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
• 2 hours ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Livi:
Posted a new Comment on Livi:
"DavisJames:
It also sounds like mandolin(doubled strings).Do you have percussion in the background?Whatever it is,it works.
Thank you jamie thats nice of..."
@ken-longfield
• 11 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Just String info.":
Posted a response to "Just String info.":
"Dwain gave you a very good run down on the various aspects of wound strings. In the end, if you experiment with different strings, it all depends on the..."
@dwain-wilder
• 11 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Just String info.":
Posted a response to "Just String info.":
"Lilley Pad:
Hey kids, here we go again. I think this musical journey is starting to hurt my head. any one out there know of a good website or link about..."
@richard-streib
• 11 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Just String info.":
Posted a response to "Just String info.":
"Only one of my current dulcimers uses a wound bass string. I have always preferred a nickel wound string when a wound string is called for.
A string is a..."
@lilley-pad
• 13 hours ago
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "Just String info.":
Created a new forum topic "Just String info.":
"Hey kids, here we go again. I think this musical journey is starting to hurt my head. any one out there know of a good website or link about strings. Looks..."
@wally-venable
• 16 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
"You can make a stable, playable dulcimer which is only a stick. You just won't hear much without adding a sound box or putting it on a table top resonator...."
@nate
• yesterday
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
"That makes sense wally, thanks.
It seems there are a lot of different aspects of the build that could affect how it handles tension. Bracing, full length..."
@ken-longfield
• yesterday
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
"I made my first dulcimer over 50 years ago. I've accumulated quite a few since then. Some instruments may only come out of a case once every five years or..."
@wanative07
• yesterday
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Jim Good dulcimer":
Posted a response to "Jim Good dulcimer":
"https://ebay.us/m/EcRFQT
here’s the link if anyone is interested."
@wally-venable
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
"I taught engineering mechanics (Statics, Dynamics, and Strength of Materials - the courses which drove students out of Engineering) for a quarter of a..."
@dusty
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
"The advice to loosen the strings is common for guitars. But string tension on guitars is much greater than that on dulcimers, and dulcimers have the..."
@nate
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
""but, in my opinion, the minute aspects of wooden bodies' shapes are better preserved if string tension it maintained. "
Im curious to know more about this..."
@nate
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
"Id say that detuning the strings by just a little bit is a good idea. While some instruments seem to hold up really well to warping over time...other fare..."
@wally-venable
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
"String instruments which are played regularly are typically "kept in tune" for many decades on end.
Strings may be damaged by age or environmental factors,..."
@strumelia
• 2 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Music Room:
Posted a new Comment on Music Room:
"Oh, and don't get me started on the (hummel?) lying on the long ottoman. Beautiful! What is it and who made it?"
@robert-owens
• 2 days ago
• comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on Restoration Of Vintage Arthur Dixon Mountain Dulcimer:
Posted a new Comment on Restoration Of Vintage Arthur Dixon Mountain Dulcimer:
"Cindy Stammich:
Wow you sure made that look nice and shiny and new! It is beautiful! And sure sounds nice too! You have to be happy with it! Thank you..."
@john-c-knopf
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
"Jon, I think that would be a good idea myself. That way they won't stretch out unevenly over time. Throwing some of those little dessicant packs in the..."
@robin-thompson
• 2 days ago
• comments: 13
Posted a new Comment on Nesting Season:
Posted a new Comment on Nesting Season:
"@cindy-stammich Good to hear from you, Cindy! Thank you for the sweet comment-- we're happy you like this little tune! "
@lilley-pad
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "storing an instrument":
Created a new forum topic "storing an instrument":
"Hi kid's once again it's me Jon Lilley. with one more of those silly questions. I just recently obtained my second instrument, a Terry McCafferty dulcimer,..."
@cindy-stammich
• 2 days ago
• comments: 13
Posted a new Comment on Nesting Season:
Posted a new Comment on Nesting Season:
"You two have outdone yourselves again 😊❤️🎶. This is sooooo pretty! "
@cindy-stammich
• 2 days ago
• comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on Downtown Eastside Blues.:
Posted a new Comment on Downtown Eastside Blues.:
"So …..soothing, calming….. I could put this on a loop and just let it play! Beautifully done!"
@cindy-stammich
• 2 days ago
• comments: 9
Posted a new Comment on Be Thou My Vision:
Posted a new Comment on Be Thou My Vision:
"Oh my! This is one of my all-time favorite hymns, and this instrument takes it to a whole new level! Thank you!"
@cindy-stammich
• 2 days ago
• comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on Restoration Of Vintage Arthur Dixon Mountain Dulcimer:
Posted a new Comment on Restoration Of Vintage Arthur Dixon Mountain Dulcimer:
"Wow you sure made that look nice and shiny and new! It is beautiful! And sure sounds nice too! You have to be happy with it! Thank you for sharing the..."
@cindy-stammich
• 2 days ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Lonesome Valley:
Posted a new Comment on Lonesome Valley:
"This is beautiful and heartfelt! Thank you for introducing me to another old hymn I was not familiar with! I so appreciate all of the wonderful songs that..."
@cindy-stammich
• 2 days ago
• comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on Grimstock Dulcimerspielkreis Ludwigsburg:
Posted a new Comment on Grimstock Dulcimerspielkreis Ludwigsburg:
"This is sooooo pretty! I love to hear a group of dulcimers, and your group sounds wonderful! Thank you for sharing..."
@ken-longfield
• 2 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Music Room:
Posted a new Comment on Music Room:
"Always nice to have a place to put everything. You have a delightful collection of instruments.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@strumelia
• 2 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Music Room:
Posted a new Comment on Music Room:
"Looks like a wonderful collection, Phil!
Tell me about the little (scheitholt?) and also about the dulcimer in the corner next to the guitars."
@davisjames
• 2 days ago
• comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on Downtown Eastside Blues.:
Posted a new Comment on Downtown Eastside Blues.:
"I find the dulcimer wonderful because of the comfort level the drone strings provide when playing a melody....nevertheless I have found that the scheitholt..."
@richard-streib
• 2 days ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @wanative07:
Posted a new Comment on @wanative07:
"Welcome to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer Wanative07. So glad you joined. Thanks for posting your discussion about your Jim Good dulcimer. If you have..."
@davisjames
• 2 days ago
• comments: 9
Liked a youtube item created by @phil-myers: Be Thou My Vision
Liked a youtube item created by @phil-myers: Be Thou My Vision
@davisjames
• 2 days ago
• comments: 9
Posted a new Comment on Be Thou My Vision:
Posted a new Comment on Be Thou My Vision:
"It sounds wonderful.I did notice that the body is deeper and wider than my scheitholt.I'm going a different direction at the moment.I would like to play an..."
@john-petry
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Jim Good dulcimer":
Posted a response to "Jim Good dulcimer":
"er wait...I guess one of the images worked....go figure"
@john-petry
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Jim Good dulcimer":
Posted a response to "Jim Good dulcimer":
"Don't bother with the attachments...They didn't turn out...
I did a quick look through E-bay and Reverb sites & completed sales..Selling on the high end..."
@ken-longfield
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Jim Good dulcimer":
Posted a response to "Jim Good dulcimer":
"I sent a link to a Facebook post about Jim Good. As you can see he made five string dulcimers; two melody strings, a middle string, and bass strings. He was..."
@ken-longfield
• 3 days ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @wanative07:
Posted a new Comment on @wanative07:
"Maybe this link will help you to know something about Jim Good.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@wanative07
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "Jim Good dulcimer":
Created a new forum topic "Jim Good dulcimer":
"Hello everybody! I am posting here to see if anyone has any information about Jim Good dulcimers. I recently inherited this one and it is dated from 1981...."
@ken-longfield
• 3 days ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @wanative07:
Posted a new Comment on @wanative07:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Wanative07. Go ahead and ask about your Jim Good dulcimer. We will try and answer the questions you have. Jim made good instruments.
Ken..."
@mountainmender
• 3 days ago
• comments: 343
Posted a new Comment on @richard-streib:
Posted a new Comment on @richard-streib:
"Hello! I am just cruising around trying to be alright :)"
@mountainmender
• 3 days ago
• comments: 507
Posted a new Comment on @ken-longfield:
Posted a new Comment on @ken-longfield:
"Hi! Thank you. Just poking around to start."
@richard-streib
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Things to consider with International shipping (2025)":
Posted a response to "Things to consider with International shipping (2025)":
"Thanks. So good to know."
@strumelia
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "Things to consider with International shipping (2025)":
Created a new forum topic "Things to consider with International shipping (2025)":
"Here are some issues to consider when shipping items internationally. Personally, I can vouch for the fact that years ago I received a surprise bill from US..."
@homer-ross
• 3 days ago
• comments: 9
Liked a youtube item created by @phil-myers: Be Thou My Vision
Liked a youtube item created by @phil-myers: Be Thou My Vision
@phil-myers
• 4 days ago
• comments: 9
Posted a new Comment on Be Thou My Vision:
Posted a new Comment on Be Thou My Vision:
"Thanks Davisjames! Jack calls it a bass scheitholt. The 4 drone strings are wound bass strings tuned DDAD but an octave lower than the standard scheitholt. "
@davisjames
• 4 days ago
• comments: 9
Posted a new Comment on Be Thou My Vision:
Posted a new Comment on Be Thou My Vision:
"That's lovely!Would you call that a baritone scheitholt?Or are the strings just tuned low?Sounds very different from my Jack Ferguson scheitholt."
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...
Little Dulcimers
Do you play an octave, mini, or traveling dulcimer?
Baritone & Bass Dulcimer...
A Group for discussing the unique aspects of playing...
Four-Equidistant Strings
A place to share about 4-equidistant string playing, how...
fans of Jean Ritchie
A group for those of us who have been inspired by...
Help Me Learn this Song
Need help learning to play a particular song? Let another...
Early & Classical Music
For discussing music from earlier eras: Ancient,...
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...
UK and European Mountain...
A group which hopefully allows players/makers in this...
Chromatic Dulcimers
For players who enjoy playing dulcimers with ALL the frets!
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
6 string dulcimers
Owning and playing a 6 string, regardless of tuning, and...
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...
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
Just String info.
Posted: Thursday May 15 2025, 5:36 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
storing an instrument
Posted: Thursday May 15 2025, 11:51 AM
By: @Wally Venable
By: @Wally Venable
Jim Good dulcimer
Posted: Wednesday May 14 2025, 6:38 PM
By: @wanative07
By: @wanative07
Things to consider with...
Posted: Monday May 12 2025, 7:29 PM
By: @Richard Streib
By: @Richard Streib
Gary Gallier Dulcimer
Posted: Friday May 9 2025, 10:38 AM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
American old time music.
Posted: Thursday May 8 2025, 8:16 AM
By: @DavisJames
By: @DavisJames
Only 10 to go till 200 members
Posted: Wednesday May 7 2025, 11:37 PM
By: @John Pettreemusic
By: @John Pettreemusic
Mystery dulcimer from 1970
Posted: Wednesday May 7 2025, 10:43 AM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
tuning pegs
Posted: Tuesday May 6 2025, 9:46 AM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Any information about this...
Posted: Wednesday April 30 2025, 11:41 AM
By: @Richard Streib
By: @Richard Streib
Introduce Yourself!
Posted: Wednesday April 30 2025, 8:10 AM
By: @Terry Jaye
By: @Terry Jaye
The Positive Thread...
Posted: Monday April 28 2025, 11:22 AM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
McCafferty Desert Motif...
Posted: Sunday April 27 2025, 10:52 PM
By: @fromsfca
By: @fromsfca
WTB: glass noter
Posted: Sunday April 27 2025, 4:42 PM
By: @John Pettreemusic
By: @John Pettreemusic
six string Dulcimer
Posted: Friday April 25 2025, 2:34 PM
By: @Lilley Pad
By: @Lilley Pad
Amplification of an...
Posted: Thursday April 24 2025, 1:28 AM
By: @Pux0r3
By: @Pux0r3
Help with restoring a 1962...
Posted: Tuesday April 22 2025, 10:29 PM
By: @Robert Owens
By: @Robert Owens
New Harmony saddle?
Posted: Saturday April 19 2025, 4:31 PM
By: @Debi
By: @Debi
John Stockard Dulcimer
Posted: Saturday April 19 2025, 8:04 AM
By: @Old Dawg
By: @Old Dawg
recommendations for...
Posted: Friday April 18 2025, 12:12 PM
By: @John Pettreemusic
By: @John Pettreemusic
Good dulcimer for busking?
Posted: Friday April 18 2025, 3:12 AM
By: @Nate
By: @Nate
Chet Hines “dulcimore”
Posted: Friday April 18 2025, 2:48 AM
By: @John Pettreemusic
By: @John Pettreemusic
Mountain Dulcimer on The...
Posted: Thursday April 17 2025, 1:49 PM
By: @Dusty Turtle
By: @Dusty Turtle
2 dulcimer dilemma
Posted: Tuesday April 15 2025, 9:33 PM
By: @John Pettreemusic
By: @John Pettreemusic
Don Neuhauser
Posted: Monday April 14 2025, 6:18 AM
By: @Lilley Pad
By: @Lilley Pad
International Appalachian...
Posted: Sunday April 13 2025, 9:33 AM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
Mountain Dulcimer Picture...
Posted: Sunday April 13 2025, 6:09 AM
By: @dulcidom
By: @dulcidom
Tinny sounding strings
Posted: Friday April 11 2025, 10:02 AM
By: @Wally Venable
By: @Wally Venable
Gold Tone Dulciborn -...
Posted: Thursday April 10 2025, 5:35 PM
By: @
By: @
Anyone Recognize This Builder
Posted: Wednesday April 2 2025, 10:51 AM
By: @msdeebee
By: @msdeebee
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