Forum Activity for @robin-thompson

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/23/21 10:37:39AM
1,485 posts

Show us your sound holes!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Wow, @rojo!  That back is stunningly beautiful!  So cool.

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/23/21 10:32:34AM
1,485 posts

McSpadden v. Folkcraft?


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

@lisavB Yay!  I am happy you love your McSpadden and understand having a mountain dulcimer which you feel is just the right fit in every way.  Enjoy!  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/20/21 10:08:25AM
1,485 posts

What Are You Working On?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I can't help with song lyrics about bees & blues yet do know I love honey. sun

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/16/21 03:13:33PM
1,485 posts

FOTMD needs your support


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Yup, I'm in! 

Thanks for all you do, Strumelia!  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/14/21 01:43:46PM
1,485 posts

Here's my problem...


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Your instrument is gorgeous and there is nothing wrong with it-- the fretting pattern is a pure diatonic pattern.  Tune the dulcimer this way:  the string farthest away from you (on the bass side) to D and the middle string and melody strings to the A above the bass string.  Then, begin playing the major scale at fret 3 on the melody string.   


updated by @robin-thompson: 03/14/21 01:44:37PM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/14/21 01:21:10PM
1,485 posts

Introduce Yourself!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@derik-palmer Welcome to FOTMD!  Many of us here well past sell-by date and more than a few have experience with other instruments.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/13/21 10:38:35AM
1,485 posts

Newspaper Article


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

What a great project!  Thanks for the posting, Ken-- so good to see!  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/10/21 04:31:09PM
1,485 posts

This Tennessee Music Box is headed for Colorado


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Doggone cool, John!  The new owner is in for lots of fun playing this beauty!  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/10/21 09:02:08AM
1,485 posts

The Positive Thread...


OFF TOPIC discussions

I wish you safe travels, @venni!  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/03/21 05:46:45PM
1,485 posts

The Positive Thread...


OFF TOPIC discussions

Ken, I am happy to see your good news! 

If PA is anything like OH, the thing which makes a person eligible for helping someone move is owning a pickup truck.  It must be different where Dusty lives (than where I live).  :)

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/24/21 08:38:38PM
1,485 posts



Vinni, you can join the group for beginners-- there is a lot of information there.  Here is a link: 

https://fotmd.com/strumelia/group/1/beginner-players

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/24/21 04:37:40PM
1,485 posts

John Frazier dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Kevin, I am not familiar with the maker.  Perhaps, over time, you will be able to learn more about Mr. Frazier and his instruments.

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/23/21 11:02:24AM
1,485 posts

basic music advice from Chick Corea


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions


I think the basics of what Chick Corea had to say about music applies to porch players, too, in many ways.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/23/21 08:35:28AM
1,485 posts

The Positive Thread...


OFF TOPIC discussions

@venni Please post a photo of your mountain dulcimer!  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/21/21 01:59:38PM
1,485 posts

Richard Troughear MD made during service in Vietnam


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions


Many members who were on Bruce Ford's EverythingDulcimer forum will remember Richard Troughear's sound experiments with mountain dulcimer.  The following is a link to a photo and information about the first mountain dulcimer Mr. Troughear built while in military service in Vietnam.  (Thanks to Anne Bowman, who shared the link on Facebook!)   

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1222216?fbclid=IwAR1062Kw0VpnJY8WUohey7WrZC7K_U44hKVZSWvS1_8BqF8Oc94_k8thn6c


updated by @robin-thompson: 02/21/21 02:00:27PM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/19/21 07:35:32PM
1,485 posts

Where have all the beginners gone, long time passing?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Here in Ohio, one festival which was fairly large with well-known players traveling to teach there folded before pandemic hit.  The people who organized the festival-- a monumental job-- decided to do so no longer.  The folks on the committee were all in the over-50 age category.  

Also before pandemic hit, another fest which used to be well-attended scaled way back and, I think, the reasons had to do with all the folks doing the work were older people.  

Relatively speaking, the population of the mountain dulcimer world is an older population.  There are great young people in the mountain dulcimer world yet the bulk of the population of players of which I am aware is a decidedly older population.    

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/19/21 11:08:36AM
1,485 posts

Texas-bound J. E. Thomas replica dulcimore


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Wow, @steven-berger, lucky you!  John fashions those upside down hearts just right and I know it'll sound great.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/18/21 03:02:03PM
1,485 posts

Steeleye Span & John Pearse 1970


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions


updated by @robin-thompson: 02/18/21 04:29:33PM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/14/21 07:04:59PM
1,485 posts

The Positive Thread...


OFF TOPIC discussions

We are snug in the house and prepared for a major snowstorm heading into the region.  

Take care, all, and wherever you are, be safe!

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/13/21 04:59:25PM
1,485 posts

Grant Olson Website


Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs

Your website looks great, Grant!  

That (7-string) fretboard with the fanned frets looks pretty cool and wild!

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/13/21 09:54:27AM
1,485 posts

Choosing Your String Gauge


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I'll buy sets of strings in common gauges and packs of singles in light gauges and use whatever I have on hand for a re-string.  Using all light gauge, for example, I might have a .014 for melody then .012 for the drones.  I always have .022 or .024 on hand for when I want to switch-out a high drone for a low one on the "bass" side of the instrument.        

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/11/21 09:15:42AM
1,485 posts

Non-Metal Fret Material


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Nate, I believe Randy has built, at least, an instrument or two with wooden frets.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/10/21 10:17:23AM
1,485 posts

a 1994 Mt Airy jam with Don Pedi


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Don plays so many wonderful old tunes, some of which he collected himself from people who have passed from this life.  How I would describe what Don does is he plays traditional tunes in an innovative style which conveys both the tunes and the spirit of the tunes as he collected them.  He uses the mountain dulcimer as a tool; like with any job, you want to use the tool which best fits the job.  Don is a treasure!     

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/08/21 11:38:16AM
1,485 posts

a 1994 Mt Airy jam with Don Pedi


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/08/21 10:38:40AM
1,485 posts

The Positive Thread...


OFF TOPIC discussions

So good to hear from you, Ken L-- I admit, I was concerned by what felt like a long absence.  I pray for continued healing for you.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/07/21 06:10:46PM
1,485 posts

Introduce Yourself!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hello, @winks!  How exciting to have a Blue Lion on the way! 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/03/21 11:46:07AM
1,485 posts

The Positive Thread...


OFF TOPIC discussions

@adrianne It is nice to get to make connections such as yours with friends any time yet it feels especially important during pandemic.  And welcome to FOTMD!  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/02/21 11:54:25AM
1,485 posts

How is the COVID-19 coronavirus affecting you?


OFF TOPIC discussions

Mark and I go outside and walk almost daily.  We drive to a couple spots not far away to get in more challenging walks and to get out of the village for a bit.  

@mary-z-cox Violet Juniper is adorable!  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/01/21 08:45:59PM
1,485 posts

How is the COVID-19 coronavirus affecting you?


OFF TOPIC discussions

Friends, I offer my condolences to those of you who have had loved ones succumb to the ravages of COVID-19.  Dealing with the death of a loved one can be difficult any time yet dealing with the death of a loved one during pandemic is harder still.  Take care.   

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/31/21 08:56:39AM
1,485 posts

unusual old mountain dulcimer at Gruhn's in Nashville


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions


updated by @robin-thompson: 07/31/23 07:55:40PM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/27/21 04:28:42PM
1,485 posts

What Are You Working On?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@bob I believe I've seen where some other builders made that same move.  I imagine it will feel nice to build on your own timetable.    

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