Strumelia

Location:

Location: Germantown, NY
Country: US

My Latest Followers:

ccpastork jet3rry gerardo1000 Eiji Higuchi RobMachin 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 Ron Zuckerman Elvensong Exukaden

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.  :)

 

 ----------
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 • 8 hours ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on The Garden Hymn:
"I always enjoy your playing, singing, and paintings combos, John. As a knitter, I especially like that painting with the sheep!  🧶..."
Strumelia
@strumelia • 3 days ago • comments: 0
Liked a youtube item created by @luigi: HEN FERCHETAN and DIFYRRWCH GWYR Y GOGLEDD
Strumelia
@strumelia • 6 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Lute Dulcimer":
"This is an age old discussion that has been going on for far longer than the 30 or so years I've been into dulcimers.Is the "neck/fretboard extending beyond..."
Strumelia
@strumelia • one week ago • comments: 10
Liked a photos item created by @patty-from-virginia: Ken and Rob's Mawhee dulcimer
Strumelia
@strumelia • one week ago • comments: 1
Liked a photos item created by @ken-backer: springridge farms
Strumelia
@strumelia • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Lute Dulcimer":
"Marsha Elliott: Strumelia, Key of D  Ok, then try tuning to DAC rather than DAd  (tune one step lower on your melody string(s). Your 'key or home note' of..."
Strumelia
@strumelia • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Lute Dulcimer":
"Marsha, what key do you want to be playing in?  Then we can tell you what tuning to use if you want to be playing with that 'medieval sounding' aeolian..."
Strumelia
@strumelia • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Lute Dulcimer":
"There might be some confusion here between referring to "a lute" and referring to a member of the lute category of instruments... being a sound box with an..."
Strumelia
@strumelia • one week ago • comments: 1
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: Waltz from Orsa (duet)
Strumelia
@strumelia • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Lute Dulcimer":
"In that video, he is simply putting a capo on fret 1, which changes you to Aeolian mode. Aeolian mode sounds minor and gives you that 'ancient' sound that..."
Strumelia
@strumelia • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Hearts of the Dulcimer.":
"@lilley-pad , that's cool!"
Strumelia
@strumelia • 2 weeks ago • comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on White Cockade:
"This is nice to revisit again. Well done Randy."
Strumelia
@strumelia • 2 weeks ago • comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Leaning:
"So very sweet. Love the sound of your dulcimer playing, and the vibe with these sweet photos."
Strumelia
@strumelia • 2 weeks ago • comments: 11
Liked a video item created by @john-henry: Lochaber No More
Strumelia
@strumelia • 2 weeks ago • comments: 1
Liked a youtube item created by @blue-hand: Land of the Silver Birch
Strumelia
@strumelia • 2 weeks ago • comments: 1
Liked a youtube item created by @tom-mcdonald: A Song for Barbara -- MD original
Strumelia
@strumelia • 2 weeks ago • comments: 22
Liked a video item created by @foggers: Arise, Arise on Green Man Mountain Dulcimer
Strumelia
@strumelia • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Scale length":
"Adding to what Dusty said, tone can also be greatly effected by the wood thickness... not simply by the size of the sound box and its scale length. @Dan..."
Strumelia
@strumelia • 2 weeks ago • comments: 6
Liked a youtube item created by @john-w-mckinstry: Jesus Won't You Come by Here?
Strumelia
@strumelia • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Liked a forum discussions item created by @lilley-pad: Mr Moses Scrivner
Strumelia
@strumelia • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "A Question about dulcimer popularity...":
"Incredibly talented!"
Strumelia
@strumelia • 3 weeks ago • comments: 1
Liked a music item created by @studentofrhythm: Stout Staves, Sure Feet
Strumelia
@strumelia • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Shortest scale length to help with playing on 4 strings":
"With a 23" scale, you'd have to use somewhat heavy strings to keep the DAd tuning from being too floppy (especially for the middle A string). What gauge..."
Strumelia
@strumelia • 3 weeks ago • comments: 28
Liked a group discussions item created by @strumelia: Suggestions please for buying a first dulcimer
Strumelia
@strumelia • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Chet Hines “dulcimore” ":
"cairney: I have photos but can’t seem to figure out how to post them here.   Try looking at these threads... (it depends on if you are trying to add a..."
Strumelia
@strumelia • 3 weeks ago • comments: 7
Liked a groups item created by @robin-thompson: Rosin the Bow!
Strumelia
@strumelia • 3 weeks ago • comments: 12
Liked a group discussions item created by @david-bennett: Today In Mountain Dulcimer History: March
Strumelia
@strumelia • 4 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Music for Kalimba, Dulcimer & Modular Synthesizer":
"Damon, I enjoyed hearing that music you created and watching your fishing video where you put the two together. Nice work."
Strumelia
@strumelia • 4 weeks ago • comments: 0
Liked a forum discussions item created by @damon: Music for Kalimba, Dulcimer & Modular Synthesizer
Strumelia
@strumelia • 4 weeks ago • comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Instruments for jamming:
"Maybe you could try that link again?  I'm not sure why it wasn't working, but it's working for me now, at least.  :)"
Strumelia
@strumelia • 4 weeks ago • comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Instruments for jamming:
"Carolyn, I live in NY, nd over the years I've played in many oldtime fiddle tune jam sessions in the northeast. There are many amazing oldtime fiddlers in..."
Strumelia
@strumelia • one month ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "to get chromatic or not":
"I just reread this 2 year old thread from the beginning- it's got so many wonderful points of view and insights from knowledgeable folks. A good read!"
Strumelia
@strumelia • one month ago • comments: 0
Liked a group discussions item created by @robin-thompson: a recent podcast on Jean Ritchie
Strumelia
@strumelia • one month ago • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on My instruments:
"Looks to be in perfect condition. Nice!"
Strumelia
@strumelia • one month ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Question about the 6 1/2 fret":
"I guess a lot also depended on what tuning the person liked to use... as to whether a 3.5 fret would be useful? We can't just assume they tuned 1-5-8 or 1-5-5."

Latest Group Discussions

  All
Strumelia

A choir focused on Alzheimer patients


A cool interactive article about a choir that explores the benefits of...
@Strumelia 4 months ago - Comments: 1
Strumelia

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


A nice succinct article of the basics....
@Strumelia 4 months ago - Comments: 5
Strumelia

The end coming for Finale...


Looks like they are going to stop updating the Finale music writing...
@Strumelia 6 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 8 months ago - Comments: 28
Strumelia

The Country Dance Society 1963 newsletter... fascinating!


I found this newsletter online somewhere years ago, and just stumbled on...
@Strumelia 10 months ago - 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: 0
Lady_of_the_Lake

Lady_of_the_Lake


@Strumelia
16 years ago - Comments: 0
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

RIP to our good fotmd friend Terry Wilson

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

Introduce Yourself!

Posted: Thursday March 13 2025, 3:38 AM
By: @Nate

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

The Positive Thread...

Posted: Thursday October 10 2024, 1:33 PM
By: @steve104c

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

Terry Hennessy

Posted: Sunday November 28 2021, 7:21 PM
By: @John Dunn

Comments

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.


Wendell G
08/01/20 12:19:53PM @wendell-g:

Thank you very much. This feels like coming home again after having been gone a while. 


Mary Barnsdale
09/10/19 02:26:59PM @mary-barnsdale:

It's not much, Lisa, but I so appreciate you hosting this forum, your helpful comments and responses, and your great teaching videos.