Forum Activity for @strumelia

Jouhikko/Tagelharpa

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

I have taken a little time off of doing patent drawings for a type of spray gun today, to work on getting a couple of interesting new tunes to try to play on my new jouhikko (Finnish/Swedish/Estonian folk fiddle-thingy).

I bought a CD of old recordings of Finnish folk songs and have been picking out a couple of tunes to transcribe and play. Wow, talk about non-chord based archaic music!

Some of the singing is really 'out there' and spooky/beautiful, from recordings made as far back as 1920 or so. Much of it is impossible to even pin down a melody for, but I did find a couple of simpler tunes that were good candidates. I transcribed them to a pitch playable on my jouhikko and wrote them out note by note. Now I can start learning to play them.

This will now give me a total of 6 old simple traditional Finnish folk tunes to work on. I can look into Swedish tunes as well (my Swedish grandfather would have loved that, maybe even my Swedish ancestors played the jouhikko/tagelharpa!)

Now if only I could fret the thing in tune...no fingerboard makes it pretty interesting.

The good news is that after about 2 weeks of playing now i do sound a little bit better- less squeaking and scratching with the bow, and a little less horribly out of tune. Just needs few more years of playing now!

But if you ask me if I'm having any fun...YES, a TON !

Jouhikko/Tagelharpa

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Well I've spent about 45 minutes to an hour each day so far for 4 days. I am excited because i actually see a little improvement just from that short time practicing.

I am only working on 2 VERY simple Finnish folk ditties that came with the instrument- one is in minor mode and one in major. That's all I need to work on for now, because I'm using these two simple tunes like exercises. They each only have 8 measures in them, and only six notes. It's weird to get used to rocking over onto the far (unfretted) drone string for the tonic melody note each time you want it, but I'm starting to get used to that idea. The main melody string is tuned to the second note (Re) of the scale! It's tuned AEB - the B being the melody string (the other two strings played open as drones and/or tonic note) in the key of A.

Still sounds like squeaky train brakes, but that's expected. Every once in a while I accidentally hit a couple of nice clear notes and that's enough excitement to keep me motivated! lol!

Mostly trying to hold the bow perpendicular to the strings and move it fast enough to catch the strings well instead of skreeking.

But I'm having tons of fun!!

Jouhikko/Tagelharpa

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Thanks Randy. I guess I like the challenge. I really respond to the primitive folk sound and the drones, so even the scratchy out of tune practice is pleasing to me in a strange way.

Sounds to me like you should try fiddling with the fiddle held down low against the ribs instead of in 'classic violin' form. brian plays that way often- he says it's the 'lazy' way to play, but it sure sounds good to me!

Randy Adams said:

I admire you for taking on the challenge Lisa. I was 41 (1992) when I started playing the dulcimer...had been playing guitar & banjo for 20+ years.... and I remember thinking I never wanted to learn another instrument....it's a huge undertaking. But I have enjoyed the journey.

The only instrument I would have liked to learn in my life is the fiddle. I have tried 3 or 4 or 5 times and never made it more than 2 weeks!... : (....I just can't do it. Hurts my left wrist to be in the position....my face, and ears, are right next to where the bow is squeaking and scratching... : ).....

Anyways...have fun! This is inspiring! Hope you check in ever so often with a progress report and trials & tribulations!... : ).....

Jouhikko/Tagelharpa

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Hi Robin,

i figure it will keep me out of trouble...sometimes.

Yes the strings are made of pretty firmly twisted horsehair. My strings have 6o strands for the low drone and 40 strands for the two higher strings.

Yes, you can make your own strings as they wear and get too thin. I bought extra bowhair hanks which can make the strings too. The bow is horsehair too, but straight not twisted, and somewhat loose- you create extra bowhair tension with your fingers as you bow (underhand grip). you are almost always playing two strings at once.

Robin Thompson said:

Lisa, I'll wait-- got nothin' but time.

Glad Randy started the thread because I was wonderin', too. You probably haven't had it long enough to tell much about the horsehair strings. . . Are the hairs twisted? Do they have to be replaced often? Can you buy hanks of horsehair and make your own strings?

Jouhikko/Tagelharpa

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Hey thanks Randy for starting a thread.

Heck, I've only had it about two days and we've been doing various other stuff so I haven;t been able to paractice it as much as I'd like yet, but getting some practice in today.

Here's a good example of a simple tunes played on a jouhikko:

It will take me many months before I can play something that well!

So how's it going. You luvin' it? Is it what you thought it was gonna be?

I'ts not easy- very challenging. Mostly because you are frettin the string in mid air, no frets or fingerboard to guide you. Also bowing is an art in itself and takes a LONG time to get decent. I'm sounding very scratchy and very out of tune- as I expected! It is what I thought it would be, perhaps a tad quieter than I thought, but then it's got horsehair strings, not steel fiddle strings. a nice 'chewy' textured sound.

<Are you taking to it like a duck to water?.. : ).....Are you having fun? Is it hard to play? Do you like the sound? >>>

It's GREAT fun, but not something I can just slip into doing- will take much work, but I kind of knew that going in. Yes, i love the sound, and as you know I love drones. The bowing is what will be the greatest challenge.

<How do you pronounce it? Is it a well made instrument? What type of songs are you going to play?>>>

Pronounced YOO-hee-koh. It's a very simple instrument, not refined like a guitar. Sturdy and wll put together, but primitive, like it was designed to be. (The other one that's almost done will be a little more delicate and refined).

Best suited for simple older folk tunes and some medieval tunes. Played in either major or minor. It uses only 6 notes in the scale, so the tunes must be very simple. On this one, the middle string is a low drone below the tonic note, a fifth. So this one is tuned to key of A and the low drone is an E.

My other one coming soon will be strung and tuned differently and will be played in G. It's low drone string will be on the top side rather than the middle.

<Any one else have/play one of these?>>>

Pristine (Richard) has one from this same maker- I think he got it a year and a half ago, but I don't know if he's been playing it much.

FlintHill said:

<Can't wait to hear you play these.>>>

Believe me, you can wait. lol!

Dusty, what a lot of good insights you posted!

This thread really makes me think about and realize little things i never formally thought out before.

This is a great question for a thread.

When I first started hearing 'fiddle tunes', I thought they all sounded a lot alike and that there wasn't much to them.

As I listened more, I began to hear the variety amongst them and appreciate their spare structure and little quirks. I grew to really enjoy them.

Aside from that though, I think there is not really a clear repertoire of 'dulcimer music' in the same way as there is 'piano music', 'guitar music', 'banjo music', 'accordion music', etc. That means that dulcimer players have to choose music from elsewhere and adapt it to the dulcimer. Since the dulcimer cannot exactly be chorded like a piano or guitar, most people attempt to adapt music to the dulcimer based first on the MELODY, and then to fill that out with either drones or chords. Traditional fiddle music is mostly chord free, and the melody is nicely laid out in a straightforward and simple way. This makes fiddle tunes very good candidates for transcribing into dulcimer tunes. so I think this has a lot to do with it too.

William, I'd love see a vid of you playing bones sometime! I play some minstrel banjo too, and have an interest in mid 1800s music as well.

Good for you Christine!

Aside from the mountain dulcimer, I play banjo in clawhammer and minstrel stroke style... I play a LOT of banjo, actually more banjo than dulcimer (running for cover now).

I also love to 'play' limberjacks, and I dabble in playing the bones (minstrel style), and also bowed jouhikko or tagelharpa. I'm trying to learn to play a little tambourine too, at least to play it halfway decently- it's not that easy for me, and I feel like a total klutz sometimes! But fun is the keyword here.

Don't forget to also check our FOTMD forum called "Adventures in 'Other' Instruments' located HERE , to see what other members are playing besides the mountain dulcimer!

Great advice from everyone!

Yes I agree with CD and Robin that it would be a great idea for you to buy an inexpensive student or cardboard dulcimer and get a little bit familiar with playing before you make decisions on how to build your first dulcimer.

Decent cardboard dulcimers can be less than $100 and good student wooden ones can be less than $200. Other members here can recommend excellent sources that are made with care and not just junk.

There will always be many little but important things you just don't think of at first if you've never played a particular instrument before.

I agree with Paul in that for the type of music Dennis wants to play, then 6 1/2 and a 1 1/2 frets would be extremely helpful. (and don't forget to include their counterparts in the next higher octave up, the 8 1/2 and 13 1/2 frets!).

Hi Dennis, excellent question!

It must be confusing to see so much info of all kinds here and not knowing where/how to start.

Given the type of music you like to play (which likely includes jazz-based, stringband, & tinpanalley stuff), and your uke experience, it sounds to me like you'd do well getting started in playing the dulcimer in chord style, with some melody lines incorporated into that. This happens to also be the most common method of playing dulcimer these days, and thus there is a LOT of tab and chording materials out there available for you to explore.

Most people these days also seem to get started in the tuning of DAd... the first lower D being the heavy bass string. Sometimes it is written DAdd if you have double melody strings. The melody string(s) are tuned to the d an octave above the bass string, and the A on the middle string is tuned between the two d's.

When you are tuned DAd you will begin by playing in the key of D. You will thus need to learn the 3 basic chords for that key and how to finger them on your dulcimer. The chords are D (easy enough, all open strings strummed), G, and A. D, G, and A are your I, IV, V chords for the key of D.

Perhaps others have more or different suggestions, and maybe someone can point you to some online chord charts or simple chord style tabs to look over?

updated by @strumelia: 02/13/16 08:54:52PM

John Henry..thought I'd share

OFF TOPIC discussions

Yay! Welcome back John Henry!!!!

John Henry..thought I'd share

OFF TOPIC discussions

Robin Clark said:

Did you manage to smuggle an MD in tohim? - you could alway say it was abed pan !!!!!!!

Robin

John Henry..thought I'd share

OFF TOPIC discussions

Thanks Rod for starting this thread.

John Henry's granddaughter Kate left this message on the chat wall here today as well:

Hi all, leaving a msg on behalf of my Grandad - John Henry. He's still in hospital, having an 'mot' on his heart....I know he's missing this site and all his friends on here lots!! Im sure he will be back online with you all as soon as poss!! Best wishes Kate (John Henry's grandaughter) xx

I know we all miss John Henry very much here and we wish him a rapid recovery! Can't wait to hear from him in person again here.

Get well quick John H !!!!

Turnup's Christmas Card

OFF TOPIC discussions

Paul, I like your cat's name Oni Oni- what does it mean?One of our cats is named Suki, which is I believe japanese for 'love'.Is that a banjo-uke in your avatar too?

Paul Certo said:

Ain't that just like a cat? Mrs. Wanda makes her own greeting cards, and does a lot of scrapbooking. Oni Oni likes to "help", too. That's Oni in the picture with me.

Paul

Turnup's Christmas Card

OFF TOPIC discussions

Too funny! Poor Turnup!

lol!

Giving Thanks

OFF TOPIC discussions

Dusty, thank you for those wonderful sentiments. I think you are speaking for all of us.

Show us your sound holes!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Mandy, if you look through books with photos of pre-1940 dulcimers, you'll see all kinds of shaped sound holes- circles, half moons, S shaped, F clefs, diamonds, tiny holes drilled in various patterns, hearts, and various other interesting designs. The Kentucky hourglass dulcimers do seem to have more hearts than old dulcimers of other body shapes from other regions, but overall in pre-revival dulcimers there are more round sound holes by far than any other shape.

Mandy said:

Great thread here! Can someone tell my why traditional dulcimers seem to all have the heart sound holes? Mine does and most I've seen do as well. Someone enlighten me please. Thanks in advance.

Show us your sound holes!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Here are my sound holes....

Show us your sound holes!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Sam that's cool. I have a tiny tattoo behind one ear that is the same, but dotted. It does seem odd that we don't see more sound holes like this!

Show us your sound holes!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Ok I guess that sounds kinda weird, but...

I thought it'd be cool to see pictures of all the different kinds of sound holes we all have on our dulcimers.
Post a picture here, and tell us what you like about your dulcimer's sound holes, and why you chose them.
updated by @strumelia: 07/31/23 09:20:12PM

Your favorite dulcimer case!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Rod Westerfield said:

yeah but my case is easily identifiable...
mine's the one with the big Mountain Dew patch on it...

Yes, I guess that would keep our cases from being mixed up.

Your favorite dulcimer case!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Rod Westerfield said:

I have that same case Strumelia... it's the main case I use when transporting my dulcimers. From talking to my friends at Cedar Creek these case are no longer made...

Hey, we never knew we were using the same case! Cool.Too bad they don't make them anymore- they are lightweight yet very protective and somewhat rigid.

Your favorite dulcimer case!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I use a double case usually. I don't know whether this one is made anymore, but I love the very dense foam padding it has. I found only this one head-on picture of it online, but I can't find where it's sold anymore. It's very square at the ends, and has one pouch for stuff on the outside. It protects my two dulcimers very well. Anyone else have this one?

Your favorite dulcimer case!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Show us a picture, or tell us about your very favorite dulcimer carrying case, and why you like it so much. :D

updated by @strumelia: 02/10/25 02:12:19PM

***THREE CHEERS for Robin Thompson !!!***

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lol!

***THREE CHEERS for Robin Thompson !!!***

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Robin Thompson said:

PS-Strumelia, your percussive slaps inspired my fat felt pick pounding.

And where else but on FOTMD would one ever read a sentence like that, I ask you?

***THREE CHEERS for Robin Thompson !!!***

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***THREE CHEERS for Robin Thompson !!!***

OFF TOPIC discussions

Robin joined Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer on July 30, 2009. She was just the fifth member to join, and now we have over 1000 members!
If you visit Robin's page and watch her videos, you will discover that she has varied dulcimer abilities, including bowed dulcimer, box dulcimer, and has developed her own awesome personal strumming technique using a percussive felt pick. Check it out!

What's more, Robin has been a tremendous positive force in helping and encouraging other members here on FOTMD. She gives of her time and experience day after day, and has participated in over 562 discussions , mostly by expressing her genuine interest in what all of us are doing each week.




updated by @strumelia: 02/10/25 04:58:53AM

Many of us use the term 'fingerdancing' to describe using several fingers to fret a tune only on the melody string while leaving the drone strings open and unfretted.
I think both sliding with a noter or using fingerdancing are fairly easy to learn to do. Just as with anything, getting skilled at it does take some time. But they are easy methods to begin learning.

Using Common Sense Caution when buying or selling

FOR SALE:instruments/music items/CDs/Wanted to Buy...

Just a reminder that folks should be smart when buying or selling instruments and merchandise online. FOTMD cannot guarantee that all members are legitimate, and we cannot be responsible for any sales transactions. Please proceed carefully when exchanging goods or money, and don't be afraid to ask for credentials or verifications of identity. Using Paypal or your credit card can help protect you as a purchaser, but you should verify who you are sending an instrument to before shipping it out. Ask questions, verify, and be smart!

Using Common Sense Caution when buying or selling

FOR SALE:instruments/music items/CDs/Wanted to Buy...

There are seldom problems with folks buying and selling here on the FOTMD For Sale forum.
This is just a general reminder that one should use common sense when buying or selling items online.

FOTMD provides this space to facilitate sales between members, but we cannot guarantee any sales or purchases made here. Please take logical precautions before exchanging goods or money with someone you don't know. Never send funds or instruments to anyone you are not comfortable about- only you can protect yourself. It's always smart to pay attention to your hunches.
If you experience difficulties or have suspicions about the legitimacy of any sale or purchase offer, please do let me know.
Thanks! :)

updated by @strumelia: 07/31/23 09:26:55PM

FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

What are some of your favorite funny, silly, or humorous songs that you play and sing on your dulcimer?

And where did you learn them from?

updated by @strumelia: 01/17/20 09:38:42PM

FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!

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FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!

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I've been hand counting the members, since the main page count is not entirely accurate.Only one more member to go to reach 1000.Meanwhile, here's one of my 'famous' Jello Molds to enjoy as an appetizer:

FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!

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With newest member Amy, we now have 998 members.Only two more to go! ....spammers don't get counted because they aren't here very long.

FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!

OFF TOPIC discussions

I just hand counted all the members. We have 997 at this point in time.Somehow the 'show all' button on the members column is not accurate right now. Could have been because of the spammer issue this morning.Anyway, counting our latest members Ann and Bonnie, we now have 997.Three more to go after Bonnie!