Strumelia

Location:

Location: Germantown, NY
Country: US

My Latest Followers:

Robert Owens ccpastork Damon jet3rry gerardo1000 Eiji Higuchi RobMachin GreatLakes73 Neil Elliott LaughingMoose Sea Strings MelSabol Mary_Adelee ChcknJ selkiestrummer Chaplain Peter Bvmaestro colindaguthrie Beth T squeakyhawk chadritchie ccyahwehslady AndiBear Susan Ann MandaPanda jost Holly Tannen ocean-daughter stephenericberry Wendell G Cheryl W Nate Big Bubba oldmdpicker sparrowbirdy dano Ferrator Lancer JCM DulcimerBill Becky Liza Combs Lisa TwoGunBob Noah Cline hstulips tssfulk Hobbyhorse haydee025 PatG

Stats

Blogs: 5
youtube videos: 33
images: 86
Groups: 34
videos: 1

vbs2m8be.jpg  

I love playing lap dulcimer, banjo, epinette, pennywhistle, Cretan Lyra, bones, limberjacks....mostly play old-time tunes, minstrel era tunes, and medieval tunes..

Love my fiddling husband, contra dancing, and playing with our cats.  And my honeybees.  :)

 

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My Blog on playing traditional style Noter/Drone style mountain dulcimer, including over 30 FREE noter style TABS and video instructions:
Strumelia's Noter Drone dulcimer BLOG

I also run a site for selling music-themed t-shirts:  Harmonia'sBigB t-shirts

And a site for penny whistle players:  https://pennywhistleclub.com/

Need professional patent illustration? Contact  ptiserviceco.com

Mastodon

Latest Activity

  All
Strumelia
@strumelia • yesterday • comments: 4
Liked a music item created by @davisjames: Seven Years.
Strumelia
@strumelia • 3 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Playing A Longer VSL":
"Wow @ken-longfield , that is amazing!  "
Strumelia
@strumelia • 5 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "dulcimer music books for sale":
"what a bout your shipping arrangenments and cost? where are you located?"
Strumelia
@strumelia • 5 days ago • comments: 351
Posted a new Comment on @richard-streib:
"@Jim-Cadorette - I deleted your dulcimer for sale ad for you.  Thanks for your donation.  :)"
Strumelia
@strumelia • 6 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Tuners on Folkcrat instrument are difficult to turn":
"Great advice from both Richard and Ken! BTW lubricating the gears will not make the tuners less likely to hold tension when tuned. While that might be true..."
Strumelia
@strumelia • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Playing A Longer VSL":
"Nate:I don't think the difference between 24 and 26.5 is that huge. Long stretches like a 1-2-4 chord might be about 1/2 inch further.   Nate makes a great..."
Strumelia
@strumelia • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Playing A Longer VSL":
"Something else to keep in mind...  assuming you wish to tune both dulcimers to the same key and the same notes on your strings, you may have to use slightly..."
Strumelia
@strumelia • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Playing A Longer VSL":
"I'm assuming you mostly play in DAd tuning?Are you able to concentrate more on playing the melody notes without necessarily playing the full chords of the..."
Strumelia
@strumelia • one week 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..."
Strumelia
@strumelia • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Liked a forum discussions item created by @alex-lubet: A Farewell
Strumelia
@strumelia • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Liked a forum discussions item created by @kathreen-miller: Translating chords from one key to another
Strumelia
@strumelia • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Rebec":
"You might enjoy this short article:..."
Strumelia
@strumelia • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Rebec":
"In the meantime, i downsized that photo to make things easier.  ;)"
Strumelia
@strumelia • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "New album":
"Alex, I read with interest the description of your album in the link you provided- the combination of dulcimer player, singer, and Victorian era woman writer..."
Strumelia
@strumelia • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "I need BASIC dulcimer help - Complete novice":
"Looking at a closeup of that mystery empty fret slot... My thoughts:A good luthier would never have put that extremely misplaced slot there in the first..."
Strumelia
@strumelia • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Gary Gallier's Starsong Dulcimer dim.?":
"It strikes me that a VSL scale length of 27" is in the normal/standard range for a dulcimer."
Strumelia
@strumelia • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Dulcimer Value":
"@ken-longfield , you never fail to amaze me with how much you know about dulcimers and their makers."
Strumelia
@strumelia • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Dulcimer Value":
"I agree- use a flashlight to really look inside there, peering in at various angles. It happens, but it's rare that a dulcimer that nice would have no label..."
Strumelia
@strumelia • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Liked a forum discussions item created by @alex-lubet: New album
Strumelia
@strumelia • 3 weeks ago • comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on First Dulcimer:
"Oh wow, you made it? Very nice job!"
Strumelia
@strumelia • 4 weeks ago • comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on First Dulcimer:
"Lovely!   :)"
Strumelia
@strumelia • 4 weeks ago • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Lady_of_the_Lake:
"Thank you very much!"
Strumelia
@strumelia • 4 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "radius fret-board.":
"As far as I know (which isn't much), a radiused fingerboard is intended to be helpful in making chord stretched and barred chords when your hand is curving..."
Strumelia
@strumelia • 4 weeks ago • comments: 1
Liked a music item created by @dan: A Tune For Cece
Strumelia
@strumelia • 4 weeks ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Headin' South:
"Very nicely played!"
Strumelia
@strumelia • 4 weeks ago • comments: 5
Liked a music item created by @davisjames: Headin' South
Strumelia
@strumelia • one month ago • comments: 18
Posted a new Comment on In The Morning, Very Early; Tune: Beach Spring, Text: Anne McKinstry:
"Beautifully played and sung. And wonderful words written by Anne."
Strumelia
Strumelia
@strumelia • one month ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "The Positive Thread...":
"@robin-thompson , that is so wonderful!"
Strumelia
@strumelia • one month ago • comments: 2
Liked a music item created by @studentofrhythm: Pine Cones
Strumelia
@strumelia • one month ago • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Pine Cones:
"This is quite beautiful. Your voice goes well with this dulcimer tone. The piece is emotive and has an ancient feel to it. Well done."
Strumelia
@strumelia • one month ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Mr Dusty T":
"Too funny!!  "
Strumelia
@strumelia • one month ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Apologies":
"No apologies needed, Alex!  "
Strumelia
@strumelia • one month ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Lefties":
"Hi, I'm a leftie who plays musical instruments as right-handed. I knit right handed as well. It just makes everything easier, and both hands are doing..."
Strumelia

Latest Group Discussions

  All
Strumelia

A choir focused on Alzheimer patients


A cool interactive article about a choir that explores the benefits of...
@Strumelia 9 months ago - Comments: 1
Strumelia

Lucy M. Long's brief history of the mountain dulcimer


A nice succinct article of the basics....
@Strumelia 9 months ago - Comments: 5
Strumelia

The end coming for Finale...


Looks like they are going to stop updating the Finale music writing...
@Strumelia 11 months ago - Comments: 1
Strumelia

Suggestions please for buying a first dulcimer


This has not been discussed in a while so I thought I'd bring it back...
@Strumelia last year - Comments: 30
Strumelia

The Country Dance Society 1963 newsletter... fascinating!


I found this newsletter online somewhere years ago, and just stumbled on...
@Strumelia last year - Comments: 2
Strumelia

Antiques Roadshow 1800s dulcimer appraisal


Nice old 1800s dulcimer.  I think one would be very hard pressed to...
@Strumelia last year - Comments: 1
Strumelia

Jean's phone interview with Jean Metcalfe


Not sure if this has been mentioned before, but I had not seen it....
@Strumelia 2 years ago - Comments: 2
Strumelia

Article from Kentucky Educational Television


I'm sure this may have been posted here before, but KET website has a...
@Strumelia 3 years ago - Comments: 2
Strumelia

youtube tv episode on Edd Presnell...


I got the following note from Andy Johnston today: "In the 1970s I...
@Strumelia 4 years ago - Comments: 3
Strumelia

Just ordered a bunch of new strings...


I own two mtn dulcimers, two epinettes, a hummel and a langspil, about...
@Strumelia 5 years ago - Comments: 9
Strumelia

A little bit of Phyllis Gaskins...yum!


I normally don't post Facebook links here, but Phyllis just posted a...
@Strumelia 5 years ago - Comments: 5
Strumelia

Ritchie Family Christmas reunion video, 1955


What a treasure this film clip is. Wishing all FOTMD members a...
@Strumelia 5 years ago - Comments: 1
Strumelia

What is a "luthier" ?


The word luthier always seems to imply a skilled artist who makes...
@Strumelia 5 years ago - Comments: 21
Strumelia

Hindman Luthiery school giving people a second chance


An uplifting story, includes dulcimers:...
@Strumelia 5 years ago - Comments: 4
Strumelia

guitars built from a lynching tree


I thought this was a fascinating article about this man who seems to...
@Strumelia 5 years ago - Comments: 2
Strumelia

2013 article in Antiques Magazine - Virginia dulcimer


Not sure if anyone had posted about this 2013 article, but here it is-...
@Strumelia 5 years ago - Comments: 3
Strumelia

ZOOM: online group playing via online video


Please share helpful links on how to use Zoom, Google Meet, Group...
@Strumelia 5 years ago - Comments: 1
Strumelia

The Rockin' LIVESTREAM thread- for all members!


Greetings FOTMD members, and esteemed members of the Rockin' In The...
@Strumelia 5 years ago - Comments: 18
Strumelia

Tell us your reason for choosing a chromatic dulcimer!


At first glance it might seem an obvious question, but I bet there are...
@Strumelia 6 years ago - Comments: 24
Strumelia

Stroke victims use music to help them regain speech


I loved this!  SO inspiring:...
@Strumelia 6 years ago - Comments: 1

Latest Audio

  All
Mary Blane

Mary Blane


@Strumelia
10 years ago - Comments: 9
Param & strumelia, yoga w/harmonium_1

Param & strumelia, yoga...


@Strumelia
12 years ago - Comments: 4
Callahan

Callahan


@Strumelia
16 years ago - Comments: 4
Goodbye_Girls,_I'm_Going_to_Boston

Goodbye_Girls,_I'm_Going_to_B...


@Strumelia
16 years ago - Comments: 4
Sally's_Got_Mud_Between_Her_Toes

Sally's_Got_Mud_Between_Her_Toes


@Strumelia
16 years ago - Comments: 1
Lady_of_the_Lake

Lady_of_the_Lake


@Strumelia
16 years ago - Comments: 2
Rattler Treed a Possum-Lisa on banjo

Rattler Treed a Possum-Lisa...


@Strumelia
16 years ago - Comments: 0

Latest Videos

  All
Clyde the limberjack

Clyde the limberjack


@Strumelia
2 years ago - Comments: 6
Handsome Molly (2009, short clip)

Handsome Molly (2009, short clip)


@Strumelia
6 years ago - Comments: 13
Three Ravens on Langspil

Three Ravens on Langspil


@Strumelia
6 years ago - Comments: 29
Nicaea hymn tune on penny whistle

Nicaea hymn tune on penny whistle


@Strumelia
7 years ago - Comments: 21
Silver Lake Waltz

Silver Lake Waltz


@Strumelia
8 years ago - Comments: 7
Carve That Possum

Carve That Possum


@Strumelia
8 years ago - Comments: 19
The Cuckoo - penny whistle

The Cuckoo - penny whistle


@Strumelia
8 years ago - Comments: 14
Pretty Saro - penny whistle

Pretty Saro - penny whistle


@Strumelia
9 years ago - Comments: 16
Limberjack dancing

Limberjack dancing


@Strumelia
13 years ago - Comments: 27

Latest Photos

  All
langspil bows_1.jpg
4.jpg
3.jpg
1.jpg
2.jpg
pear peghead block.jpg
langspil-tail.JPG
langspil-head.JPG
strumelia-langpsil.JPG
Langspil strumelia.jpg
langspil_5.jpg
langspil_4.jpg
langspil_3.jpg
langspil_2.jpg
langspil_1.jpg
rogue-whistles.jpg
carvethatpossum2017_s.jpg
silverlakewaltz2017_s.jpg

Latest Forum Discussions

  All

The Positive Thread...

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

Introduce Yourself!

Posted: Thursday June 12 2025, 7:04 AM
By: @Robin Thompson

Things to consider with International...

Posted: Monday May 12 2025, 7:29 PM
By: @Richard Streib

RIP to our good fotmd friend Terry Wilson

Posted: Sunday March 16 2025, 4:18 AM
By: @Jan Potts

The Drifting Thread...

Posted: Monday January 13 2025, 5:00 PM
By: @Strumelia

What Are You Working On?

Posted: Sunday January 5 2025, 2:16 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

FOTMD needs your support

Posted: Wednesday January 1 2025, 12:43 AM
By: @Maddie Myers

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL FOMTD MEMBERS!

Posted: Tuesday December 31 2024, 7:02 PM
By: @Richard Streib

Bowed Psaltery

Posted: Sunday December 8 2024, 2:57 PM
By: @Susie

Dick Van Dyke.. at 99 years strong!

Posted: Friday December 6 2024, 5:44 PM
By: @Robin Thompson

Showing support for FOTMD ?

Posted: Friday November 15 2024, 1:57 PM
By: @Strumelia

Healthy Living- healthy eating, exercise,...

Posted: Tuesday November 12 2024, 10:51 AM
By: @robert schuler

Indoor House Plants

Posted: Wednesday September 11 2024, 5:25 AM
By: @akituko

Choosing for bad weather..?

Posted: Friday August 9 2024, 11:47 AM
By: @Strumelia

What's your current fave GO-TO instrument...

Posted: Monday July 29 2024, 10:57 AM
By: @Jerry Posner

Use Descriptive thread titles

Posted: Sunday June 2 2024, 7:55 PM
By: @Strumelia

FOTMD one year anniversary on July 29th,...

Posted: Wednesday May 22 2024, 10:29 AM
By: @Robin Thompson

Frame Drums

Posted: Tuesday May 7 2024, 4:55 AM
By: @shanonmilan

April Come She Will (Simon & Garfunkel)

Posted: Sunday November 19 2023, 7:12 PM
By: @ocean-daughter

Contra dancing :)

Posted: Sunday November 19 2023, 1:09 PM
By: @ocean-daughter

Kurt Vonnegut quote...

Posted: Monday October 23 2023, 5:49 AM
By: @shanonmilan

Show Us Your Pets!

Posted: Monday October 16 2023, 10:50 AM
By: @dtortorich

FANS OF NATE

Posted: Tuesday August 29 2023, 1:27 AM
By: @Dusty Turtle

R.I.P. George Haggerty

Posted: Thursday June 8 2023, 4:12 PM
By: @Strumelia

FOTMD Advisory...

Posted: Wednesday April 19 2023, 8:36 AM
By: @Strumelia

FOTMD Chat Room!

Posted: Friday November 18 2022, 5:50 AM
By: @Strumelia

Thanks to our FOTMD welcoming "Greeters"!

Posted: Tuesday October 25 2022, 9:53 AM
By: @marg

RIP Bill Taylor

Posted: Wednesday May 11 2022, 4:36 PM
By: @Leny-Sue

Joni Mitchell's song "River"...

Posted: Friday March 11 2022, 7:20 AM
By: @Alegre1

Remembering "Deputy Mo" / The Friendly Beasts

Posted: Sunday December 26 2021, 11:17 AM
By: @Ken Longfield

Comments

Intelisano
04/17/25 06:16:26AM @intelisano:

smiler


Intelisano
04/15/25 05:28:36PM @intelisano:

I understand about the loops. However, whoever put these strings on, twisted the loops until there were no more loops. As though they would never have to be changed...I'm taking my violin to a luthier next week and I think I'm just going to take this dulcimer and maybe he has some tool that can get them off. Hope so. 


Brudar
02/10/25 10:54:36AM @brudar:

Yes, the gecko is a watercolor I did a few years back. The painting is intended as a 3-D optical illusion, as everything you see in the picture is painted - including the artist’s hand and brush and even the low-tact tape around the borders of the paper. Attached is a photo of the “model” for the painting. Glad you enjoyed it!


Hayland
01/23/25 05:02:16PM @hayland:

Well said!  I am enjoying some long goodbyes.


Maddie Myers
01/04/25 07:07:12AM @maddie-myers:

You're very welcome, Strumelia.  Wish it could have been more and I wish I had been more aware of the need sooner.  I'm a little embarrassed I was so oblivious.  Will plan for support more regularly in future.  Thank you for all you do.

Maddie


John C. Knopf
11/15/24 07:42:36PM @john-c-knopf:

You are most welcome, Lisa!  Keep on keepin' on!


simond
09/26/24 04:08:38PM @simond:

Hi Strumelia!  

Thank you for your response.  I will just have to try to improve my version I think!

Simon


Hester1950
07/31/24 09:08:23AM @hester1950:

Thank you for your response on how to get feedback.  I clicked on the link you provided, I do not see a "new post" button/link.  Please tell me where I click to create a new post.  Thank you again!


John Pettreemusic
04/03/24 01:21:32AM @john-petry:

Hi there your Most High Moderator!

  I did sell the Hughes style I had for sale....Could you please drop the listing for me? I did make a "donation" of $5 via paypal....but the e-mail I use there is different than my FOTMD account. It probably came across as mannaacres@frontiernet.net.

  Thanks for doing all that you do,

Shalom,

john


Jerry Posner
03/28/24 11:02:32AM @jerry-posner:

I do live near Dewey Hall ... but I don't dance! smiler


john thorp
01/04/24 11:55:42AM @john-thorp:

Thank you so much. I found the link and I was able to find the article. This  is a great site and I look forward to more interaction.


dtortorich
10/15/23 07:02:07PM @dtortorich:

Thanks!  Sorry for the delay.  I have been busy with other things.  


MacAodha
07/28/23 05:56:23AM @macaodha:

I think I play that as Roger and Lorraine Lee Hammond, maybe not note for note, have a listen to their version. I was partly aware of the story related to the dance tune. Thank you for comment and information.


DJMalus
05/21/23 01:03:12PM @djmalus:

Thanks! It's a Warren May I picked up at an estate sale about 10 years ago. I was late to the sale and shocked it was still there. My music teacher at the time thought it was probably because of the 0.5 fret. From what I read recently in the Folkcraft newsletter the 0.5 fret is getting popular. I had to put the dots on the fretboard because it was really confusing me. krazy


colindaguthrie
02/18/23 11:46:07AM @colindaguthrie:

Mrs. Strumelia,
Greetings from Green Country! Thank you. It is truly incredible, the amount of time and work gone into this website. I first heard John Barleycorn when my husband’s group, Bear Creek Troupe, added it to their set list. After your mention this morning I cruised on over to YouTube to listen to Traffic. It’s great and so are they. Thanks again and have a great weekend.
Kind regards 
Colinda Guthrie


Beth T
09/01/22 03:02:18AM @beth-t:

You’re welcome Strumelia. I know how much time and effort goes in to maintaining a supportive forum such as this. You and your colleagues do a splendid job of it.


shawsg
01/23/22 04:52:24PM @shawsg:

Hi Strumelia, 
I'm not sure where the best place to post this is.  

I'm going to be buying my first Dulcimer soon and am looking around. I'm a trained musician but new to Dulcimer.  I think I want to get a baritone as I plan mostly singer/songwriter stuff.   Do you have any recommendations on models, and beginning?
Also, I have a particular limitation - I don't have a ring finger anymore - do you think I could adapt with my other fingers?  I tried a dulcimer yesterday and wasn't sure if there would be too much strain on my wrist to adjust to other fingers, l leading to carpal tunnel Thoughts?

thanks!


dtortorich
01/13/22 07:48:23PM @dtortorich:

Thanks!  Sorry for the delay in responding.  I need to get online more often.  There is so much on this site. 


Susan Ann
02/18/21 03:16:07PM @susan-ann:

Thank you Strumelia!  I'm excited to be part of the Mountain Dulcimer family.  I found the links you sent me very informative.   I'm learning my way around FOTMD and will try to post some pictures.  Looking forward to staying in touch!


Holly Tannen
11/20/20 10:28:19PM @holly-tannen:

Hi Strumelia!

I've enjoyed your posts during my time lurking.

I'm a pretty good dulcimer player, but I've come to computers late and get confused easily. Please accept my apologies in advance if I don't answer or make mistakes.