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.
@ken-longfield I pray all can proceed with great success!
@dusty-turtle Thank goodness for the rain in NoCalifornia!
The McSpadden looks great! Enjoy it!
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. :)
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.
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.
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
Friends, The Mountain Minor movie folks have released a soundtrack. I'm thinking about ordering a copy of both the movie and the soundtrack.
@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!
