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
@strumelia
• 10 minutes ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Showing support for FOTMD ?":
Posted a response to "Showing support for FOTMD ?":
"Greetings FOTMD friends!
This is a gentle reminder about the cost of keeping this site up and running for over fifteen years now.
There have been very few..."
@jal
• 43 minutes ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Looking fo a NH Pudge Pro":
Posted a response to "Looking fo a NH Pudge Pro":
"Good evening, sorry for the late reply.
What is the asking price please?
TiA"
@dplake
• 59 minutes ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Nylon String Dulcimer, Stephens Lutherie, Maple and Spruce":
Posted a response to "Nylon String Dulcimer, Stephens Lutherie, Maple and Spruce":
"SOLD. - Off to a good home"
@gordon-hardy
• an hour ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Juanita:
Posted a new Comment on Juanita:
"A lovely song John. Sweetly played and sung. Thanks for sharing your visual art work as well."
@robin-thompson
• 3 hours ago
• comments: 0
Liked a forum discussions item created by @parker-buckley: Mize Dulcimer For Sale
Liked a forum discussions item created by @parker-buckley: Mize Dulcimer For Sale
@parker-buckley
• 4 hours ago
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "Mize Dulcimer For Sale":
Created a new forum topic "Mize Dulcimer For Sale":
"Really nice dulcimer built in 1989 by Robert Mize who was featured in the Foxfire 3 book. I’m pretty sure the body is cherry, but I’m unsure of the top..."
@jeannie
• 20 hours ago
• comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
"Ken Hulme:
Have you used a tiny screwdriver to tighten the little screws at the ends of the tuning knobs? That's one way to help things stay in tune better...."
@benjamin-w-barr-jr
• yesterday
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @gerardo1000:
Posted a new Comment on @gerardo1000:
"Hi Gerado, 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,..."
@geneco
• yesterday
• comments: 322
Posted a new Comment on @richard-streib:
Posted a new Comment on @richard-streib:
"Richard I will join that thread and look forward to good information from knowledgeable people.
Gene"
@geneco
• yesterday
• comments: 477
Posted a new Comment on @ken-longfield:
Posted a new Comment on @ken-longfield:
"Ken I am new to this world of instruments but am looking forward to making and sharing.
Gene"
@geneco
• yesterday
• comments: 572
Posted a new Comment on @benjamin-w-barr-jr:
Posted a new Comment on @benjamin-w-barr-jr:
"Thanks Ben I hope to learn more about constructing and playing.
Gene"
@randy-adams
• 2 days ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on 031124:
Posted a new Comment on 031124:
"I got it cranked Robin : )"
@pattyfromor
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "String guages for slide dulcimer":
Posted a response to "String guages for slide dulcimer":
"Sorry for the bad link. Thanks for correcting it. I actually think the calculator at the UK address is far more interesting to play with. I just rechecked..."
@robin-thompson
• 2 days ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on 031124:
Posted a new Comment on 031124:
"Wow, that noter and building electrified your old-time dulcimer sound! Pretty doggone cool. "
@ken-hulme
• 2 days ago
• comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
"Dave made some fabulous instruments, and tuned them the way you wanted them tuned. DAd vs CGG is no big deal. The same string gauges will work for both..."
@nate
• 3 days ago
• comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
"When it comes to string physics, there are three factors to achieving a desired note: length of string, gauge of string, and tension of string. The length of..."
@ken-longfield
• 3 days ago
• comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
"Jeannie, I play a lot of noter drone and I like the sound of a plain, rather than wound string, for that style of playing. On reproductions I made of C.N...."
@skip
• 3 days ago
• comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
"Since your fingertips are telling you something I recommend you wait until you get your mic then measure whats on there now. Use those sizes for new strings...."
@nate
• 3 days ago
• comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
"In general, a lighter string (also called a lower gauge) will transmit less energy to the soundbox than a heavier string. (also called a higher gauge ) Light..."
@cindy-stammich
• 3 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Juanita:
Posted a new Comment on Juanita:
"John, another lovely song that I was not familiar with. Thank you for sharing! The painting is I beautiful touch, and I always enjoy the introductions you..."
@jeannie
• 3 days ago
• comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
"Nate, thank you, that's an interesting point, too. I foresee a strong possibility of several string changes with different configurations before I figure out..."
@jeannie
• 3 days ago
• comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
"If I used that calculator correctly, it produces the very interesting result of 0.015, 0.015, and 0.023. (When you talk about an increased gauge number, do..."
@nate
• 3 days ago
• comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
"One thing to know is that dulcimer strings are VERY light gauge compared to a lot of other instruments. On a 26" VSL guitar with 30 pounds of tension per..."
@ken-longfield
• 3 days ago
• comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
"You definitely will want to use different strings for CGG than DAd. We talk of string gauges not weight. The gauge of a string is measured in inches. I..."
@md-swede
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: I Kto Ego Znaet (Who Knows Him?)
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: I Kto Ego Znaet (Who Knows Him?)
@richard-streib
• 3 days ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @gerardo1000:
Posted a new Comment on @gerardo1000:
"Great to have you join, gerardo1000 . Welcome to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. Best wishes on your dulcimer journey. Ask questions as you have them...."
@richard-streib
• 3 days ago
• comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
Posted a new Comment on Setting up for CGG:
"Congratulations on getting a David Lynch dulcimer. He was a great builder and made fine dulcimers..
First thing, strings and string gauges. Definitely..."
@ken-longfield
• 3 days ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @gerardo1000:
Posted a new Comment on @gerardo1000:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Gerardo1000. It's good to have you aboard. I hope you stick around after you sell your Folkcraft dulcimer. It looks to be all cherry. I..."
@ken-longfield
• 3 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @jeannie:
Posted a new Comment on @jeannie:
"Only some? Haha, there are a lot of them. Glad you enjoyed the ones you read.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@jeannie
• 3 days ago
• comments: 572
Posted a new Comment on @benjamin-w-barr-jr:
Posted a new Comment on @benjamin-w-barr-jr:
"Thank you, Ben. Nice to meet you!"
@jeannie
• 3 days ago
• comments: 477
Posted a new Comment on @ken-longfield:
Posted a new Comment on @ken-longfield:
"Thank you, Ken. I've enjoyed reading some of your posts. "
@parker-buckley
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "Warren May Dulcimer For Sale":
Created a new forum topic "Warren May Dulcimer For Sale":
"Warren May traditional dulcimer in beautifully bookmatched cherry. VSL is 26-7/16 inches. It’s number 5969, built in January 1991. The cherry top is..."
@anne-bowman
• 3 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Juanita:
Posted a new Comment on Juanita:
"So pretty. Thanks for the bit about her history, too..."
@gerardo1000
• 4 days ago
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "Folkcraft dulcimer,1993, pristine condition, new soft case. ":
Created a new forum topic "Folkcraft dulcimer,1993, pristine condition, new soft case. ":
"I am selling a beautiful dulcimer hand made in Connecticut by Folkcraft in 1993, in outstanding pristine condition (please see photos). Scale length is 27..."
@nate
• 4 days ago
• comments: 0
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: I Kto Ego Znaet (Who Knows Him?)
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: I Kto Ego Znaet (Who Knows Him?)
@mark-gilston
• 4 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a new YouTube video:
I Kto Ego Znaet (Who Knows Him?)
I Kto Ego Znaet (Who Knows Him?)
@robin-thompson
• 4 days ago
• comments: 0
Liked a photos item created by @dulcillini: Kauffman Kamp
Liked a photos item created by @dulcillini: Kauffman Kamp
@davisjames
• 4 days ago
• comments: 5
Liked a youtube item created by @phil-myers: DogHouse Duo at Pumpkin Fest
Liked a youtube item created by @phil-myers: DogHouse Duo at Pumpkin Fest
@davisjames
• 4 days ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on Mediaeval Noodle with Metronome:
Posted a new Comment on Mediaeval Noodle with Metronome:
"That's bold and it sounds great.I have found that because I no longer play in bands or for dancers a metronome is a great help,technique-wise,practice and..."
@anne-bowman
• 4 days ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on Mediaeval Noodle with Metronome:
Posted a new Comment on Mediaeval Noodle with Metronome:
"Thanks Robin.. Just a happy accident..."
@benjamin-w-barr-jr
• 5 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @never-bored:
Posted a new Comment on @never-bored:
"Hi Never-bored, 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
• 5 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @jeannie:
Posted a new Comment on @jeannie:
"Hi Jeannie, 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
• 5 days ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @rdpugh:
Posted a new Comment on @rdpugh:
"Hi Rdpugh, 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
• 5 days ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @geneco:
Posted a new Comment on @geneco:
"Hi Gene, 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,..."
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...
Public Domain... or Not?
Ever wanted to record or post that tune, but you just...
Early & Classical Music
For discussing music from earlier eras: Ancient,...
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
Showing support for FOTMD ?
Posted: Wednesday November 6 2024, 6:52 PM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
Looking fo a NH Pudge Pro
Posted: Wednesday November 6 2024, 6:19 PM
By: @jal
By: @jal
Nylon String Dulcimer,...
Posted: Wednesday November 6 2024, 6:03 PM
By: @dplake
By: @dplake
Mize Dulcimer For Sale
Posted: Wednesday November 6 2024, 2:54 PM
By: @Parker Buckley
By: @Parker Buckley
String guages for slide...
Posted: Monday November 4 2024, 3:31 PM
By: @pattyfromor
By: @pattyfromor
Warren May Dulcimer For Sale
Posted: Sunday November 3 2024, 1:23 PM
By: @Parker Buckley
By: @Parker Buckley
Folkcraft dulcimer,1993,...
Posted: Sunday November 3 2024, 2:43 AM
By: @gerardo1000
By: @gerardo1000
Judge Arthur Dixon Dulcimer...
Posted: Thursday October 31 2024, 3:26 PM
By: @John C. Knopf
By: @John C. Knopf
A stolen Rolling Stones...
Posted: Sunday October 27 2024, 11:10 AM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Larry Shore Dulcimer
Posted: Saturday October 26 2024, 1:56 AM
By: @Dusty Turtle
By: @Dusty Turtle
Introduce Yourself!
Posted: Thursday October 24 2024, 8:50 AM
By: @chris hornby
By: @chris hornby
Differences between two...
Posted: Tuesday October 22 2024, 8:23 AM
By: @Wally Venable
By: @Wally Venable
ONLINE: Halloween Ceili...
Posted: Saturday October 19 2024, 7:54 PM
By: @Jessica Comeau
By: @Jessica Comeau
four string equidistant set-up
Posted: Thursday October 17 2024, 7:21 PM
By: @John Petry
By: @John Petry
OPINION ON BUILDER
Posted: Sunday October 13 2024, 5:01 PM
By: @RevDave
By: @RevDave
Ashokan Farewell Tabs
Posted: Sunday October 13 2024, 2:54 PM
By: @uppitywomanstill
By: @uppitywomanstill
Barbry Ellen Tab Experiment
Posted: Saturday October 12 2024, 4:48 PM
By: @Talia
By: @Talia
Help in choosing...
Posted: Friday October 11 2024, 2:27 PM
By: @TMBL
By: @TMBL
Pick noise
Posted: Friday October 11 2024, 2:10 PM
By: @Cristian Huet
By: @Cristian Huet
Cleaning a 1992 Angell...
Posted: Friday October 11 2024, 11:50 AM
By: @ShirinSam
By: @ShirinSam
Hurricane Helene news?
Posted: Friday October 11 2024, 9:30 AM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
Can anyone identify this...
Posted: Thursday October 10 2024, 8:33 PM
By: @TMBL
By: @TMBL
Determining Origin and...
Posted: Thursday October 10 2024, 8:17 PM
By: @ShirinSam
By: @ShirinSam
If you could have just one...
Posted: Thursday October 10 2024, 4:15 PM
By: @steve104c
By: @steve104c
The Positive Thread...
Posted: Thursday October 10 2024, 1:33 PM
By: @steve104c
By: @steve104c
Ways to play in other keys
Posted: Thursday October 10 2024, 12:56 PM
By: @steve104c
By: @steve104c
Virginia hogfiddle kit...
Posted: Thursday October 10 2024, 11:40 AM
By: @ross
By: @ross
Folk Instruments?
Posted: Tuesday October 8 2024, 8:36 PM
By: @RevDave
By: @RevDave
squeakless nylon strings?
Posted: Tuesday October 8 2024, 8:23 PM
By: @RevDave
By: @RevDave
Nut & saddle Material
Posted: Tuesday October 8 2024, 8:12 PM
By: @RevDave
By: @RevDave
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
Help Keep FOTMD up and Running!
Membership in Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer is FREE to all. We gratefully accept donations towards the costs of maintaining this site- which includes hundreds of dollars annually in server and software costs. (you don't have to have a Paypal account to donate- Paypal accepts simple credit card payments as well.) A minimum donation of $5 please. Read HERE about FOUR different ways you can help support FOTMD. Questions? email contact@fotmd.com Together we can keep FOTMD up and running! Click the Paypal button below to make a quick site donation:
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In return, your patronage will be recognized for a year with a special Patron designation banner that will be displayed prominently under your member picture on your profile page. Your Patron ID will show others your generosity in supporting this special site! Above is what the Patron label looks like on member profile pages, right under your member picture.