@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.
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!
@macaodha Is the dulcimer for you to play or for someone else? Feel free to post a photo of your build sometime!
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.
@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.)
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!
David, I watched your movie on YT yesterday-- well done!
@irene, in my book, you did play for PMOTPD! The fact that you don't have a good recording is just a little thing.
@don-grundy I'm sorry you got rained out! You'll get to play a make up game now. :)
@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.)
I'm partial to this tune from Randy :)
@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.
So very good. It's nice played on not-a-cello.
@shelley1 Great to have you here! There's lots to see on the site-- enjoy poking around!
So, you'll be all ready to celebrate the day, @don-grundy ! Happy strumming!
Friends, worldwide Play Music on the Porch Day is always the last Saturday in August. So, 29 August is the day! Mark & I have been practicing the song we will do on the holiday and hope our friends will make homemade music on the day, too:)
I haven't yet gotten to see the film yet really want to! When the film came to uptown Athens OH earlier this year we had flooding type rains and didn't go. The film was pretty low budget-- we kicked in a bit on their fundraising project. Our internet isn't the best so we don't buy movies to stream. Maybe someday I'll get to watch it. They're coming out with a music project based on the film soon, I think.
@Ariane Oh, that's such a funny comparison-- Moon River issued in Japan as Beef Stew! Thanks for the laugh this morning. In these days, it is needed more than ever.
Ah, thanks a million for the information, @john-gribble! So tragic about the deaths in the plane crash which included the singer!
@john-gribble Is the song based on an old myth or folktale and is the tune a traditional tune? (A dear grad school friend from Japan translated some Japanese folk tales for her thesis and, while she was working on them, I'd read them for her for their "readability" in English. This was several years ago.)
I think I have never heard of that song, @Ariane. It is sweet it gives you a happy remembrance from childhood. We can all use those sorts of remembrances from time to time.
Hey, @b-ross-ashley Ross-- good to see you again! It's nice to hear you are going to pick up the dulcimer again. I have found playing mountain dulcimer to be a balm to my spirit. Take care.
John & Ken, it was a great pleasure to be in Hindman for the opening of the museum in November of '15 (I think). Glad you fellows enjoyed the movie!
I had not heard of Jim Hamilton nor his Dulcijo. Like Dusty, I have heard good things about Mike Clemmer's instruments.
@magictime I've listened to your play and it sounds really good! Just keep playing and having fun!
I like the challenge of playing slowly-- it can be hard to keep a tune slow and melodic. Great exercise for me! @ariane's Shenandoah project is just the right kind of challenge for this old girl.
@john-gribble While I love the look of old friction tuners, my hands can no longer manage them-- soft tissue woes, not arthritis. Enjoy those Pegheads!
Regarding who built the mountain dulcimer Kathy was playing, I have received information from my young music friend Matt Searles about the mountain dulcimer-- here's the reply Matt received in response to an email he sent to Carol:
“The dulcimer Kathy plays in the documentary is one I made for her. I had never made a musical instrument before that project, and sadly, never made one after that either, since I moved away from access to the woodworking tools I used to build the dulcimer shortly after that. I did get lots of help from a real luthier for the project, so it turned out well.”
Matt is who introduced me to the music of Kathy and Carol and I am grateful to him!
Oh, thanks for the information, @leny-sue!
@leny-sue I'm glad to know that and imagine others are, too! I'm not sure but the circa 1965 album may have been their only LP. I love their sound!
The most recent videos I found were from 6 and 7 years ago. Here's one from 7 years ago:
At the 5:30 mark in the YouTube video, you will see Kathy Larisch play and sing in a style very reminiscent of the style of Jean Ritchie. Are any of you familiar with the duo of Kathy and Carol? I'd never before heard of them until a young music friend shared a bit of their music with me today. I'm curious as to who may have built Kathy's mountain dulcimer, too.
I love the looks of this instrument and would love to hear how it sounds!
I'd love to hear you play your diddley bow, @natebuildstoys!
I don't know your height, Jill, yet I'm short and prefer a short chair or stool to sit on while playing. Even a very compact camp stool of some kind would work.
