Ken Hulme said: “ t'll be easier if some of you "old dogs" can learn a few new tricks. “
I do not appreciate being referred to as an “old dog”! Your response is insulting and inappropriate.
I’m trying to learn something here and you are not helping.
I still can’t see the replies from earlier, but maybe I have finally figured out a little more about posting…so never mind…thanks…
Once again, I cannot see or find the replies to a comment/thread/ that I just made. It says there are 11 replies which I cannot access. I can’t even find my original post now within the group but it was there earlier. I see my comment on the home page, but it won’t take me anywhere. I just cannot seem to understand how to navigate this site. Sigh…
I never could read the replies from when I had this problem several years ago. I do belong to the particular group and have for years. I am logged in.
Just my opinion, I personally do not care for pick noise, but that is just me.
Everyone is correct here about the difference in picks, it comes down to the size of the pick, the thickness or thinness, what the pick is made of, and where you strum on the instrument (if you strum in the hollow or more on the fretboard.) It is also how hard or soft you strum and how much pick travels across the strings…do you hold it close to the pick edge or farther back. I guess what I mean is how much of the pick is exposed from where you hold it. Is it a tiny bit or is it like a 1/4th inch. Also do you hold the pick in a horizontal or vertical position. Everyone is individual and that is a good thing.
I have always used a thin metal corset stave to strum with and the metal striking the metal strings makes virtually no pick noise at all. This proves that anyone can find the right sound for them…
Best wishes…
Hi Susie! That is so beautiful! As it turns out, Bob and I actually saw it a couple of weeks ago at Folkcraft. ☺️ Richard showed it to us and told us about the wood. I drooled over the cat paw sound holes…lol…🐾🐾 Congratulations!
Wow Kendra, thank you for sharing. Impressive, to have have so many heirloom instruments. I have one.....my grandpa's fiddle, that he got when he was 16 (1914). I also wondered about Bob's guitar stable. I was up to 7 at one point, but have thinned the herd to 4. Bob needs to catch up to your collection, haha.
Thank you so much! You are blessed as well to have your grandpa’s fiddle…Wow! Awesome! There is nothing more special thank to have these family heirlooms!
Lol…Bob has many special guitars, but he has one that he loves the best! He thinks it is the perfect guitar to accompany the dulcimer and I agree… he is one with this guitar! He loves his other guitars, but he is connected to his Taylor! ❤️🎶😁
Hello, my most precious dulcimer is my Grandmother’s dulcimer, made in 1894. My second most precious dulcimer is one made by my dad in 1925, when he was 16 years old. My third most precious dulcimer is a courting dulcimer that my dad made in 1975 to play with my mom. (My husband and I still play it all the time) I grew up playing the dulcimer, so I have many dulcimers…probably 60 or more. Every one of these instruments have a story and almost every one of them are regularly played.
As far as other instruments, I have many family heirloom instruments because most my family were all musicians. I have several banjos, including my grandmother’s and my uncle’s. I have several fiddles including those that my dad played and other family members. I have my mom’s accordion. I have my grandmother’s pump organ.
Other instruments include my upright bass that I purchased when I was in high school. I also have two pianos, several autoharps, several bowed psalterys, various band instruments that I played including flute and clarinet, ukes, misc. rhythm instruments, misc. instruments in general, and more.
Now, let me tell you about the guitars my husband has…he has 14+! Some are one of a kind and some are from my family!
I am blessed!
Hello all...I posted a video playing my grandmothers dulcimer which was made in 1892! The tune is called “Lillie’s Lullaby” which I wrote in her honor around 30 years ago...
Heres a link to the tab and music...I hope you will think of my grandmother Lillie when you play it...
https://dulcimertimes.com/freebies/LilliesLullaby.DAA.pdf
Thanks...
Kendra...aka Dulcerina
I don’t know what group it’s in? I’ve joined several in the past but the comments are not within those groups. I can’t find comments or read them on something I posted...
I’m pretty frustrated. I cannot see any replies. I’ve tried everything. Please help.
Hi everyone! Thank you so much for the kind words...wow!
It was quite an honor to be included in the conversations series...I’m humbled. ☺️
Give us a date and we will head to the UK...it’s been too long since we were last there It’s so awesome to be able to connect better with dulcimer players across the pond.
Kendra...aka Dulcerina
What a great traditional dulcimer gathering! Looking forward to next year!
Too funny, Geekling! We wouldn't want you to start gnawing.....but to tell the truth, I think I would start gnawing my arms off too if I had to compete....some people love it, some do not....it's very interesting to me....
YAY! Ken! Let's get 'cha up here next year so you can show 'em how it's done!
Paul, we welcome you back to Coshocton dulcimer days anytime with open arms....too bad you have to "wait 'til next year"! (I guess I will have to say it....."How about them Red's"!!!
) Am I in trouble now? I guess once a trouble maker, always a trouble maker! 
Dulcerina-
Thanks for the comments!
I do think that festivals have all gone toward the workshop/concert type weekend and I think that is a good idea. We are trying to cater to as many people as we can, and the contests do bring in a lot of people, both contestants and watchers. I think the contest mentality is becoming more and more popular again, and I am so happy to see so many of the contestants are coming from the younger generation! YAY!
Paul, you need to come back to Coshocton and see how much it has changed....hopefully for the better....and it is all free, except the workshops which are $15 per person per workshop, paid directly to the teacher who keeps 100%. We offer between 50-60 workshops depending on the year, plus jams, vendors, concerts, lot's of food, and more....
Ken, float on up our way sometime soon.....we could use a good noter/drone teacher....maybe next year?
Thanks again for your comments....
Dulcerina-
I organize the Coshocton Dulcimer Days festival and we have the Mid-Eastern Regional Hammered and Mountain dulcimer contests. Winners receive a trophy, money, and entry into the Walnut Valley Festival in KS. This festival has had contests since the first festival in the early '70's.
I am just curious about what ya'll think about contests, if you would ever compete, if you have competed, what you think judging criteria should be, and any other comments. Since we are sanctioned by Walnut Valley, we do have go by their rules, but we can change minor things with their approval.
Me, personally, I cannot compete....it makes me physically ill!!! 
LOL I have not competed since about 1985. I could do it when I was a kid, but it is just not my thing now. Isn't that weird???? I remember one time, Bob (my hubby) and I borrowed Dad's courting dulcimer to compete against mom and dad....We tied!!! .....and had to have a play off!!! Isn't that too funny.....Bob and I did manage to beat mom and dad, but I don't know how!!!! Bob and I still play that courting dulcimer today....I guess it is our good luck dulcimer!
I hear people say all the time that competing makes them better players and I can see that. It makes them practice and to be able to be in front of people. It gives them a goal to work on.
What are your thoughts and opinions? I thought this would be a fun topic to discuss.
Back in the '70's, the entire structure of the Coshocton Dulcimer Days....then Roscoe Village Dulcimer Days....was all based on contests. They had a courting dulcimer contest, a kid's contest, a club contest, traditional contest, men VS women, duet contest, band contest, hammered, mountain, best male singing, best female singing, and so on. Today, I don't think there are enough people who would be interested in these contests, but some people have mentioned that they would like to have a duet contest and a vocal contest come back. What do ya'll think of this?
I am looking forward to reading your comments. Thanks........
Thanks Geeks.....I have missed everyone!
Robin, it will be wonderful for Mark to join you, I didn't mean to leave him out....
We can also try Amazing Grace or Southwind or something else that you suggest....so sorry about your neck problems, hope they go away soon!!!!!! Doggone it is right!!!!
Thanks ya'll for the welcome back! I hope I can stay awhile!
Robin, check the Sat. concert schedule on the Coshocton Dulcimer Days website. The spot called "Meet the Dulcimers" is where I would love you to join us with your bowed ducimer. I think it is at 11:45-12:20...... we will probably play something easy together like Old Joe Clark, or Golden Slippers, or........suggestions please.....
For the rest of you to know what I am talking about, at Coshocton Dulcimer Days this year, I have taken one of the 35 minute concert slots and introducing the people to the different kinds of dulcimers/styles......I am playing noter/drone style, Hunter Walker is demonstrating a modern style, Robin is demonstrating bowed dulcimer, and Theresa Halsey is going to show the hammered dulcimer. Each person is going to say a little about the instrument/style, then play an example of a tune. At the end we are all going to play a tune or two together as time allows. I think it will be awesome and also prove that all dulcimers can be played together. I can't wait to try out this idea......
Anyway, I am glad to be back and thanks again everyone for the welcome back....
Dulcerina-
Wow! It seems like forever since I have had a chance to check out "Friends" here! 
I even missed out on the great new buttons that everyone else has.... but me...... I will be getting mine soon though...
It started with all the rain we had. I never had time to get online trying to work outside and then the rain took out our phone for about 3 or so weeks.
We have satellite internet from our next door neighbor and when the satellite was working her router was not. She had to finally get a new router. We do still have dial-up but of course, our phone was out.....
When our neighbor got the new router, it continued to rain and the satellite was not picking things up through the clouds. We could only get on once in a while for a short period of time......
We would sometimes take our laptops to the nearest city and use them, but then we only had time to catch up on all our business.....WHEW!
I missed you all!!!!! I am glad to be back! Yay!
I hope to be able to stay for a while, kick my shoes off, and have fun!
I am glad to be back.........
I love to play the old-time tunes and fiddle tunes, with a little bluegrass thrown in. I like the tunes my dad played such as Evelina, Seeing Nellie Home, Home Sweet Home, Cripple Creek, Cluck Old Hen. I have written several tunes that I like to play too....and... I love old gospel hymns. I guess I tend to like the older melodies rather than the modern ones.
Dulcerina-
