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
@nate
• 29 minutes ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on How do Possum Boards REALLY work?:
Posted a new Comment on How do Possum Boards REALLY work?:
"Dan:
That's why a dulcimore has feet!
It's funny how those little feet are actually quite a bit more convenient than a modern possum board. Rather than..."
@nate
• 33 minutes ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on How do Possum Boards REALLY work?:
Posted a new Comment on How do Possum Boards REALLY work?:
"Strumelia:
It's kind of like how when you place a music box on a wooden table, it suddenly becomes twice and resonant and twice the volume... the tabletop..."
@davisjames
• 5 hours ago
• comments: 0
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: Falcons (Sokoly)
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: Falcons (Sokoly)
@ken-longfield
• 5 hours ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on How do Possum Boards REALLY work?:
Posted a new Comment on How do Possum Boards REALLY work?:
"Dan:
That's why a dulcimore has feet!
Yes, Dan, as did many of the PA German zitters. Sometimes on the old ones that don't have them you can see where..."
@strumelia
• 7 hours ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on How do Possum Boards REALLY work?:
Posted a new Comment on How do Possum Boards REALLY work?:
"It's kind of like how when you place a music box on a wooden table, it suddenly becomes twice and resonant and twice the volume... the tabletop itself is..."
@dan
• 9 hours ago
• comments: 5
Liked a youtube item created by @nate: How do Possum Boards REALLY work?
Liked a youtube item created by @nate: How do Possum Boards REALLY work?
@dan
• 9 hours ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on How do Possum Boards REALLY work?:
Posted a new Comment on How do Possum Boards REALLY work?:
"That's why a dulcimore has feet!"
@ken-longfield
• 14 hours ago
• comments: 5
Liked a youtube item created by @nate: How do Possum Boards REALLY work?
Liked a youtube item created by @nate: How do Possum Boards REALLY work?
@ken-longfield
• 23 hours ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on @uncle-malc:
Posted a new Comment on @uncle-malc:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Uncle Malc. You will find a lot of information here about the mountain dulcimer here. If you have questions, please ask as we have a very..."
@richard-streib
• 23 hours ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on @uncle-malc:
Posted a new Comment on @uncle-malc:
"Welcome Uncle Malc to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. Glad you joined. This is a great community of wonderful dulcimer folks. Look around and see what..."
@uncle-malc
• yesterday
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "Wanted: David Beede 3 String full size dulcimer":
Created a new forum topic "Wanted: David Beede 3 String full size dulcimer":
"Looking for a used David Beede chromatic three string"
@strumelia
• yesterday
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Randy Wilkinson tab book for Elizabethan Music":
Posted a response to "Randy Wilkinson tab book for Elizabethan Music":
"Dusty Turtle:
Folks, I've recently learned that Randy Wilkinson is living in Arizona and will send a pdf of his books for a nominal fee. If anyone wants his..."
@dusty
• 2 days ago
• comments: 6
Liked a music item created by @beth-t: Ble'r wyt ti'n myned? (Where are you going?)
Liked a music item created by @beth-t: Ble'r wyt ti'n myned? (Where are you going?)
@dusty
• 2 days ago
• comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on Zero Fret:
Posted a new Comment on Zero Fret:
"Yeah, it's also the ease with which a string slides across the metal fret compared to being pulled through the wood or bone or micarta or whatever of the..."
@nate
• 2 days ago
• comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on Zero Fret:
Posted a new Comment on Zero Fret:
"I hadnt thought about that Dusty, but it makes sense that the more space between the zero fret and the spacer, the more you'd be able to bend the string..."
@dusty
• 2 days ago
• comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on Zero Fret:
Posted a new Comment on Zero Fret:
"From a player's perspective, a zero fret has the advantage that it minimizes the difference in tone between an open string and a fretted string. It also..."
@ken-longfield
• 2 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @ricco:
Posted a new Comment on @ricco:
"Ricco, I think Richard's answer to your question maybe a little confusing as he seems to have left out a step. At the top of the page you will see: "Home..."
@richard-streib
• 2 days ago
• comments: 328
Posted a new Comment on @richard-streib:
Posted a new Comment on @richard-streib:
"Ricco, on the home page on the right side banner the dulcimer making group is the third one down. Click on it, On the next page at the top click on join..."
@nate
• 2 days ago
• comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on Zero Fret:
Posted a new Comment on Zero Fret:
"In my opinion the time difference is pretty negligible, since you still have to make, dress, and install an extra fret as well as making slot for the..."
@wally-venable
• 2 days ago
• comments: 14
Posted a new Comment on Northern WV Dulcimer Doings:
Posted a new Comment on Northern WV Dulcimer Doings:
"Winter Jam – Mixed AcousticSaturday, February 8, 2025 - 10:00AM – 3:00PMCentral United Methodist Church301 Fairmont Ave. Fairmont WV
Always a mix of lap and..."
@davisjames
• 2 days ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Ble'r wyt ti'n myned? (Where are you going?):
Posted a new Comment on Ble'r wyt ti'n myned? (Where are you going?):
"This melody reminds me of a number of "rogue meets maid" songs from Newfoundland,usually in a minor key.The alternative,"rogue turns out to be a..."
@dusty
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Randy Wilkinson tab book for Elizabethan Music":
Posted a response to "Randy Wilkinson tab book for Elizabethan Music":
"Folks, I've recently learned that Randy Wilkinson is living in Arizona and will send a pdf of his books for a nominal fee. If anyone wants his email, please..."
@wally-venable
• 2 days ago
• comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on Zero Fret:
Posted a new Comment on Zero Fret:
"While posting a response to an inquiry about string gauges I had a thought about the use of the Zero Fret.
I suspect that one reason for using one is that it..."
@ggray
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "String Gauge Combination Questions":
Posted a response to "String Gauge Combination Questions":
"Very helpful, thanks!"
@susie
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Back to the Bowed Psaltery ":
Posted a response to "Back to the Bowed Psaltery ":
"Ken Longfield:
That's a beautiful psaltery, Susie. Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less from Masterworks. I am sure it will give you many hours of..."
@nate
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
"Thank you very much Sam, that's really kind of you to say and I'm glad that you find it cool."
@wally-venable
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "String Gauge Combination Questions":
Posted a response to "String Gauge Combination Questions":
"I think any "set" on the market will be fine on any more-or-less standard dulcimer in CGG, DAA, DAD and DAC tuning. There is no reason to try to out smart..."
@ricco
• 3 days ago
• comments: 328
Posted a new Comment on @richard-streib:
Posted a new Comment on @richard-streib:
"How do I actually find the Dulcimer Maki g group?
Thank you,
Ricco"
@ricco
• 3 days ago
• comments: 578
Posted a new Comment on @benjamin-w-barr-jr:
Posted a new Comment on @benjamin-w-barr-jr:
"Ben,
Thanks so much for you welcoming words. I look forward to digging in to all the resources.
Ricco"
@sam-edelston
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
"OMG, Nate, not relevant to the topic of this thread, but that aquavina dulcimer is fascinating. Folks, check this out. youtu.be/ZpglYv9SxOU"
@nate
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
"@mark-gilston
That is a lot of food for thought and i have a ton of respect for your opinion, so thank you very much for taking the time to share it.
The..."
@nate
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
"I hear that Gale! I build aquavina dulcimers, which have only existed for a couple decades and I know of less than 5 people that have built them. What i..."
@mark-gilston
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
"It's important to remember that any dulcimer sounds very different from a guitar, so the comparison of a chromatic dulcimer with a 3 string guitar is..."
@gale-a-barr
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
"I love my chromatic dulcimers and tend to play them the most out of my collection but I still like my diatonics. I see the chromatic as an evolution of the..."
@ggray
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "String Gauge Combination Questions":
Created a new forum topic "String Gauge Combination Questions":
"Assuming I wanted to stay Ionian but three strings only, would 22-10-10 be a concern? I haven't looked elsewhere, but the only Ionian string set sold by..."
@nate
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
"The chromatic dulcimer is one of the most contentious topics ive noticed surrounding dulcimer. The traditional significance and cultural value are some of..."
@sam-edelston
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
"Thanks, John. And thanks for asking.
The album is available at edelstondulcimer.bandcamp.com/album/making-waves , and you can even preview it to see if you..."
@john-petry
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
"No insult intended....just my attempt at humor.
And where, pray tell, is your album available?"
@sam-edelston
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
"s11141827 spoke accurately. Chromatic dulcimers are more popular than they used to be.
For people who choose to play only diatonic tunes - and especially..."
@john-petry
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
"Perhaps Beef liver, or poison Ivy rashes......"
@wally-venable
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
""Chromatic Dulcimers are becoming more popular" Than what?
Many, many more new violins are purchased each year than dulcimers. Probably many millions more.
I..."
@homer-ross
• 3 days ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on What Ever Happened to Randy Wilkinson:
Posted a new Comment on What Ever Happened to Randy Wilkinson:
"Good to know he is alive and well. His recording and book had a big impact on me and would recommend both."
@s11141827
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
"Chromatic Dulcimers are becoming more popular"
@ggray
• 3 days ago
• comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on @william:
Posted a new Comment on @william:
"Or you can use ggray79@outlook.com. Thanks!"
@dusty
• 4 days ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on What Ever Happened to Randy Wilkinson:
Posted a new Comment on What Ever Happened to Randy Wilkinson:
"I recently learned that Randy Wilkinson is alive and well and living in Arizona. He sells pdf copies of his books for a nominal fee. I don't want to share..."
@william
• 4 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @ggray:
Posted a new Comment on @ggray:
"I am not 100% sure that I figured out how to contact you about dulcimer players in Waco. Let me try this and see if it works."
@benjamin-w-barr-jr
• 4 days ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @eh:
Posted a new Comment on @eh:
"Hi EH, 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, and..."
@jim-yates
• 4 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Dulcimer music tab for rounds":
Posted a response to "Dulcimer music tab for rounds":
"I recall Music Alone Shall Live as a 3 dulcimer round at our local folk club back before the turn of the century. We used DAA tuning. Music Alone Shall..."
@ken-longfield
• 4 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Back to the Bowed Psaltery ":
Posted a response to "Back to the Bowed Psaltery ":
"That's a beautiful psaltery, Susie. Of course, I wouldn't expect anything less from Masterworks. I am sure it will give you many hours of enjoyment. Thank..."
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...
Baritone & Bass Dulcimer...
A Group for discussing the unique aspects of playing...
Little Dulcimers
Do you play an octave, mini, or traveling dulcimer?
fans of Jean Ritchie
A group for those of us who have been inspired by...
Four-Equidistant Strings
A place to share about 4-equidistant string playing, how...
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...
Early & Classical Music
For discussing music from earlier eras: Ancient,...
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 teachers
Do you teach dulcimer? Are you helping others to learn?
Dulcimer Ancestors
Looking at some of the ancestors of the Mountain...
Stick Dulcimers/Strumsticks
Regardless of what name you favor, this group is a...
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...
Chromatic Dulcimers
For players who enjoy playing dulcimers with ALL the frets!
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...
GIG TALK!
Do you play gigs? Tell us about your good and not-so-good...
Civil War era music
For discussing music that was played around the time of...
Scrap/Recycled wood...
A group for those thrifty and creative folk who like to...
Challenged Players
A meeting place for players dealing with disabilities.
Rosin the Bow!
Welcome to all who play music using a bow on any type of...
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...
California Dulcimer Dreamin'
For dulcimer players living in or just visiting California
Texas Dulcimer Enthusiasts
Howdy ya'll! Come on by for a cup o' joe and jammin....
6 string dulcimers
Owning and playing a 6 string, regardless of tuning, and...
North Carolinians Plus
The Three Sides of North Carolina: Mountains / Piedmont /...
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...
FOTMD on the Road
Are your traveling, on vacation, on your way to a...
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
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Latest Forum Posts All
Wanted: David Beede 3...
Posted: Thursday January 16 2025, 5:54 PM
By: @Uncle Malc
By: @Uncle Malc
Randy Wilkinson tab book...
Posted: Thursday January 16 2025, 11:03 AM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
String Gauge Combination...
Posted: Wednesday January 15 2025, 10:20 AM
By: @ggray
By: @ggray
Back to the Bowed Psaltery
Posted: Wednesday January 15 2025, 7:49 AM
By: @Susie
By: @Susie
to get chromatic or not
Posted: Wednesday January 15 2025, 2:57 AM
By: @Nate
By: @Nate
Dulcimer music tab for rounds
Posted: Monday January 13 2025, 7:47 PM
By: @Jim Yates
By: @Jim Yates
The Drifting Thread...
Posted: Monday January 13 2025, 5:00 PM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
2024 Folkroots dulcimer...
Posted: Saturday January 11 2025, 10:25 AM
By: @gerardo1000
By: @gerardo1000
Any body have an idea what...
Posted: Saturday January 11 2025, 7:11 AM
By: @Mick McLaughlin
By: @Mick McLaughlin
Hammered Dulcimer EXR
Posted: Saturday January 11 2025, 2:46 AM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Balalaika, the most...
Posted: Friday January 10 2025, 9:54 PM
By: @Jim Yates
By: @Jim Yates
Wanted: info on my dulcimer
Posted: Friday January 10 2025, 8:12 AM
By: @cairney
By: @cairney
Anyone here from UK?
Posted: Friday January 10 2025, 8:03 AM
By: @cairney
By: @cairney
String vibrates
Posted: Wednesday January 8 2025, 8:35 PM
By: @Nate
By: @Nate
Hello! Anyone know about...
Posted: Monday January 6 2025, 6:04 PM
By: @Nate
By: @Nate
What Are You Working On?
Posted: Sunday January 5 2025, 2:16 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
FOTMD needs your support
Posted: Wednesday January 1 2025, 12:43 AM
By: @Maddie Myers
By: @Maddie Myers
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL FOMTD...
Posted: Tuesday December 31 2024, 7:02 PM
By: @Richard Streib
By: @Richard Streib
instrument question-...
Posted: Tuesday December 31 2024, 3:38 PM
By: @Nate
By: @Nate
Question for newbie on a...
Posted: Sunday December 29 2024, 12:34 AM
By: @Dusty Turtle
By: @Dusty Turtle
One other question '78...
Posted: Friday December 27 2024, 11:11 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Warren May Special dulcimer...
Posted: Friday December 27 2024, 12:02 AM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
Scallops between the frets
Posted: Wednesday December 25 2024, 1:48 PM
By: @Dwain Wilder
By: @Dwain Wilder
Happy Christmas to ya!!!
Posted: Tuesday December 24 2024, 8:24 AM
By: @Dan
By: @Dan
Three Strings or Four ?
Posted: Sunday December 22 2024, 12:52 PM
By: @Nate
By: @Nate
Shipping costs question
Posted: Saturday December 21 2024, 4:57 PM
By: @tonyg
By: @tonyg
dulcimer kit
Posted: Friday December 20 2024, 9:37 PM
By: @John C. Knopf
By: @John C. Knopf
Recent acquisitions...
Posted: Tuesday December 17 2024, 10:26 AM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Optimum spacing for the two...
Posted: Monday December 16 2024, 4:21 PM
By: @ggray
By: @ggray
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