Forum Activity for @robin-thompson

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
12/03/20 12:16:27PM
1,485 posts

I only see original post in a discussion, not replies..?


Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?

@paulpossinger You are welcome!  That is a lovely mountain dulcimer.  Another thought: if you'd like to address a particular person, note how I began this posting.  It is a way you can respond directly to another member.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
12/02/20 05:18:44PM
1,485 posts

Dancing!...(feet as instrument)


Adventures with 'other' instruments...

That was a cool little movie, Strumelia!  It's inspiring!

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
12/01/20 03:12:44PM
1,485 posts

Is this a capritaurus?


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

I also recommend The Appalachian Dulcimer Book (Folksay Press) by Michael Murphy.  Used copies may not be hard to come by fairly inexpensively.   

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
12/01/20 01:35:28PM
1,485 posts

Is this a capritaurus?


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

I second getting Jean Ritchie's Dulcimer People!  There's lots to be learned there which can't be gleaned from searching online, I think.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
11/27/20 09:32:44AM
1,485 posts

Action is too low


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

Weather changes can cause buzzes.  Please, go with the easy experiment suggested by Strumelia.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
11/26/20 12:07:53PM
1,485 posts

Dr. George Orthey, Mountain dulcimer and Autoharp maker


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I haven't yet gotten my DPN but will be sure to pay special attention to your remembrance, @ken-longfield.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
11/25/20 03:37:42PM
1,485 posts

New McSpadden Flatwater Dulcimers


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

The Flatwater looks and sounds great!  Thanks for the information, @susie

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
11/25/20 12:23:55PM
1,485 posts

Curved back dulcimers


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

Though he hasn't built any in some time, Jim Good made some carved dulcimers which would have a curved back.  There are clips of him in the dvd The West Virginia Hills - A Tribute to the Dulcimer from Augusta Heritage Center (at Davis & Elkins College) working on one of them (I think)-- been awhile since I've watched.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
11/21/20 11:33:08AM
1,485 posts

How is the COVID-19 coronavirus affecting you?


OFF TOPIC discussions

@b-ross-ashley I saw where Toronto is to be under lockdown.  Truly, I hope it helps lessen the virus's spread greatly!  Y'all take care. 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
11/16/20 10:27:55AM
1,485 posts

Bridge and Nut fix question


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

Traildad, it is really difficult to make any determination from the photo.  When I increase the size of the picture, it is grainy and blurred.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
11/16/20 10:24:47AM
1,485 posts

What Are You Working On?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Mark and I have been working with classical guitar & bowed dulcimer music in recent weeks.  When Ariane put out the call for music for the Advent Calendar, we decided to participate and take a leap, going with the instruments on which we are much less practiced.  It has been a fun challenge!  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
11/16/20 09:07:00AM
1,485 posts

What Are You Working On?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@terry-wilson So good to see you back!  My niece has been in a long period of recovery from COVID and it is difficult.  Take care and enjoy playing music again!  What size/shape/woods dulcimer did you find at the yard sale?  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
11/14/20 01:35:06PM
1,485 posts

Can Anyone Identify the maker of this dulcimer.


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

I think wheat sheaves have shown up on some Clemmer instruments.  Though I wouldn't guess this to be a Clemmer.  I could be wrong.

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
11/14/20 12:59:54PM
1,485 posts

Can Anyone Identify the maker of this dulcimer.


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

I don't have a clue who made it.  The lack of a 6.5 fret seems to indicate it has some age on it.  Perhaps the electric part was made after the fact yet it looks to be made by someone with skill and a skilled builder would have known electrification of some type would have been needed on a solid wood body.

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
11/14/20 09:13:01AM
1,485 posts

The Positive Thread...


OFF TOPIC discussions

@ken-longfield I pray all can proceed with great success!  

@dusty-turtle Thank goodness for the rain in NoCalifornia! 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
11/08/20 08:34:07PM
1,485 posts

And now it is ready


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

The McSpadden looks great!  Enjoy it! 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/28/20 07:47:59AM
1,485 posts

The Mountain Minor movie


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

We bought the movie and sound track-- so cool to have them!  I like it that the film focused on the musical aspect of being part of life, tying past to present to future.  It was fun to see my name in the credits at the end-- I kicked in on the fundraiser for the movie.  Likely, the only time I'll end up in movie credits.  :)  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/21/20 09:53:11AM
1,485 posts

Little Cities of Black Diamonds virtual fest


OFF TOPIC discussions

We're happy you folks liked the video!  As you likely noticed, we were not playing music from the 1920's (as was indicated in some of the information on-screen)-- having to do all through distance, there was misunderstanding.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/20/20 08:04:09PM
1,485 posts

Little Cities of Black Diamonds virtual fest


OFF TOPIC discussions

Thank you, @dusty-turtle.  The cemetery at which we played the lullaby is a place we have visited often, taking walks there the past many weeks.  It's a good place to think.  In the outdoors, it isn't as easy to keep in good tune as when indoors yet we really wanted to make the videos outside.

  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/20/20 10:56:04AM
1,485 posts

Little Cities of Black Diamonds virtual fest


OFF TOPIC discussions


Mark & I live in an area which has come to be known as Little Cities of Black Diamonds , a nickname coined by historian Ivan Tribe.  This year, the LCBD council asked us to participate.  So, we made several little videos and passed them along to be used however the moviemaker saw fit.  In this link, you will find the movie which was put together from some of our little videos and other episodes which were featured during the week-long fest.  

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBTr1ZQH6IWuUqQno6iOxWA


updated by @robin-thompson: 10/20/20 01:10:40PM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/16/20 03:58:31PM
1,485 posts

Tim Eriksen playing MD and singing sacred harp


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/16/20 07:59:58AM
1,485 posts

The Mountain Minor movie


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Friends, The Mountain Minor movie folks have released a soundtrack.  I'm thinking about ordering a copy of both the movie and the soundtrack.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/04/20 09:33:55AM
1,485 posts

Samanthra


Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!

@picklechickens I am a straight by-ear player.  One alternative might be to use a different tuning to get Samanthra to lay out right on the fretboard.  (I tune all over the place in order to get the sound which hits my ears best.)  The only caution is to not make huge tuning leaps and break strings.  It really can be fun to try a variety of tunings.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/04/20 08:01:05AM
1,485 posts

What Are You Working On?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Val, what a great gift!  There is something special about playing an instrument built by a relative or friend.  (I have several built by friends.) I'll keep my eyes open for photos!

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/03/20 04:06:02PM
1,485 posts

What Are You Working On?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@macaodha Is the dulcimer for you to play or for someone else?  Feel free to post a photo of your build sometime!


updated by @robin-thompson: 10/03/20 04:06:46PM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/02/20 05:07:56PM
1,485 posts

I am a study in inconsistancy


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

This posting's title tickles my funny bone because it applies to me!  The most consistent thing about me when it comes to playing an instrument is my inconsistency.  :)

If I happen to be working on making up a tune, it is usually the thing with which I begin.  Otherwise, it's just whatever comes to mind and can be played in a tuning (or a near tuning) of whatever dulcimer is at hand.  Though playing mountain dulcimer is often one of the first things I do in a day, I have no regular habit regarding what to play to begin.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/02/20 09:27:13AM
1,485 posts

What Are You Working On?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@gary-major Such cool songs!  When you're ready to share them here, please post in the group Rockin' in the Free World.  (Copyrighted songs need to be posted in a group or forum discussion.)  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
09/16/20 07:58:11PM
1,485 posts

Anyone bidding"


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I'm not one for fancy things yet it might be fun to give this one a strum or two.  Hope it raises plenty of money for the cause!  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
08/31/20 07:11:55PM
1,485 posts

worldwide Play Music on the Porch Day


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

David, I watched your movie on YT yesterday-- well done!  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
08/31/20 08:36:35AM
1,485 posts

worldwide Play Music on the Porch Day


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@irene, in my book, you did play for PMOTPD!  The fact that you don't have a good recording is just a little thing.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
08/30/20 05:27:02PM
1,485 posts

worldwide Play Music on the Porch Day


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@don-grundy I'm sorry you got rained out!  You'll get to play a make up game now.  :)

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
08/30/20 05:15:13PM
1,485 posts

worldwide Play Music on the Porch Day


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@gordon-hardy I watched your video yesterday and enjoyed it!  

Worldwide PMOTPD had so many participants this year-- more than ever, I imagine.  Thanks to all who participated and to all who watched videos!

@don-grundy, did you get to play on your porch?  

Any friends want to tell about your adventures with music on PMOTPD?  (We had a tech problem of some kind and it took well over an hour to upload our little film to YT.)

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
08/29/20 03:59:25PM
1,485 posts

worldwide Play Music on the Porch Day


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
08/28/20 10:13:36AM
1,485 posts

Are there fretless dulcimers?


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

I'm partial to this tune from Randy :) 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
08/20/20 01:44:48PM
1,485 posts

Dr. George Orthey, Mountain dulcimer and Autoharp maker


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@ken-longfield I offer my deepest sympathy, Ken.  I only know of Mr. Orthey by reputation.  Wishing for comfort for all who  mourn his death.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
08/15/20 10:39:45AM
1,485 posts

Introduce Yourself!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@shelley1 Great to have you here!  There's lots to see on the site-- enjoy poking around!  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
08/08/20 01:21:06PM
1,485 posts

worldwide Play Music on the Porch Day


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

So, you'll be all ready to celebrate the day, @don-grundy !  Happy strumming!

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