Forum Activity for @bill-calhoun

Hello and a little info

OFF TOPIC discussions

Offering prayers in your behalf and sending good thoughts. Peace

What has music done for yor?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Linda and Carrie, thanks for the encouragement. Carrie, your post about playing at the nursing home inspired me to try this. Linda, I will be ordering your fingerpicking book soon. We are trying to catch up on some medical bills now. I looked over the song list and thought they would be very healing for the nursing home. On a personal note regarding the impact music has had on my life, my mother past a year ago today. I was relieved that she was no longer suffering and I was saddened by her death. The day after we returned home following my mother's funeral, Norma, my second mother, called and invited me to her house for an evening of music. Norma is in her mid 80s, a member of our church and plays most instruments. I tried to wiggle out of the invitation but I finally said yes figuring I could pretend sickness, emergency or something. On the evening of our jamming I carried my guitar to Norma's. It was Norma and her three grandsons playing every genre of music. I joined in the playing and singing. When it was time to leave Norma said, "When my mother died, music was a big help. I thought it would help you." I hugged Norma and walked away as a transformed person and so grateful that Norma and her three grandsons included me. I will never forget the healing power of music.

What has music done for yor?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I wish to join this discussion and I want to say thanks for everyone's comments. I have watched/listened to the videos you have posted on FOTMD. Each video has brought physical comfort and spiritual peace. I conduct a monthly worship service at a local care facility. One afternoon we had a number of attendees with Alzheimer and dementia, and a large number of patient who were very coherent. One Alzheimer patient had her head down and eyes closed. Most of the patients were restless. Michelle, my friend who plays the harp, started practicing the hymns for the afternoon. In an instant there was peace. Patients were listening and smiling. The one woman who had her eyes closed woke instantly and started singing the hymns. News spread among staff members and a number stopped to witness the transformation. Linda Brockinton, I too feel a little too old to go back to school for another degree, but I am taking my dulcimer with me on the 23rd. (This will be my first time. Thanks Carrie Barnes for the encouragement.) I am praying that my playing will help to usher in a deep peace. Peace and joy to all!

How did you first discover the mountain dulcimer?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

In high school days I attended the yearly Arts and Crafts Festival at Cedar Lakes, Ripley WV. There I heard Rus Fluharty play the mountain dulcimer. I will never forget the sound. When I graduated from college I promised myself that I would buy a dulcimer. After college graduation I went directly to grad school, marriage and first child. I put the dulcimer on the back shelf.While working on my doctorate my wife and daughters promised a dulcimer built by Paul Beagle as a graduation gift. In 1988 when graduation was delayed a year Paul and Patty gave me a dulcimer that had been given to them. I started playing. A few years later our oldest daughter asked for a dulcimer. We gave her a dulcimer built by Paul Beagle. In graduate school our daughter loaned me her dulcimer. The instrument is price less--especially since Paul passed away a short time ago.I am now living in Elkins, WV--a great place for traditional music. I go to our art center for the dulcimer classes and hope to attend Augusta for a week of classes. I continue to play the original that Paul and patty gave me as well as the one he built. My wife recently gave me a Clemmer Dulcimer. What a wonderful instrument.