Leo Kretzner

Location:

Location: Lytle Creek, CA
Country: US

My Latest Followers:

ChcknJ Homer Ross DavisJames Larry Walton jost NateBuildsToys Sue MacKenzie - ADK Friends dforrest Joyoussinger stevieland dulcinina John W Gregg Schneeman Tumbleweed Pierre-Yves Donnio Wayne Jiang Patricia Delich Rob N Lackey Paula Brawdy Mark Filler Mark Gilston Dusty Turtle Ken Longfield Joseph Besse Steve Eulberg Linda Riddle Robin Thompson Strumelia

Stats

youtube videos: 14
images: 59
events: 3

I grew up in Detroit, MI, and started playing mtn dulcimer in 1975 after having played drums and guitar. The first dulcimer I ever saw was when Brian Jones played one at a Rolling Stones concert, on "Ruby Tuesday." I subsequently saw one here or there at folk music events and finally had to get one after having a chance to play one and staying up till the wee hours doing so. 

I took a few lessons with Margaret MacArthur who was very influential on me in left-hand technique such as hammer-ons and pull-offs. But instead of finger picking with right hand as she did I've always used a pick and done a strum + picking out single strings combination. I try to give pieces a strong beat, especially on the upbeat. I listen to almost anything under the sun. 

I play four equal strings, D-A-D-D, low to high. I wouldn't be without it - along with a 1.5 fret. Four equidistant is most common in the greater Boston area due to Lorraine Lee's longtime teaching around there, and it's otherwise a bit rare, I find.  Lorraine and I met a year after I'd spent time with Margaret MacArthur. We both played three-string dulcimers, mine D-A-D and hers the uncommon A-D-D. It was a "worlds collide" experience for both of us. I had bass notes for chords and little bass runs, she had beautiful treble triads - and neither of us could play the others arrangements. I saw Lorraine about a year later, and we had both gone to four equidistant strings - the best of both worlds! The rest is histerical (sic).  

What I'd love to find is a six-equidistant (or at least 5), to get REAL bass notes - down to the 'drop D' bass string of a guitar. Sam Rizetta built one, a prototype that I played in a happy daze and I'd suffer much to have. But I can't pay him enough to build another - he has too many back orders for his hammered dulcimers! 

Besides here, I can be reached by email at leokretz@gmail.com or by phone/text at 909-896-2483.

Best regards to all,

Leo K

PS - I've even figured out how to change the little comments under picture. I'm a bit slow, but persistent. 

 

Latest Activity

  All
Leo Kretzner
@leo-kretzner • 6 days ago • comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Is this simply a type of hummel, or something else??:
"Perhaps I can get Wilfried's approval in calling this one my Kretzither."
Leo Kretzner
@leo-kretzner • 6 days ago • comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Is this simply a type of hummel, or something else??:
"Great info guys, thanks! Nice to get a confirmation on the name 'raffele'. Now my main question is, what distinguishes a raffele from a hummel?? Especially..."
Leo Kretzner
@leo-kretzner • 6 days ago • comments: 29
Posted a new Comment on A scheitholt with no first fret:
"Wow, Strumelia, I'm trying to process everything you suggest! Great observations. A. To me, the nut and bridge wood pieces look of the same kind and vintage..."
Leo Kretzner
@leo-kretzner • one week ago • comments: 29
Posted a new Comment on A scheitholt with no first fret:
"Oh it's not playable on many grounds - the tuners are locked in place, would need pliars to turn at all, and risk cracking the wood!"
Leo Kretzner
@leo-kretzner • one week ago • comments: 29
Posted a new Comment on A scheitholt with no first fret:
"Thanks Dusty, so that's what 'embed local media' means!!"
Leo Kretzner
@leo-kretzner • one week ago • comments: 29
Posted a new Comment on A scheitholt with no first fret:
"Nate I think that's basically it. I took more pics just to try and show it better. Indeed if the tuners were on the head, there'd be room for a a nut, first..."
Leo Kretzner
@leo-kretzner • one week ago • comments: 29
Posted a new Comment on A scheitholt with no first fret:
"By the way, Ken, I like your suggestion as to why the 'heart' is oddly shaped - trying to adapt to plain old dumb luck! "
Leo Kretzner
@leo-kretzner • one week ago • comments: 29
Posted a new Comment on A scheitholt with no first fret:
"The tuners would need to be way 'up' (leftward) on the peghead for there to be room for a proper nut plus first fret. That picture with the nut slid back is..."
Leo Kretzner
@leo-kretzner • one week ago • comments: 29
Posted a new Comment on A scheitholt with no first fret:
"Or, said another way, if that's a first fret, there's no first space between it and the nut. OR it's just incredibly badly placed?? But why so long? It's..."
Leo Kretzner
@leo-kretzner • one week ago • comments: 29
Posted a new Comment on A scheitholt with no first fret:
"Yes, there is a long 'fret' running across the entire instrument that the nut is abutted to (2 &1/4" long, vs 3/4" for all others). I'll attach a closeup..."
Leo Kretzner
@leo-kretzner • one week ago • comments: 29
Posted a new Comment on A scheitholt with no first fret:
"By the way, here are the measurements: 31 and 1/4" length from headstock to end. Vibrating string length 22 and 3/4". Width is 2 and 3/4" at headstock, 2 and..."
Leo Kretzner
@leo-kretzner • one week ago • comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Is this simply a type of hummel, or something else??:
"Okay, here are the pictures. Two of the pictures are from a French poster I've had forever and don't recall the provenance of, showing a woman playing the..."
Leo Kretzner
@leo-kretzner • one week ago • comments: 8
Created a new Group discussion "Is this simply a type of hummel, or something else??":
"This instrument was bought at an antique store and they knew nothing about it. I will add the pictures in the next post, as that seems to be the only..."
Dulcimer Ancestors
Leo Kretzner
@leo-kretzner • one week ago • comments: 29
Posted a new Comment on A scheitholt with no first fret:
"Okay, for some reason this comment window includes an "attach file" button, which the window for starting a new discussion didn't (unless I am partially..."
Leo Kretzner
@leo-kretzner • one week ago • comments: 29
https://fotmd.com/leo-kretzner/group_discuss/3219/https://fotmd.com/leo-kretzner/group_discuss/3219/a-scheitholt-with-no-first-fret
Leo Kretzner
@leo-kretzner • one week ago • comments: 29
Created a new Group discussion "A scheitholt with no first fret":
"I recently acquired a scheitholt, which I was amazed to find on Craigslist under musical instruments, as that category is 99.9% guitars, amps and modern..."
Dulcimer Ancestors
Leo Kretzner
@leo-kretzner • one week ago • comments: 10
Posted a new Comment on A Little Zither History:
"Those are some intensely detailed articles, the first two especially. Settle into a chair with a cuppa to read! My synopsis: Johann Petzmayer transformed..."

Latest Group Discussions

  All
Leo Kretzner

Is this simply a type of hummel, or something else??


This instrument was bought at an antique store and they knew nothing...
@Leo Kretzner one week ago - Comments: 8
Leo Kretzner

A scheitholt with no first fret


I recently acquired a scheitholt, which I was amazed to find on...
@Leo Kretzner one week ago - Comments: 29
Leo Kretzner

Beginner help with TablEdit


I've downloaded the tab-writing application TablEdit and am totally...
@Leo Kretzner 2 years ago - Comments: 14

Latest Photos

  All
MD day cmont 5.jpeg
MD day cmont 4.jpeg
MD day cmont 2.jpeg
MD Day Cmont 1.jpeg
unicorns by Linda Foley, Lost Valley D's, Apr'82 (d25).jpg
unicorn s holes, by Eddie Damm  Apr'81 (d87).jpg
fish s holes, by Pete Kappes (d94).jpg
duck sound holes, Jul'82, unknown (d98).jpg
dog head s holes, by Pete Kappes, May'82 (d93).jpg
butterfly holes, detail, Holly W-U.jpg
'wheat' sound holes, no other notes.jpg
f-holes and hearts, 8 string by DavidField, Glassboro NJ.jpg
heart f-hole sort of, by AlanDarveaux.jpg
f-style, maybe d14 by Bill Davis.jpg
f-holes, by Steve Smith, Phila PA (d68).jpg
f holes w mottled top, by RevMaxGilmore....jpg
heart f-holes, by James A Tranthum, Canton NC.jpg
heart-embellished f-holes Romey Pittman.jpg

Latest Forum Discussions

  All

What happened to 6 photos I tried to...

Posted: Wednesday August 5 2020, 9:02 PM
By: @Leo Kretzner

Comments

Leo Kretzner
08/05/17 05:43:39PM @leo-kretzner:

How do I change the generic dulcimer photo that appear with any of my posts?


Ken Longfield
05/29/15 10:17:08AM @ken-longfield:

Hi Leo. I've had the same problem at other places. Glad you signed up again.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."


John Keane
05/29/15 06:36:33AM @john-keane:

Howdy and welcome back to fotmd!


Ben Barr Jr
05/28/15 07:25:00PM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:

Hi Leo, and welcome once again 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, and to meet some good people.

Ben Smile.gif


Rob N Lackey
05/28/15 07:20:16PM @rob-n-lackey:

Welcome back, Leo, to this little corner of dulcimer heaven. I've been enjoying your cds, but sure would like to get some more. When are you going in the studio again?

Rob


Karen Keane
05/28/15 07:16:44PM @karen-keane:
Hello and welcome to the site. This is a great place to share ideas and listen to music. I hope you enjoy!
Jim Fawcett
05/28/15 05:30:38PM @jim-fawcett:

Hey Leo, welcome aboard. Glad ya found us.


Cynthia Wigington
05/28/15 09:56:29AM @cynthia-wigington:

WB Leo. Guess you know the drill. Greetings from Vermont - we just had torrential rainstorms and power outage yesterday. Wish I could mail you some.