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
@john-petry
• 2 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Goodbye my old friend ":
Posted a response to "Goodbye my old friend ":
"For what it is worth, having had several dogs through the years. I share in your sorrow, and wish you well.
This poem from Mr. Kipling sums things up..."
@richard-streib
• 4 hours ago
• comments: 1
Posted a new Comment on @darlene:
Posted a new Comment on @darlene:
"Welcome Darlene to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. So glad you have joined. This is a wonderful community of mountain dulcimer enthusiasts. Look around a..."
@robin-thompson
• 7 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Goodbye my old friend ":
Posted a response to "Goodbye my old friend ":
"Noni was a beautiful little girl and my heart is with you, Lilley Pad. At our house, dogs are family. <3
All our dogs who have died still live in our..."
@robin-thompson
• 7 hours ago
• comments: 0
Liked a forum discussions item created by @lilley-pad: Goodbye my old friend
Liked a forum discussions item created by @lilley-pad: Goodbye my old friend
@lilley-pad
• 8 hours ago
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "Goodbye my old friend ":
Created a new forum topic "Goodbye my old friend ":
"I know this is not the right Forum but I just needed to vent I apologize
NO NONI Goodbye my old friend
It looks like it's a sad day for me. Today Friday I..."
@dusty
• 8 hours ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on Plagiarism first dulcimer:
Posted a new Comment on Plagiarism first dulcimer:
"Jack, David Beede is a member here, although he has not been very active recently. He also has a website with lots of information on his dulcimers and..."
@jack-m
• 9 hours ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on Plagiarism first dulcimer:
Posted a new Comment on Plagiarism first dulcimer:
"Dusty,
Thanks for your encouragement!
When I do the next step in designing the structure holding the fingerboard it will be explained. I am thinking about..."
@jack-m
• 10 hours ago
• comments: 3
Liked a group discussions item created by @jack-m: Plagiarism first dulcimer
Liked a group discussions item created by @jack-m: Plagiarism first dulcimer
@wally-venable
• 11 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Advice for fire-damaged dulcimer":
Posted a response to "Advice for fire-damaged dulcimer":
"I'm pretty much in agreement with John, a combination of heat softening of the glue and string tension resulted in separation of the "flat head." I would..."
@robin-thompson
• 12 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Advice for fire-damaged dulcimer":
Posted a response to "Advice for fire-damaged dulcimer":
"Oh, I am so very sorry you had a house fire!
My concern is repair would be very expensive. Thus, you may be better-off looking for another instrument...."
@john-petry
• 23 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Advice for fire-damaged dulcimer":
Posted a response to "Advice for fire-damaged dulcimer":
"Amazing how it got so scorched, and without touching the case! Just kidding. I hope all are doing well since the fire.
I don't know of any luthiers near..."
@dusty
• 23 hours ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Myfanwy:
Posted a new Comment on Myfanwy:
"Thanks for listening, @Olddog75. In my mind the dulcimer excels at these slow, simple, pretty songs. Everyone loves a good fiddle tune, but they're made..."
@dusty
• 23 hours ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on Plagiarism first dulcimer:
Posted a new Comment on Plagiarism first dulcimer:
"Good luck with this project, @jack-m. I have a gorgeous nylon-string dulcimer made by Bob. The "floating" fretboard is brilliant, I think. David Beede also..."
@jack-m
• yesterday
• comments: 3
Created a new Group discussion "Plagiarism first dulcimer":
Created a new Group discussion "Plagiarism first dulcimer":
"I've spent a lot of time online lately learning about dulcimers and was most impressed by Bob Stephen's website and dulcimers. A short exchange with Bob was..."
Dulcimer Making
Dulcimer Making
@benjamin-w-barr-jr
• yesterday
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @sims-hill:
Posted a new Comment on @sims-hill:
"Hi Sims, 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,..."
@benjamin-w-barr-jr
• yesterday
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @elizabeth-young:
Posted a new Comment on @elizabeth-young:
"Hi Elizabeth, 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
• yesterday
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @sue-h:
Posted a new Comment on @sue-h:
"Hi Sue, 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,..."
@benjamin-w-barr-jr
• yesterday
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @dave-casey:
Posted a new Comment on @dave-casey:
"Hi Dave, 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,..."
@benjamin-w-barr-jr
• yesterday
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @dulcimer-naples:
Posted a new Comment on @dulcimer-naples:
"Hi D. Naples, 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
• yesterday
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @jean-e:
Posted a new Comment on @jean-e:
"Hi Jean, 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,..."
@bonnieannie
• yesterday
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "Advice for fire-damaged dulcimer":
Created a new forum topic "Advice for fire-damaged dulcimer":
"Hello all! Hope you're doing well. I've posted on FOTMD a couple times in the past, most recently for advice about what to look for when buying my first..."
@robert-schuler
• yesterday
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Little Red Lark:
Posted a new Comment on Little Red Lark:
"Very nice...Robert "
@davisjames
• yesterday
• comments: 1
Posted a new Comment on Skin and Bones:
Posted a new Comment on Skin and Bones:
"Good man,Mark.That's great.Reminds me of the 50's when children like me had a complete imaginary life independent from our parents,haunted houses,girls'..."
@ken-longfield
• yesterday
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @jean-e:
Posted a new Comment on @jean-e:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Jean E. It's good to have you aboard. Playing with a noter is fun. I play with a noter group every Tuesday night. I hope you enjoy looking..."
@jean-e
• yesterday
• comments: 357
Posted a new Comment on @richard-streib:
Posted a new Comment on @richard-streib:
"Thank you very much, Richard. I'll be sure to check out your suggestions and look forward to being part of the group."
@davisjames
• yesterday
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Little Red Lark:
Posted a new Comment on Little Red Lark:
"Hey Dusty.I was not aware of the lyrics(I am now,thanks to the internet yesterday).Very interesting...the melody's contours are the same but some of the..."
@dulcimer-naples
• 2 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @dulcimer-naples:
Posted a new Comment on @dulcimer-naples:
"Any Dulcimer players in the Naples area?"
@shopdad
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "How Many Dulcimers Do You Own? ":
Posted a response to "How Many Dulcimers Do You Own? ":
"Five. One is a kit dulcimer by Cedar Creek. It all began when I ordered an antique Fishtail Dulcimer by Hughes in the mid 70's. The next three are home..."
@richard-streib
• 2 days ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @jean-e:
Posted a new Comment on @jean-e:
"Welcome Jean E. So glad to have you join Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. There is a lot of information here. Look around and see all there is. There is..."
@dusty
• 2 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Little Red Lark:
Posted a new Comment on Little Red Lark:
"That's really nice playing, Jamie. Sensitive rendition of the melody. And yes, the approach is reminiscent of Robin & Mark. I think this tune has..."
@robin-thompson
• 2 days ago
• comments: 4
Liked a music item created by @davisjames: Little Red Lark
Liked a music item created by @davisjames: Little Red Lark
@robin-thompson
• 2 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Little Red Lark:
Posted a new Comment on Little Red Lark:
"Jamie, what a pretty tune! It takes two of us to do what one of you can do-- major respect from us to you."
@olddog75
• 2 days ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Myfanwy:
Posted a new Comment on Myfanwy:
"Wow, such a nice tune, Dusty. Thanks for posting it so all our ears could hear it, too."
@dusty
• 2 days ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Myfanwy:
Posted a new Comment on Myfanwy:
"Thanks for your comments, Robin & Strumelia. I am playing a cherry/redwood dulcimer by Terry McCafferty tuned CGc.
You can learn a bit about the song,..."
@strumelia
• 2 days ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Myfanwy:
Posted a new Comment on Myfanwy:
"Sometimes it's the 'simple' old tunes that have the most charm. Just lovely, Dusty! Please tell us a bit about the dulcimer you played it on. "
@robin-thompson
• 3 days ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Myfanwy:
Posted a new Comment on Myfanwy:
"Such a pretty tune and you play it beautifully, Dusty. "
@ken-longfield
• 3 days ago
• comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on Open Tuning:
Posted a new Comment on Open Tuning:
"I forgot about D F# A tuning. Thanks for reminding me. The only time I've ever used it was in a workshop at dulcimer festival. I'll try to climb out of the..."
@dusty
• 3 days ago
• comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on Open Tuning:
Posted a new Comment on Open Tuning:
"Ken Longfield: Could you get a full chord by using four equidistant strings and tuning of them to F#?
Yes, you could. You don't even need a fourth..."
@ken-longfield
• 3 days ago
• comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on Open Tuning:
Posted a new Comment on Open Tuning:
"Could you get a full chord by using four equidistant strings and tuning of them to F#?
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
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...
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....
6 string dulcimers
Owning and playing a 6 string, regardless of tuning, and...
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
All
![Maggie Darling[tearjerker on the teardrop].](https://fotmd.com/uploaded_audio/image/audio_image/1323/large/crop=auto)
Latest Forum Posts All
Goodbye my old friend
Posted: Sunday November 9 2025, 5:39 PM
By: @John Pettreemusic
By: @John Pettreemusic
Advice for fire-damaged...
Posted: Sunday November 9 2025, 9:27 AM
By: @Wally Venable
By: @Wally Venable
How Many Dulcimers Do You...
Posted: Friday November 7 2025, 8:59 PM
By: @Shopdad
By: @Shopdad
History of Pinewoods folk...
Posted: Tuesday November 4 2025, 8:55 PM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
Child ballads playlist on...
Posted: Friday October 31 2025, 7:26 PM
By: @Dusty Turtle
By: @Dusty Turtle
equal intonation versus...
Posted: Friday October 31 2025, 5:30 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
the bridge “saddle”
Posted: Friday October 31 2025, 5:05 PM
By: @Nate
By: @Nate
TK O'Brien Walnut Creek...
Posted: Friday October 31 2025, 10:40 AM
By: @BJ Jordan
By: @BJ Jordan
Listing A Dulcimer For Sale
Posted: Tuesday October 28 2025, 5:57 PM
By: @Old Dawg
By: @Old Dawg
Blue Lion model IIRS; Style...
Posted: Tuesday October 28 2025, 3:51 PM
By: @Jill Geary
By: @Jill Geary
Approximate age/info about...
Posted: Saturday October 25 2025, 10:59 PM
By: @Dusty Turtle
By: @Dusty Turtle
Wedge shaped floating bridge
Posted: Monday October 20 2025, 1:01 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
David Lynch Baritone
Posted: Friday October 17 2025, 4:16 PM
By: @todd metcalf
By: @todd metcalf
A review of my new album
Posted: Thursday October 16 2025, 4:06 PM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
Folkcraft dulcimer,1993,...
Posted: Wednesday October 15 2025, 12:31 AM
By: @todd metcalf
By: @todd metcalf
Extended Range Dulcimer
Posted: Thursday October 9 2025, 9:56 AM
By: @Marko
By: @Marko
A question about intonating...
Posted: Monday October 6 2025, 11:06 AM
By: @Skip
By: @Skip
Anybody familiar with...
Posted: Tuesday September 30 2025, 6:07 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
A track from my new album
Posted: Tuesday September 23 2025, 5:45 PM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
jubilee
Posted: Saturday September 20 2025, 1:53 PM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
Amy Levy: Songs of Love...
Posted: Friday September 19 2025, 12:07 PM
By: @Alex_Lubet
By: @Alex_Lubet
Wanted: The “next” dulcimer
Posted: Thursday September 18 2025, 9:28 PM
By: @Steve Kenny
By: @Steve Kenny
More or less overtones
Posted: Thursday September 18 2025, 8:55 PM
By: @John Pettreemusic
By: @John Pettreemusic
Stringing a Cripple Creek...
Posted: Thursday September 18 2025, 8:02 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
A review of my new album
Posted: Tuesday September 16 2025, 2:25 PM
By: @Alex_Lubet
By: @Alex_Lubet
Want to buy Warren A. May...
Posted: Monday September 15 2025, 6:23 PM
By: @Jill Geary
By: @Jill Geary
Jean Ritchie and her ballad...
Posted: Monday September 15 2025, 12:47 PM
By: @DavisJames
By: @DavisJames
Hello friends, Does anyone...
Posted: Friday September 12 2025, 1:56 PM
By: @sandbar17
By: @sandbar17
How to tune a 22 vsl...
Posted: Sunday September 7 2025, 7:02 PM
By: @Misty
By: @Misty
Introduce Yourself!
Posted: Sunday September 7 2025, 4:03 PM
By: @Jack M
By: @Jack M
Read the Site Rules
Our Welcome Wagon!
3 CHEERS to our Volunteer Greeters ...for making new members feel right at home :
Jim Fawcett  |
Benjamin Barr  |
Richard Streib  |
Ken Longfield  |
Single Instructor Events / Classifieds
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