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
@richard-streib • 11 hours ago • comments: 1
Posted a new Comment on @cjones:
"Welcome Cjones to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. Glad you joined. Best wishes on your learning and progress with playing your mountain dulcimer. We are..."
Richard Streib
@richard-streib • 11 hours ago • comments: 1
Posted a new Comment on @wink-rager:
"Welcome Wink Rager to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer Glad you joined. There is a lot of information here about the mountain dulcimer. Please let us know if..."
Richard Streib
@richard-streib • 11 hours ago • comments: 1
Posted a new Comment on @jim-cadorette:
"Welcome Jim Cadorette to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. Glad you joined. Yes we do have a for sale forum. On the bar above click on forums and then at the..."
Alex_Lubet
@alex-lubet • 11 hours ago • comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Autumn's Farewell - Original Composition:
"Beautiful"
DavisJames
@davisjames • 12 hours ago • comments: 6
Liked a youtube item created by @granto: Autumn's Farewell - Original Composition
DavisJames
@davisjames • 13 hours ago • comments: 0
Liked a youtube item created by @tumbleweed: Lee's Waltz
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 13 hours ago • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Sugar Hill:
"Welcome back, Tumbleweed.  Nice playing,!  I hope we see and hear more from you."
DavisJames
@davisjames • 18 hours ago • comments: 0
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: Once I had a sweetheart (duet)
Shopdad
@shopdad • 20 hours ago • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Shop Dad pics:
"Since the sound box is considerably smaller than my full size Cedar Creek it doesn't have the quality I'm used to. Now that I have build two other dulcimers..."
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson • 20 hours ago • comments: 2
Liked a photos item created by @shopdad: 20240904 170509
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson • 20 hours ago • comments: 0
Liked a photos item created by @shopdad: 20240829 111806
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson • 20 hours ago • comments: 0
Liked a photos item created by @shopdad: 20240817 111810
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson • 20 hours ago • comments: 0
Liked a photos item created by @shopdad: 20240618 151715
Nate
@nate • yesterday • comments: 2
Liked a photos item created by @shopdad: 20240904 170509
Nate
@nate • yesterday • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Shop Dad pics:
"They saw a decoration, you saw a playable instrument and a challenge. Super cool and definitely something to be proud of. Looks great, love to hear how it..."
Nate
@nate • yesterday • comments: 2
Liked a youtube item created by @tumbleweed: Sugar Hill
eggore76
@eggore76 • yesterday • comments: 349
Posted a new Comment on @richard-streib:
"Thank you for having me as a member, in the past I have built three CGB's and now thinking that building a Dulicmer might be a good idea. I will look for..."
Tumbleweed
@tumbleweed • yesterday • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Sugar Hill:
"Hi everyone! It's been 10 years since I uploaded a video. In that time I retired, moved to a new state and found a great dulcimer community which I didn't..."
Tumbleweed
@tumbleweed • yesterday • comments: 0
Posted new YouTube video(s):
Lee's Waltz
Tumbleweed
@tumbleweed • yesterday • comments: 2
Updated a YouTube Video:
Sugar Hill
Tumbleweed
@tumbleweed • yesterday • comments: 2
Posted new YouTube video(s):
Sugar Hill
Jill Geary
@jill-geary • yesterday • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Want to buy Warren A. May dulcimer":
"Cindy Stammich: Jill, Unfortunately I don’t have a Warren May dulcimer, but you got my curiosity up about your boat.  Just wondering what you have and do you..."
Jim Cadorette
@jim-cadorette • yesterday • comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "2016 Modern Mountain Dulcimer - DOUBLE BACK - MINT! $600":
"I met David McKinney in 2016 and even took a workshop from him. This was among his highest-end dulcimers, "heirloom quality" as he put it. It is a..."
Shopdad
@shopdad • yesterday • comments: 0
Shop Dad pics
20240618_151715 20240817_111810 20240829_111806 20240904_170509
Shopdad
@shopdad • yesterday • comments: 349
Posted a new Comment on @richard-streib:
"Thanks Richard, no doubt, I will be "bugging" someone for info. You tube helps but it's not like speaking to those who are dedicated assisting others. "
Richard Streib
@richard-streib • yesterday • comments: 1
Posted a new Comment on @travlcouple:
"Welcome Travlcouple to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. Glad you joined. You may want to create a discussion seeking dulicimer players in SW Florida. Posts..."
Richard Streib
@richard-streib • yesterday • comments: 1
Posted a new Comment on @eggore76:
"Welcome Eggore 76 to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. Glad you joined. Let us know if you have questions and we will try to get you an answer."
Richard Streib
@richard-streib • yesterday • comments: 1
Posted a new Comment on @mary-frantz:
"Welcome back Mary Frantz to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. Glad you have rejoined. How admirable to want to teach your grands. Best wishes. Let us know if..."
Richard Streib
@richard-streib • yesterday • comments: 1
Posted a new Comment on @tammi:
"Hi Tammi. So glad you joined. Welcome. There is a lot of information here. Please ask if you have questions and we will get you an answer."
Richard Streib
@richard-streib • yesterday • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on @karilee:
"So glad you joined Karilee. Welcome. There is a lot of information here. If you have questions someone will be able to give you an answer. We are here to..."
Richard Streib
@richard-streib • yesterday • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on @codelady7:
"Welcome Codelady7 to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. Great to have you. Please ask if you have questions. We are here to support each other."
Richard Streib
@richard-streib • yesterday • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on @willywasel:
"Glad you joined Willyweasel. Welcome. There is a lot of information here. We are here to support each other so ask questions as you have them,"
Richard Streib
@richard-streib • yesterday • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @shopdad:
"Welcome shopdad to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. So glad you were introduced to the mountain dulcimer. There is a lot of information here. Let us know if..."
Richard Streib
@richard-streib • yesterday • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Rebec":
"Welcome to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. Glad you joined. Best wishes on your restoration project. Please ask as you have questions. We are here to..."
Richard Streib
@richard-streib • yesterday • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on @jdnewberry:
"Glad you joined JDNewberry. Welcome to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. There is a lot of experience and expertise represented here. Look over what is here...."
Richard Streib
@richard-streib • yesterday • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @stlhook:
"So glad you joined. Welcome to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. I like your choice of words. "Smitten" is a good descriptive word to which I can relate...."
Richard Streib
@richard-streib • yesterday • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @actionsub:
"Welcome Actionsub to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. This site is rich in the history of the mountain dulcimer with a number of members who are living..."
Richard Streib
@richard-streib • yesterday • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @ron-or:
"So glad you joined RonOr. Welcome to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. There is a lot of information here about the history of the mountain dulcimer and the..."
Richard Streib
@richard-streib • yesterday • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @aditi70:
"Its great to have you Aditi70 join the Forum. Welcome. So glad you are interested in the culture and social impact of the dulcimer. That history from the..."
olddog75
@olddog75 • 2 days ago • comments: 0
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: Once I had a sweetheart (duet)
Strumelia
@strumelia • 2 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Jean Ritchie and her ballad repertoire":
"I read once about how some of the words, phrases, sentence structures, and pronunciations of what today might be considered to be a "mountain hillbilly" way..."
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 2 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Jean Ritchie and her ballad repertoire":
"Cecil Sharpe, who traveled through Appalachia over a century ago, was also struck by the number of old English ballads being sung in the region.  I do not..."
Cindy Stammich
@cindy-stammich • 2 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Want to buy Warren A. May dulcimer":
"Jill, Unfortunately I don’t have a Warren May dulcimer, but you got my curiosity up about your boat.  Just wondering what you have and do you live onboard?..."
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson • 2 days ago • comments: 0
Created a new Group discussion "Stephen Winick on Jean ":
"..."
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson • 2 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Jean Ritchie and her ballad repertoire":
"If memory serves, many songs in the Ritchie family came from "Uncle Jason" and Jean wrote of this in Singing Family of the Cumberlands ...."
Alex_Lubet
@alex-lubet • 2 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Jean Ritchie and her ballad repertoire":
"Thanks, John, very insightful. I listened to her rendition of Barbry Allan this morning and was taken by her ending every verse on scale step 2.  I kept..."
John C. Knopf
@john-c-knopf • 2 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Jean Ritchie and her ballad repertoire":
"Alex, I think it was for family continuity and for entertainment in a time where computers, TVs and to some extent radio was non-existent.  Folks had to have..."
Alex_Lubet
@alex-lubet • 2 days ago • comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "Jean Ritchie and her ballad repertoire":
"Hi, A good week to you all. I've been doing a deep dive into Jean Ritchie lately, for the dulcimer of course, but also for the words of the ballads.  What..."
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson • 3 days ago • comments: 2
Liked a music item created by @robert-schuler: fly around
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson • 3 days ago • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on fly around :
"You have such a nice touch on that banjo!  Thanks, I think that banjo had nylon strings. Haven't used nylon in years. I think its time to get a set...Robert "

Join a Group!   All

Beginner players

Beginner players


Are you a brand new player? Join this group and ask all...
OLD STYLE Drone & Noter players

OLD STYLE Drone & Noter...


If you are an avid fan of the older traditional mountain...
Dulcimer Making

Dulcimer Making


A group for those building dulcimers or interested in...
Modern/Chord style Players

Modern/Chord style Players


Do you play chords and fret across all strings? Then...
Fingerpicking

Fingerpicking


A place to discuss fingerpicking styles of dulcimer...
Hymn and Worship Song Players

Hymn and Worship Song Players


a place to share the hymns and worship songs we are playing.
The Music Theory Corner

The Music Theory Corner


A Group to talk about Music Theory!
Dulcimer Care & Maintenance

Dulcimer Care & Maintenance


Tips, tricks and techniques to help care for your dulcimer.
Rockin' in the Free World

Rockin' in the Free World


A group for those of you who like to play music not...
Mountain Dulcimer History & Traditions

Mountain Dulcimer History &...


Share historical information and resources on the...
Technology/Software/Amplifying

Technology/Software/Amplifying


to share info on all aspects of using tech: Amplifying,...
Singing with the Dulcimer

Singing with the Dulcimer


Here's a group for those of us who are interested in...
Arranging/composing for Dulcimers

Arranging/composing for...


A group to discuss creating arrangements of songs and...
Little Dulcimers

Little Dulcimers


Do you play an octave, mini, or traveling dulcimer?
Baritone & Bass Dulcimer Players

Baritone & Bass Dulcimer...


A Group for discussing the unique aspects of playing...
Four-Equidistant Strings

Four-Equidistant Strings


A place to share about 4-equidistant string playing, how...
fans of Jean Ritchie

fans of Jean Ritchie


A group for those of us who have been inspired by...
Help Me Learn this Song

Help Me Learn this Song


Need help learning to play a particular song? Let another...
Early & Classical Music

Early & Classical Music


For discussing music from earlier eras: Ancient,...
I have extra frets.....

I have extra frets.....


This group is for those who have a 1 1/2 fret, an 8 1/2...
Public Domain... or Not?

Public Domain... or Not?


Ever wanted to record or post that tune, but you just...
Dulcimer Therapy

Dulcimer Therapy


This group is dedicated to those that visit, or have a...
Home Studio Recording

Home Studio Recording


Recording dulcimers, vocals and other instruments in the...
Dulcimer Ancestors

Dulcimer Ancestors


Looking at some of the ancestors of the Mountain...
Dulcimer teachers

Dulcimer teachers


Do you teach dulcimer? Are you helping others to learn?
Stick Dulcimers/Strumsticks

Stick Dulcimers/Strumsticks


Regardless of what name you favor, this group is a...
UK and European Mountain Dulcimers

UK and European Mountain...


A group which hopefully allows players/makers in this...
Chromatic Dulcimers

Chromatic Dulcimers


For players who enjoy playing dulcimers with ALL the frets!
Box Dulcimers

Box Dulcimers


A group for those who play, make, or admire all types...
Galax Dulcimer Lovers

Galax Dulcimer Lovers


Just a group to discuss all things Galax Dulcimer. Tips...
Call the Tune

Call the Tune


"Call the Tune" is a place to post audio and video...
Civil War era music

Civil War era music


For discussing music that was played around the time of...
GIG TALK!

GIG TALK!


Do you play gigs? Tell us about your good and not-so-good...
Scrap/Recycled wood Dulcimer Challenge

Scrap/Recycled wood...


A group for those thrifty and creative folk who like to...
Rosin the Bow!

Rosin the Bow!


Welcome to all who play music using a bow on any type of...
Challenged Players

Challenged Players


A meeting place for players dealing with disabilities.
NorthEastern U.S. dulcimer players

NorthEastern U.S. dulcimer...


For those of us who live in the northeastern United States.
Virginia Dulcimer Players

Virginia Dulcimer Players


Just thought it would be neet to know how many other...
Prayers, Hugs, and Kindness

Prayers, Hugs, and Kindness


A group for private sharing and support, whether you are...
California Dulcimer Dreamin'

California Dulcimer Dreamin'


For dulcimer players living in or just visiting California
North Carolinians Plus

North Carolinians Plus


The Three Sides of North Carolina: Mountains / Piedmont /...
Texas Dulcimer Enthusiasts

Texas Dulcimer Enthusiasts


Howdy ya'll! Come on by for a cup o' joe and jammin....
6 string dulcimers

6 string dulcimers


Owning and playing a 6 string, regardless of tuning, and...
Kentucky Dulcimer Players

Kentucky Dulcimer Players


A group for any players from Kentucky where we can meet...
West Virginia players

West Virginia players


A group just for dulcimer players in beautiful West...
Florida Sunshine Dulcimer Group

Florida Sunshine Dulcimer...


Florida Dulcimer Players
Pacific Northwest Players

Pacific Northwest Players


For players who live in or have strong connections to the...
FOTMD on the Road

FOTMD on the Road


Are your traveling, on vacation, on your way to a...
Missouri Dulcimer Players

Missouri Dulcimer Players


for all the Show Me State dulcimer players
Indiana Players

Indiana Players


Welcome all dulcimer players in the state of Indiana!...
North of the Lakes

North of the Lakes


for any MD players in Upper Canada (aka Ontario) and the...
Arkansas Mtn Dulcimer Players

Arkansas Mtn Dulcimer Players


For those who live in Arkansas and love playing the...
AussieTalk!

AussieTalk!


For dulcimer players in Australia.-Be sure to create...
Site Moderators Group

Site Moderators Group


A private group to allow FOTMD moderators to communicate...

Latest Audio

  All
I Am a Poor Wayfaring Stranger
A Tune For Cece
Headin' South
Pine Cones
Number 6_25 Jinny sound clip
Maggie Darling[tearjerker on the teardrop].
Brian Boru's March
Prairie Medley.
Old Motel
All the Abandoned Mines
Nesting Season
After the Flood
John O'Connor.
Youghal Harbour
The Princess Royal.
Cuncti Simus Concanentes
Danville Girl.
Eventide
Stout Staves, Sure Feet
Alaw Elin (Elin's song)
Fairytale/ Forever love
The Shortest Day
The 4 poster bed.
Champagne Waltz.
Emma´s Waltz
Lost in the Woods
Mediaeval Noodle with Metronome
Jet's Piece
Departure
Minor Waltz

Coming Events   All

Wartz-n-All Gathering

Wartz-n-All Gathering


Sat Aug 23 2025

Latest gallery Photos   All

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20240829_111806.jpg
20240817_111810.jpg
20240618_151715.jpg
20250709_093431.jpg
20250628_122610.jpg
Ash-and-Chechan-dulcimer.jpg
IMG_0121.jpeg
IMG_0122.jpeg
IMG_0123.jpeg
IMG_0124.jpeg
IMG_0125.jpeg
Cherry-Teardrop-Rosewood.jpg
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IMG_0094.jpeg
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Latest Forum Posts   All

Want to buy Warren A. May...

Posted: Tuesday August 5 2025, 10:57 PM
By: @Jill Geary

2016 Modern Mountain...

Posted: Tuesday August 5 2025, 10:20 PM
By: @Jim Cadorette

Rebec

Posted: Tuesday August 5 2025, 5:24 PM
By: @Richard Streib

Jean Ritchie and her ballad...

Posted: Tuesday August 5 2025, 9:03 AM
By: @Strumelia

A Farewell

Posted: Sunday August 3 2025, 3:04 PM
By: @Alex_Lubet

Old dulcimers that want to...

Posted: Sunday August 3 2025, 3:32 AM
By: @Dusty Turtle

tambourin à cordes

Posted: Saturday August 2 2025, 12:44 PM
By: @Alex_Lubet

Translating chords from one...

Posted: Friday August 1 2025, 11:07 AM
By: @Kathreen Miller

New album

Posted: Wednesday July 30 2025, 4:27 PM
By: @Strumelia

I need BASIC dulcimer help...

Posted: Tuesday July 29 2025, 3:39 PM
By: @JDNewberry

Baritone dulcimette

Posted: Tuesday July 29 2025, 1:39 PM
By: @CarolynF

Gary Gallier's Starsong...

Posted: Monday July 28 2025, 8:37 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

Dulcimer Value

Posted: Saturday July 26 2025, 1:28 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

Teaching

Posted: Tuesday July 22 2025, 2:55 PM
By: @Dusty Turtle

1 1/2" and 1 3/8ths...

Posted: Monday July 21 2025, 10:32 AM
By: @wibble

radius fret-board.

Posted: Monday July 21 2025, 2:17 AM
By: @Nate

The Positive Thread...

Posted: Saturday July 19 2025, 7:10 AM
By: @Robin Thompson

Anyone have experience with...

Posted: Friday July 18 2025, 9:23 AM
By: @Ken Longfield

Number 7_25 London

Posted: Thursday July 17 2025, 1:46 PM
By: @Dan

Mr Dusty T

Posted: Saturday July 12 2025, 6:34 PM
By: @Strumelia

Lefties

Posted: Thursday July 10 2025, 5:07 PM
By: @Alex_Lubet

Apologies

Posted: Wednesday July 9 2025, 7:41 AM
By: @Strumelia

No grooves on bridge revisited

Posted: Monday July 7 2025, 5:56 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

Black Thomas replication

Posted: Saturday July 5 2025, 8:35 AM
By: @Dan

Tuning down a half step

Posted: Friday July 4 2025, 11:15 AM
By: @Lorilee

Pluck by Linda Paulus

Posted: Wednesday July 2 2025, 7:50 PM
By: @Robin Thompson

Reasons NOT To Get a Chromatic

Posted: Monday June 30 2025, 4:33 PM
By: @Alex_Lubet

Guitar strap (Straplok)

Posted: Saturday June 28 2025, 6:35 PM
By: @Lilley Pad

When to replace tuners

Posted: Thursday June 26 2025, 10:46 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

Value of a Mize Dulcimer

Posted: Tuesday June 24 2025, 11:35 AM
By: @John Pettreemusic

Read the Site Rules

Our Welcome Wagon!

3 CHEERS to our Volunteer Greeters ...for making new members feel right at home :

Jim Fawcett greeterjim.jpg Benjamin Barr greeterben.jpg
  Richard Streib RStreibwithdulcimer_2017_200px.jpg Ken Longfield greeterken.jpg
 

Single Instructor Events / Classifieds

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