Forum Activity for @cindy-stammich

RIP Pete Seeger

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

This is so true Robin!

Robin Thompson said:

Thank you for the links, friends.

I can't help but think how, in some ways, Pete Seeger was to the banjo what Jean Ritchie has been to the mountain dulcimer. If each had done nothing but help popularize those two instruments, it would've been a lot. They did much more. . .

I think of how many people have been encouraged to realize a dream of playing a musical instrument and have been helped along the way by folks both at Everything Dulcimer and here at FOTMD. Life can be just plain hard sometimes and making music or sharing music can help along the way.

What to call your dulcimer collection?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Regarding how many....what to call your collection?So I have a....A litter of dulcimers?A herd of dulcimers?A flock of dulcimers?A gaggle of dulcimers?A collection of dulcimers?A family of dulcimers?Just what is the proper name here???
updated by @cindy-stammich: 07/31/23 09:29:15PM

I have really enjoyed reading folks answers to this!I have:A dulcimer that my dad built in the early 70's (He passed away in 1991 so this one is very special)A Mcspadden dulcimer - that my grandsons playA Mcspadden baritone dulcimer that is amazing for hymns and "Little Drummer Boy"A Bill Taylor dulcimer that has a soft beautiful voiceA Blue Lion dulcimer - that is probably my favorite all around dulcimerA Clemmer dulcimer (wormy chestnut that I had the privilege of hand picking!) with an amazing bear carved in the head and the neatest old time soundA 3-string Ron Ewing dulcimette? It is 26" long. It sure has a sweet soundAnd a Clemmer banjammer with a story behind the wood. A dear friend had this piece of Burmese Teak that he had been saving from a project back in the 70's. He wanted to do something special with it. It was a gift to me. I called Mike Clemmer and asked him if it would be possible to make a banjammer out of this wood......and the rest is history! I have this awesome banjammer that means so much to me!Along with my dulcimers I have a 6 string and 12 string guitar, my dad's fiddle and banjo, a mandolin that was my moms and.......Yup I love it!!!

Hi Breanna,

I used to own a McSpaddenstandard hour-glass (spruce and walnut)dulcimer. My grandsons (beginning with the oldest who will be 18 this week) all learned to play on it. In fact, the oldest started "playing" when he was old enough to sit in my lap, with the dulcimer in his lap (probably about 18 months old at the time). He absolutely LOVED the dulcimer, and still does! While it did seem big for them, they quickly learned "Bile them Cabbage Down" and other simple tunes on it. It plays very easy and has a wonderful sound. Chords were a little more difficult for little fingers, but they were never afraid of it or discouraged by it. It now resides at their house - permanently. All 3 boys can play a variety of tunes. The 10 year old has been able to play Wildwood Flower for a year or so now.

I know there are different things to think about before buying an instrument, but I wanted to share my experiences with you. On a side note, the small dulcimers are fun, easy to travel with and I have a 3 string Ron Ewing dulcimette that my sister-in-law gave me and I happen to love it! I guess the reason I say this is - whatever you get, you probably will end up playing it too!

Good luck!

Cindy

Edward - I have used the Herdim picks forever - but after reading your post here, I am going to try the V-pick.

Anxious to get them (I am ordering a traditional, large and freakishly large - ultra light). I will post when I get them!

Thanks for the tip!

Edward I Ball said:

Hello Leighann, I tried different picks from Eldely, then saw from videos that Bing Futch endorsed V-Picks so I ordered couple each of there "Bing" dulcimer picks, I love the ultra lite, not to bendy, but they are an acrylic that is not sticky, but warms and grips to your hand, also have a great sound, I ordered couple more of each for a friend, who also loves them, little expensive, but last a long time. You can just look up V-Picks online, fast service.