house... (G)
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/22/09 02:32:33PM
35 posts



We could call for rain, get all muddy, naked and drunk... no more ill feelings or war... what'cha think?
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/22/09 02:18:58PM
35 posts



Great idea, Ron... I think that might work! Again, refer to Woodstock!
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/22/09 11:52:41AM
35 posts



Thanks for sharing, Nancy. I really enjoyed that website... sent it on to my daughters, both who are very interested in music and avid proponents of world peace, especially through music. They maybe are already aware of the website but, if not, they're gonna be so impressed that their Mom passed it on... see, you've made me a hero!
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/22/09 09:32:16AM
35 posts



Wow, Carson... you're just a well of information! I'm afraid I'd have some stage fright "busking" at this time in my dulcimer journey but, it's an intriguing idea. We have a farmer's market here every other Friday evening and our little historical museum opens during those hours. Might be a good idea to give it a go. Unfortunately, I don't sing (or, I do... in the shower...) so, that wonderful addition wouldn't be there. I'll give it some thought. Carson Turner said:
The people to email is the police department - or stop by and ask. Let 'em know you're not panhandling or begging (but accept tips) and that you won't be amplified. I use the line that it's "for advancement of the art form...."; most will tell you it's fine as long as business owners or the public don't complain.

Myrtle Beach SC requires a permit inside the city limits that costs $100 per musician per year. The other towns here don't have permits but have varying laws about where and what you can do. Most towns require permission of property owners (if you're not on public property), no blocking traffic (foot or vehicle), no panhandling (but you can leave a hat out if you don't beg), and have noise ordinance provisions that ten dulcimers couldn't break - but an old time string band can.

You won't make a bunch of money (with some exceptions - I made $100 in less than an hour once with impromptu singing of old time church music in Gatlinburg Tn) but it's a cool way to try out new material on a live audience that won't fire you.

I've found that downtown merchants seem to like it - it draws attention to their stores. Museums and living history type places too. And antique stores. These are easy to get permission from. Malls and big-box retailers are the hard spots - sadly; that's where some money could be made. If you're on private property with permission of the owner then most city panhandling ordinances don't apply.

Public parks are usually free-game. It's that whole 'peaceably assemble' and 'free speech' thing there.

Every musician should give it a shot some time - it's a dying art in itself. The 3rd and 4th of each month is officially International Busking Day . http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Busking_Day
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/20/09 10:36:44AM
35 posts

90 members in the Family


OFF TOPIC discussions

I used to belong to an internet group (now defunct) called "SeniorCom", for folks 50 years and older. We had a great time with live chat, got to know one another well and had several "bashes", I organized the first one in Orlando (I lived near Orlando...) and people came from as far away as Norway to join in this bash. My husband and I traveled to New Hampshire for another one. What a great idea for us to get together for dinner... could happen!
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/28/09 11:10:18AM
35 posts

STINKAROO advice...


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Guy, you're right, they're wonderful but, I agree with you. My thumb is an integral part of my playing... perhaps it's because of playing keyboards... but, my thumb is my problem digit with callouses and blisters, and a nail that grows very weird now.
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/23/09 02:27:10PM
35 posts

STINKAROO advice...


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Barbara... Moms can be so insensitive, sometimes... I know, I am one. My daughters sometimes shock me with some of the remarks I've come up with. These are usually meant to be supportive but, get lost in the mother/daughter translation. I apologize for your Mom... she didn't mean anything ugly. barbara kelly said:
Today there was an update, she (my mom) said: " I haven't heard you practice lately, does that mean you think you can play now without practicing?"
I love my mom dearly, but sometimes.......... I've just gotta laugh!

barbara kelly said:
Oh, here's my Stinkaroo advice,
My mother, no matter what I play, or how good, always says, "if you keep practicing you will get better" end quote. She will offer no other comments.
I've learned to ignore it, altho it used to hurt... still does when I've played a tune perfectly.
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/22/09 12:13:03PM
35 posts

STINKAROO advice...


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Suzanne... this again gets around to the "right" way of playing dulcimer... seems there is no "right" way! Just find what works for you and enjoy!
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/22/09 09:58:23AM
35 posts

STINKAROO advice...


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

OK, guess I'll jump in here too...How's about strumming? Many folks think that "bum-diddy" is the only way. UGH! With Don Pedi's DVD Workshop, I learned that almost anything goes, as long as you hold the beat/rhythm. He recommends (along with other things) to strum with the words. Sometimes tunes change length of words and syllables in each verse and playing (even without those words) with those inflections makes a really nice diversion in the overall sound.
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/30/09 05:38:52PM
35 posts

Dulcimer or Guitar?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Lucky You!!! TERI WEST said:
I recognized Stephen Seifert's playing as soon as I heard it, before I looked at the page!~ He was my first teacher!

Sally Pena said:
Here's another one, bowed dulcimer, this time:


Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/29/09 05:13:21PM
35 posts

Dulcimer or Guitar?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Here's another one, bowed dulcimer, this time:
Cynthia said:
Wow, thanks for all your help everyone! very cool...

I can't identify any sound files made with their instruments... or if you can think of someone Guy may not have mentioned please let me know
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/29/09 05:05:43PM
35 posts

Dulcimer or Guitar?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

here's one that I thought was amazing when I started... note that he's using a capo:
Also, you can go to Jerry Rockwell's website and learn bunches. Just Google Jerry Rockwell dulcimer. Cynthia said:

I can't identify any sound files made with their instruments... or if you can think of someone Guy may not have mentioned please let me know
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/28/09 11:49:11AM
35 posts

Dulcimer or Guitar?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Cynthia, sometimes too much information is too much. Good luck in choosing your dulcimer! Cynthia said:
Now I'll go back to trying to figure out how the heck I'm going to pick one and get started on the playing part...Cynthia
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/24/09 11:04:15AM
35 posts

Dulcimer or Guitar?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I'm just getting acquainted to Celtic and Renaissance music. Although I love playing and listening to it, I wonder how it will go over here in my area. I'll give it a try but, they'll probably go to sleep. They're accustomed to listening almost exclusively to BG.
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/24/09 10:10:55AM
35 posts

Dulcimer or Guitar?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Wow! and double Wow! I thought you were pullin' my leg. Shows what a farmer I am. Very interesting.
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/23/09 03:41:38PM
35 posts

Dulcimer or Guitar?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Teri... are you still there? See what you started? (G)
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/23/09 03:39:27PM
35 posts

Dulcimer or Guitar?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Sounds like a gauntlet (hope it's spelled correctly), to me! Now, no fussing, fellas. This is a friendly site, remember?
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/23/09 03:38:17PM
35 posts

Dulcimer or Guitar?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Oooo, how cool! I surely misspelled it... sorry. My hubby is Puerto Rican and I guess I made the mistake of assuming it would be spelled the way I heard it. Thanks for the correction. Strumelia said:
It's really a combination of all these factors we've been discussing.

I mean if you play a dulcimer like a guitar it will sound more guitar-like, but it will still sound like a dulcimer also. And likewise if you put a dinky skinhead on a dulcimer and play it like a banjo it will sound more banjo-like.....but you won't fool ME! LOL It'll still sound like a dulcimer too.

By the way it's cuatro, not quatro. In one of my past lives I was a member of a traditional cuatro orchestra up in the mountains of Puerto Rico. (really)
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/23/09 02:42:24PM
35 posts

Dulcimer or Guitar?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Wow! Again!Now we're getting into the nitty-gritty of dulcimer/guitar/banjo/mandolin/dobro/quatro... whatever sound. I already know that I won't be able to distinguish the difference... Carson, I assume you have all these instruments?
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/23/09 11:44:04AM
35 posts

Dulcimer or Guitar?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

That sounds right, Strumelia... but, if you think about it, guitars are played many ways as well... strumming across all strings, picking, Spanish, flat picking, etc. Just looks like too many strings, to me. But, I must say, mandolin is a fascinating little instrument. Although it has 8 strings, those strings seem to be grouped as 4. I think I'm leaning that way if I ever want to expand my stringed instrument life.
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/22/09 11:14:30PM
35 posts

Dulcimer or Guitar?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Roger... I don't have the time or patience to learn guitar. But, hearing the dulcimer resemble a guitar while I'm playing it is truly wonderful. And, I like it to sound like a dulcimer too. And, if I can get it to sound like other instruments, I'll enjoy that as well. When Don Pedi gets going, he can sound pretty much like a fiddle... it's all just great!
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/24/09 09:06:29AM
35 posts

How did you first discover the mountain dulcimer?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Nice story, John... John Shaw said:
It was the combination of a nice instrument and an inspirational book that excited me and really got my playing to start to develop. I date my real playing from that moment. I took some things from the new approaches in the book that really got my imagination going (even though I don't like to get too far from the instrument's traditional styles), and I had a nice dulcimer to try them out on!
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/24/09 09:00:30AM
35 posts

How did you first discover the mountain dulcimer?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

My dulcimer journey is much more recent. Two years ago a new friend, in our new town, in NC, invited me to a mountain dulcimer recital of her class, held at the local community college. These folks had been playing, through the college, for about two years... most of them had never touched a musical instrument before taking up dulcimer. The vast majority were older women (like me) and were thrilled to be making music. They'd been studying Larkin Bryant's instructional book and, of course, played "Rhodie" and "Bile 'em Cabbage". Before that evening, I had never seen or heard a mountain dulcimer and I was intrigued by the sound. My new friend (well, not so new, now...) plays almost anything she can get her hands on: piano, organ, bowed psaltery, penny whistle, hammered dulcimer and... mountain dulcimer. Because I also play classical piano and pop organ, she thought I was a natural for mountain dulcimer and started working on me, but I was reluctant. I tend to be very compulsive, by nature, and didn't feel I could waste my time with another musical instrument. By August last year, after being prodded for months, I gave up and jumped in with both feet. We drove over to Blowing Rock, NC where I purchased my first dulcimer (Neely) from The Dulcimer Shop... two weeks before classes began. That dulcimer, beautiful as it was, had major flaws. The fretboard was bowed, which made the "action" very difficult to play... major finger blisters. After several months, phone calls and emails, it was determined that the dulcimer couldn't be repaired and I very unhappily returned it... the folks at The Dulcimer Shop graciously allowed me to choose whichever other dulcimer I wanted and refunded the entire price of the Neely. By that time, I'd been playing several months and chose a wonderful McSpadden and then, I was on my way! As I say, I'm lovin' it! Been playing furiously since last September and now, I need more folks to play with... my friends at class (actually, just Monday jams now) are very happy, playing once a week... I play hours each day! I don't consider it "practice" because practice insinuates work... this is definitely, not work! Thanks, Lisa, for setting this up... it's giving me an additional outlet.
Sally Pena
@sally-pena
08/24/09 10:03:35AM
35 posts

Where's your favorite place to play?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Well, when we moved here to NC, we bought an old house with lots of rooms. Just off the living room is a sunroom/library where I've set up shop. It's out of the way, quiet, sunny, cheerful, musical, everything I could've asked for in a dulcimer hide-a-way. And, it's large enough that if someone wants to come over to play along, it'll hold maybe five dulcimer players at the same time... closely.