Thank you Cynthia! Glad you enjoyed it. :)

Thank you Benjamin and Guy! And Merry Christmas to everyone. :)

Very beautiful, Brian!!!

Nice.

Hi Helen,

Thanks for your very kind comments. I'm glad you enjoyed it. And your "Away in a Manger" sounds like you had a bit of fun. :)

Indeed, when I thought I came up with the idea to play this song, I envisioned a really soft, fingerstyle version. We'll see what I come up with. I'm going to steal some of your bass lines, though, and probably a few chords, too. Thanks in advance!

Hi Dusty! Well this was a blast from the past. What is this nonsense about playing better than you ever could? I don't want to read it; I think your playing is very good, and in any event, this isn't a competition. I've been meaning to redo this one slower (as per your suggestion below) for two years; I'd rather head you do it instead. In fact, I'm looking forward to hearing it. :)

Brian, I thought I had a novel idea today: play "All Through the Night" on the dulcimer! It would work great! I came home, easily found the basic melody and then decided to search online for some ideas about bass lines and harmonies and stuff. Lo and behold, I find that my idea was not original; you gave it to me two years ago!

I don't think I havefounda song you haven't done yet (and much better than I ever could).

You are so smooth. I loved it.

Dusty, Joaquin - thanks again for your comments. Joaquin - I completely agree that hearing the opinions of others is helpful for our growth as players. And practicing and playing with others definitely helps with the keeping the tempo of tunes. I've been using my old metronome more also in an attempt to keep things steady. I know that with jigs, for example, I have a strong tendency to play each run-through faster than the last. In any event, I do appreciate the comments and please - if you take the time to watch these videos and think you have something constructive to offer - please do so. I won't be offended, I won't feel hurt; I will be happy for the chance to improve. :)

Well, if I haven't offended you yet, can I tell you what I think of your shirt?

A lot of your other songs are pretty fast but they seem appropriate at that speed. This one seems different. I, too, havea tendency to play too fast, but I've been working on it consciously recently. I both play too fast and speed up as I play, so even when I start with the best of intentions, I'm in the fast lane by the second chorus.

Hi Dusty! You have not offended me at all. I would never be offended by anyone offering suggestions for my playing. (Well, unless maybe they told me to stop entirely.) Your points are well taken. I've mentioned in the past that I have a tendency to play everything too fast - this is no exception. I do agree with you - it is a lullaby, and my favorite version of this tune are all much slower. Maybe I'll have another go at it. Thanks, Dusty. :)

Brian, there is an unspoken etiquette here at FOTMD that one only leaves positive comments for people. And I hope by now you know I think you are a great player with truly impressive technique. That technique is on display here. And the arrangement is also really interesting. But . . .

Might you beplaying this song too fast? Have you tried slowing down and doing it really slowly? That dulcimer ought to have enough sustain and your playing is precise enough that the notes ought to be able to just ring out, and I think playing this particular song slowly (it is supposed to be a lullaby, after all) would accentuate the simple beauty of themelody, the round, warm toneof the instrument, the precision of your playing, and the harmonic subtlety of the arrangment. Those qualities can be heard here in your version, but I think playing more slowly would really let them soak in. (If playing slowly would leave a measure or two with nothing but a chord strummed at once, you could always add a bass note or some arpeggios to fill in.)

If I've offended you by making what I intend as a constructive suggestion, I apologize. I think this sounds really good, and your technique is as impressive as always, but to my ears the gentle feel of the song might be emphasized more at a slower tempo.

Check out his new video...he rocked the shirt lol.

Carrie, John - thank you very much for your comments. Much appreciated. John - I don't think I've heard anything about my shirts from John H today?

Very stately arrangement...love it! I'm afraid John Henry took you to task on shirts today lol.

Hi Wayne!

Thank you very much for your kind comments. I am glad "La Boss" enjoyed as well. :) I've always loved this tune.