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
@gary-roys
• 3 hours ago
• comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on @gary-roys:
Posted a new Comment on @gary-roys:
"Thanks, Ken... it's getting better.
Yesterday, I rubbed another coat on in the early morning, and another in the evening... so, four coats altogether... of..."
@olddog75
• 5 hours ago
• comments: 1
Liked a music item created by @davisjames: The wandering fiddler.
Liked a music item created by @davisjames: The wandering fiddler.
@robin-thompson
• 6 hours ago
• comments: 1
Liked a music item created by @davisjames: The wandering fiddler.
Liked a music item created by @davisjames: The wandering fiddler.
@robin-thompson
• 6 hours ago
• comments: 1
Posted a new Comment on The wandering fiddler.:
Posted a new Comment on The wandering fiddler.:
"Oh, Jamie, what a great combination of mountain dulcimer & fiddle with your vocals-- so well done! "
@benjamin-w-barr-jr
• 6 hours ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @perktoni:
Posted a new Comment on @perktoni:
"Hi Perktoni, 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
• 6 hours ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @bob-steele:
Posted a new Comment on @bob-steele:
"Hi Bob, 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
• 6 hours ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @tom-m:
Posted a new Comment on @tom-m:
"Hi Tom, 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
• 6 hours ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @tterapin:
Posted a new Comment on @tterapin:
"Hi Tterapin, 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
• 6 hours ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @lynj:
Posted a new Comment on @lynj:
"Hi Lyn, 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
• 6 hours ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @twistofer:
Posted a new Comment on @twistofer:
"Hi Twistofer, 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
• 6 hours ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @diane-j:
Posted a new Comment on @diane-j:
"Hi Diane, 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
• 6 hours ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @barb-b-burger:
Posted a new Comment on @barb-b-burger:
"Hi Barb, 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
• 6 hours ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @larawilder:
Posted a new Comment on @larawilder:
"Hi Lara, 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,..."
@shopdad
• 10 hours ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Shop Dad pics:
Posted a new Comment on Shop Dad pics:
"OK, I wasn't aware that my shop attic would be warm enough. It gets really hot up there. Always very dry so that would work. I can do long pieces up to 12..."
@ken-longfield
• 13 hours ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Shop Dad pics:
Posted a new Comment on Shop Dad pics:
"I dry the smaller pieces of wood, usually 4/4 or 6/4 thickness by 4-5 feet in the attic of our house. It is dry and hot in the summer and dry and cold in the..."
@steve-battarbee
• 14 hours ago
• comments: 6
Liked a music item created by @robin-thompson: Overwintering
Liked a music item created by @robin-thompson: Overwintering
@steve-battarbee
• 14 hours ago
• comments: 4
Liked a music item created by @robin-thompson: Awake Early - with Billy Boy in the room
Liked a music item created by @robin-thompson: Awake Early - with Billy Boy in the room
@shopdad
• 16 hours ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Shop Dad pics:
Posted a new Comment on Shop Dad pics:
"Ken, That's a cool story too. It sounds like you and I are on the same page with DIY interests. All the history wood on my instruments may not sound better..."
@strumelia
• 16 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Retuning":
Posted a response to "Retuning":
"Debi:When you are retuning from to dAD (hoping I wrote this correctly) to dAF# to play a different tune, if you have not already heard the tune, how do you..."
@ken-longfield
• yesterday
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Shop Dad pics:
Posted a new Comment on Shop Dad pics:
"That's a good story about the Strum Stick. I made a guitar with wood from a neighbor's walnut tree and some local maple left over from a kitchen cabinet..."
@ken-longfield
• yesterday
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @larawilder:
Posted a new Comment on @larawilder:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Lara. It's good to have you aboard. I know your dad and he is an excellent builder. He offers good advice and encouragement to folks who..."
@ken-longfield
• yesterday
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @barb-b-burger:
Posted a new Comment on @barb-b-burger:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Barb. I'm sure you will find some of the videos and music here entertaining. You might find the discussions entertaining as well. As you..."
@ken-longfield
• yesterday
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @diane-j:
Posted a new Comment on @diane-j:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Diane. It's good to have you aboard. It is nice to see your interest in the mountain dulcimer. Have fun reading through the discussions on..."
@shopdad
• yesterday
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Shop Dad pics:
Posted a new Comment on Shop Dad pics:
"Ha! Ken, I was wondering what that sloshing noise was. I looked back on some past comments a while back on this site but didn't find anyone nearby. I get..."
@richard-streib
• yesterday
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @larawilder:
Posted a new Comment on @larawilder:
"Welcome Lara Wilder to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. So glad you joined. This is a great community of wonderful dulcimer people. We have a good bit of..."
@skip
• yesterday
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Retuning":
Posted a response to "Retuning":
"That's it on the tuning. Usually you can go higher/lower 2 half steps with no problems. A half step is one note up/down on a chromatic scale, ie; F to F#, or..."
@debi
• yesterday
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Retuning":
Posted a response to "Retuning":
"Thx, to everyone that responded. Looks like a have a bit of music theory work in my future. Just to make sure that I'm clear, Bass string is D (D3),..."
@ken-longfield
• yesterday
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Shop Dad pics:
Posted a new Comment on Shop Dad pics:
"You have a nice collection of instruments. I particularly like the canjo. It's a great way to keep the lacquer thinner handy. Does the sound of instrument..."
@shopdad
• yesterday
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Shop Dad pics:
Posted a new Comment on Shop Dad pics:
"Thanks Strumelia. The small fish tail antique is the one I own. The man in the pic is the owner of a Dulcimer shop in Tenn. I took it up for him to give me..."
@strumelia
• yesterday
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Shop Dad pics:
Posted a new Comment on Shop Dad pics:
"Nice 'herd' you have going there, ShopDad. "
@strumelia
• yesterday
• comments: 1
Posted a new Comment on The Life-boat:
Posted a new Comment on The Life-boat:
"Well done, John. You are so good at singing and accompanying yourself on the dulcimer at the same time. ...I hope your fingers did not get too cold playing..."
@strumelia
• yesterday
• comments: 1
Liked a youtube item created by @john-w-mckinstry: The Life-boat
Liked a youtube item created by @john-w-mckinstry: The Life-boat
@john-w-mckinstry
• yesterday
• comments: 0
Posted new YouTube video(s):
God You Are Like a Wild Flower
God You Are Like a Wild Flower
@richard-streib
• yesterday
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @barb-b-burger:
Posted a new Comment on @barb-b-burger:
"Welcome Barb B Burger to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. We are glad to have you. This is a wonderful community of mountain dulcimer enthusiasts. Look..."
@richard-streib
• yesterday
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @diane-j:
Posted a new Comment on @diane-j:
"Welcome Diane J to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. So glad you joined. This is an active mountain dulcimer community. There is a lot of information here..."
@strumelia
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Retuning":
Posted a response to "Retuning":
"I'd also point out that if your dulcimer has a standard VSL (length from nut to bridge) of between 26-28", and you currently have fairly standard gauge..."
@skip
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Retuning":
Posted a response to "Retuning":
"You almost have it! Instead of high to low, dAD, use low to high, DAd, it is more conventional for MD. For the other part of your question, always pluck..."
@debi
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Retuning":
Posted a response to "Retuning":
"Hi Dan, I’m not sure how to answer that. I believe that I’m in mixolydian when tuned dAD. I’m trying to retune the melody string to F# and don’t know if I..."
@dan
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Retuning":
Posted a response to "Retuning":
"Maybe if we could get the mode you are trying to get to?"
@debi
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "Retuning":
Created a new forum topic "Retuning":
"Hi Dulcimer Folks,
When you are retuning from to dAD (hoping I wrote this correctly) to dAF# to play a different tune, if you have not already heard the..."
@ken-longfield
• 2 days ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @twistofer:
Posted a new Comment on @twistofer:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Twistofer. It is good to have another Pennsylvanian on board. We have a wonderful community of dulcimer enthusiasts here. There are many..."
@debi
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Blue Lion Soprano Dulcimer Questions ":
Posted a response to "Blue Lion Soprano Dulcimer Questions ":
"Hi Dusty,
Thx for your response. The answer to your questions is : All of the above. Additionally, I have smaller dulcimers with shorter VSLs but a full..."
@dusty
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Blue Lion Soprano Dulcimer Questions ":
Posted a response to "Blue Lion Soprano Dulcimer Questions ":
"Debi, I've never played a Blue Lion soprano, but I have a standard Blue Lion (an old IC) and I have a dulcimer by Ron Ewing that is similar to the Blue Lion..."
@lynj
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Liked a forum discussions item created by @ken-hulme: I Just Got A Dulcimer, Now What? (Article)
Liked a forum discussions item created by @ken-hulme: I Just Got A Dulcimer, Now What? (Article)
@lynj
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Liked a forum discussions item created by @jennifer-landry: Playing with hand issues
Liked a forum discussions item created by @jennifer-landry: Playing with hand issues
@richard-streib
• 3 days ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @twistofer:
Posted a new Comment on @twistofer:
"Welcome Twistofer to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. So glad you joined. This is a wonderful community of dulcimer folks. We are here to support each..."
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...
6 string dulcimers
Owning and playing a 6 string, regardless of tuning, and...
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....
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...
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
Retuning
Posted: Wednesday December 10 2025, 6:31 AM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
Blue Lion Soprano Dulcimer...
Posted: Monday December 8 2025, 10:29 AM
By: @Debi
By: @Debi
How Many Dulcimers Do You...
Posted: Saturday December 6 2025, 5:27 PM
By: @Susie
By: @Susie
My dulcimer collection
Posted: Thursday December 4 2025, 10:59 AM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
Cyndi Lauper live
Posted: Sunday November 30 2025, 10:47 AM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
Playing with hand issues
Posted: Friday November 28 2025, 1:51 PM
By: @John Pettreemusic
By: @John Pettreemusic
The Positive Thread...
Posted: Thursday November 27 2025, 11:29 AM
By: @Banjostray
By: @Banjostray
Shifting bridge and nut
Posted: Sunday November 23 2025, 10:03 PM
By: @Shopdad
By: @Shopdad
Leveling of frets - why?
Posted: Sunday November 23 2025, 9:33 PM
By: @Shopdad
By: @Shopdad
Cyndi Lauper Walk Away Renee
Posted: Thursday November 20 2025, 2:37 PM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
Searching for tab for...
Posted: Saturday November 15 2025, 1:02 AM
By: @Dusty Turtle
By: @Dusty Turtle
Goodbye my old friend
Posted: Thursday November 13 2025, 10:30 AM
By: @John Pettreemusic
By: @John Pettreemusic
Blue Lion model IIRS; Style...
Posted: Tuesday November 11 2025, 9:31 AM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
Looking for Info on Laurel...
Posted: Monday November 10 2025, 2:00 PM
By: @Jerry Posner
By: @Jerry Posner
Advice for fire-damaged...
Posted: Sunday November 9 2025, 9:27 AM
By: @Wally Venable
By: @Wally Venable
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
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
Read the Site Rules
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Ken Longfield  |
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