Enter FOTMD's 5th Birthday Pickled Dulcimer CONTEST!
OFF TOPIC discussions
And the winning number was.......
Forum Activity for @strumelia
OFF TOPIC discussions
Enter FOTMD's 5th Birthday Pickled Dulcimer CONTEST!
OFF TOPIC discussions
Well we have a TIE for Third Place, so I need to figure out how to handle that....will return shortly. 
Enter FOTMD's 5th Birthday Pickled Dulcimer CONTEST!
OFF TOPIC discussions
OK, the contest is now CLOSED!
No more guesses please.
Give me a little time to tabulate the entries...
HAPPY 5TH BIRTHDAY TO ALL YOU MEMBERS OF FRIENDS OF THE MOUNTAIN DULCIMER who have made it what it is.
Enter FOTMD's 5th Birthday Pickled Dulcimer CONTEST!
OFF TOPIC discussions
LAST CALL to enter the pickled dulcimer contest!
Contest CLOSES to entries today, the 29th!
Enter FOTMD's 5th Birthday Pickled Dulcimer CONTEST!
OFF TOPIC discussions
Guess the secret number and enter
FOTMD's 5th Anniversary
Pickled Dulcimer CONTEST!!
FOTMD is 5 years old!
================================================================
The contest is now CLOSED ...
In honor of the fast approaching day of FOTMD's 5th birthday , July 29 2014...
All members are invited to participate in
FOTMD's 5th birthday Pickled Dulcimer Contest !
Please READ the rules and conditions below carefully before entering....
Make your GUESS for the number of pickled dulcimers in the giant pickle jar !!! 
Please note that the picture above is merely symbolic - so it's no use at all trying to count the dulcimers in the picture. 
I will give you a hint though- the answer is a random number I will pick that is more than 10 and less than 500. And it's perfectly ok if some people guess the same number. Before the contest begins, I will tell FOTMD member Bobby Ratliff the secret winning number , for safe keeping. ...and don't try bribing him for the answer! lol!
NOTE: Everyone gets to make just ONE guess at the number. Post your guess in this thread . Just ONE guess per member, and don't change your number guess after you make it please. On July 29th I will close the contest , tabulate the closest guesses, and announce the five winners.
Please place your guess by posting only your guessed number in a post here- don't bury your guess in the middle of a big chatty post or I may not see it when I scan the posts and tabulate the entries- make a separate post that consists of only your number guess.
IMPORTANT NOTE on Shipping costs: Shipping within the U.S. will be free to winners . If a winner is located outside of the U.S. they must agree to pay the shipping costs to mail their prizes to them. If you are not willing to pay for international shipping, please do not enter the contest.
5 chances to win a prize!
The top 5 winning guesses that are on or closest (higher OR lower)
to the secret winning number will receiv e prizes! Remember, the winning number is somewhere between 10 and 500. The 5 closest guesses win- higher, lower, or exact. In case of a TIE, I will flip a coin to determine the order of winning prizes.
___________________________________________________________________
The following prizes will awarded to the closest guesses:
FIRST PRIZE:
John & Karen Keane's new dulcimer CD "Moonburn":
PLUS! : Mark Gilston's dulcimer CD
"Grandad's Favorite Oldtime Music on Mtn Dulcimer"
PLUS! : A leather dulcimer key fob/keyring customized with your own initials, made for you by Bobby Ratliff:
_____________________________________________________________
SECOND PRIZE:
Nina Zanetti's dulcimer CD "Beside Still Waters":
PLUS! : A leather dulcimer key fob/keyring customized with your own initials, made for you by Bobby Ratliff:
_____________________________________________________________
THIRD PRIZE:
John & Karen Keane's new dulcimer CD "Moonburn":
PLUS! : A leather dulcimer key fob/keyring customized with your own initials, made for you by Bobby Ratliff:
_____________________________________________________________
Fourth and Fifth PRIZES:
A beautiful handcrafted leather dulcimer key fob/keyring customized with your own initials,
made just for you by Bobby Ratliff ! :
_____________________________________________________________
Thanks and much appreciation for our prize sponsors and donors!
Hey even if you don't win a prize, consider visiting the links below and treating yourself by buying yourself a prize anyway from our wonderful and talented contest supporters:
==========================================================
The contest is now CLOSED ...
CONGRATULATIONS to our FIVE lucky winners!!!!!!
FIRST PRIZE winner:
Gordon Hardy ! (his guess was 161) -will receive CDs "Moonburn" and "Grandad's Favorite Oldtime Music" and a custom leather dulcimer key fob!
SECOND PRIZE winner:
Mark Runge ! (his guess was 168) -will receive CD "Beside Still Waters" and a custom leather dulcimer key fob!
THIRD and FOURTH winners:
FolkFan & Geekling ! (who both guessed 169) -will, because of guessing the same number, each receive a CD "Moonburn" and a custom leather dulcimer key fob!
FIFTH PRIZE winner:
Gale A Barr ! (who guessed 175) -will receive a CUSTOM leather dulcimer key fob made for her by Bobby!
updated by @strumelia: 02/09/25 11:05:39PM
Free Kantele method book - asking for feedback!
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
Peter it's so generous of you to offer all this for free. 
The shelf liner stuff only damages the finish of instruments if you leave it attached or stuck on the instrument or store it in your case with the instrument or lean the instrument on the shelf liner on a stand. It's never a problem if you only lay it on your lap while playing. Always store the shelf liner separately from the instrument.
BBC video on unusual ancient instruments
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
Wow Robin that sounds just wonderful!
BBC video on unusual ancient instruments
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
I love this!:
http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-27205752
updated by @strumelia: 06/11/15 07:40:35AM
Hi Sheryl, welcome to our little corner of the world!
If you join our Beginner Players Group on this site, you will find several discussions with good suggestions about buying a first dulcimer that is good quality but not too costly for a beginner. Check out our Groups section for special interests you may wish to learn more about, too.
The good news is that there are several various beginner dulcimers that would be reputable and excellent choices for you to get started with! Check out those discussions in the Beginner's Group.
-I know you are just learning your way around the site, and it may be a bit confusing at first... I deleted about eight other identical discussions to this one that you probably didn't mean to post in duplicate. -But rest assured, no harm done at all!
Hi Glenda, can't you ask the woman who wrote it what key it is in? That would help us a lot.
The guitar player might know the key as well, if they've been playing the song already.
updated by @strumelia: 01/27/16 01:21:53PM
5,000! What I'm most grateful for. . .
OFF TOPIC discussions
Wow, Geekling, what a wonderful tribute to FOTMD, thank you so much. Thank you all so much.
I do feel like we all have sooo many great dulcimer friends here, and the nature of the site is such that it really encourages everyone to share equally, learn from each other, and get to know each other as well.
This is what came in the mail.
OFF TOPIC discussions
Phil that is so wonderful, makes the heart all fuzzy thinking about it.
Strumming so frustrated
Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!
That's how it starts, Julie!
Julie Semones said:
Alrighty all, I've been trying everything you all have posted, I think I'm finally catching on....here I am (YIKES, can't believe I'm sharing this!!LOL)
Strumming so frustrated
Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!
Many great suggestions here in everyone's answers- I think everyone's advice and approach is useful and good...check them all out, Julie, and you are sure to find an approach that suits your particular learning style perfectly.
Strumming so frustrated
Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!
Julie, here are some posts I wrote, along with videos, concerning getting your strumming rhythm to feel more natural:
Why is it taking so long?:
http://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/2010/08/why-is-it-taking-so-long-for-me-to.html
Strumming tips for beginners 1:
http://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/2010/01/video-tips-for-beginners-strumming.html
Strumming tips for beginners 2:
http://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/2010/01/video-tips-for-beginners-strumming_08.html
Muted strumming practice tips- fun!
http://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/2010/02/many-new-players-understandably.html
Strumming patterns song 1:
http://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/2010/01/video-tips-for-beginners-sugar-hill.html
Strumming patterns song 2:
http://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/2010/01/video-tips-for-beginners-sugar-hill_19.html
Figuring out where to add the extra strums:
http://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/2010/01/video-tips-for-beginners-where-to-add.html
Dulcimer Challenge
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Maybe we're all just using the same generic debate over and over to cover various situations, JH.
Could be easier that way!
John Henry said:
Well, I'm swearing! 'cos I've got it in my mind all this was argued over quite recently, other than on this particular thread, and for the life of me I can't find it. I am sure that I posted comment on it . Am I losing the thread ?
JohnH
Dulcimer Challenge
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Some swear you can and some swear you can't.....and some just swear. And now we can't agree on what constitutes a fair and equitable test! Funny!
Randy you got me laughing on this one. Too true!
Dulcimer Challenge
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
It doesn't make sense to me either way, in such a small test with other things not being equal in the two dulcimers being used. If only using two dulcimers, then all other factors really must be identical for it to mean anything (which is practically impossible). If using a dozen or more dulcimers that are very very similar, then perhaps an outcome might have more meaning. With all due respect...I just don't see how this particular test can actually prove anything one way or another. But hey, I hope folks have fun with it anyway!
Dulcimer Challenge
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I have to say I agree with Dusty on this. Too many uncontrolled variables.
Dulcimer Challenge
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Skip, maybe that's just a subliminal message...like the Beatles' "Paul is Dead" thing... Have you tried playing it backwards?
Skip said:
Ken the first one someone says 'hourglass' at the end of the tune, just before starting the 2nd tune.
RIP Pete Seeger
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Pete was such a powerful force for good. We can all learn from his example.
Peter W just posted a great outfit he put together for a gig:
http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/photo/dulcimer-music-at-book-launch
Wout Blommers said:
Hi Strumelia,
'Being sure' is a relative idea
In the above example starting at the open melody string playing Ionian means using the 6+ fret, right? (Rob writes about 'a nice major sounding mode') Using the 6+ and shifting the keyboard one fret to the right delivers, still using the 6+ fret, a Dorian mode..
Ah, I missed the part about starting out by playing ionian in DAd tuning...! Still, it's a confusing debate since the question doesn't lay it out too specifically.
My opinion isthat talking about modes is confusing and also frustrating, special when learning the dulcimer. Let's only talk about major and minor,and sometimes about Mixolydian and Dorian;almost rarities becausethat is just a few compared with the other two in music.
No, let's not.
I'm sort of of the opinion that how confusing and frustrating it gets when talking about modes is directly related to how people talk about them. 
House fire
OFF TOPIC discussions
I hope we can all hear a little more about it Phil- sounds pretty good whatever it is!
I'm so happy for you to have experienced some wonderful kindness from others here.
House fire
OFF TOPIC discussions
Good thoughts, Phil. Things will go on and get better again for you.
House fire
OFF TOPIC discussions
oh my gosh that would be wonderful Phil! I will keep my positive karma thoughts and wishes coming your way!
House fire
OFF TOPIC discussions
Hang in there Phil. You are hopefully due for a little streak of good luck, I imagine!
Were you able to salvage belongings from your burnt house?
House fire
OFF TOPIC discussions
I'm so sorry to hear this Phil- how awful for you and your family. Just doesn't seem fair!
As others have said, the only good thing is that none of your family was hurt or lost, your doggies included.
Perhaps the fire dept can help you get some instruments out if they were in cases. If you do find any frozen cases, be sure to let them slowly come to room temperature for several hours BEFORE you open them, as it's a rapid change in temp that damages more than the freezing itself...like when you open a case that's been frozen and suddenly expose the instrument to warm air or vice versa. We had a village resident here lose his house too in a fire a few months ago, and the fire dept helped him go in and recover some guitars in their cases which were salvaged.
I'm so sorry you are going through this difficult time.
We'll all be thinking of you Phil, and sending good wishes. Update us when you can.
Contra dancing :)
OFF TOPIC discussions
Katie, since we are both upi the Hudson Valley from NYC, I wouldn't be surprised if you and I haven't attended the same contra dance at some point.
Contra dancing :)
OFF TOPIC discussions
Great old movie scenes, Patty. That 'Grand March' seems a bit stiff and formal!
Contra dancing :)
OFF TOPIC discussions
Patty, in a square dance, four couples form a square and dance with each other through the entire dance. In a contra dance, couples generally form double lines that stretch the entire length of the hall. A large hall with lots of dancers may have as many as 3 to 5 full lines, a smaller dance may have only 1 long line of couples.
Every other couple moves in one direction while dancing with people along the way, and the other half move in the other direction while dancing with couples they encounter along the way. The end result is that each couple winds up dancing with every other couple in the line. When you and your partner eventually get to one end of the line, you turn and start back again, dancing in turn with each couple you meet in the line.
You and your partner mostly stay together as you work your way down the line dancing, but you wind up also dancing with just about everyone else in the line too. I think that makes it particularly fun. You also cover more ground, from one end of the hall to the other, as opposed to staying in one spot like the 4 couples in a square dance do. Both contra dancing and square dancing do incorporate some steps in common, such as do-si-do and swing your partner...
This contra dance video shows how people keep dancing with different other people as they work their way up or down the line:
Here is a very lively and crowded contra dance: It looks like chaos to a non-dancer, but you can see the well organized double line of couples go 'forward and back' right on time at the 0:42 mark. they know exactly what they are doing! lol
Again, another crowded lively dance: At the 0:56 time mark in this one, again at 2:00, you can again see those organized long lines of couples go forward and back. The caller stops calling the moves after a while, as the dancers get the hang of the sequence of moves. Each dance is different. I have danced in that Greenfield MA hall, and I've danced with half the folks in that video at one time or another. That particular band is terrific- they are only two young men and they play everything you hear- electronically looping each part on top of the next as they play on different instruments- live. The tension builds as they add more parts and loop them on top of what they just played a minute before. lots of energy! I do square dances occasionally, but I find contra dances to have a different feel. Hope this adds some info...or maybe just confuses it more for you!
Contra dancing :)
OFF TOPIC discussions
I bet there are some other contra dancers here...!
Tomorrow night I'm going as usual to a double-long holiday contra dance in Lenox Mass, with a potluck in the middle between two whole long dances. I usually go to a couple of contra dances per month, and have been doing so for about 4 years now I think.I love the exercise, and I always laugh a great deal- so good for the spirit.
I just now came upon this video someone took from a year ago of the dec 2012 Lenox dance- hadn't seen it before and was surprised to see myself dancing in it!:
I'm wearing a black top, flowered skirt, and am in the right half of the screen. At the very start of the video, I'm dancing with the fellow in the red shirt, but of course partners keep switching throughout the dance.
Anyone else here like to contra dance?
updated by @strumelia: 07/31/23 07:34:50PM
Dusty said:
I agree, Dusty. I'm afraid this discussion has morphed (like so many seem to do) into another in depth discussion/debate of modes and their usage, and it's likely no longer useful to the original poster. I'm going to close this thread because I feel Larry's question was completely addressed a while back already. Feel free to start a new thread if you'd like to start a continued mode discussion. Thanks!