Dusty Turtle

Location:

Location: Northern California
Country: USA

My Latest Followers:

ErthLing vetrn7 Beth T Homer Ross Laurie Traylor SusanM DavisJames Lorilee CarolynF AndiBear Learning Always Larry Walton MandaPanda jost Holly Tannen ocean-daughter Mary L Lisa C traildad Wendell G Mary Arndt Cheryl W suzym Diane Mayfield Ferrator wdwolf Leny-Sue Mary Barnsdale TwoGunBob hoodoo Fredr Booglefloop dulcidom Diane R Belinda Link ZeeAviatrix VictorValente Hobbyhorse Ron Zuckerman Elvensong Exukaden Ariane fordferguson fishface Sue MacKenzie - ADK Friends D J Hamouris Wandafull1 Don Grundy Cindy Steighner sweetbriar

Stats

youtube videos: 62
images: 24
events: 2
Groups: 2
videos: 8
audio tracks: 10


An educator and folk/roots music enthusiast living the good life in Northern California, I run a local dulcimer group called River City Dulcimers .  


 

♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫


 


When tyrants tremble thick with fear


And hear their death knells ringing,


When friends rejoice both far and near,


How can I keep from singing?


 


♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ ♫ 


Latest Activity

  All
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 2 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Healthy Living- healthy eating, exercise, weight loss, veggie gardening, etc.":
"It's so nice when the garden starts producing, isn't it?  We have three different tomato plants all fruiting right now.  The cherry tomatoes (sweet 100s)..."
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 4 days ago • comments: 1
Posted a new Comment on Spanish Is a Loving Tongue:
"John, according to Wikipedia , the lyrics were written in 1907 and the music in 1925. Both of those dates are old enough that the song is now in the public..."
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 4 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Tabs for Cool Water":
"Molly, since the song is under copyright, you probably won't find free tab online anywhere.  Maybe someone published tab in a book somewhere, but none that I..."
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 5 days ago • comments: 0
Liked a youtube item created by @bing-futch: Dulcimerica Episode 649 - "Shelter in the Storm Improv"
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 5 days ago • comments: 13
Posted a new Comment on Today In Mountain Dulcimer History: JUNE:
"Thanks, David, for all the work you do chronicling the rich history of our favorite instrument. You are providing a great service to the dulcimer community."
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • one week ago • comments: 0
Liked a photos item created by @molly-mccurdy: d536c87d 6f77 48de 8a19 12f1bf6b5ac7
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 2 weeks ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimerica Episode 650 - "State & County Roads":
"Puts me in the mood for a roadtrip, that's for sure!"
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 2 weeks ago • comments: 10
Posted a new Comment on Another Tabledit question:
"Ah yes! I've occasionally used that setting myself.  But I see how it could have led to the problem you encountered.  I'm glad to learn it was not a bug in..."
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 2 weeks ago • comments: 10
Posted a new Comment on Another Tabledit question:
"Ken, have you ever joined the TablEdit discussion group ? Answers usually come pretty quickly, but beware that you might start getting notifications..."
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 2 weeks ago • comments: 10
Posted a new Comment on Another Tabledit question:
"Maybe it thinks you are arranging for a Merlin or some other one-octave instrument."
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 2 weeks ago • comments: 10
Posted a new Comment on Another Tabledit question:
"Ah. OK. I misunderstood. I don't have that problem. Indicating frets higher than 9, I can just click a 1 and then the next number and TablEdit understands...."
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 2 weeks ago • comments: 10
Posted a new Comment on Another Tabledit question:
"I am not sure I can help, Ken. I use a PC and am still using version 3.00 a8a. When I need to add measures, I use the "Edit Measures" function.  In the PC..."
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 2 weeks ago • comments: 4
Liked a youtube item created by @noah-cline: Catbird in the Quincebush
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 3 weeks ago • comments: 15
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimers in novels:
"Some real life data to support your plot, @tonyg: I had a dulcimer student for a while who was an Iraq war veteran.  He had experienced some kind of brain..."
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Blue Lion bass for sale":
"Blue Lion uses wound .052, .032, and .024 for their 3-string bass.  I just refer to them as big, bigger, and biggest."
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Blue Lion bass for sale":
"Looks nice.  Where are you located, Pat? What is the soundboard made of?  Cedar?  Spruce?"
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "The Positive Thread...":
"Everybody is a mother and/or has a mother, so Happy Mother's Day, FOTMD!"
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 3 weeks ago • comments: 15
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimers in novels:
"Other than an episode of The Waltons, I can't think of any. But I asked ChatGPT to write a short story about a girl from Kentucky who played the mountain..."
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 3 weeks ago • comments: 1
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimerica Episode 648 - "Gramma's Jam: An Improv":
"That midi interface sure looks fun!"
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "New Thomas-style dulcimer with milk-paint finish":
"Looks beautiful., John! Can you do one with oatmilk paint?  I'm lactose intolerant."
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 3 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Converting a 4 String Dulcimer to a 3 String":
"Michael, you will want to remove whichever of the double melody strings gets you closest to equidistant.  Usually that is the outside string.  But it's easy..."
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 4 weeks ago • comments: 4
Liked a youtube item created by @lynnaj: Slumber My Darling
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 4 weeks ago • comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Bonny at Morn - Northumbrian Minstrelsy (1882):
"This is a really nice arrangement, Dulcidom.  I particularly like the bass lines you've added.  Bien fait! I tabbed this out a while ago for a student, but I..."
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 4 weeks ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Dulcimer Players News demise":
"Ken. I appreciate your thoughts and share many of them.  Neither Acoustic Guitar nor Flatpicking Guitar Magazine are available in physical form anymore. When..."
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • 4 weeks ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on Stephens Lutherie Smart Dulcimer:
"Wow!  First ChatGPT, now Stephens Lutherie Smart Dulcimer. We're living in the future."
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • one month ago • comments: 1
Posted a new Comment on Isa Lei:
"What a charming tune!"
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • one month ago • comments: 7
Liked a youtube item created by @robin-thompson: The Fledgling
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • one month ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Hatikvah:
"Nice job, Richard!"
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • one month ago • comments: 5
Liked a music item created by @richard-streib: Hatikvah
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • one month ago • comments: 8
Liked a group discussions item created by @gordon-hardy: The Canadian Railroad Trilogy (Gordon Lightfoot cover)
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • one month ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Modern Mountain Dulcimer For Sale":
"I love my MMD and hope this one finds a loving home.  You might check with David to see if he can identify the woods involved.  That looks like some kind of..."
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • one month ago • comments: 2
Liked a youtube item created by @lisa-c: Nora (When You and I Were Young Maggie)
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • one month ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on I Don't Believe You - by Nate:
"Pretty cool. The mixture of harmonica and dulcimers is nice, especially the lower one since there's a nice separation of tonal ranges from the harmonica...."
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • one month ago • comments: 0
Created a new Group discussion "Waiting for a Train (Jimmie Rodgers cover)":
"The classic tune by the Blue Yodeler."
Rockin' in the Free World
Dusty Turtle
@dusty • one month ago • comments: 0
Liked a forum discussions item created by @michael-ebersohl: Windy City Dulcimer Society

Latest Group Discussions

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Dusty Turtle

Waiting for a Train (Jimmie Rodgers cover)


The classic tune by the Blue Yodeler.
@Dusty Turtle one month ago - Comments: 0
Dusty Turtle

Kentucky Waltz (Bill Monroe cover)


Bill Monroe is rightly known as the father of bluegrass, but he also...
@Dusty Turtle 3 months ago - Comments: 0
Dusty Turtle

how to add extra beats in a crooked tune


I am creating tab for a crooked tune by the Québécois accordion player...
@Dusty Turtle 4 months ago - Comments: 3
Dusty Turtle

key signature for modal music


I hesitate to ask this question, for I don't want to start a debate. My...
@Dusty Turtle 2 years ago - Comments: 15
Dusty Turtle

cleaning up cruddy geared tuners


How would you suggest cleaning up nice geared tuners that were stored...
@Dusty Turtle 2 years ago - Comments: 3
Dusty Turtle

tightening a pickup jack


The pickup jack on my dulcimer is loose.   It rattles around and...
@Dusty Turtle 3 years ago - Comments: 2
Dusty Turtle

Swedish origins of the dulcimer?


Found an interesting article arguing for the Swedish origins of the...
@Dusty Turtle 3 years ago - Comments: 7
Dusty Turtle

documentary on the dulcimer from Lexington Public Library


The Lexington Public LIbrary has produced a very nice documentary...
@Dusty Turtle 3 years ago - Comments: 5
Dusty Turtle

Is a Dmaj7 too weird for this song?


Hey folks.  I am arranging an old lullaby called "A La Ru" that...
@Dusty Turtle 3 years ago - Comments: 4
Dusty Turtle

changing the font size of chord names in Tabledit


Hi all.  In Tabledit I use the Text Manager function to indicate chord...
@Dusty Turtle 4 years ago - Comments: 2
Dusty Turtle

Surfer Girl on mountain dulcimer


Here's my three-stringed take on the Beach Boys classic.  Southern...
@Dusty Turtle 4 years ago - Comments: 7
Dusty Turtle

article and video on San Diego dulcimer ensemble


Hey Golden Staters.  Our brethren in San Diego got some positive press...
@Dusty Turtle 5 years ago - Comments: 0
Dusty Turtle

material to enter public domain this New Year!


On New Year's Day 2019, anything published in 1923 will enter the...
@Dusty Turtle 5 years ago - Comments: 8
Dusty Turtle

name that (partial) chord: 5-6-6+ in DAd


This is not a game, but a genuine question. I am working on an...
@Dusty Turtle 5 years ago - Comments: 9
Dusty Turtle

Margaret Wright's dulcimer ministry in the Baptist Press


Members of this group might be interested in this article from The...
@Dusty Turtle 5 years ago - Comments: 4
Dusty Turtle

teaching multiple versions of a song


I have had a lot of success teaching beginning dulcimer players by...
@Dusty Turtle 5 years ago - Comments: 3
Dusty Turtle

Smithsonian Folkways on Appalachian Women Heritage Fellows


I thought fans of Jean might find this short article from Smithsonian...
@Dusty Turtle 5 years ago - Comments: 2
Dusty Turtle

four notes in place of three


In a duple meter such as 2/4 or 4/4, when three notes take the place of...
@Dusty Turtle 5 years ago - Comments: 6
Dusty Turtle

MFA Boston exhibit on zithers


The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston has a collection of musical...
@Dusty Turtle 6 years ago - Comments: 3
Dusty Turtle

no longer a beginner?


How do you know when you are no longer a beginner?  What left-hand or...
@Dusty Turtle 6 years ago - Comments: 16

Latest Audio

  All
The Rose of Aranmore

The Rose of Aranmore


@Dusty Turtle
2 years ago - Comments: 9
Grasshopper Sittin' on a Sweet Potato Vine

Grasshopper Sittin' on a...


@Dusty Turtle
8 years ago - Comments: 10
The Ash Grove

The Ash Grove


@Dusty Turtle
8 years ago - Comments: 15
Dry & Dusty

Dry & Dusty


@Dusty Turtle
8 years ago - Comments: 3
The Wind that Shakes the Barley
Fishin' Blues

Fishin' Blues


@Dusty Turtle
9 years ago - Comments: 0
Westphalia Waltz on baritone dulcimette

Westphalia Waltz on baritone...


@Dusty Turtle
9 years ago - Comments: 11
Hard Times on baritone dulcimer

Hard Times on baritone dulcimer


@Dusty Turtle
10 years ago - Comments: 4
Spanish Fandango

Spanish Fandango


@Dusty Turtle
11 years ago - Comments: 0
Lilliburlero fingerstyle

Lilliburlero fingerstyle


@Dusty Turtle
11 years ago - Comments: 0

Latest Videos

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Latest Photos

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Bill Taylor quilted maple.jpg
DT with saz.jpg
dulcimer wall with Wayne's Kandinsky pic.jpg
Dusty in HoDPodcast shirt small version.jpg
DT at BDG Faculty Concert May 2016.jpg
moss covered tree in Muir Woods.jpg
Dusty singing at Gold Rush Days.jpg
Dusty harvesting bamboo noters small version.jpg
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harlot limberjack.jpg
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Latest Forum Discussions

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International Appalachian Dulcimer Day

Posted: Monday March 27 2023, 7:31 PM
By: @Robin Thompson

How do I create a new forum discussion?

Posted: Thursday October 13 2022, 8:38 PM
By: @Strumelia

baritone guitar

Posted: Thursday April 28 2022, 10:41 AM
By: @Dusty Turtle

Rosin the Beau and recycling melodies for...

Posted: Monday October 4 2021, 11:53 AM
By: @Dusty Turtle

50th anniversary of Joni Mitchell's "Blue"

Posted: Thursday June 24 2021, 1:34 PM
By: @Robin Thompson

How is the COVID-19 coronavirus affecting...

Posted: Saturday June 12 2021, 11:28 PM
By: @B. Ross Ashley

Leonard Bernstein explaining the...

Posted: Friday May 28 2021, 3:51 PM
By: @Steven Berger

Randy Wilkinson tab book for Elizabethan...

Posted: Sunday May 16 2021, 6:13 PM
By: @Lisa C

Lego Microtonal Guitar

Posted: Friday April 2 2021, 12:47 PM
By: @Robin Thompson

music and the pleasure center of the brain

Posted: Wednesday March 31 2021, 10:12 AM
By: @Ken Longfield

Where have all the beginners gone, long...

Posted: Sunday February 21 2021, 7:05 PM
By: @Strumelia

How to add a new Discussion in a Group

Posted: Thursday January 28 2021, 7:00 PM
By: @Dusty Turtle

Giving Thanks

Posted: Thursday November 26 2020, 6:01 PM
By: @Strumelia

The Mountain Minor movie

Posted: Wednesday October 28 2020, 11:36 AM
By: @Dusty Turtle

If I Had a Hammer (dulcimer) but no left-hand

Posted: Wednesday September 16 2020, 8:33 PM
By: @Dusty Turtle

North Carolina dulcimers getting media...

Posted: Saturday January 11 2020, 6:31 PM
By: @Robin Thompson

Holiday Music Recommendations

Posted: Tuesday December 10 2019, 3:44 PM
By: @Dusty Turtle

online sources for traditional music

Posted: Wednesday August 21 2019, 12:13 PM
By: @Dusty Turtle

Si Bheag Si Mohr dulcimer duet

Posted: Wednesday June 21 2017, 8:14 PM
By: @Ken Hulme

What's your favorite FOTMD smiley?

Posted: Tuesday March 7 2017, 9:19 AM
By: @Strumelia

Where are all the dulcimers by Gary...

Posted: Saturday August 27 2016, 8:37 PM
By: @D. chitwood

Dulcimer Week at Cigar Box Nation!

Posted: Tuesday July 19 2016, 9:31 PM
By: @Patty from Virginia

Oh Fiddlesticks!

Posted: Friday June 10 2016, 10:15 AM
By: @Bob Reinsel

pocket tunes and maintaining the backpack

Posted: Friday March 4 2016, 9:55 AM
By: @Skip

Joni explaining and playing the dulcimer

Posted: Friday February 26 2016, 12:58 PM
By: @Dusty Turtle

acoustic bass guitar

Posted: Wednesday November 18 2015, 1:23 AM
By: @Dusty Turtle

Celtic Tunes Commonly Played on the Dulcimer

Posted: Sunday April 5 2015, 11:36 AM
By: @john p

help me name that fiddle tune -- please!

Posted: Tuesday January 20 2015, 11:14 AM
By: @Janene Millen

RIP Pete Seeger

Posted: Wednesday May 14 2014, 10:57 AM
By: @Doug Jones

Common Dulcimer Jam Tunes

Posted: Tuesday May 6 2014, 10:38 PM
By: @Dusty Turtle

Comments

Lowell Moore
02/13/23 08:23:47AM @lowell-moore:

Hey Dusty, I messed up my courting dulcimer post on the classified forum. I flipped the pictures and did not realize it now looks left-handed, which it is not. Can I get those pictures removed from the post so I can add the unflipped, right-handed, versions?

Thanks,

Lowell


wdwolf
02/06/20 06:18:43PM @wdwolf:

do you have a tab for your surfer girl?


Bill S
06/22/19 08:27:21PM @bill-s:

Really liked Surfer Girl.  Lovely rendition.


MacAodha
07/10/18 05:48:26AM @macaodha:

Dusty, recorded a couple of video clips recently on Achill Island, was wondering if Vimeo and Youtube were the only way of posting Videos here on FOTMD. Val.


Brian McC
06/05/18 11:03:38PM @brian-mcc:

Just coming back to playing after too long a lay off. Opened the case and "POP" went the string... I am so very glad you posted the info about the Smother;s string calculator, Must wanted to say THANK YOU!!


Helen Seiler
05/18/17 01:37:18AM @helen-seiler:

Thanks Dusty!  sun


MacAodha
03/02/17 04:54:15PM @macaodha:

Again Dusty thank you, what you say about true use of chords answers that very clearly.


MacAodha
03/02/17 04:05:47PM @macaodha:

Thank you Dusty for you very prompt and easy to understand reply. So would I be right in saying that back in the day when the ladies and gents were sitting on their porches playing ND or melody drone, whether they new it or were playing melody and chords? and does this mean that the Dulcimer is not just a melody instrument but also a chordal instrument?


MacAodha
03/02/17 09:11:19AM @macaodha:

Hello Dusty, Was going to put this question out there then thought you would be one of many who could answer it. Firstly from a young age I was a whistle player so playing melody was my thing, the jigs, reels etc. Left others to worry about chords. When I started playing Dulcimer I was playing mainly melody drone and at that time mainly in Dad. That was down to lack of knowledge of other tunings. I still play melody drone but now have a few more tunings. The tunings I use mostly are Dad, Dgd, Ddd, Dac and Ddc. The question I want to put to you is, in any of those tunings, playing melody drone and starting to strum at the first fret and working my way down the fret board is there a chord or part of a chord being played? It might be a silly question but have my reasons for asking which I will explain later. I have no interest in getting in to chord playing at my age, but in songs and slower tunes I do play chords not knowing what they are but if they sound good to me they go in. The answer to my question may not be a simple yes or no. You do not have to go into too much detail in your answer. Look forward to hearing from you Val.


Karel Votanek
06/14/16 02:14:03PM @karel-votanek:

Hi Dusty,

thank you very much for your nice comment.

Karelmusic


David Pedersen
05/03/16 05:50:44PM @david-pedersen:

Thanks for the latest tab "Fair Flower of Northumberland" .


Strumelia
03/21/16 11:00:51PM @strumelia:

Dusty, this is just a test post- ignore!  :)


CMM
01/04/16 07:15:08AM @cmm:

 Dusty, appreciate the follow.  I love the Morning Blues video with what I assume is your daughter.  Do you have the tabs for it for the dulcimer or is it from memory.

 

Jerry


Susie
11/14/15 03:01:33PM @susie:

Hey Dusty, how do you like your (daughter's) Eede Beede? Is it something for an adult to consider for travel?


alan kolman
11/08/15 05:50:22AM @alan-kolman:

hi dusty - have enjoyed your playing since i found this website - just wish your reggae video continued to the end of the song. i see that you play a probst dulcimer in 3 of your vids - could you tell me how you like it? sounds very balanced, but hard to tell on youtube. thanks, and keep posting -lots of fans out here!   alan


David Pedersen
10/25/15 10:40:28PM @david-pedersen:

Dusty, still can't figure the PM bit. However, I do have a 1+ so can play John Henry. Still working on it. Thanks for showing Polly wolly ... did'nt need that at this time. Like it also.

You mentioned Walter Lay, did'nt see any dulcimers on web site. Bonnie Carol--way up there. What are you playing that you favor at present, cause you have some good sounding Dulcimers.

 

I play a Jenny Lind from Ron Gibson and my fingers catch on some fret bars. Kinda hurts on John Henry slides.  Its a Black Walnut.

Tried following instructions for PM but did"nt work.

By the way, I do like my Jenny Lind.  Just want to upgrade.

 


David Pedersen
10/24/15 10:33:12PM @david-pedersen:

Hi Dusty, can we PM I had some questions on a Dulcimer comment you made to me and wanted more info. Thanks.  Dave


David Pedersen
10/15/15 10:06:37PM @david-pedersen:

Hey Dusty,  Been watching your youtube from 1yr ago of John Henry. Fairly addicted to it at this time. Told my wife give me 3 weeks and I'll have it. Might do it in 10 days. thats all I play.

Loving it. Such a gruve on it. 


Nancy Garrett
09/23/15 04:57:46PM @nancy-garrett:

Dusty, I do like how you played Booth Shot Lincoln! I've learned it from Bing so it will be interesting to compare your tab to how he plays it in A. I'm back here in WI.


Mill Branch Dulcimores
06/19/15 11:06:44PM @mill-branch-dulcimores:

Thanks Dusty!