George,

Thank you for your kind words. I doubt you are a total Klutz! :)

I've been strumming stringed instruments since I was a small child..maybe 7 or 8. My dad played guitar and I had my very own zither way back then, then moved to guitar which has been my main instrument most of my life. So for me its has nothing to do with talent (which I have little of), its just something I've done for so long its ingrained. And my strumming on the dulcimer has a long long way to go to be rhythmic and efficient........different position than guitar or mandolin so I need to build new muscle memory. But I'm really enjoying it so I'll keep at it....you should too.

So I would say slow steady regular practice will do the trick.....just keep at it! I'm also finding there are a lot of kind, great, talented folks around here willing to share their expertise. That is helping me more than anything.

Thanks ya'll. Willard...bwwwaaahhh on the chicken dinner...I'm still chuckling. :)

I'm really really really liking the fiddle tunes and playing note/drone style (not noter...the stick thing worries me). Learning another song which is flat picked...not nearly as fun. :(

Nice job! I've been playing for a few months and I can tell you my first song did NOT sound that good.

Nice job Cheryl! And nice dulcimer. I also have an all-cherry McSpadden (mine's a smaller Ginger model) and I love it. I'm looking forward to your next video. :)

OOOOOOooooo Dana....I'm going to try that out!!

Thanks Dusty, Patty and Mandy for your nice comments....I'm very encouraged!

Great JOB Cheryl, now put a tail on it 7-4-4-5-4-6+-7;)

Wow, for a first song that is amazing! I can't wait to hear your second . . . and third . . . and . . .

Pretty song. Pretty dulcimer

Very nice! You'll be a dulcimer addict in no time flat.

Great job!

Hey Cheryl, great job. I know what you mean about starting all over again. It's been a year and a half for me and I still feel like a beginner. Love the cherry McSpadden, that's what I play as well although mine is a tear drop shape. It sounds to me like your off to an excellent start. Great job!

Thanks Carrie! I look forward to getting better...hard being a beginner all over again!!!

John...thanks! My dulcimer is a McSpadden all cherry. It just arrived on Saturday and I'm really liking it.

Nice one Cheryl, look forward to seeing more ! What dulcimer do you have?

JohnH