Ken Longfield

Location:

Location: Reedsville, PA
Country: US

My Latest Followers:

mjlipari188 Micki RobMachin seaswmr AppalachiaSky Moon Dancer MelSabol Mary_Adelee Chaplain Peter SJMawhee87 Kris Paul 1 dronehound Homer Ross mac bhodaich Kenneth Woolley III dreadnought28 Dulcimerlady JDH54 AndiBear Susan Ann MandaPanda NancyH Dulcianne Quigley John Desaulniers Jr Wendell G dchenaul syoung Big Bubba chiselerinwood Wally Venable KnobbyNotes Blackhawk13 Emjay Noah Cline hstulips haydee025 Ballad Gal Exukaden Ariane sbarnett524 Debbie Kopp Simpkins Sue MacKenzie - ADK Friends sweetbriar jcurtis55 cairney Billy T Lucky Dave Mary MacGowan

Stats

youtube videos: 1
images: 77
events: 6
Groups: 1
audio tracks: 1

I am retired and live in the Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania. I built my first mountain dulcimer in 1974.  I continue to build mountain dulcimers, hammered dulcimers and do repair work on them as well as guitars and banjos. I enjoy old time music, bluegrass, and folk music from before and after the folk scare of the 1950s and 1960s.

Latest Activity

  All
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • yesterday • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Newbie to Dulcimers / 1978 Yeoman":
"John's suggestions for strings are good. Here is another string calculator...."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 days ago • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on @marla-weezer:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Marla. It's good to have you aboard. Listen to the audio tracks here and watch the videos. That should help your exposure to mountain..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Newbie to Dulcimers / 1978 Yeoman":
"There's really no need to post the VSL as you have learned from the builder what was on it to begin with. I would go with that. The configuration the builder..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 3 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Newbie to Dulcimers / 1978 Yeoman":
"I am not familiar with Ellen Yeoman or the Mixolydian Musical Woodworks. That probably because I live on the opposite side of the country. It looks to be a..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 3 days ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @ccpastork:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Ccpastork. Could you be a pastor? The youth in our church's youth group always called me Pastor K. Well, it's good to have you aboard. I..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 4 days ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @jan:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Jan. I'm a little behind the others in welcoming you. I'm glad that you are starting mountain dulcimer in your retirement. It will give you..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 4 days ago • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Jean & Edna singing a play party song:
"Robin, again, thank you for sharing this link. The video from which this and the other clip are taken is a wonderful folk music resource. Ken "The dulcimer..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 4 days ago • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Jean sings and plays The Cuckoo:
"Thanks for sharing this Robin. Ken "The dulcimer and Jean sing a sweet song.""
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 6 days ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Farewell to Tarwahie:
"Thank you for sharing this, Martin. Your group played and sang well. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @catlover:
"Welcome to FOTMD, CatLover. It's good to have you aboard. I'm sure that you will enjoy playing the mountain dulcimer. Let us know if we can help you any way..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @lady-of-the-forest:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Lady Of The Forest. It's good to have you aboard. Enjoy your dulcimer and have fun learning to play it. Let us know if you have any..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @ktdx:
"Well, I guess that's what happens when you're in a hurry to post something before you need to get out of the house to keep an appointment. Sorry about that...."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @mickelouse:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Mickelouse. It's good to have you aboard. The D550 is a nice dulcimer. I'm sure you will enjoy playing it. Let us know if you have any..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @jimninsa:
"Welcome to FOTMD, JimNinSA. It's good to have you aboard. Have fun exploring this site. Let us know if you have any questions. I look forward to your..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @ktdx:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Ktdx. It's good to have you aboard. There are many mountain dulcimer players in Indiana. If you start a discussion asking about dulcimer..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @conrad:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Conrad. It's good to have you aboard. Follow Richard's suggestion. I'm sure you will receive many responses. Ken "The dulcimer sings a..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on A little tune I just can’t get out of my head:
"Sounds like Buffalo Gals to me. That's an interesting interlude between verses. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 2
Liked a photos item created by @jet3rry: chromatic diatonic frets
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "DAD........but no chords":
"I can understand that. I also do a lot of finger dancing. Folks think at playing noter style is easy, but it takes practice to make it sound good. Keep on..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @riley-watts:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Riley. It's good to have you aboard. Let us know if you have any questions. I have a particular interest in the pre-Appalachian dulcimer..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "DAD........but no chords":
"I often play noter style in DAd. After a little practice you can manipulate your noter to fret the middle string. Of course, there is no reason you can't use..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @merlinpicker101:
"Welcome to FOTMD, MerlinPicker101. It's good to have you aboard. Yes, the Merlin is not a mandolin and it isn't a dulcimer either. What it does have in..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @brudar:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Brudar. It's good to have you aboard. We some dulcimer makers here who can help you if you decide to build a dulcimer. Some of us have made..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @sidesadl:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Sidesaddle. It's good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. As Richard said, some of us enjoy..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @matthew-t:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Matthew_T. It's good to have you aboard. I hope you will find useful help here as you begin your dulcimer journey. Check out the West..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "RIP to our good fotmd friend Terry Wilson":
"I am saddened by the news of Terry's death. It is always somewhat of a mystery when an active member suddenly becomes silent. I wondered why he disappeared..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on An Appalachian Dulcimer Sculpture:
"Thanks for sharing the story and photos, David. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @jean:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Jean. Let us know if you have any questions as you begin your dulcimer journey. You will find many resources and helpful information as you..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @cathy-carlo:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Cathy. It's good to have you aboard. A general rule for all stringed instruments is that if you are comfortable, your dulcimer will be..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "A Question about dulcimer popularity...":
"This is an interesting conversation. I don't think there is a good method for measuring a decline or increase in popularity. Is it possible to compile a list..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 3 weeks ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @gnelson:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Nelson. It's good to have you aboard. Enjoy your travels. I hope you can find dulcimer groups to play with along the way. Ken "The dulcimer..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 3 weeks ago • comments: 24
Posted a new Comment on If you could buy your first dulcimer over again.....?:
"Don't know how I missed this thread the first time through. The first dulcimer I ever bought (at least all the pieces and parts) was one I made. It is a four..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 4 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "McSpadden FM12W care and feeding":
"Looks good. I'm glad this worked out for you. Enjoy playing the dulcimer. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 4 weeks ago • comments: 41
Posted a new Comment on How do Possum Boards REALLY work?:
"Perhaps some of you would be interested in reading this book: Interesting Dulcimer Experiment Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song." with or without a..."
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield • 4 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Introduce Yourself!":
"Glowhazel's last post was four years ago. If you do a search under the members tab above for Glowhazel you will find all of the posts and videos from this..."

Latest Group Discussions

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Ken Longfield

Another Tabledit question


Yesterday I updated my Tabledit for Mac to version 3.03 a4a. I can no...
@Ken Longfield 2 years ago - Comments: 10
Ken Longfield

T - 6


This is my sixth teardrop dulcimer. The shape comes from plans by Scott...
@Ken Longfield 4 years ago - Comments: 12
Ken Longfield

Latest project - Prichard


I started to build a C.N. Prichard reproduction, but made a mistake...
@Ken Longfield 5 years ago - Comments: 9
Ken Longfield

Making wood tuning pegs


For those of us who make wood tuning pegs, what finish do you put on...
@Ken Longfield 5 years ago - Comments: 3
Ken Longfield

Current build


Here are some photos as I near the completion of this project. The...
@Ken Longfield 5 years ago - Comments: 15
Ken Longfield

Tuning peg knobs


I have a customer who is having the tuning pegs replaced on two of his...
@Ken Longfield 6 years ago - Comments: 23
Ken Longfield

Wood Choice - Food For Thought


I came across this experiment for classical guitars and found it...
@Ken Longfield 9 years ago - Comments: 13
Ken Longfield

The Ugly Dulcimer - A Story


Somewhere and at sometime someone decided to build a mountain dulcimer...
@Ken Longfield 7 years ago - Comments: 8
Ken Longfield

Repairing a Diamond Dulcimer


While this is not a build, we do not have a specific area to show...
@Ken Longfield 11 years ago - Comments: 17
Ken Longfield

PA German Zitter


Here are some photos of PA German zitter reproduction I'm making. There...
@Ken Longfield 8 years ago - Comments: 17
Ken Longfield

Not a Mountain Dulcimer


A few folks here at FOTMD know that I was working on a hammered...
@Ken Longfield 12 years ago - Comments: 9
Ken Longfield

A New "Old" Project


Back maybe 20 to 25 years ago, my sister was wandering through a yard...
@Ken Longfield 8 years ago - Comments: 2
Ken Longfield

Stanley Hicks article


Although not dulcimer specific, Stanley Hicks played a significant...
@Ken Longfield 9 years ago - Comments: 8
Ken Longfield

The Story of the Dulcimer, Second Edition


This is just a notice that it is available for pre-ordering on Amazon.
@Ken Longfield 10 years ago - Comments: 14
Ken Longfield

PA German Zitter


As I understand it, Jean Ritchie saw a PA German Zitter in the...
@Ken Longfield 10 years ago - Comments: 0
Ken Longfield

Old-time West Virginia bands


County Sales currently has these two CDs on sale for $7.00 each if...
@Ken Longfield 10 years ago - Comments: 1
Ken Longfield

Wartz Tab Book Corrections


In the Wartz tab book for the DAA "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms," the...
@Ken Longfield 11 years ago - Comments: 2
Ken Longfield

My First Prichard


It is not quite finished, but I thought I would share a photo of my...
@Ken Longfield 11 years ago - Comments: 14
Ken Longfield

J. E. Thomas Dulcimer #1465 played by Joe Collins


Here is a link to a video of Joe Collins playing my James E. "Uncle Ed"...
@Ken Longfield 11 years ago - Comments: 6
Ken Longfield

String tension calculations


Over at the Banjo Hangout I saw a posting for a string tension...
@Ken Longfield 11 years ago - Comments: 5

Latest Audio

  All
Oh Lord, What A Morning

Oh Lord, What A Morning


@Ken Longfield
2 years ago - Comments: 7

Latest Videos

  All
Landis Valley Zitter

Landis Valley Zitter


@Ken Longfield
7 years ago - Comments: 19

Latest Photos

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Latest Forum Discussions

  All

Appalachian Dulcimer Museum

Posted: Saturday November 30 2024, 8:16 AM
By: @Jerry Posner

Pete Seeger

Posted: Monday November 25 2024, 9:37 AM
By: @Robin Thompson

Something Old with a new surprise

Posted: Thursday July 18 2024, 8:42 AM
By: @Ken Longfield

Folklife in Ohio

Posted: Wednesday July 17 2024, 11:07 AM
By: @cairney

Dulcimer Players News demise

Posted: Saturday May 4 2024, 7:52 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

Something to watch

Posted: Wednesday April 24 2024, 9:42 AM
By: @Ken Longfield

Robert N. Lackey, rest in peace

Posted: Wednesday March 6 2024, 11:45 AM
By: @Dusty Turtle

Just For Fun - sayings regarding the...

Posted: Thursday February 22 2024, 3:55 AM
By: @shanonmilan

Everythingdulcimer.com

Posted: Sunday July 16 2023, 1:58 PM
By: @Strumelia

Gary Sager

Posted: Thursday March 23 2023, 9:43 AM
By: @Robin Thompson

John Crocker

Posted: Thursday March 9 2023, 5:02 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

Mike Clemmer

Posted: Friday December 17 2021, 9:41 AM
By: @Skip

Don Pedi honored

Posted: Thursday September 16 2021, 6:11 AM
By: @Susie

Joni Mitchell and Mountain Dulcimers

Posted: Thursday August 26 2021, 8:38 PM
By: @Dusty Turtle

Zoom group invitation

Posted: Sunday May 23 2021, 6:24 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

An Interesting News Story from West Virginia

Posted: Thursday April 15 2021, 8:15 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

Bonnie Carol

Posted: Saturday April 3 2021, 6:54 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

Newspaper Article

Posted: Saturday March 13 2021, 10:38 AM
By: @Robin Thompson

Jon Pickow's last performance

Posted: Saturday January 23 2021, 10:07 PM
By: @Ken Hulme

Sad News -- RIP Ralph Lee Smith

Posted: Thursday December 31 2020, 3:05 PM
By: @Robin Thompson

Dr. George Orthey, Mountain dulcimer and...

Posted: Thursday November 26 2020, 12:07 PM
By: @Robin Thompson

Anyone bidding"

Posted: Thursday September 17 2020, 5:49 AM
By: @Susie

The New ED

Posted: Sunday April 19 2020, 10:50 AM
By: @Ken Longfield

Guitar project

Posted: Tuesday January 28 2020, 9:13 PM
By: @Susie

Sad News

Posted: Tuesday January 15 2019, 8:16 PM
By: @jeffrey charles foster

Capritaurus Dulcimer - Oh My!

Posted: Thursday November 22 2018, 7:56 AM
By: @Robin Thompson

Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming

Posted: Monday February 26 2018, 12:56 PM
By: @Jan Potts

Ukulele construction

Posted: Thursday September 14 2017, 9:42 AM
By: @Ken Longfield

Hindman, Kentucky

Posted: Saturday November 26 2016, 9:14 PM
By: @John C. Knopf

Wayfaring Strangers

Posted: Thursday February 4 2016, 8:56 AM
By: @Ken Longfield

Comments

ktdx
02/13/25 10:11:31AM @ktdx:

Good morning @Ken-Longfield and thank you for the welcome. I'd be happy to connect with all the Indiana dulcimer players but it would be a reach. I am in Garden City, Idaho. Looking forward to learning enough to play for myself and with others. 


Brudar
02/09/25 07:02:44PM @brudar:

Glad to find this group!


Matthew_T
02/09/25 03:53:43PM @matthew-t:

Thanks for the welcome (and for mentioning the WV specific group)! 


Hayland
01/22/25 11:29:18AM @hayland:

Thank you for your gracious welcome, Ken! 
It is much appreciated. nod


Damon
01/21/25 12:33:05PM @damon:

Yeah, thanks for the welcome.


Ricco
01/07/25 09:01:22AM @ricco:

Thank you for welcoming me in.  I have started building from scratch.  My time is very limited and I have a bunch of projects on my bench.  I am also trying to learn to play.  I have little musical experience but I also like the challenge.  At some point I think having an in person teacher will be very helpful.


michele
12/31/24 03:15:35PM @michele:

Thanks for the welcome, Ken.  I am a beginner to the mountain dulcimer, although I play guitar, banjo and a little mandolin.  I am trying to be intentional about learning, rather than reading tabs and trying to mimic arrangements I hear.  I’d prefer not to rely on tabs, in fact,  but rather learn the notes so I can play from regular music.  Right now I am working my way through some Brett Ridgeway you tube videos, but if you have other advice, I’d be happy to hear it.  I have been playing in DAD so far. 


Roger Casey
12/18/24 06:58:37PM @roger-casey:

Thanks, guess I'll call Just Strings for a little help since the Dulcimer is new to me.


Wally Venable
12/14/24 08:49:37AM @wally-venable:

Virtually any lap dulcimer can be strung with the common package sets for either DAA or DAD. Typically plain Steel .012, .012, .014, Nickel Wound .022.

I'm planning to try .014 melody strings one of these days since I ONLY tune to DAA. I don't expect to hear much difference. The .014 strings often break if tuned much above A# or so.


Roger Casey
12/13/24 07:47:04PM @roger-casey:

Thanks, Ken. I think you solved the middle string as being a 0.014 gauge, the "A" string. So, if I wanted to buy strings to restring the instrument for D A D tuning in the pattern that the nut and bridge are cut for, can you suggest the correct gauges?


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sabinafell
12/09/24 05:45:45PM @sabinafell:

Thank you so much!


Kayli
12/08/24 02:52:01PM @kayli:

Thank you for the warm welcome.


Rich H
11/20/24 07:22:49PM @rich-h:

Thanks Ken. It's that sound that got me interested in Dulcimer playing.

Rich H


Rich H
11/17/24 07:16:15PM @rich-h:

Thanks Ken


Geneco
11/05/24 11:03:19AM @geneco:

Ken I am new to this world of instruments but am looking forward to making and sharing.

Gene


Jeannie
11/03/24 02:03:49PM @jeannie:

Thank you, Ken. I've enjoyed reading some of your posts. 


Never Bored
10/30/24 10:31:47AM @never-bored:

Thanks for the welcome, Ken! I just took a 10 hr dulcimer class taught by Anne Lough through John C Campbell Folk School, and I'm loving every moment spent practicing. I look forward to learning from and giving back to this community. 

Lisa


ShirinSam
10/10/24 07:25:51PM @shirinsam:

Thank you for the warm welcome Ken. I will be posting pictures of my dulcimer soon. I'm not seeing any cracks, and I'm going to take it slow, so it shouldn't be too huge of a challenge.


MD_Swede
10/02/24 06:28:44PM @md-swede:

Thank you very much for welcoming me. Im very happy to have found FOTMD,  its a goldmine for me to find so much information. Mountain dulcimer is a very rare instrument in Sweden so this is great! 


RevDave
10/02/24 01:14:33PM @revdave:

Thanks!