Thanks, Ken, Susie, & Terry. I was wondering if this and my earlier trying to get started was worth posting. Just figured it would be worthwhile for someone, even though it's an"Other Instrument."
Terry, you gave me the rationale I tried to explain to my husband about why I bothered. Dunno if you know if the baritone uke was around by the early 30s or not. My voice is low enough I often sing an octave lower. Probably I'm better keeping the tenor for that 20s sound.
I know you have, but I will still ask the question. Have you ever learned a new song and discovered some real happiness, and joy? I did.
About two week ago I began learning two new songs, both of which I should have learned years prior. I don't really know why not.
I recently purchased a new songbook from Linda W Collins, "Beyond the Basics: A Songbook."
While going over the songbook I discovered these two songs, listened to them on you tube, and began learning the songs. Okay! Okay! Tell us the two songs!
First: Lisa Jane; Second: Goin'Down to Cairo. Then I discovered both could be played as one song. So I learned the music and words, confidently enough to play out, Sat for a senior church group and this morning at an Assisted Living Home.
I am hear to tell you, this joint adventure in song went over fantastic. I received the best response from this song, better than any other. Lots of clapping and smiling. "That's what I am talking about", kind of stuff. Loads of fun.
So I would say, to anyone who plays out, if you haven't already, add this one (or two), to your reportoire. Even though it's not a Gospel song, its a "clean" song, and the folks will love it. And you will too.
Terry, I believe you were and are a good dancer too 
Have seen the dance groups in their precious and traditional costumes? And for sure you found the "Schuhplattler" in Bavaria quite funny...
Strumelia - I very much enjoyed these dances - one does not often see such sensitive, elegant and "musical" (musikalisch) dancers.
So glad I am not the only one just starting and already collecting picks! You guys are awesome! I went to the local music store and just got one of any that looked interesting and had different shapes and sizes. I did however avoid the finger picks (for now). I also just ordered some felt and leather picks just to see. I am struggling with the clacking (just makes me cringe) and realize it may also be the WAY I am strumming. Anyway, I'm going to keep reading and learning. Right there with you Nigelbleddfa.
Hello fellow harmonica players.
I've been away from the forum for the past couple of years, only lurking now and then. Back surgery, 2 hand surgeries, and supporting my wife during her battle with cancer. Thankfully, she has been declared cancer free.
Anyways, I have recently re-discovered harmonica. Though it never left me, and I played at times, i just wasn't dedicated to harmonica, until recently. What I have been working on is improving my skills with harmonica, along with playing it at the same time with my dulcimer. Works really well, and the old folks at an assisted living home I play at each week just seem to love it. They sing along, creating a lot of fun.
I am learning Chromatic harmonica, but my go to harps are tremolo and 10 hole diatonic. Here is the great thing: I have never been a by ear dulcimer player, always using tab and memorizing the songs. Here it is: The harmonica is a by ear instrument. Once I learning to play harmonica by ear, I began playing dulcimer by ear. It just happens. Why, I don't know, but it does.
The song "Simple Gifts" is a wonderful dulcimer song, stroking each note perfectly, with no add on's. As taught by many teachers, including a great one, Linda Collins. However, you should try this song on a harmonica, especially in the key of Low F, or even A. Beautiful. Another beauty is Edelweiss, from the Sound of Music. Sounds wonderful on a dulcimer, too.
I listened to Edelweiss several times on You Tube, to get the song in my head. Played it right away with an A harp. Set the harp down, and then picked it out on dulcimer. Very very satisfying.
Anyways, this is just a reminder to some of you to dust off your harmonicas and do some rediscovering. Loads of fun.
And like Bob said, you can't stick your dulcimer in your pocket, or the piano, or a uke, but a harmonica fits nicely, for that trip to the grocery store. Only problem is, you will find yourself taking the long route.
Work? Yikes!!!!!!!
Wildwood Flower. By far my favorite. Haven't played the dulcimer this whole year, due to health reasons, until yesterday morning. What's the first song I attempt to play? Wildwood Flower. Like I had not missed a beat. In fact, I didn't miss a beat, up and down the fret board, two octaves. I says to myself, "wow, I need to take it easy and get my body and heart back to playing regularly".
Again , thanks for your concern. When I awoke from a 2 hr nap this afternoon, I felt so much better. I was even able to hold some baked fish and potatoes down.
"Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat....."
One of my favorites.
Guys and ladies
Thank you for your kind comments. This is one of the many reasons FOTMD is such a wonderful community. Kind of like an extended family. I love it.
Gail, my wife, and my daughter, a 25+ years RN, are constantly reminding me of how important additional fluids are to speed up recovery. Like mother hens.☺😊😊
Thank y'all for commiserating with me. Feeling better but still having trouble keeping food down. My weight is a consistent 155, but now down to 145.
Can you believe that? 10 lbs in 5 days. I need to go on TV and sell a new weight loss program. "The Chittlins Less Diet".😅
Hog chitterlings. I've always liked chittlins, but never ever again.
The hospital actually reported this to the HD.
As far as I know, I'm the only one. I have a very very sensitive stomach. About every 90 days I have an episode. But this was different. Thought I was going to die. Scared me and my wife.
Not out of the woods yet, but at least I am home.
Unfortunately, I had to cancel my "gig" scheduled for tomorrow morning. I just returned from a two nights at the hospital. Severe case of food poisoning.
Feeling netter, bit still weak.Rescheduled for next Tuesday.
Blondie, that was a great idea. I am sure you were much appreciated.
Lisa, Lexie, and Jan
Thank y'all so much for your feedback. I do absorb all you write.
Lisa, I'll be practicing with him this afternoon on using the mic. And again this weekend. Good tips you offered.
Jan, I really love the quote at the bottom of your posts. So very true. I suspect there are thousands upon thousands of performers out there, not good enough to be paid with cash, but adequate enough to earn a plate of cookies or a boy howdy. Love it!😊☺
I got a nice surprise yesterday. I recently learned a new to me song, "Feliz Navidad". I think this is the same one Jan suggested, but as "I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas".
The surprise was: I picked my 6 year old grandson up from school yesterday, and while driving home, I began to quietly sing this song. All of a sudden I hear him singing along with me. He could sing the Spanish part better than I, as he had learned this song in his music class.
The surprise is: He has agreed to sing this song with me at an assisted living home on Tues Dec. 20th. He is very excited about it, especially about holding the mic. His little voice is in tune and sounds so sweet. "His" plan is for him to do the Spanish part solo, and then we sing the English part together.
His dad, my son, plans to video it on a stationary video, and play bass acoustic guitar and sing along too.
We have also agreed to do "Jingle Bells", and "Christmas is Coming". He is not bashful at all about getting in front of people and this brings huge smiles all around.
If all of this really happens, and I believe it will, my son will edit the video and I'll post it in the video section.
Thanks to all for your most helpful suggestions.
I live everyday with pain in my fingers and hands. Due some to arthritis and a lot to injuries suffered in two motorcycle accidents. Like sliding down the highway.
Steroids and prescription pain medicine helps a lot. I still play dulcimer and ukulele most every day, This is the problem.
I took my doctor's advice and Strumelia's advice, and cut my practice time I half. This helps more than anything. To fill this time , I practice harmonica.
I hope that you are able to get some relief for your trigger finger. The trigger finger on both my hands gives me the most pain.
In my opinion, the trigger finger and thumb on the left hand are your two most used fingers while playing dulcimer.
A great big GOOD LUCK to you. Some relief would be a wonderful Christmas present to you.
Thanks Jan. you're always so very helpful.
Hey folks, I just wanted to say "thank you" to all who responded to my topic. Picked up a couple of songs, Lisa shook my brain a little, and another Lisa led me to a fantastic web site to help me along. All in all a real success.
I think that in doing a show for seniors where they are encouraged to sing along or participate, it would be good to choose mostly familiar carols with widely known and easy to sing lyrics.
Lisa, I believe you are absolutely correct .
Hi Terry, Two songs that come to my mind are: "Bring a Torch Jeannette Isabella. It has a lively folk feel to it. Another song which I have done at Christmas but actually is a Thanksgiving Song is: "Over The River And Through The Woods".
John,
Thanks for suggesting "Over the River".
I don't know why I hadn't thought of this wonderful song. I am sure the seniors will love it.
More hours in 5he day? Tell me about it. it seems I retired 5 years ago to get busy about living. I always remind myself , this is a choice I made.
But 3 extra hours would be nice.☺
Again, thank you so much for the link. this is really BIG. Even HUGE.
...and play a few hymns too, they (we? lol) love some hymns mixed in. Love you old pal, take care of yourself.
Hi Cynthia, always good to hear from you. Yeah, I always mix in hymns. Every week at an assisted living home, I play Amazinng Grace. I always ask, "hey, what's a song ya'll want to hear?" More times than not, they always say "Amazing Grace". They love new, but love repetition better.
You too take care of yourself, my ole young pal.
Silver Bells in C: http://www.chordie.com/chord.pere/www.guitaretab.com/h/holiday/8449.html?songbook=&transpose=0&tuning=GCEA
If you play a bari, look on the right side of the page for "tuning" and select "baritone ukulele" to see chord diagrams. Of course, the same chords work on MD as well.
Lisa, thanks for the web site above. I never knew this existed. Wonderful. The bari is my main ukulele, but I play it the same as my others, GCEA.
Lisa, I would like the chords for Silver Bells. Key of C, if you have it. If not I can possibly convert to C.
