Forum Activity for @strumelia

Tillmanator, you are to be admired for all your musical energy and enthusiasm for teaching! And thank you for supporting FOTMD. 
Folks, Tillmanator has just purchased a new Banner Ad in our FOTMD ad slideshow on the site's main page, to promote her project of bringing several mountain dulcimers into her students' school music program. Half of the students at her school are underprivileged and have very limited opportunities to learn music.  To take a peek at her site describing the project, just click on her ad.

OK, so the VSL scale length is 28 1/2"... that actually the same I believe as a typical McSpadden dulcimer- that's not unusually long at all!   It's apparently the other dimensions that make it 'big'-  and the 6-string two inch wide fretboard is quite wide.  The 3 " deep body is very tall as well.  Seems like it'd have a big boomy hummel like sound with all thos strings and the big soundbox.

The long size of this dulcimer means you will have to calculate what gauge strings to put on it in order to get a particular tuning you are after.  You won't be able to simply tune it like a regular mountain dulcimer or a regular Galax dulcimer, without paying attention to string gauges (thicknesses).

George gave the overall length of 44", but you really need to tell us the scale length in inches: from nut to bridge.

Gail... thinking of you today.  What you did was so full of love and strength.

I'm afraid the closest I came to the porch thing was that I spent several hours painting our new porch doors with several coats of blue paint before they are to be hung.  Had to work against the clock today, with more to paint on them tomorrow... the paint (primer plus two coats) has to all be totally dry by Monday morning early when the guy comes to put the doors on.

Sandi, I just luuuuv that plan you made, especially the table and tea on the sidewalk to pull folks in.  

Today we are getting all the screens and the two screen doors installed on our brand new wonderful back porch!

I've been waiting over 15 years for this back kitchen porch to become a reality instead of just a wishful daydream.  

George, can you tell us the scale length of this dulcimer?

For home playing, Brian and I bought these chairs several years ago, and we find them incredibly comfortable for playing music.  They are also great for throwing in the car for playing music elsewhere:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/HDX-Black-Folding-Chair-2FF0010P/204269967

We have four of them, and keep them folded up hidden behind an open door when not in use.  (our house is older so it has doors for every doorway, which is how people regulated/saved the winter heat in the old days... our modest sized living room alone has three doors! lol)

Trevor, I'm thinking that what you are actually asking about is this: you are going to look at Group discussions (not Forum discussions) and are seeing only the original post but not the replies by others.  That's because you need to JOIN that Group in order to see the entire discussion including the various replies, and you'll also need to JOIN that Group in order to make a post in it.  If you click to such a discussion, notice if it's a Group discussion, and if so, then simply JOIN that group and you'll then see all the replies as well as the original post for that Group's discussions.

Hi Ann!  Yes, if you are tuned a little low (CGC) then the strings will tend to vibrate in a wider arc when picked or plucked.  This would explain why you get the buzz only when picking the string a second time, while it's still vibrating from the previous note.  Three things can help this- 

1) try tuning up one step to DAd and see if it is improved by having more tension in the strings... or,

2) stay in CGC and put on a set of strings that are slightly bigger gauge (instead of a .010 for example, try a .012 or so- this will also add a little tension and decrease the vibration arc of the strings...  and

3) Ken mentioned something about this- try picking with only the very tip of your fingerpick and not the part nearer your fingerpad. It sounds like the already-vibrating string is prematurely hitting the pick right before you actually pick your note.  Playing closer to the pick tip end would help this.

Hi Peter,

I know this thread was from a few years ago... it seems I can't figure out how to get to your tabs.  Is there a way I can help you to update your posts here to enable links to your generous folksong tabs?

Anne, since your questions don't have much to do with Sean's thread here, I'd like to ask you to  please ask your questions as a new discussion in our General Dulcimer-related Forum , here:

https://fotmd.com/forums/forum/general-mountain-dulcimer-or-music-discussions

To start your discussion there, just click on the big "+" button on the upper right and give your new discussion a title etc.

Don, you are using tunings on your short scale dulcimers which mean you will be playing in the key of G (not D, so don't get confused by anyone talking about D).  It's simple: both the guitar and the uke should be able to play in the key of G along with you without anyone having to use capos.

For simple common folk tunes there are usually only three essential chords the guitar and uke will need to know when playing along with you in the key of G:  G, C, and D chords.  They should already know how to play those very basic standard chords.  They won't need to use a capo or learn new chords or fingerings to play in G.... they just have to know when the chords change in the tune.  Most players can sense that and will catch on when doing simple chord accompaniment.  You will most likely be playing the simple melody and they most likely will be playing accompaniment chords... at least as you get started playing together.

Don, I have the sense that you don't want to delve too far into music theory (i don't blame you!)- that you really only want to know enough to not be confused when playing simple tunes at home.  Because you have instruments with shorter-than-usual lengths of scale, you can't get around the fact that your tunings will need to be higher than the usual D-based dulcimer tunings...in this case you go up the alphabet from D tuning to a higher G tuning.  But because you play alone, you can use your G tunings that are almost just like the usual D tunings and you'll be able to 'pretend' you are in D and use the tabs written for the D tuning equivilent of your G tuning.  (i hope you're not lost here)

There is no definition page here on FOTMD, but there are plenty of those on other sites if you google.  I have written a guide to the four most common dulcimer modes and tunings -written for beginners and in plain language with videos, charts, and simple explanations.  My posts on modes/tunings are intended for people who just want a simple basic understanding  so they can play and tune more easily.  Most of what I've written on my Noter Blog is geared towards the key of D tunings, but you can just 'translate' that for your G tunings by substituting G for D (use GDd when you see DAA).  Or in the case of your new dulcimer,  GDGg ...which you should know is also similar to an ionian DAA.

I understand you don't want to get far into theory, but since you ask for definitions, I'm going to give you a link to my blog post that tries to explain modes and tunings to beginners who only want to get a quick and practical understanding :

https://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/2010/09/few-of-my-posts-about-modes.html

Anytime someone asks for a 'definition' of modes and tunings, they should understand that reading one or two sentences in a 'definition' is never going to give instant understanding.  But if you go through and explore the post I've linked to above, it might take an hour or two but you will then have a basic grasp that will get you feeling a little less frustrated than you are now.  That feeling will be very reassuring as you go forward in your home enjoyment playing.  

I was going to say that!  

Ken's right Don-   Just think of your GDDd tuning as a higher version of DAA.  It needs to be higher because of the short scale/length of your Wren dulcimer.   BUT you can follow all TAB written for DAA on your GDDd dulcimer.  (you will be playing in the key of G)

As to your coming GDGg dulcimer-  when it comes you can either retune it to GDDd and see if it feels right, OR you can stay in GDGd and think of it as similar to DAdd (DAd) tuning... and then if you are playing noter style you can follow all TABS written for DAd.  (again, you will be playing in the key of G)

If strings feel too 'heavy' or tight when playing, you can buy strings one number smaller and often it will feel better for your fingers.  However, keep in mind that the shorter the instrument (and the Wren is quite short) the stiffer the strings will feel by default.  My epinettes tend to be stiffer feeling than my (longer) dulcimers.

Don't worry too much- you can find your fave one or two tunings and stick with them if you like!  Some folks like to experiment, others not so much.  

DulcimerJones, that's a beautiful place to sit!  

Leo, you're very welcome. 

I agree it's best to let organizers post about their own event.  They may not have remembered it- in past years they have posted it here in Events.  Maybe they assume everyone is on FacePlant.   lol

BUT, you could create a General Forum thread mentioning that you are going...no harm in that I'd say.  Just click on the top of page LINK to Forums, and post a new thread in the  General Mountain Dulcimer Or Music Discussions  category.

I type pretty fast.  

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Lois, you posted your Single Instructor Event just fine.  If you stop trying to post in activity feeds you won't see that error message.

P.S. My apologies to Ken Backer, whose thread here doesn't really have much to do with the activity feed subject.

p.p.s. Leo- I see that you did figure out how to post an Event several months ago, and have now also posted a couple of videos ...also that you found your way to this Site Questions forum.  Good on ya!  

Hi Lois, 

I'm hoping my above post to Leo helps clarify a bit on how FOTMD functions and why.  Please read it and let me know if there's something you don't understand still.

When you've written me in the past about your site navigation problems, I needed to have clearer descriptions of what you were doing when you got errors.  Otherwise I would have been just groping blindly in the dark if I tried to help.  Leo's description helped me to figure out what he was doing that resulted in the 'permissions' error, so I was then able to guess what was going on.  I hope you'll stick around a while!

Hi Leo,

Not all social network sites behave the same way, and yes I understand that it can be confusing.

But let me see if I'm correctly understanding your question:

One doesn't 'post a general comment' in order for it to show on the site's Main Page activity feed.  Instead, the Main page activity feed simply reflects what's been going on...things that members have posted or commented on elsewhere, all over the site.

I have the site set up so that Admins and Moderators ARE able to post right in their profile page activity feed (and by default that post will appear also in the Main Page activity feed).  That is so we can post site notices if needed.

However, I have the set set so that regular members are NOT able post updates into their activity feed (hence your error message when you try).  Why do I have it set this way?- because some folks would then start ONLY the feed to add all their content to the site and to have their thoughts appear on the Main page...they would try to hold discussions there in the activity feeds, expecting comments, etc.  This 'lite' participation method would not be a good thing. The Feed is not set up to do justice to any meaningful discussion, and also the content would sink down out of sight in the Feed and disappear before you could blink an eye.  Todays' posted content would be forgotten tomorrow, and it'd be purged after a few months as all main page Activity Feed entries are. This site is not FB, where all the activity rapidly scrolls by in one place- the feed. Instead, I try to present a place where people can interact in depth, and where members' content can remain in view in an organized way so as to benefit folks joining and looking for help for years to come.  FOTMD is already eight years old now, and has a huge amount of richly rewarding and helpful content.

FOTMD is not just an activity feed... it's like a social club where you can explore different areas of interest, and get to know others who share those interests.  
To post a video, you click the + button in your Video section on your profile page (and it appears in the main page activity feed). To post an audio clip, you do so from your profile page's Audio section.  Post a festival Event by clicking to your Events area. Post a photo by going to your profile page's Photos area.  For discussions: To post in the Discussion Forums, you click to the forum area from the Forums link along top of every page.  Click to the Groups link to browse or join a specific interest Group and post in that Group.  
Every time you participate  -by posting a video, a photo, an event, an audio clip, posting in or creating a group or forum discussion, or a comment on someone else's items... your action will appear in the Main Page Activity Feed.  But activity feed entries in themselves don't function as participation or action.  Try to think about what it is you want to post or add or say- then add it in the site area it should logically go... do you want to add a video? Or an Event, or a photo? Or start a forum discussion?  Did you see a video in the activity feed that you'd like to comment on or 'Like'?...then click on it and you'll be taken to the video itself where you can Like it or leave your comment.

Leo, I hope perhaps this helps to clarify a few things for you about how this site works.  Let me know if I have not explained it well enough or if you have more questions.  I'm glad to help if I can!

Me too, so happy to hear this Terry!  

Great Patty!  Sounds like a logical detective path to pursue!  Do let me know if you find out the cause in the end, as it might help others later.  

Yes i see Patty. Do however check that last setting in Chrome concerning cookies, from my last post.  Cookies definitely play a part in auto-login stuff.

Know that many folks experience this 'not sticking auto login' that happens sometimes on various sites.  It happens to me on all kinds of sites from time to time, and I will never know exactly why.  You're not alone!  And then on a particular site after not working for a couple weeks it begins to 'stick' again and works fine for me for a few months.  I often have to re-login on ED, even though I have autofill/rememberMe checked there too.   
I do find that every time I clear all my browser cookies every other month or so as a housecleaning task, I have to manually type login to all sites online that I'm a member of, at least for the first time or two after cookie clearing.  I've come to expect that when clearing my browser cookies.  

--> one thought: is someone in your family doing a "clear cache, browsing history, and cookies" thing on your browser after they use your computer to go online?  People often do this for privacy.  This would definitely cause this issue, as it would wipe out your cookies that have been set to auto login on FOTMD. The symptoms jive.

I wish I could make it all work well for you!  One other thing to check (if you have the energy) might be your virus protection program, which theoretically could be overriding your Chrome settings in terms of auto-fill of login or passwords.

Patty, do you actually Log OUT each time you leave FOTMD?  I never do- I just leave the site without logging out, since I come here daily.  If you don't log out then ignore what I said.

I have that "keep me signed in" box checked on many sites I visit frequently.  And yet all of them (also ED for example) do have times every week or two when I go there and somehow need to log in again anyway.  This happens sometimes when I've cleared the cookies from my browser, but also happens at other odd times.  The cookies keep me logged in- once I clear cookies, I need to type in my login info on many sites at least the first time.

Can you also please check one other thing here in your Chrome settings?:

Under Settings... Advanced:

Go to "Content Settings"... then to Cookies... then

make sure the top option to ALLOW sites to set cookies is "ON", (make sure it's not set to "clear cookies when you quit your browser")

and also under the "Allow...Add" section add:  FOTMD.com

Then CLOSE and restart your Chrome browser and visit FOTMD.  The first time you will likely need to log in again, then tell Chrome to save the login if it asks.  Then I recommend you do not log OUT when you leave the site.  See what happens the next few times then, and let me know here if you would please.  

Patty, try checking the following setting in Chrome (because saving passwords and saving login info are two different things):

Go to your "Settings" in Chrome. then click the "Advanced" link at bottom to show more settings.
Under "Passwords and Forms", click the "AutoFill Settings"... and make sure you have that slider button set to "ON" to allow autofill logins.  Is yours set to "ON"?

In that same section, you may also want to 'add'  
https://fotmd.com/  to the list of allowed site addresses. (not sure if that's needed, it's not needed additionally for me in Chrome, but it can't hurt).

Patty, the checkbox is working correctly on the site.  However it is being overridden by a preference setting you have somewhere in your web browser- a setting that controls how your browser handles site cookies, auto-login settings, or passwords.  

You can change your browser setting so it will work as you prefer and save your login info automatically, ...but you'll have to find that setting first in your browser preferences.  Maybe I can help pinpoint it if I know your browser.  I assume you're on Windows, but what online browser do you use?  And.. are you on a desktop or tablet when this is occurring for you on fotmd?

4 am ???   I can't even.        lolol

July... it's mid blueberry time in our garden!  Also now the first year we're getting substantial raspberries.  I've been picking string beans and making big bowls of green beans vinaigrette (adding varying other ingredients like black beans, corn, red peppers etc).  I gave the first big head of cabbage to my daughter when she visited, but now it's time to cut one for us and make nice coooool cole slaw!

I've been able to keep up with my new modest fitness walking goal-  twice a week doing a brisk 2.5 miles in the village fairgrounds, which has lots of nice paths with no car traffic.  Sometimes Brian comes with me which is nice.

I've gotten a lot of mileage and fun lately out of a tune that I learned from an 1800s banjo instruction book-   Old Dan Emmett's Waltz .  It took me forever to learn to play it on the banjo- has three different parts and the 3rd part is wildly syncopated on banjo... Brian learned to play a fiddle part he made up, and it took us months to get the tune together on fiddle and banjo, but it's sooo fun to play and so pretty.
And now for the past couple of weeks I'm trying to learn to play harmony parts for it on my epinette, with Brian playing the melody on fiddle.  It means a whole NEW bunch of learning, like a whole different tune to learn now, on epinette as harmony.

But again, it's such a pretty 3-part waltz, and when we manage to play it without too many mistakes, it's a grand feeling. 

Between my playing it on the banjo in melody, and playing it on the epinette in harmony, I'd say this particular tune is giving Brian and me a whole lot of fun !

KenH- that sounds like a song I would really enjoy hearing.  Very old fashioned.  Modern songs would just have it that the person "locked the door"... but the old songs always made things unusual, with special meaning or emphasis-  she "locked the door with a silver pin".  To me it implies that the door was a metaphor for her heart or her favors.  I really love that they would put such wonderful rich details into little bits of the story.

Don, feel free to also join our Beginner's Group  ...and ask all the questions you like!   Your questions there and the answers you get will help other beginners as well!   

Don, you might want to bring your dulcimer with the 6.5 fret to any dulcimer club/jam you go to.  Many dulcimer clubs play mostly in chord/melody style rather than noter style, and play from DAd tab that uses the 6.5 fret a lot.  If you bring your backpacker you won't be stuck trying to adapt on the fly to what they are doing.

VSL= vibrating string length.  (the part of the string that vibrates freely, i.e. between the nut and bridge)

Up til now, have you been playing any chords on your dulicmer by fretting all the strings?  Or have you only been fretting the melody string so far?

The answer to your question depends on two things- the tune and arrangement (or maybe the TAB) of the piece you want to play or follow along with, ..and also the style of playing you aim to play in.  These two things (rather than just the tuning) are more what determine how you'll be strumming/playing with your right hand.

Usually when a dulcimer is 3 or 4 strings, it simply means there is a low Bass string, a medium Middle string, and either 1 or 2 identical Melody strings which are tuned the same and played close together as if they are 1 string.  (there are less commonly "4-string dulcimers" with equidistant strings, often used for fingerpicking, but I'm not referring to that)

So you can have a 3 string or a 4 string dulcimer (with 1 or a pair of melody strings)- that you can tune to different common dulcimer tunings such as DAd or DAA or DAC.  

I suspect the dulcimer club you'll be attending will most often be tuned to DAd, and it does not matter whether your melody string is single or is a pair.

Here's a little video I put together showing tuning back and forth between DAd, DAC, DAA, and DAG... perhaps you'll see that it's not something to fear too much:

https://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/2010/02/video-re-tuning-between-four-common.html

I'm sure you'll get lots of good responses to this question Don!

I can only answer for myself, but here an explanation of why, as a noter/drone style player, I tend to like playing in DAA:

https://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/2009/02/why-i-like-daa-tuning.html

But DAd is a great tuning as well!  With the addition of the 6.5 fret DAd becomes quite versatile.  And there is certainly more teaching material for beginners available in DAd, much of it in chord style playing methods.  Most dulcimer 'clubs' and workshop settings currently lean towards DAd tuning and chord/melody playing style.  It's convenient to have everyone starting out the same with the same tuning and books, etc.

But you can really do whatever you like!  

I think DAC is my second favorite tuning after DAA- it's in Aeolian mode which has got the 'lonesome' sound.

I'd like to mention that when i got my Keith Young teardrop dulcimer almost 20 years ago, he explained to me that he favored stringing his dulcimers with heavy unwound bass strings.  Also, quite a few minstrel style banjo players favor unwound gut or nylon bass strings.

Oh my goodness- think you all so much for your very sweet posts! 

It's been a fun and eventful eight years.  

I want to thank the wonderful volunteer site Moderators who help advise me, keep things safe here, and put in a great deal of their time and energy behind the scenes.

I'll remove it- thanks Blondie!