I'm very fond of dulcimers with a shorter VSL (no longer than 26.5 if possible). The ease of making the chords has really improved my playing over the past few years!
Mark, I'm so glad you saw this question and responded to it, knowing what a great friend Bill is to you. I was waiting to see if anyone was going to respond and if there was no response, I was going to suggest they contact you--I knew you'd know!
I had Bill for a week-long class at Dulcimerville (I think), held in Black Mountain, NC and my friends and I still talk about what a great class that was. He was a great instructor, luthier, and is, as you relate so well, continues to be a kind, wonderful man. Thank you for writing this message!
When I was a kid growing up in NC, we practically lived in the small back porch half the year--ate all our meals out there in the summer and the rest of the year my mom would enjoy a cup of coffee (or iced coffee) out there on sunny days. We had a handy window over the kitchen sink that opened up onto the porch and it was great for passing food out and dirty dishes back in! I remember snapping a lot of beans on that porch, as well as helping get peaches and other foods ready to can or freeze. Lots of good memories!
I would like to own Gary Gallier's personal "go to" dulcimer.
I have played it for about 6 hrs. total, so I know how "dreamy" it is!
It's not for sale.
It's my dream, though!
Guess I should have been more specific....I was thinking about familiar tunes that you've just never seen tabbed for dulcimer--something like a children's song or a hymn or a well-known tune for a particular holiday...something most of us grew up singing, perhaps, but we've never seen it tabbed out. So I was just expecting to have some titles thrown out for me to consider....
Are there songs or tunes that you would really like to play, but you can't find any tabbed arrangements? An instructor has asked us to bring one to an upcoming class so that we can work on making a tabbed arrangement. Since I mostly play by ear, I can't think of any. I thought I'd throw the question out here to see what people have been itchin' to play!
John Henry and Paul, there's a quiet strengthening that happens as you grieve, even as it seems the death of your dear Mary has left a hole that can never mend. I hope you can find joy and comfort with the music, flowers, or treats that she enjoyed and that your faith will be as a balm to your hearts.
I am sad to report the death of our member, Brian Beach, who lived in the small community of Vasser, Michigan. Brian had been interested in the mountain dulcimer for years and had even made two, I believe. Brian suffered from COPD and had been unable to live on his own for awhile, needing a certain level of skilled care to bring him whatever comfort he could find. Brian treasured his FOTMD friends and enjoyed chatting and discussing a wide range of dulcimer topics. A humble man with a big smile and a caring heart, Brian will be missed by his dulcimer family.
Rest easy, Brian, and enjoy the music of the heavens that we can only barely imagine!
I'm reading Ordinary Grace, by William Kent Krueger. Pretty good so far.
Lisa, I don't want to start a war either, but wanted to say those are some very good observations! I make that same recommendation!
When I bought the Jim Fox "Little Mule" that I play in my "Loch Lomond" video I had the 1.5 put on but NOT the 8.5....it's all up to you-- and the luthier who did the work pointed out that my frets up there would be very narrow--and my fingers aren't!
Monica, when I purchased Ginger with a compensated bridge 6 years ago, it was quite a game changer for me! I kept it tuned to DAd, took it to lots of workshops and played it almost non-stop at home. The shorter scale length helped me learn chords and really increased my confidence.
No...Dusty is correct...the capo then becomes the nut and you use the same positions for your chords as you do without the capo.
Or am I missing something? 
Yeah...sometimes I'm switching between several keys and hate the bother of a capo. 
Since I use three fingers to barre, my fingers don't mind having something to do. 
That's true about starting on the bass string. So, yeah, you can start at the 4th fret on the bass string and go up a whole octave before getting to Do on the melody string.
We're probably driving some people crazy, Dusty! 
It was probably a short trip for 'em, anyway.....
This is really long (and boring to a lot of people), but you might find it helpful.
Coming from a background of playing by ear on the piano, I like to just move my hands to a new starting place on the fretboard--as much as possible--rather than retuning or using a capo. The folks I play with in Tucson always play "Boil 'Em Cabbage Down" first through in D, then G, then A and then back to D again with nary a measure or a rest in between. Of course, that's a pretty simple tune, but it got me familiar with all 3 keys. Now I often play in A when I'm at a jam with a bunch of fiddlers or other people that want a tune played in a particular key.
If you're just playing 3 chords, the I chord (A) is barred at 444 or else played 44 6+ (I start with the bass string when I write the numbers and 6+ is 6 1/2.). You can play it higher up as 6+78. The octave is barred at 11.
The IV chord (D) is 457 or 757. Higher up, play it with 779.
The V chord (E) is 545 or 86+8, or barre it at 888. There's no G# when you barre at the 8th fret, but you can let your brain fill in "what's missing" here....the brain actually does that very well!
A scale of the I, IV, and V chords plays them in this order: I V I IV I IV V I . Try playing the three chords and singing up the scale...you'll see it harmonizes very nicely. (also try it in keys of D and in G)
To play a scale in the key of A going all the way up from Do to Do (an octave), you'd play:
444 545 446+ 457 6+78 779 86+8 11 11 11
I V I IV I IV V I
Do Re Mi Fa Sol La Ti Do
Notice that except for "Ti" the melody string plays do re mi right up the scale when you play the chords this way. "Ti" is played on the middle string.
Does this help? I mostly play by ear, so I'm not "classically trained" in any instrument, but this sounds pretty good to me.
My apologies if I wasn't supposed to capitalize Do Re Mi...
If the order of the I, IV, and V chords seems impossible to remember, it's a little easier when you realize that Do, Mi, Sol, Do are all I chords. Or, in scale degrees, that would be 1 5 8 1 or the interval a singer always seems to sing when they're warming up (at least in cartoons!).
The next thing that I think really stands out is that the V chords are played Before and After Do--at both ends of the octave. So you'd use a V chord if you're going up FROM Do, or up TO Do (the octave). And likewise, if you're going down FROM Do or down TO Do. If it's next to Do, play a V chord!!!
The others are IV chords. In my mind I think of the scale in three sections:
I V I IV I IV V I The I and V chords look kind of like bookends holding up 2 pairs of alternating books.
Hey! I'm a very visual person, too! I hope this hasn't all been lost in formatting glitches. If you want this sent as an email, just let me know!
Hope it helps! Jan Potts
Ken, the 
smiley was designed by FOTMD member--and my good friend, artist, and dulcimer-playing buddy--Teri West, of Louisville, KY. Years ago, I found the design on Café Press and had a totebag made with the design and the next dulcimer event I attended she spotted it and introduced herself. We live 100 miles apart, but see each other as often as we can work it out--and we're usually at the same events. She'll be happy you like it--it's one of my favorites, too!
Some of my other favorites are: 
, 
, 
, 
, and .
In grades 4-6 I was in a brand new school (Claxton Elem. for those of you in Greensboro, NC!) and each classroom was equipped with a piano and there was a set of music books for each grade level. Since we'd never had music classes in elem. school, I loved it when our teacher would say it was time to pass out the books and sing! I already knew a lot of songs from Girl Scouts and all the songs I'd sung with my family, but I loved learning the ones in these books--Streets of Laredo, the Orchestra Song that someone else mentioned, lots of songs from other countries, as well as many rounds and duets...White Coral Bells, Tell Me Why, Scotland's Burning, Sing Your Way Home.
John, I would have loved being in your music class! Those little kids are so lucky!
Here's a START!
Pre-school through Kindergarten (in Michigan) I remember learning:
[quote="marg"]
I went through Gold Tone in buying mine. I think if they spent a bit more time on fixing their design they would have a great instrument but it seems to be a hit & miss still.
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For whatever reason (time, money, ego issues, whatever), I think you're correct that consistency just isn't there. I know that my supplier does not have the instruments shipped to him; he personally goes to the factory and hand selects the ones that he will take home and work on and get ready to sell. I guess they need to have someone like him on staff--someone who knows how a dulcimer player, who buys this, is going to want it set up. As far as looks go, they sell themselves. And if you just strum it a few times you may think WOW, this is for me! I know not everyone can sit and play an instrument for several hours (I played this one throughout the entire vendor set up hours at DulcimerU), but take as much time as you can to decide if an instrument is really for you when buying at a show or a store. Of course if the instrument changes considerably after you've brought it home....ACK! No one seems to have the answer for everyone about how--or whether--to display or store dulcimers...I think it depends on the humidity and temperature changes at each location. That being said, I have some I always store in cases and some I never put in a case!
The main thing is to know what you're getting for the price you're paying. But I can imagine people getting "caught" at the gate not realizing what this means for their "stuff"--including instruments. I generally get the lowest price ticket that's going where I want to go, but now I'm going to be extra careful not to caught in one of these messes.
Your Brit friends probably haven't bought one of these economy fares, but in case it comes into question, ALL musicians should be aware that the new Economy Fares do not allow use of the overhead bins. See my newly posted discussion on this: http://fotmd.com/forums/forum/general-mountain-dulcimer-or-music-discussions/26492/new-airlines-rules-affect-those-traveling-with-instruments
New Economy Fares Do Not Provide the Use of Overhead Bins! Some of you may have missed changes made by several airlines this winter for their lowest fare classes. With Delta, you'll board last and may find there's no room for your instrument. But with both American and United, you'll need to read up and see how purchase of a low economy fare ticket will impact your carry on decisions. With American Airlines, you can buy an online ticket, but you can't select a seat or do an advance check in. You have to check in when you arrive at the airport and you will be instructed to check ALL your luggage , since the economy fare does not provide for use of the overhead bins ; you may only carry on a small purse or jacket that fits under the seat in front of you. If you take a carryon bag (or an instrument or a bag of gifts from one of the airport shops) to the Gate, you will be required to gate check (valet check) your items at a cost of $25 for each, plus a $25 penalty for each. Since the people who paid this Economy fare board LAST, they will see upon boarding that ALL THE OVERHEAD BINS WILL BE LATCHED SHUT BEFORE THEY BOARD THE PLANE...so don't look for help from sympathetic passengers! Since the rules changed awhile back and allowed instruments to be carried on board-- if there is room in the overhead bin when you board the plane--some musicians will no doubt buy one of these NEW Low Economy fares and not realize this now means they cannot bring their instrument on board. Please do not overlook the implications of traveling with an instrument if you buy the new low fares. Check with your airline or Read more here: http://www.businessinsider.com/american-airlines-united-basic-economy-carry-on-bag-ban-2017-1
Paula, yes, I'm playing with just one melody string, having removed one of the 2 it came with. That's the way I usually play (thanks to Don Pedi who first encouraged me 5 years ago to take one off!). Mine does have a pick up, but I didn't want to go looking for cords and amp, etc., so I just recorded the audio clip using the Voice Recorder on my laptop.
I purchased my Dulciborn from John Hawk, who works really hard at getting the set up just as perfect as possible before bringing them to a venue for sale. Mine didn't need any extra work when I bought it 3 1/2 years ago. But I hadn't played it in awhile when I got it out yesterday, and the action did seem higher than what my Gallier has. When I made the recording I had been noodling around on it for several hours and had gotten "used to it" again. I know when I bought it back in 2013, I sat and played it for 2 or 3 hrs before deciding to purchase it. Mine also has a 1.5 fret--which is something I like to have on ALL my dulcimers!
I have one, love it, but find I don't take it many places because it is so much larger and heavier (in its special case) than the small Gallier A-frame I usually use. Because you lay it on your lap like a dulcimer and play it from above, you avoid the need to wrap your hand around the head of the instrument, as you would do with a guitar. When you have arthritis, this may be a movement your hand can no longer do--such was the case for me. I like that it sounds like a guitar, and I like that I can do fingerpicking on it so easily and I could never do fingerpicking on a guitar! Yes, it's a hybrid--but so's my Prius! As far as I'm concerned, it combines good things from both instruments. Here's a rough recording of Loch Lomond showing how it sounds.
https://soundcloud.com/willowgreen-1/loch-lomond
hugssandi, do you realize that every minute you spend reading Younger Next Year, you're getting older? Ironic.
I'm reading The Birds of Opulence, by Crystal Wilkinson, for book group next week.
Irene, I'm glad you're introducing more people to SACRED HARP. I enjoy singing and playing these songs, although it's a bit more challenging than some people think! I liken it to learning the Cyrillic alphabet so you can sing in Russian and when you've got that down well, then you (finally) get to sing the English "poetry" with the tune (and the poetry is often on a different page from the music notation, making all this even harder).
Welcome back, Folkfan!
Sheryl, a pick made from a vinyl record sounds like it wouldn't be very flexible and I like a really flexible pick for the kind of playing I do.
You can do a Google search for discussions on this topic. Everybody has an opinion! From Elderly Music Co. website (not where I got mine, but I thought the blurb was helpful):
I use Dr. Ducks Ax Wax. This is for cleaning...I'm not sure about conditioning. I bought an 8 oz bottle online and it may last me a lifetime! There are a variety of opinions on this issue. Some people treat it like furniture and use Pledge furniture polish.
I think you have to know about the finish on your dulcimer to decide what sorts of stuff to use on it. Whatever you use, test it on an inconspicuous spot and put it on a soft cloth, not directly on the instrument.
Sorry I can't be of more help.
That's my question. My husband bought some and I'm wondering if it's safe to spray it directly on the instrument as the directions say, up and down the fretboard. If I were going to use it, I would spray it on a cloth and then rub the cloth on the strings/fretboard. Hmmm...
I have just been using the voice recorder on my laptop. I started a free account at soundcloud. When I make a recording I name it and stick it in a folder in some easy-to-find place in my computer. When I log into soundcloud I select the "Upload" button, and bring up the folder and song. Then, after it's on Soundcloud, I say I now want to share it and copy the address, and any other pertinent information. In FOTMD I go to my page and select Audio and add a soundclip from Soundcloud and paste in the address i'd copied. That's one way to do this.
That being said, my sound quality isn't good, but I cared more about actually getting something recorded and preserved than having a polished product. It's more of a matter of how much time I wanted to spend working with it and what would be a sequence that would be easy for me to follow and learn.
This may not answer you question, exactly, but I thought I'd go ahead and explain what I was doing!
Ken, I think I gained a couple pounds just reading your post! Seriously, it sounds yummy!
Terry, having had food poisoning many times in my life (including many bouts with "holiday food" that makes me deathly ill but doesn't seem to make anyone else sick), so I can really sympathize. My system will even selectively choose certain ingredients to reject, having no problem with the rest, or will reject the food I ate at dinner, but not the snacks I had at the party several hours later. I can't for the life of me figure out how my body does that, but it has, for sure made for some unpleasant holiday memories! On the other hand, isn't holiday food lovely?! Merry Christmas, everyone, and may we all have our version of "figgy pudding" to eat in good health!
Hey John! If I were you, I would cut 2 triangles of sandpaper and connect with a dot of superglue right through the hole!
i know a guy that puts a little silicon sealant on his picks
My father thought bathtub caulk was the solution for most anything, much in the way some folks think of duct tape. But then, he worked for a company that made the stuff, so I guess it's understandable. I think I have a case of it in my basement somewhere.....
That's great news, Terry!
Actually, the song to which I referred has verses about bringing us some figgy pudding and not leaving 'til we get some, but Feliz Navidad is a great song, too!
Last night I went to the taping of the Red Barn Radio Show and heard lovely performances of many old favorites and some new-to-me, like Two-steppin' 'round the Christmas Tree. Sarah Morgan wowed us with several, including the Cherry Tree Carol and Star of the East (aka Brightest and Best).
If you sing the ones you like best, your enthusiasm will come through in your performance!
I do hope you can post a video!
I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing In (quite easy and very lively)
O Come Little Children, O Come One and All (they may remember singing this when they were children)
Good King Wenceslas (A good steady rhythm that works well with bells and shakers)
Go Tell it On the Mountain
Hark the Herald Angels Sing
What Child is This
O Christmas Tree
Angels From the Realms of Glory
Ding Dong Merrily on High
We Three Kings
There's a Song in the Air
We Wish You a Merry Christmas! (Good one to end on)
If there's anyone who can sing a familiar tune in a foreign language, that's always nice--but keep it short!
Also, what's familiar to one person may be totally unknown to someone else the same age living in the same city. But keep in mind, too, that the Christmas hymns sung in church in the 1930's through the 1950's might not be the ones sung today, so I'd look for some old hymnals and see what they include. Also, folks who would be clueless about "Holly Jolly Christmas" might be able to belt out "There's a Voice in the Wilderness Crying!" because they always sang that during Advent!
Anyway, I'm sure that whichever songs you choose, it will be great!
Oliver and I often chatted in the middle of the night, as I'm sure he did with many of you. He wouldn't be able to sleep and would get up and see if any night owls (or west coast folks) were up and we chat til he got sleepy again (or maybe my conversational skills at 3 am just put him to sleep!). He loved to talk about his family, his music, and his turtles, and I know he had a lot of knowledge about a wide range of topics. Such a kind man! He will be greatly missed! My condolences to his family and other friends!
A little confused...if you're tuned DAd, then the tonic is open, so "open" and the 7th fret should be the same color. And when you said "bridge", I think you meant "nut"...at the end with the tuning pegs, right? I'm always in favor of "using what works", but this part confused me.... And, no, don't worry if others don't dig your colorful fretboard! To each his own!
wow, a whine when you take your fingers off the strings? my wife whines when she see's my putting my fingers on the strings,,,,go figure
John, my husband is a novice level player and he totally cracked up at your comment! Thanks for giving him such a good laugh! (And no, I don't whine when he plays!)
"Cactus picks" have little prickles built into the mold that they make the picks in. Those work well, too.
It'll let you know if your grip on the pick is too hard, too! Drip...drip...drip.... 
Loch Lomond.m4a - 2.7MB