Forum Activity for @dan-goad

277

Just play the frets for the melody string and ignore the rest,  That's how I do it,

Staples are what a lot of the old timers used.  So do some of the new timers.

JP, I first read "Invictus" by William Ernest Henley while in high school. It inspired me then and still resonates over fifty years later.  I share it wih you in the hope that it will resonate with you as well.

INVICTUS

By William Ernest Henley

Out of the night that covers me,

     Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatevet gods may be

     For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

     I have not winced nor cried aloud

Under the bludgeonings of chance

     My head is bloody but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

     Looms But the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

     Finds and shall find me unafraid.

It matters not ho strait the gate,

     How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate,

     I am the captain of my soul.

Peace be with you, my friend. 

You could glue on small pearl shirt buttons.

I agree with Dusty.  If you feel you must use markers,why not use a water-based marker as a temporary one until you learn the frets by sight/feel.  Then you can wipe them off when you feel confident in your playing.

Don't limit yourselves with only "store bought" picks.  I've had some good success making picks from plastic lids from microwavable bowl type meals and the plastic packaging from various other products.

For me, the gauge remains the same.

It eliminates most of that awful sound the bass strings makes when the finger slides up or down the string.  The tuning does not change.

There are several examples of both in the video and audio pages.

I'm very tempted to call this 'mountain dulcimer abuse'

The dulcimer maker would know.

The search function is at the top of the page beside your name (looking glass icon) and everythingdulocimer.com has a listing of teachers for MO and KS.  By the way, we are not bothered by a lot of questions, we are here to answer any and all.

I've got 5 dulcimers with the wooden pegs and i use a product called Regal Peg Drops from Regal Music, Ely MN.  One drop holds for quite some time.  A lot longer than water or spit. (more hygenic too). LOL I think i got it throough EBAY.  It's very inexpensive and one bottle lasts for years.  One drop per peg.

I've had some sucess using the plastic lids from microwave soups, chili and stews.

I agree with Ken.  The nut/bridge on my backpacker (DF1) model looks to be made of delrin or a similar hard plastic material.

Double clicking the group on the "groups I belong to" page will take you to that group page.

How about this one, Jan.

WhistlingRufus.pdf - 20KB

I have small hands for a man plus a deformed pinky on my fretting hand (left) and prefer 26.5 or less.

You took the words right off my fingertips, Ken.  I was trying to compose a post saying the same thing basicley,  I'm in awe of your

'word smithy-ness'

That particular thread may have no responses but the subject matter is often mentioned/debated on these pages.  My own opinion is that it is a personal preference item.  I have and play both and notice very little difference.  If the dulcimer has mechanical tuners I tend to like the double melocy, wooden tuners, single melody.

I'm not absolutely sure how gifts are viewed by customs officials, but view it as something that should be checked before an unexpected expense crops up.  I think we had a discussion about this a few years ago here on fotmd but haven't been able to find it yet.

I'm not absslutely sure how gifts are viewed by customs officials, but view it as something that should be checked before an unexpected expense crops up.  I think we had a discussion about this a few years ago here on fotmd but haven't been able to find it yet.

I hate to throw cold water on this wonderfully thoughtful idea, but, have you given any thought to the inport/export duties to be paid upon your friends return to the UK?

Gale, you may want to check fellow member, Christine Shoemaker's page.  She has posted numerous videos with her Gold Tone.  In fact, it may have been Chris that you saw at Evert.

Here is the tab that i have in my files.

Another tab is available at ED.

Blow_the_Candles_Out_DAD.pdf - 53KB

I found this old thread here on fotmd.

http://fotmd.com/forums/forum/dulcimer-resourcestabs-books-websites-dvds/7610/were-roger-nicholson-works-published

Thanks for the info, Ken.  I've never needed to use that or and other grip gimmicks.  Even at 70 (as of 8:36 a.m. tomorrow) I have never suffered any sort of hand problems.

I seem to remember a similar thread about 7 yrs ago when I first started playing.  A product called "Gorilla Snot" was highly recommended as a remedy for slippery picks.  Is that product still on the market?

If you're like me, I almost have to force myself to go to the high octave.  I have also be practicing playing the melody on the bass string in DAd tuning.  No I haven't done much on the high octave bass string.  LOL

No tricks, it just takes lots of practice.  The position of your fretting hand is more across the body and a bit more 'cramped' for lack of a better word.  Just keep working at it slowly and you'll be fine.

If it is a Presnell, changing to mechanical tuners would adversly affect the value of the dulcimer.  I currently own six dulcimers with wooden pegs and enjoy them all.

Do you have any experience using the wooden tuning pegs, Sheryl?  They have a fairly steep 'learning curve' and are troubling for anyone with hand problems (arthritis, etc.).

The drops work for me and it lasts a good while as well.  I would like to hear Mr. May's reason for chalk only.  I've never heard that before.  I'm sure he has a good reason.  I've heard that rosin is good too but I've never used it either.

I've been thinking of replacing the wound bass string on my Thomas repro to a plain steel string.  I may try to put together a video of the process.

 I currently have 5 dulcimers with wooden pegs.  It's a fairly simple process once you get used to it. I use Regal Peg Drips from Regal Music Co, in Ely, MN.  I've had a 2oz bottle ($5.00) for about 5 years and still have approx 90% remaining in the bottle.

Is there an issue with the rosewood pegs (broken, worn out)?  If you are looking to replace them with mechanical tuners, I'm not sure if any are available that don't require screws with the exception of Precision Pegs.  I'ml sure that some of our dulcimer making members will be able to answer that.  Changing to mechanical tuners will probably reduce the value of your Warren May original.

Your way behind, Steven.  I've got 17.  LOL

I agree with Rob about adding frets.  I've heard of the Lazenby dulcimers but had never seen a photo of one until today.  IMHO, adding frets would reduce the intrinsic value of the instrument.  It is truly a beautiful dulcimer.

Sorry, Mary.  Not my cup of tea.