Forum Activity for @dan-goad

There are many different factors that make up the sound of a dulcimer.  Tone woods, sound chamber size, VSL (viibrating string length) and string size (gauge) used. 

This is what I use.  https://www.mcspaddendulcimers.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=561

The nut and bridge notches will have to be altered.  Most Baritone dulcimers do require additional structural bracing.  If it were me, I would NOT alter this Folkroots/Folkcraft dulcimer as doing so would reduce the future potetial value of the instrument.

I'm sure that this tune is under copyright.  I have never seen any tab or tuning for it;

Marg, in my opinion there is no "right" string size.  Their are ranges of string sizes "right" for melody, middle and bass strings, but the "right" size is the string or string set that the player feels is most pleasing to his/her ears.  My ranges of size personally are 8 - 12 melody 12 - 16 middle and 20 - 26 bass. There are many variables that determine the tone of every dulcimer., (sound box volumne VSL, intonation, wood type, etc.) 

Someone posted the fret numbers here several weeks ago, either here or one the old site.  I haven't been able to locate the posts yet but I am sure that they are here somewhere.  A search of "Elk River Blues" didn't show any results.  Some one will probably find it or post it tomorrow when everyone has had a chance to see the request.

OK, About your question about using the same tablature for different tunings (modes).  It generally does not work.  The only tune that I have found is " d Joe Clark" which works only with Mixolydian (DAd) and Ionian (DAA).  I know that it seems to work when you only play on the melody strings but I've found it best to use the tuning (mode) that the tab was written for.

Marg, If you wish, we can chat in the Night Owls chatroom.  I'll still be up for a while.

Marg, please quit struggeling with all these different tunings.  As a relative beginner, you are only confusing yourself.  Stick with the 2 most common tunings until you can play the tunes fairly well in both.  I started doing what you are doing when I started learning the dulcimer 6 years and it really interferred with my progress.  So much so that I nearly quit.  I finally settled in using DAd (CGc on my reproduction Messenger Prichard) and DAA (CGG on my repro Thomas) with occassional forays into DAc now.  I would also recommend that you check Stephen Seiferts Dulcimer School.  dulcimerschool. (www.dulcimerschool.com) and watch his free lesson on reading hands.  If you decide to join, the cost it only $20.00 per month and you can quit any time you please.  Steve has tons of instruction videos there and you can learn at your own pace.

Marg, sorry about that, I fumble-fingered that post and put the URL in the front instead of the back of the post.

Mhttp://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Tuning_Machines/Banjo/  Marg, those look like mechanical banjo tuners.  The bare one is missing it's knob and internal bushings and the cracks you mentioned are probably in the knobs themselves.  Stewart-MacDonald Co. (Stew-Mac) has Grover Sta-Tite pegs that I think will work for you.  Their cost is $27.65 and here is the URL for you to see:  

Lexie, I have several dulcimers with floating bridges.  You should watch Pristine2's video on how to adjust the fb for more accurate tuning.  I checked, it transferred here from the old site.

I agree with Bob.  One of my Snarks broke there and I still use that one most.  It carries well in a pocket, ready for use when needed.

Your not alone.  My favorites get names, like my J.E. Thomas reproduction (you can view it on my page) is named "Alice" for my paternal grandmother.

Have a good night, Dalton.  Sorry I wasn't more help.

I found "Precious Memories" on both the Dogwood Dulcimer and Jam'n Folks site.  It's written the same way on both, fo fingerpick/flatpick.  That may be one of those tunes that just cannot be played noter/drone.  Somebody a lot better than me might could do it, buit I couldn't.

Is that in a Michael Shull Book?  Is there anything written on the middle or bass lines?  I am now wondering if 'Precious Memoriies" is still under copyright.  It's not listed on Everything Dulcimer.  I'll see if I can find a better tab on one of the other sites.

Dalton, If the notes appear in a vertical line in your tab, it was also written for Chord/melody style.  Just ignore the other lines and just play the one on the melody string.  If the notes appear on the middle or bass strings, it was probably written as a fingerpicking or flatpicking tab.  If you give us the names of the tunes you want to learn, we can give you direction on where to find them.

Are you playing from dulcimer tablature or standard music notation, Dalton?

Cynthis, I got the answer from the seller on ebay.  The VSL on the Cedar Creek is 29 inches.  it's to big for my hands for sure.

I to have small hands and have run into problems with longer dulcimers.  I prefer a VSL of 25 to 27 inches.  I'm glad to be able to help you with this.

I've asked the seller of the Cedar Creek to measure the VSL.  Unless you have large hands, It may be a bit long.  Not a big problem for noter/drone play but can be troublesome for Chord/Melody playing.  Which method are you using?

I'll take a look at it and get back to you.  Will this be your 1st dulcimer?

It's a good deal so far.  Apparantly it does need some repair to the neck area. I wouldn't go much over $60 tops.

Is this viewable on Ebay or where? 

Here is a link, Nancy. http://www.jerrywrightfamily.com/products.htm

James, the go to tuner these days seems to be the Snark. I have several of the red models. You can find them on Ebay for arounnd $15, They clip on to the headstock and are always available at the push of the on/odd switch.

You can check these to see if any can do the work.

http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/builders_display.php?state=TN&filter=none

Thank you, Lisa. I should have thought to do that.

I saw a question from Kevin Oltsmanns in the Chatroom requesting information on the Autumn Leaves Festival being held in Mt Airy, NC in October. I checked the events lists both here at FOTMD and on the Everything Dulcimer site and that festival wasn't listed on either. It's probably a general folk music/old time music festival similar the the Vandalia Gathering being held in Charleston, WV this weekend. If any of our members have any info about the Autumn Leaves event, please let us know.

The VSL is quite long at 29". That's ok if you have big hands but if not, it's a big stretch to move more than on fret. Price isn't bad at all but I wouldn't go to high. I'm not aquainted with the maker at all. I have small hands and skinny fingers and can't do Chord/Melody on a 6 string. I have enough trouble with 4 strings. LOL

It covers just about any key you want and what ever mode.

Lois, this little booklet has over 500 chords for 5 widely used modes including Mixoydian, Ionian, Dorian and Aeolian plus Jazz and 4 string chromatic tunings.

Lois, you may want to check the publicaions offered by Mel Bay Publications. The one I have it the "Dulcimer Chord Book" written by Neal Hellman. There are several other dulcimer chord titles in Mel Bays listings. The url is www.melbay.com

Monica, you miht like this website.

http://www.juststrings.com/

James

Here are a few links to banjo style dulcimers that are available.

http://www.gardnersdulcimer.com/Page.aspx?id=130

http://www.clemmerdulcimer.com/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=60

http://www.mcspaddendulcimers.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=34

there are a few others available as well but these will give you a good idea of what they look and sound like.

Joshua, Talk to Keven Messinger. He lives in Bruceton Mills, WV and is a dulcimer builder and does some restorations as well.

Mike, don't waste your time with Roosebecks. They are foreign made and of questionable quality.

You are doing good things, Marilyn. You may like Bill Schilling's book "Dulci-More Folk & Traditional Musicians Public Domain Songbook" This book has about 250 old time and traditional tunes (nearly all in DAA) and about 45 Christmas carols and tunes also mostly DAA. You can get a copy from Elderly Instruments or from Bill's website.

http://elderly.com/welcome.htm

www.dulcimore.org

Keep up the good work.

Hello Tim, and welcome to FOTMD and the wonderful world of the Mountain Dulcimer. The first thing I would advise is to read the following:

http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/profiles/blogs/i-just-got-a-dulcimer-now-what

Ken is a member here and a highly respected one.

You're current tuning is the most popular and the string set will be just fine for that. We normally call that tuning DAdd listing the bass string first then the middle string and the melody strings last. Since most play the mountain dulcimer on their laps, the melody strings are the ones nearest you, then the middle with the bass the farthest away from your body (assuming that you are right handed). Ken's blog should get you started then you can ask all the questions that you have. There is no such thing as a stupid or ignorant question here at FOTMD. Have fun and happy strumming.