Forum Activity for @kandee

Tip of pinky to end of thumb hand flat is 7 1/4".  If I pull my hand up to get any other strings besides the first and last I'm down to 6 1/2" easily.  I find the 1-3-5 easier than the 1-2-4.  It's just hard to get the 2 below the 1.  I twist my wrist with a 1-3-5 and it doesn't feel as awkward.   My teacher said to let my 'California Howdy finger' just hang out there.   I recognize a lot of it is muscle memory.  As usual I want to be able to do everything right now and it sound amazing.  Hopefully a year from now I'll be saying 'remember when I couldn't even to a 1-2-4?'  Nothing beats practice and patience.  Nothing.

I do not have a Paypal account.  Thanks though.

I was away for a couple of days and look at all the fun I missed!  Kristi, I play the mountain dulcimer.  I would put myself in the semi-hope to be a pro someday category.    Still consider myself a beginner but I am having a blast learning.  I went to KMW Winter Session and it was so much fun!  This KMW is my vacation this summer and I can't wait to get there.

Jan, your ideas are FANTASTIC!  I like all of them!  Okay, so lunch on Tuesday.  Look for the FOTMD table.  Balloons will definitely help me find everyone.  Will there be FOTMD buttons available there to purchase?  I am more likely to buy one at the event than online.

Thanks for the heads up on the Stephen Foster Restaurant too.  We will definitely be checking that out.  

This will be my first time attending KMW.  I am really looking forward to leaving the corporate world behind for an entire week and immersing myself in playing my dulcimer.  We will be staying in Louisville so the night time jams won't be happening for me.  I think a lunch meet up sounds good!  I figured being at the school we are a captive audience so I did get the lunch package.  Looks like lunch is 12:30 - 2 each day.  Anyone want to pick a day to have a FOTMD meet up?

I gave two years of my life to Farmville.  Never again.

Thanks for the advice everyone.  All excellent suggestions.  It will be hot during the day.  I hadn't thought about the glue.  I will have to come up with a plan 'b'.  Now I'm going to check out that dulcimer care and maintenance group. 

Now that I've spent all this money on my dream dulcimer I want it to last a very long time.  What are the guidelines for weather conditions?  As in, can I put my dulcimer in it's bag and leave it locked in my vehicle all day to be played after work somewhere?  I work in a government building with metal detectors and taking it inside isn't an option.  I believe I read somewhere that cold (winter) is hard on wood instruments.  I live in northern Indiana and the winters are rough.  What about heat (summer)?   Anyone have a basic high/lo temp gauge that they use?  Any advice would be appreciated.

Making my first trip to KMW this year.  Attended the shorter winter KMW and loved every minute of it.  Really looking forward to being immersed in music for five whole days.  I think recording the class is a great idea but should I ask permission from the instructor first? 

Norman, those are beautiful music stands.  I especially like the second one.  Is it heavy?

Congratulations!

Sheryl your stand is great!  Two stands caught my eye this past weekend at KMW.  One had a big quilt block and the other a tapestry fabric.  I definitely need to come up with something creative for mine since I am also a quilter.  Thanks for the inspiration.

Congratulations!  Can't help it, just a wee bit envious here.

Just ran across this thread.  Too funny!  Thanks for the laugh today.

I learn so much from these forums.  Great advice from RobbScott and John P.  There is a lot to be said for feeling the notes as you play them.  Now if I can just remember that when my fingers won't go where I want them to go and the music doesn't sound as good as I think it should.  Slow down.  That's definitely the answer to many of my playing frustrations. 

Just wanted to mention last week my friend and I took a little road trip to check out Folkcraft in Woodburn, IN to see what they had to offer.  Richard gave us a red carpet treatment and I so appreciate him taking the time to answer my laundry list of questions.  He let me try out many instruments (including his personal instrument) and gave us a tour of the shop as well.  We were there two hours before leaving and definitely will be going back after the first of the year for a Black Swamp Jam.  A class act all the way.

Does the Old Town School have dulcimers for sale?  I know there are classes.

I am a beginner and I haven't been playing long enough to have a game changer but this is a great topic.  What has helped me the most so far is finding a local group to play with (read as they play and I try to keep up).  Also seeking out a teacher from that group and starting to take lessons.  Keeps me moving forward and provides a direction.  I definitely need that otherwise my playing would be going no where fast. :)

BTW:  Love the word gobsmacked! 

I finally have something to contribute here.  You can also find beeswax at any fabric/quilt shop.  I am a quilter and use beeswax on my thread sometimes.  It comes in a disc shape about the size of a quarter or a little larger.  I am a beginner dulcimer player but I know my quilting notions. 

Also, I saw Dom in concert last year and was so impressed.  If you ever get the chance to see him live - go!  You won't be disappointed.