Welcome to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer!
Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer is the most extensive site for Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer players and builders on the internet. Welcome!
Join Groups and Forum discussions that interest you, make new music friends. Share photos, music clips, and videos, resources for buying instruments, music, and learning materials. Ask your beginner questions and learn to play! All are welcome here no matter what your playing style, skill level, or musical tastes. Become a member of Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer (FOTMD) community -it's friendly and totally FREE!
After joining, please read the Site Rules before posting. You'll find your very own Member Profile Page by clicking on your name link at the top of any page. Click on different links to get familiar with where things are. Questions about using the site?- ask them HERE . You've come to exactly the right place to receive or give free help and encouragement in playing music. Here on FOTMD we all learn from each other as friends. Join our block party! -Strumelia
Latest Activity
@richard-streib
• 11 hours ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on @cindyc:
Posted a new Comment on @cindyc:
"Glad you joined Cindyc. Welcome to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer from a fellow North Carolinian.Learning to play the mountain dulcimer can seem..."
@pierre-yves-donnio
• 13 hours ago
• comments: 6
Liked a youtube item created by @dulcidom: Beauty in Tears
Liked a youtube item created by @dulcidom: Beauty in Tears
@robin-thompson
• 15 hours ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on A Light in the Window:
Posted a new Comment on A Light in the Window:
"@davisjames Oh, such a lovely thing to say about the tune, Jamie! It's not always easy to try to match an appropriate-sounding title to a tune yet give it..."
@skip
• 16 hours ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Help with tuning?:
Posted a new Comment on Help with tuning?:
"Just so you don't go to tight for the strings, Bass=D3, A=A3, dd=D4."
@ken-longfield
• 16 hours ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on @cindyc:
Posted a new Comment on @cindyc:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Cindyc. It's good to have you aboard. Let us know if you have any questions as you learn to play the mountain dulcimer. The is a friendly..."
@ken-longfield
• 16 hours ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Help with tuning?:
Posted a new Comment on Help with tuning?:
"Hi, Sylvia. Richard and Strumelia gave you the advice I would have given. I just want to correct your terminology. The "nut" is the small piece of wood,..."
@davisjames
• 17 hours ago
• comments: 0
Liked a music item created by @randy-adams: Whistlin' Rufus
Liked a music item created by @randy-adams: Whistlin' Rufus
@davisjames
• 17 hours ago
• comments: 0
Liked a music item created by @randy-adams: Grandfathers Clock
Liked a music item created by @randy-adams: Grandfathers Clock
@davisjames
• 17 hours ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on A Light in the Window:
Posted a new Comment on A Light in the Window:
"Another song without words!In my youth it was high praise to say"they can make the fiddle talk"."
@strumelia
• 19 hours ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Help with tuning?:
Posted a new Comment on Help with tuning?:
"One tip is to keep plucking the string as you turn a peg, so that you know two things:1) you are using the right tuning peg for the string you think you are..."
@robin-thompson
• 20 hours ago
• comments: 6
Liked a group discussions item created by @sylvia: Help with tuning?
Liked a group discussions item created by @sylvia: Help with tuning?
@sylvia
• 20 hours ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Help with tuning?:
Posted a new Comment on Help with tuning?:
"Richard, thank you! I’m a rank beginner. I learned very helpful info from your response. Yes , It makes good sense to start with the strings slack and then..."
@strumelia
• 20 hours ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Help with tuning?:
Posted a new Comment on Help with tuning?:
"Can you give us a little more description of exactly what kind of problems you are having in tuning your dulcimer?"
@strumelia
• 20 hours ago
• comments: 178
Posted a new Comment on @strumelia:
Posted a new Comment on @strumelia:
"Correct... if you were not logged in, you'd not be able to post anything on this site. You might find help in how to post new discussions (and how to do..."
@sylvia
• 20 hours ago
• comments: 6
Liked a group discussions item created by @sylvia: Help with tuning?
Liked a group discussions item created by @sylvia: Help with tuning?
@richard-streib
• 20 hours ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Help with tuning?:
Posted a new Comment on Help with tuning?:
"I don't know how much experience you have. You may want to slacken the strings a bit from there they are now and then slowly increase tension. Always adjust..."
@sylvia
• 21 hours ago
• comments: 6
Created a new Group discussion "Help with tuning?":
Created a new Group discussion "Help with tuning?":
"I am having a devil of a time tuning my new Dulcimer. It’s a McSpadden Ginger model, D-A-dd. I have an ordered an Snark electronic tuner . for now I’m..."
Beginner players
Beginner players
@shopdad
• 21 hours ago
• comments: 178
Posted a new Comment on @strumelia:
Posted a new Comment on @strumelia:
"I have been communicating with you so I can assume I am logged in. I didn't log in this AM. I don't recall ever logging out. I just "x" out of the site...."
@shopdad
• 21 hours ago
• comments: 178
Posted a new Comment on @strumelia:
Posted a new Comment on @strumelia:
"Good point. Makes sense. I noticed some of the responses I made were previous notes from a few years back. I wasn't sure if my comments would go into the..."
@strumelia
• 21 hours ago
• comments: 19
Posted a new Comment on @shopdad:
Posted a new Comment on @shopdad:
"Shopdad, i see yiou are posting comments on people's profile page 'comment walls', and you just now posted a comment on a Group's 'comment wall'.Posting..."
@shopdad
• 22 hours ago
• comments: 178
Posted a new Comment on @strumelia:
Posted a new Comment on @strumelia:
"I will try that too. I just posted some comments from other members. I'll see if I get a response from them. If no response in a few days I will log in again..."
@shopdad
• 22 hours ago
• comments: 18
Posted a new Comment on Hymn and Worship Song Players:
Posted a new Comment on Hymn and Worship Song Players:
"I'll fly away. I was raised in church and music became the most important part of my teen life and never changed. I enjoy playing and singing some of the old..."
@shopdad
• 23 hours ago
• comments: 10
Posted a new Comment on @nate:
Posted a new Comment on @nate:
"Nate, I see you posted a question back in 2013 about length of time to build a dulcimer. I'm sure by now you have had a multitude of answers. However, I..."
@shopdad
• 23 hours ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @jack-m:
Posted a new Comment on @jack-m:
"I've built 5 dulcimers. I consider the strum stick and can jo a dulcimer. They are three string. The other three are built to accommodate 4 strings but I..."
@strumelia
• yesterday
• comments: 19
Posted a new Comment on @shopdad:
Posted a new Comment on @shopdad:
"Your descriptions are suggesting to me that you are having trouble knowing whether you are actually logged in or logged out. Myself, i just leave me logged..."
@strumelia
• yesterday
• comments: 19
Posted a new Comment on @shopdad:
Posted a new Comment on @shopdad:
"Perhaps you had not been logged into FOTMD for a period of time, and you were required to LOG IN first in order to see and respond to posts? I think members..."
@shopdad
• yesterday
• comments: 19
Posted a new Comment on @shopdad:
Posted a new Comment on @shopdad:
"I am able to view these comments now. I don't recall clicking on "unjoin", but could have by accident, I believe they call it a senior moment.
As far as a..."
@wally-venable
• yesterday
• comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on Gardner Winter Music Festival:
Posted a new Comment on Gardner Winter Music Festival:
"GARDNER WINTER MUSIC FESTIVAL
February 27 & 28, 2026
South Middle School, Morgantown, WV
Traditional Appalachian Music,..."
@wendell-g
• yesterday
• comments: 0
Liked a forum discussions item created by @karen-b: Wanted: The “next” dulcimer
Liked a forum discussions item created by @karen-b: Wanted: The “next” dulcimer
@strumelia
• yesterday
• comments: 19
Posted a new Comment on @shopdad:
Posted a new Comment on @shopdad:
"Shopdad:
I see I'm getting responses (12) but when I click on them I get a notice, the page is not available.
Hi @Shopdad. Can you provide me with a..."
@ken-longfield
• 2 days ago
• comments: 19
Posted a new Comment on @shopdad:
Posted a new Comment on @shopdad:
"It's good to have you back. Can't help with the problems you are experiencing. I look forward to seeing some more of our instrument building.
Ken
"The..."
@benjamin-w-barr-jr
• 2 days ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @casserole:
Posted a new Comment on @casserole:
"Hi Casserole, 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..."
@benjamin-w-barr-jr
• 2 days ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @linda5076:
Posted a new Comment on @linda5076:
"Hi Linda, 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,..."
@robin-thompson
• 2 days ago
• comments: 1
Posted a new Comment on The Siege of Mariupol:
Posted a new Comment on The Siege of Mariupol:
"Jamie, this is a meaningful way to honor those soldiers in 2022 and the people of Ukraine today. "
@robin-thompson
• 2 days ago
• comments: 1
Liked a music item created by @davisjames: The Siege of Mariupol
Liked a music item created by @davisjames: The Siege of Mariupol
@shopdad
• 2 days ago
• comments: 19
Posted a new Comment on @shopdad:
Posted a new Comment on @shopdad:
"I see I'm getting responses (12) but when I click on them I get a notice, the page is not available. "
@shopdad
• 2 days ago
• comments: 19
Posted a new Comment on @shopdad:
Posted a new Comment on @shopdad:
"Well, looks like I'm still having problems with FOTMD site. I can get on occasionally (like now) but not receiving any feedback or post from others. I miss..."
@sylvia
• 3 days ago
• comments: 528
Posted a new Comment on @ken-longfield:
Posted a new Comment on @ken-longfield:
"Hi Ken,
I appreciate the welcome. As a beginner I am going to use the D A dd tuning. "
@davisjames
• 3 days ago
• comments: 4
Liked a youtube item created by @martin-oesterle: Down the river I go uncle Joe
Liked a youtube item created by @martin-oesterle: Down the river I go uncle Joe
@davisjames
• 3 days ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on extracts from FolkStream concert :
Posted a new Comment on extracts from FolkStream concert :
"Beautiful playing.I found it especially interesting how "Cascade" has grown....it was good before but now it's in full bloom."
@davisjames
• 3 days ago
• comments: 8
Liked a music item created by @robin-thompson: All the Abandoned Mines (with birds singing outside)
Liked a music item created by @robin-thompson: All the Abandoned Mines (with birds singing outside)
@strumelia
• 3 days ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Simple Gifts on My Latest Cherry Walnut Electric TD:
Posted a new Comment on Simple Gifts on My Latest Cherry Walnut Electric TD:
"Great added videos to show the differing effects, Jack. Thanks!"
@robin-thompson
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Low-maintenance/easy-to-play dulcimer models":
Posted a response to "Low-maintenance/easy-to-play dulcimer models":
"@casserole Here in Ohio, the air is quite dry in Winter and I assume the same for your climate. Be sure to never store a wooden instrument near a heat..."
@wally-venable
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Low-maintenance/easy-to-play dulcimer models":
Posted a response to "Low-maintenance/easy-to-play dulcimer models":
"You mentioned "Low-Maintenance." Provided that they are properly set up when purchased, lap dulcimers don't need much maintenance work except when a string..."
@casserole
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Low-maintenance/easy-to-play dulcimer models":
Posted a response to "Low-maintenance/easy-to-play dulcimer models":
"Thank you both so much for your help! I really needed a little boost of confidence before making the investment. I just placed an order on Reverb for an..."
@richard-streib
• 3 days ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @linda5076:
Posted a new Comment on @linda5076:
"Welcome Linda5076 to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. So glad you joined. You might consider joining the Beginner group on this forum. Please ask as you..."
Join a Group! All
Beginner players
Are you a brand new player? Join this group and ask all...
OLD STYLE Drone & Noter...
If you are an avid fan of the older traditional mountain...
Dulcimer Making
A group for those building dulcimers or interested in...
Modern/Chord style Players
Do you play chords and fret across all strings? Then...
Fingerpicking
A place to discuss fingerpicking styles of dulcimer...
Hymn and Worship Song Players
a place to share the hymns and worship songs we are playing.
The Music Theory Corner
A Group to talk about Music Theory!
Dulcimer Care & Maintenance
Tips, tricks and techniques to help care for your dulcimer.
Rockin' in the Free World
A group for those of you who like to play music not...
Mountain Dulcimer History &...
Share historical information and resources on the...
Technology/Software/Amplifying
to share info on all aspects of using tech: Amplifying,...
Singing with the Dulcimer
Here's a group for those of us who are interested in...
Arranging/composing for...
A group to discuss creating arrangements of songs and...
Four-Equidistant Strings
A place to share about 4-equidistant string playing, how...
Little Dulcimers
Do you play an octave, mini, or traveling dulcimer?
Baritone & Bass Dulcimer...
A Group for discussing the unique aspects of playing...
fans of Jean Ritchie
A group for those of us who have been inspired by...
Early & Classical Music
For discussing music from earlier eras: Ancient,...
Help Me Learn this Song
Need help learning to play a particular song? Let another...
I have extra frets.....
This group is for those who have a 1 1/2 fret, an 8 1/2...
Public Domain... or Not?
Ever wanted to record or post that tune, but you just...
Dulcimer Therapy
This group is dedicated to those that visit, or have a...
Home Studio Recording
Recording dulcimers, vocals and other instruments in the...
Dulcimer Ancestors
Looking at some of the ancestors of the Mountain...
Dulcimer teachers
Do you teach dulcimer? Are you helping others to learn?
Stick Dulcimers/Strumsticks
Regardless of what name you favor, this group is a...
Chromatic Dulcimers
For players who enjoy playing dulcimers with ALL the frets!
UK and European Mountain...
A group which hopefully allows players/makers in this...
Box Dulcimers
A group for those who play, make, or admire all types...
Galax Dulcimer Lovers
Just a group to discuss all things Galax Dulcimer. Tips...
Call the Tune
"Call the Tune" is a place to post audio and video...
Civil War era music
For discussing music that was played around the time of...
GIG TALK!
Do you play gigs? Tell us about your good and not-so-good...
Scrap/Recycled wood...
A group for those thrifty and creative folk who like to...
Rosin the Bow!
Welcome to all who play music using a bow on any type of...
Challenged Players
A meeting place for players dealing with disabilities.
NorthEastern U.S. dulcimer...
For those of us who live in the northeastern United States.
Virginia Dulcimer Players
Just thought it would be neet to know how many other...
Prayers, Hugs, and Kindness
A group for private sharing and support, whether you are...
6 string dulcimers
Owning and playing a 6 string, regardless of tuning, and...
California Dulcimer Dreamin'
For dulcimer players living in or just visiting California
North Carolinians Plus
The Three Sides of North Carolina: Mountains / Piedmont /...
Texas Dulcimer Enthusiasts
Howdy ya'll! Come on by for a cup o' joe and jammin....
Kentucky Dulcimer Players
A group for any players from Kentucky where we can meet...
West Virginia players
A group just for dulcimer players in beautiful West...
Florida Sunshine Dulcimer...
Florida Dulcimer Players
Pacific Northwest Players
For players who live in or have strong connections to the...
Missouri Dulcimer Players
for all the Show Me State dulcimer players
Indiana Players
Welcome all dulcimer players in the state of Indiana!...
North of the Lakes
for any MD players in Upper Canada (aka Ontario) and the...
Arkansas Mtn Dulcimer Players
For those who live in Arkansas and love playing the...
AussieTalk!
For dulcimer players in Australia.-Be sure to create...
Site Moderators Group
A private group to allow FOTMD moderators to communicate...
Latest Videos
All
Latest Forum Posts All
Low-maintenance/easy-to-pla...
Posted: Thursday January 15 2026, 9:11 AM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
chromatic V.S.L.
Posted: Monday January 12 2026, 4:57 PM
By: @Lilley Pad
By: @Lilley Pad
Family History & Tales of...
Posted: Friday January 9 2026, 10:34 AM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
More or less overtones
Posted: Wednesday January 7 2026, 4:06 PM
By: @Dwain Wilder
By: @Dwain Wilder
New editor looking for...
Posted: Monday January 5 2026, 5:36 AM
By: @Redmando
By: @Redmando
The Positive Thread...
Posted: Thursday January 1 2026, 4:51 PM
By: @Richard Streib
By: @Richard Streib
How do I create a new forum...
Posted: Wednesday December 31 2025, 5:25 PM
By: @Bob
By: @Bob
International Appalachian...
Posted: Tuesday December 30 2025, 9:37 AM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
My dulcimer collection
Posted: Tuesday December 30 2025, 9:34 AM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
Chet Hines “dulcimore”
Posted: Monday December 29 2025, 8:47 AM
By: @paula
By: @paula
At a Dinner Party
Posted: Friday December 26 2025, 5:39 PM
By: @Alex_Lubet
By: @Alex_Lubet
Two new reviews of my...
Posted: Friday December 26 2025, 1:09 PM
By: @Alex_Lubet
By: @Alex_Lubet
A Very Merry Christmas to...
Posted: Thursday December 25 2025, 5:10 PM
By: @RobMachin
By: @RobMachin
Is it worth gifting this...
Posted: Wednesday December 24 2025, 7:30 PM
By: @hugssandi
By: @hugssandi
Ever seen an epinette like...
Posted: Wednesday December 24 2025, 1:55 PM
By: @Mark Gilston
By: @Mark Gilston
How Many Dulcimers Do You...
Posted: Monday December 22 2025, 1:26 PM
By: @RDaleMc
By: @RDaleMc
Directing Facebook Dulcimer...
Posted: Monday December 22 2025, 1:21 PM
By: @RDaleMc
By: @RDaleMc
Peterson Tuner
Posted: Sunday December 21 2025, 4:17 PM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
Plucked psaltries
Posted: Wednesday December 17 2025, 6:22 PM
By: @Mr. Woolery
By: @Mr. Woolery
Western North Carolina...
Posted: Tuesday December 16 2025, 4:24 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Retuning
Posted: Wednesday December 10 2025, 6:31 AM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
Blue Lion Soprano Dulcimer...
Posted: Monday December 8 2025, 10:29 AM
By: @Debi
By: @Debi
Cyndi Lauper live
Posted: Sunday November 30 2025, 10:47 AM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
Playing with hand issues
Posted: Friday November 28 2025, 1:51 PM
By: @John Pettreemusic
By: @John Pettreemusic
Shifting bridge and nut
Posted: Sunday November 23 2025, 10:03 PM
By: @Shopdad
By: @Shopdad
Leveling of frets - why?
Posted: Sunday November 23 2025, 9:33 PM
By: @Shopdad
By: @Shopdad
Cyndi Lauper Walk Away Renee
Posted: Thursday November 20 2025, 2:37 PM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
Searching for tab for...
Posted: Saturday November 15 2025, 1:02 AM
By: @Dusty Turtle
By: @Dusty Turtle
Goodbye my old friend
Posted: Thursday November 13 2025, 10:30 AM
By: @John Pettreemusic
By: @John Pettreemusic
Blue Lion model IIRS; Style...
Posted: Tuesday November 11 2025, 9:31 AM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
Read the Site Rules
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Ken Longfield  |
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