Showing support for FOTMD ?
OFF TOPIC discussions
Duh!
Can't say enough about what FOTMD has meant to me in the last 2 1/2 years...but, um, where do we keep those smileys, so I can give y'all a hug?
Strumelia, I'm sure you'll enjoy your porch every bit as much as we do. We forget we have a living room or dining room altogether! Except when it's rainin' sideways.
Yup! Just came in from the screened porch; played with my guitar-playing buddy. Started with Shady Grove,ended with Dona Nobis Pacem (Give us Peace), which we sang, too. Anybody out there want to be the third part? As it was we sounded pretty good, and for once drowned out the neighbours' dogs and kids on the trampoline! ;-)
Peace to all, Annie
Spent some time with JennlynnM today playng DUETS! Not sure which was the best - the sweet harmonies to be found in Row, Row, Row your Boat and Dona Nobis Pacem, or the gales of laughter when we got so excited about what we were doing that we (mostly me) forgot what we were doing! Our long range goal is to play 2 parts of Dona Nobis Pacem and sing the third at the same time! If we ever do this, you can bet there will be a video!
Robin, thank you so much for this suggestion and especially for taking the time and trouble to record Supplication. We do both read music, so that helps. Your playing is inspiring...
I knew you folks would have great ideas! Thanks so much! I play by ear, (N/D) and am just starting a few chords. Jenn is just starting dulcimer, watching what I do knee to knee in the old way. But she's a quick study, so we were already planning totry Dona Nobis Pacem. There will be lots of laughing...
Strumelia, good idea to back off of the drones! I think I can do that. Ta also for reminder of Blackest Crow harmony! I learned it from your tab; will try singing with the harmony. Time to revisit your beautiful blog anyway, now that I'm at a different place in my journey.
Greg - one part higher up, great!
Skip, would never have guessed about the Steven S. book. Will search for it.
Ken, I knew it was a stretch to think there'd be a book...I can play what I can hum, but not make up harmony on dulcimer.
And Lisa G, big thanks for the idea of rounds and the terrific list of partner songs. Never heardof partner songs before! whole new world!
Do I ever love fotmd!!
Anybody know of any noter style duet books or resources? Thanks.
Thanks, Ken, for the ideas. Not a woodworker, me. Think I'll trace the outline of the dulcimer and have a look in second hand stores for some of those instrument cases you suggested...BTW, what is a 4/4 fiddle?
Needing a hard case so I can humidify my 37" dulcimer Any ideas?
Yup, Dusty, that's the one, So HAppy Together! I guess limited tunes are nothing new - but I do long for a good tune now and then...
And another thing: most pop songs these days seem to use the whoops instead of a tune. IMHO the range of notes used is often too narrow.i.e. moving up or down 1 note or 2, rather than all over the place in a melodic way. Does anybody remember the song that had in the chorus "I can't see me lovin' nobody but you, for all my life."? Now that was a tune!
Thanks, Sandi and Sheryl. I love it,too!
Thanks, Ken and Jennifer, I passed that on to the maker. I thought I'd be in search of a hard case, until I read Irene's post!
Sorry, there they are now...looks like I can't spell today, either!😉
Ok, so that didn't work I guess....or can others ee them? A.
Will try to post some pics of the dulcimer bag Melody made for me. I love to kayak, so the top is green for the pines on shore; the bottom is blue for the water. Lining covered with musical notes. 2 little pockets for noter and picks. She had bought the batik fabrics a few years ago...prettiest gift ever. Crazy quilt style, she says. To luck me, it's a work of art.
I thought it was called Dulcimer Aquisition Affliction -for us DAA players! I only have 3, so thanks for removing my guilt. I have a David Lynch student, a Robert Schuler JI, and (new) Ron Gibson. Robert, maybe it should be 'Feed Your Obsession??
Thanks, Robin. Very helpful, as always.
Robert and Strumelia - I'll get my guitar buddy to try open tuning, and we'll see what happens. Maybe it was the guitar! ;-D
Paula, Enjoy!
I bought a JI dulcimer last summer, beforre I knew any of the above info. Thought it sounded "off" when a guitar player joined me....However, I hafta' say, it has the sweetest sound in the world when played on its own...thank you, Robert Schuler!
Hi Marg, nothing more to add - just can't say enough about the folks at Song of the Wood. So welcoming, Jo Ann encouraged me to play. Very interesting shop! I notice Black Mountain has a music festival in October that is mainly ducimers (see events list here) it would be delightful to go- if only it was a bit closer to me...
Enjoy Black Mountain! Be sure to leave time for lunch, coffee, other shopping.
I did that, got a playlist, but when I click on it I get taken to the player's profile page and, yes, my list is there but only one tune will play at a time...Noah and Robin, any idea how to fix? Tnx.
Have used a big very thin Fender pick since I started playing, tried Herdim and now Tortex. The Fender does clack!! and the Tortex not so much, but danged if my shoulder doesn't start to hurt after one or 2 songs with the other 2!! So yeah, better sound, but not worth wrecking my shoulder...trying to work it up gradually...might give the leather ones a try...thanks.
I am sad too. One tune he posted, during the blizzard in the US, was Log Cabin Home in the Sky.........sweet playing...Play on, John-p...
Like Terry, I play because I love it so much. My goal - going to a dulcimer festival! Dulcimer Day in Duluth is the closest...
Rob, Dusty, you are both pros, in my eyes.
A week ago today I was on the way to Asheville and we stopped in Black Mountain,as planned.
What a cool little town! Delicious Thai food in a restaurant there, plus lots of little shops and coffee places.
Went to Song of the Wood, where Jo Ann Smith was most welcoming! Got to play both a Folkcraft and a MCSpadden. I didn't stay too long, as was with other people, and the place was BUSY! People in the Appalachian dulcimer corner, playing when I arrived, and another lady took over my chair as soon as I finished. If I could do it over, I 'd take advantage of the chance to play more McSpaddens in different wood combinations. (duh). Lots of hammered dulcimers and psaltries, too.
Did visit Acoustic Corner, but they only had a display dulcimer made with 4 different woods. Tom Fellenbaum, they told me, only builds custom at this time.
Anyway, it was a great time. Thanks to all for your help.
Thanks, Ken. You are always so quick to help! I know for sure we are passing through Black Mountain, so that's good. A.
Going to visit NC next week. Please suggest shops/builders I could visit in this dulcimer heartland?Thanks!
Dear Rob, we were just today wondering where the cd of this (Loreena McKennit) had gone = and tonight I found the tab you posted and am learnning it. Thank you so much. Isn't it a pretty one?