John Henry..thought I'd share
OFF TOPIC discussions
Yay! Welcome back John Henry!!!!
Forum Activity for @strumelia
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
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: 07/21/26 08:23:56PM
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Rod Westerfield said:
Yes, I guess that would keep our cases from being mixed up.yeah but my case is easily identifiable...
mine's the one with the big Mountain Dew patch on it...
Your favorite dulcimer case!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Rod Westerfield said:
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.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...
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 !!!***
OFF TOPIC discussions
Robin Thompson said:
And where else but on FOTMD would one ever read a sentence like that, I ask you?PS-Strumelia, your percussive slaps inspired my fat felt pick pounding.
***THREE CHEERS for Robin Thompson !!!***
OFF TOPIC discussions
Let's hear it for member Robin Thompson!
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.
If anyone can be thought of as a wonderful ambassador for the lap dulcimer, it's Robin. 
Way to go, girl.
Way to go, girl.
HIP HIP, HOORAY for ROBIN !!!!
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...!
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...!
OFF TOPIC discussions
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!
FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!
OFF TOPIC discussions
Yes, I noticed that too, Bill!there must be something in the water here on FOTMD.
FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!
OFF TOPIC discussions
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...!
OFF TOPIC discussions
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
***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.
Thank you Bill, for your kind spirit ...and thanks for just being Bill .
updated by @strumelia: 02/16/19 06:18:50PM
FOTMD one year anniversary on July 29th, 2010 !
OFF TOPIC discussions
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:
Ah yes...the official theme song.How shall we mark the day?
I'm thinking I'll listen to our official song a time or two.
FOTMD one year anniversary on July 29th, 2010 !
OFF TOPIC discussions
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 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.I think that we should make the effort to reclaim our bars and other public spaces for live music.
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!
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