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Location: Morgantown WV
Country: USA

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My wife, Norma plays dulcimers. I make musical instruments as a creative activity, and play ukulele and U-Bass.

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@wally-venable • one week ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Appalachian Dulcimer Museum opening:

"Do I know John Hallberg? His name isn't on the FOTMD Members List. The Apple Atch Cider name just leads to a FaceBook page and I don't do FaceBook. What is..."

@wally-venable • one week ago • comments: 28
Posted a new Comment on Suggestions please for buying a first dulcimer:

"As I said a couple of weeks ago, the AppleCreek dulcimers may be disappearing from the new instrument market. In checking that out this morning (no..."

@wally-venable • one week ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on Appalachian Dulcimer Museum opening:

"I've put the event on our calendar and reserved a room in Luray, VA for that night. Norma and I will NOT play to perform, but I could bring some instruments..."

@wally-venable • one week ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "History of mountain dulcimer":

"I watched Robin Clark's video. He does a great job of covering dulcimer types and construction, and he plays with great skill. On the other hand, I don't..."

@wally-venable • 3 weeks ago • comments: 28
Posted a new Comment on Suggestions please for buying a first dulcimer:

"Yes, the AppleCreek Dulcimers are or were made in Romania, but specifically for Grover. My guess is that they were originally commissioned by Grover...."

@wally-venable • 3 weeks ago • comments: 28
Posted a new Comment on Suggestions please for buying a first dulcimer:

"It appears that the AppleCreek (student) Model 100 may not be available as a new instrument much longer. The manufacturer of record, Grover Music, says on ts..."

@wally-venable • 4 weeks ago • comments: 28
Posted a new Comment on Suggestions please for buying a first dulcimer:

"I agree that the cardboard dulcimers with metal frets are good. I have possession of two which have been used locally as student loaners for 15 years and..."

@wally-venable • one month ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "violin uke":

"Buying a new bow probably makes sense. The cost of re-hairing one in the USA is higher than a new one from China. A half-size violin bow is probably a pretty..."

@wally-venable • one month ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "What's your current fave GO-TO instrument these days?":

"Percussion stuff. I'm playing percussion in a small concert band, and sometimes play spoons with our dulcimer group."

@wally-venable • 2 months ago • comments: 18
Posted a new Comment on sources for medieval sheet music?:

"DAC (or CC-AD auf Deutsch) is the Aeolian or (Minor) Mode. In The Dulcimer Book by Jean Ritchie it is CGBb, tuned down a full step. There are other ways to..."

@wally-venable • 2 months ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "violin uke":

"It may be worth while to invest in a wire gauge if you need to replace strings. I have one like this which I occasional use on dulcimer strings. I would..."

@wally-venable • 2 months ago • comments: 28
Posted a new Comment on Suggestions please for buying a first dulcimer:

"I'm all in favor of making your own instrument, but most of the first-time buyers who I have encountered are mature women who leave making that kind of stuff..."

@wally-venable • 2 months ago • comments: 28
Posted a new Comment on Suggestions please for buying a first dulcimer:

"I've bought a number of instruments on ShopGoodwill. Many of the listings have issues which are easily spotted and corrected by an amateur luthier. I bought..."

@wally-venable • 2 months ago • comments: 28
Posted a new Comment on Suggestions please for buying a first dulcimer:

"We have had good dealings with Don Gardner. Norma bought two and members of our local group have probably bought about five more. I am aware of issues with..."

@wally-venable • 2 months ago • comments: 27
Posted a new Comment on Box Dulcimers:

"My New Tennessee Music Box I have just finished a Tennessee Music Box which I started last year. I had two goals in mind: (1) to add another form of folk..."

@wally-venable • 2 months ago • comments: 27
Posted a new Comment on Modern/Chord style Players:

"Helena Hallberg plays a set of three-finger chords. She moves up and down the fretboard, and changes her finger configuration, so it isn't just sliding...."

@wally-venable • 2 months ago • comments: 27
Posted a new Comment on Modern/Chord style Players:

"Did you see tonight's PBS NEWS HOUR " Symphony celebrates NATO's 75th anniversary " featuring the American Pops Orchestra? At about 2:54 a young woman plays..."

@wally-venable • 2 months ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Hanging some dulcimers as a wall display":

"OK, now I understand the requirements. Just have a blacksmith or welder construct five separate cradles, each customized to fit an individual instrument and..."

@wally-venable • 2 months ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Hanging some dulcimers as a wall display":

"You might also consider building some sort of angled "bookshelves" or "shadow boxes." That way you could easily take them down to play. The closest thing I..."

@wally-venable • 2 months ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on Local Luthier Recommendations:

"If that is Morgantown, WEST VIRGINIA, I'm in the local area. I'm an amateur luthier with a good bit of dulcimer experience. I'd be willing to look at your..."

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Liquid Electrical Tape

Posted: Saturday November 25 2023, 9:30 PM
By: @John C. Knopf

Looking for a Small Dulcimer

Posted: Wednesday October 26 2022, 11:06 AM
By: @Tom McShane

Comments

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01/15/22 11:49:34AM @strumelia:

Wally, thank you SO much for your very thoughtful donation to FOTMD! It is deeply appreciated. sun -Strumelia

11/25/19 02:27:14PM @wally-venable:

The photo shows my first dulcimer project and my third.

The design of the first was based on a cardboard body instrument Norma borrowed for her first dulcimer class.

The third is an octave dulcimer tuned DAA, but an octave above the usual set of notes. It is short enough to fit in an airline carry-on bag.

Both have fingerboards made from 1x2 lumber, with most of the body constructed from 1/8" and 3/32" birch plywood.

02/19/19 08:26:15PM @richard-streib:

Welcome Wallyvenable to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. Glad you joined. Sounds like a great event you will be attending. Best wishes on your musical journey.

02/18/19 02:08:20PM @wally-venable:

I'll be at the Gardner Winter Music Fest this Saturday. http://www.gwmf.org

I'm playing with the DAA Strummers and OLLI Orchestra.

The GWMF has a lot of room for mountain dulcimer player or wanna be's. We enjoyed it last year. You can't beat the registration fee - FREE if you bring an instrument.

02/18/19 05:43:39AM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:

Hi Wally, 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, and to meet some good people.

Ben

02/17/19 08:54:20PM @jim-fawcett:

Hey Wally, welcome aboard. Glad ya found us.

02/17/19 07:37:53PM @ken-longfield:

Welcome to FOTMD, Wally Venable. It is good to have you aboard. Look for West Virginia players under Groups and join that group.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."