Forum Activity for @jennifer-wren

Play Music on the Porch Day 2026

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

That's really lovely!

Dulcimer records

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Here is my dulcimer record collection. A few are not exclusively dulcimer, but have enough, I reckon. Anyone else listen to dulcimer on vinyl?

updated by @jennifer-wren: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM

Tell us about your VERY FIRST dulcimer

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

My husband bought me my first dulcimer 13 years ago on eBay from Pakistan, or somewhere unexpected like that. It's an hourglass with heart shaped sound holes. I call 'her' Dulcina. I still play it now and then, but the strings sit a bit too high for my liking. The fretboard sits nice and high, which I do like since I use a noter. It came with a wooden noter, which was a nice touch. It was delivered while we were out one day, and some kind postal worker tucked it underneath our porch, presumably to keep it safe. We didn't see it and my poor husband was a bit panicked until he figured it out!

I just use a strap. I find that if I angle it out and down a bit at the top (I lower my left knee a bit) and have the strap taut that it has nowhere to go and doesn't slide. I play pretty aggressively sometimes, and never have any problem. Seems to be some good ideas from others here, so I hope you figure something out.

BBC video on unusual ancient instruments

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Thanks for posting that. I've been wishing I had a hurdy gurdy for awhile now, and find myself coveting hers!

So I named my second girl Wahkeena which is a Yakima word meaning "most beautiful". She really is, and is named after a favorite waterfall of mine in the area.

Please do explain Alliefair!

My first dulcimer is named Dulcina. My second one is awaiting her official name, and for now I just call her 'girl'. I don't think she minds too much.

My New Dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Thanks Randy! My other dulcimer also has fiddle edges...now I know what to call it. I prefer them!

Randy Adams said:

The top and bottom plates extend past the sides 1/8 of an inch or so.....it's old school.....I like it....

My New Dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Randy, what are fiddle edges?

Randy Adams said:

No matter how it got to where it is now it's a nice dulcimer Jennifer. I like the scroll, the bridge placement, the fiddle edges. All the other stuff gives it character! I bet it does sound good. Back looks like walnut.

My New Dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Thanks for your comments everyone. It was sitting next to a used McSpadden and a Folkcraft, and they were very nice, but after playing them side by side, the sound of this one just had "it" for me. I left without it twice, partly because I was a bit fearful of the wooden tuning pegs. They are finicky, but I've come to like them. I wish I know the story behind it, but I enjoy imagining the possibilities.

Also, I added a photo to show more of the frets from the side to clear up that confusion.

My New Dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Kenneth, I'm not sure which piece you are referring to, so I took a picture from another angle, which may clear up any confusion.

Kenneth W. Longfield said:

That's a nice find Jennifer. I am having trouble figuring out the second picture. Do the strings go under the round metal piece or over it? Under the metal piece it looks to be a walnut bridge with slots for four strings. Or maybe that is where strings cut in to the end of the fret board. The nut definitely looks like a replacement.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

My New Dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I should have made it clear that all the frets had been moved. I will post another picture later today.

My New Dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

That hadn't really occurred to me Robin, but that is possible.

My New Dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Oh, I meant to mention that. I don't see any name.

My New Dulcimer

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Hello! I found this dulcimer in a shop the other day and after playing it for awhile kind of fell in love with it. It's been banged around a bit and is inexpertly made, but that is what endears it to me. Most importantly though, it has a lovely sound.

I wonder if anyone has any guesses as to the type of wood. I'm also curious about the fact that the tuning pegs and the pins are set up for 4 strings, but the bridge and the nut for 3. An indecisive maker? A later change? It's also interesting that is only goes to the twelfth fret...luckily I rarely play higher than that. It's got a 28 inch VSL, and the strum hollow is really long! I've not seen one that looks quite like this...but then I haven't seen as many dulcimers as many of you. Here's some photos.

Oops, looks like some missteps with the frets!

updated by @jennifer-wren: 06/08/16 09:24:05PM

I don't change them as often as others. As long as it sounds nice and they don't break I leave them alone. Most people don't recommend this though.