Forum Activity for @strumelia

***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...!

OFF TOPIC discussions

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...!

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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!

FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!

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Yes, I noticed that too, Bill!there must be something in the water here on FOTMD.

FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!

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I've noticed that we all do seem better looking than we did a year ago when we first joined.

FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!

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Well only a few more members to go before we reach a THOUSAND members of Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer! Yikes! Who would ever have thought when we only had a couple dozen members one year ago?

If you haven't entered yet, be sure to post your lucky number guess in FOTMD first contest in celebration of reaching 1000 members...
enter the Guess the Pickled Dulcimers in the Jar Contest!
Look for it on the MAIN page. There will be not one but FIVE winners who will receive PRIZES in the mail, so your chances are good! The 5 winners will be announced when FOTMD reaches 1000 members...should be only a few days away!
updated by @strumelia: 10/28/20 03:12:33PM

Thank you, Strumelia!!

OFF TOPIC discussions

Thank you kindly.

***THREE CHEERS for Bill Lewis!***

OFF TOPIC discussions

Just an appreciation hurrah to member Bill Lewis

Bill was the very 2nd person to join FOTMD on July 30, 2009 when FOTMD was just 1 day old.

I know that many of us look forward to his "Another Day in The Life of Bill" blog posts, describing his personal journey, struggles and successes as a beginner dulcimer player, or just everyday things.

But most importantly....
All on his own , Bill took it upon himself to post a friendly welcome message to literally hundreds of brand new members here, day in and day out, over the past year. Bill's little welcome messages make new members feel instantly at home and welcome into our friendly community of support.

updated by @strumelia: 02/16/19 06:18:50PM

FOTMD one year anniversary on July 29th, 2010 !

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Phil Meyers:Randy Adams:You guys should add this tune to the "Call the Tune" group- there are two versions by members already...how about more? :D

updated by @strumelia: 07/23/19 07:44:44PM

FOTMD one year anniversary on July 29th, 2010 !

OFF TOPIC discussions

Robin Thompson said:

How shall we mark the day?
I'm thinking I'll listen to our official song a time or two.

Ah yes...the official theme song.

FOTMD one year anniversary on July 29th, 2010 !

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John Henry said:

Strumelia, that is not really you is it? Tho' I suppose the hunk of pie might just be a link!! And party time is nearly with us......

No, that's not me, it looks to be from around 1920's to me. That would make me pretty long in the tooth! But it does represent how I feel. Seems like every other week is a party around here. I can't get any work done! lol

This is me:

updated by @strumelia: 07/18/19 03:49:29PM

FOTMD one year anniversary on July 29th, 2010 !

OFF TOPIC discussions

Hey you guys are starting to embarrass me! (but thanks!)Remember, FOTMD stands for friends (plural) of the mountain dulcimer. It's not about me- this place would be pretty dull with just me here! We should all pat ourselves on the back for making this place special. It's so great to have this little shack where any of us can just stop in anytime, sit on the porch to cool our heels, swap stories, work out some tunes, show some snapshots, and cut ourselves a hunk o' 1 year anniversary pie in the kitchen...

updated by @strumelia: 07/23/19 07:43:33PM

FOTMD one year anniversary on July 29th, 2010 !

OFF TOPIC discussions

Coming up on July 29th 2010.....Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer's ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY .

How can it be ?? Seems like just a few short months ago.

And as if that weren't exciting enough....
likely in August a week or two right after that, we will reach 1000 MEMBERS . Amazing!

updated by @strumelia: 05/21/24 07:59:39PM

I think that with chromatically fretted instruments (guitar, mandolin, banjo, chromatic dulcimer, etc) position dots are very useful.But they become less needed on dulcimers that have diatonic (or semi-diatonic) long/short fret spacing patterns. The diatonic fret spaces become 'markers' themselves. One easily gets accustomed to getting their visual bearings from the fret spacings.Which is not to say that people can't enjoy having fret markers anyway, for whatever reasons both practical and/or aesthetic.

BEGINNERS' OLD TIME JAM – DOWN THE PUB

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Robin Clark said:

I think that we should make the effort to reclaim our bars and other public spaces for live music.

I totally agree! We've migrated towards playing at our town's farmer's market instead of the pub. We do it for free as our way of giving to the community. I like the scene at the market, and we can hear ourselves better and sit in the pleasant outdoors amongst good food. We do some charity and community events for free. Other gigs we get paid for.

BEGINNERS' OLD TIME JAM – DOWN THE PUB

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Robin, you might be surprised to learn that in our tiny little rural town, we actually have a Welsh style pub right on our one-block-long main street!

Brian and a friend and I used to play there once a month for free....but the food was lousy and we got a good paying gig instead somewhere else! lol! They still have once a month Irish trad and Bluegrass jam sessions there. Plus some weekend local rock groups, and an open mike.

Perhaps if you don't like it you can sell it used on Amazon.comFor a whole different approach, perhaps next try Jean Ritchie's recent teaching dvd? She is a good beginner level teacher, and it'd be interesting for you to observe the difference in playing style. Here it is: http://www.amazon.com/Traditional-Mountain-Dulcimer-Homespun-Tapes/dp/063406293X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=musical-instruments&qid=1277476190&sr=8-3

Katie,Most teaching materials present that particular teacher's approach to playing- and that's as it should be, because we should be teaching what we do best. However, there is no one best way to play, or to hold the instrument, or strum, etc.Most people do play with the dulcimer flat on their laps, not angled up like a guitar. It's ok to do that!I believe most people also use their left thumb as well, because they feel it lengthens their useable stretch when making chords and moving about from note to note. That's ok too! lol!When i used to play chord/flatpicking style, i kept my dulcimer flat on my lap and used a strap to keep it from sliding around. I also learned that if I keep the tail end of the dulcimer firmly against my right hip and the peghead end out more sitting right on my left knee area, it enabled me to have much easier access to fretting the entire fretboard without bumping into my stomach. The angle was better for both my strumming and my fretting hands, plus the dulcimer was more stable and didn't rock or tip about. A strap enabled me to do this better.You can either have a music store or luthier add a strap button either or both ends of your instrument (cheap and easy), OR you can figure out more creative ways to attach a home made strap....see my video here: http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/video/noter-style-beginner-7-home I myself can't imagine trying to make chords without using my left thumb, but then some people don't use it. Go figure. Everyone has to find their own most comfortable and practical way to play. It's YOUR style, and you get to decide what your playing style will be like. Don't be afraid to try different things, and to check out some additional teaching methods by various teachers- there are many many great teachers out there, and they all play slightly differently. That's part of the fun.Keep it happy and try lots of things- that way you will discover what's right for you .

Love

OFF TOPIC discussions

I came in from hoeing and re-seeding several patches of lettuce and scallions in my garden, and read through today's FOTMD posts and thoughts, questions and helpful advice by so many different people.

I just had to say how great you all are and how wonderful it is to have such a fun and special place to come and enjoy together with you all. I feel like I have so many new music friends, people that I get to know here and really care about, and get knowledge and advice from.

updated by @strumelia: 01/13/19 05:09:18PM

Katie, I have a bunch of free beginner mountain dulcimer lessons and tips on my youtube channel, if you care to watch them: http://www.youtube.com/user/Strumelia

800!?!!

OFF TOPIC discussions

Now to figure out what to do with the leftovers...

800!?!!

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Travis Rodgers said:

Man it's hard to believe how this group has grown. I remember when Strumelia announced that she was starting it. It seems like just a couple months ago.

In fact, FOTMD's first year anniversary is coming up soon....on July 29th!! That's the day it was launched and the day it got its very first member...Pristine2/Richard. The following day it got 7 more members, the day after that 8 more..... It does seem like just yesterday though!

800!?!!

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Hey, Let's dance! Woo-HOOOO!!!And hey thanks Rod. A round of applause to my right hand man and personal FOTMD psychotherapist 'Deputy Mo' too!

800!?!!

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YAY!!!! Hard to believe!

800!?!!

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Todd Willsey said:

That will be the hook at the end of the song. Sort of like how sale prices always sound better at $7.99 instead of $8.00. Now I have a direction to go with it, thanks. Maybe set it to the tune of "Wabash Cannonball".

Todd, it might wind up being a big FOTMD hit song. How about setting it to the tune of Petticoat Junction ? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7_-N_zTJnk And then, if that's not good enough....how about the late Dennis Hopper guest starring on Petticoat Junction as a young beat poet? LOL!

800!?!!

OFF TOPIC discussions

Todd, Ol' #799 sounds better, like a steam engine or something. 800 sounds too space-age or like some ad- "the New Ginzu800 vegetable paring knife"! Be glad you are the more dignified and venerable #799.

800!?!!

OFF TOPIC discussions

We have 795 members so far today, and we are only short about $10 from reaching our $500 site rent goal for the coming year. Looks like we will make our rent goal before hitting 800 members!

800!?!!

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795 members so far....

800!?!!

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Hmmm....I should bring some salad too. I took this photo this morning in my garden:

800!?!!

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'Fried lather'....?

800!?!!

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792 members right now.... I think I'll make some 'Dutch Babies' in my cast iron skillets, made with batter and fresh fruit. Here are some I made last year:

"Do you think renaissance and nylgut ought to do the trick with a mix of down- and up-picking???"Ken, it should be GREAT to play it like that. Do you know that those 60's Kay banjos (and basses too) are much sought after and beloved by appreciators of 'down-home' vintage banjos? They have a great sound unless they have been messed up or poorly set up in some way along the line. Lucky you!

Hunter, am I correct in thinking this is an antique banjo?If so, then the pot may be slightly out of true and not a perfect circle, which can complicate matters if you are changing types of heads. It can be done, but sometimes there are issues that need to be solved.Pot slightly warped out of true, brackets that wont fit over modern flesh hoops, odd non-standard sized pot, etc. What kind of head is on there now? Is there anything wrong with it, like holes or splitting?If the head is ok on an antique banjo, I would leave it alone. A LOT can be done to change tone by tweaking instead: your setup, string material and gauges, the tailpiece type and tension, head tension, the bridge used... I would fiddle with all those things before I changed a perfectly good functional head on an antique banjo. Even a plastic frosted 'bluegrass head' can sound old and plunky if you tweak all the other stuff just right. If it's a modern banjo, then changing the head is 'usually' less tricky.Personally, I've done it all- frosted plastic head, Fiberskin, calfskin, Renaissance, you name it, I've spent time installing them and playing on them on various +/- 18 banjos that I've owned, set up, fixed and/or tweaked. I play a lot at outside camping festivals and I did find it to be very tedious dealing with the humidity and real calfskin heads. It got old fast. Real gut strings had the same problem absorbing humidity and literally getting soft like al dente pasta (!) on rainy warm humid summer days while camping. Nylon strings had no such issue and sounded almost like gut.After much experimentation, I found that Renaissance heads gave me a sound very close to real calfskin but without any of the inherent problems. Better sound than even the Fiberskin heads. That's now what I use on all 7 of my banjos. (except the delicate 1800's antique one, which still retains its old calfskin head).

The reason I ask what brand Hunter is that I have used cheaper Bella brand nylon banjo strings- for me they stretch and break way too easily. I've also used nylon fishing line in various cool thickness. That too stretched way to much and was forever bouncy- like playing on a trampoline.Switching to Nylagut nylon banjo strings....really good stiffer tension, broke way less often great sound and great response. For the price of a pack you can check it out. It makes a HUGE difference in giving a really old sounding plunky tone instantly. If you like them and want to keep them, then you might be smart to widen your nut and bridge slots for the two thickest strings at least- they are thicker than steel strings and ought to be seated properly in the slots for long term playing. Personally I find that switching to nylon strings will make a much bigger change to 'plunky' than changing to calfskin heads. I have tried every combination possible for many years on many banjos. I've played for years on both steel and nylon strings, and all kinds of heads, skin, renaissance, fiberskin....