For what it's worth (and it might not be worth much), I tune to the key of A by beginning in a "home base" tuning of DAA then placing a small piece of wood under the bass string at fret 1 to raise the bass string to E-- using EAA to play in the key of A. I have standard dulcimers of varying VSL's and tune to any tuning I wish within the limits of what the string will take.
Oh, Ken, this is a treasure. Thanks to you and to the Appalachian School of Luthiery in Hindman!
Rest in peace, Jon Pickow.
@fishdoc I've been thinking over your request and the only mountain dulcimer player who came to mind who might have a version of easy tablature is Don Pedi. Here's a link to his Jerusalem Ridge on Bandcamp:
https://donpedi.bandcamp.com/track/jerusalem-ridge
You could contact Don here:
Here's a link with photos to a mountain dulcimer sold as a Deering:
@lisavb I offer my deepest sympathy on the death of your friend. And while I am sorry about your RAV4, it is good your house was spared.
I remind myself the plague will not last forever-- history teaches us this. There are some lovely flowers growing out of the compost pile with lots of wonderful music being made despite everything. Music can be a balm to the weary spirit. Keep enjoying that McSpadden and Jessica C's workshops! (Jessica makes incredibly good music!)
Dave, thanks a million for the links to other photos of your citera-- it's wonderful! It'd sure be fun to play around with. There was a sizable Hungarian population here in my little corner of SE Ohio, in old coal country.
@nateprentice, I liked listening to your Soundcloud link! Welcome to FOTMD!
I share my musical noise places, too, so understand. :)
Jost, don't concern yourself with the number of plays/stats on Soundcloud; I'm guessing they are really only meaningful if you are trying to make money off your recordings. If you wish, try putting your settings there back to "Public" and if your account allows it, disable public comments.
Jost, I have taken to disabling comments on SoundCloud. I, too, have experienced what you describe.
I greatly appreciate this posting, Strumelia, more than you know. My heart is broken by both overt cruelty and casual cruelty I see displayed elsewhere on social media by people I know, both friends and relatives.
FOTMD has been a music home for me since its earliest days. And I always want the best for the site-- kindness and respect and encouragement among its members!
Take care and hugs to all!
I went to the site, James-- those instruments are just doggone cool. Have lots of fun with yours!
Wow, @sgarrity! You're in for a treat. In addition to being beautiful, your Blue Lion will be smooth to play and will, I imagine, will sound as great as it looks.
Hey, go for a socket! Merle Watson used a Craftsman. :)
Bob, that critter sounds cool! Have you tried using a bottleneck slide on it?
Someone on fb shared this writing from Ralph and it seems appropriate to include it here:
Ralph Lee Smith has given the mountain dulcimer world so much! Like Ken H, I would like to have met both Jean Ritchie and Ralph yet both have now joined the ancestors.
Jim Good used to set up at the Vandalia Gathering on the grounds of the capitol building in WV. He built some really pretty instruments though I have never seen one of his early ones-- this one is lovely!
Wishing you all a meaningful holiday season! Keep making music in '21, friends!
@ken-hulme Huzzah! I hope the weight loss contributes to your overall health-- as long as we're kicking it's good to feel as well as we can!
@slate-creek-dulcimers Santa Claus put some stuff in the mail early this year. :)
Oh, my, has it been ten years since Rod died? I remember getting home from a family gathering and seeing the sad news.
That is so cool, @robert-schuler! I passed along the Jeffreys I had to a young folks music enthusiast and he is thrilled to have it. Such a sweet little instrument.
I only know of Mr Rizetta by coming across his name in the dulcimer world. People sell instruments for a variety of reasons-- to reduce possessions or to raise needed cash being a couple of them. I hope if Mr Rizetta is selling for the latter reason the instrument fetches a good price.
I thought it was cool just to see this highly customized dulcimer (which is for sale):
https://reverb.com/item/37249604-sam-rizzetta-custom-lap-dulcimer
Yes, all potato chips have differences! There are lots of small chip makers across the country who have their devotees. :) However, what might be, say, too greasy to one isn't too greasy to another's taste.
The only way to compare tones between two/among several dulcimers is to hear them. Though I play with a noter all the time, all my instruments were not made specifically for noter play-- some were just built for unknown players who wound up owning them.
Nathina, the this versus that comparisons are very hard because it is all so subjective. Mountain dulcimers are like potato chips. . . And comparing them is like comparing all the types of potato chips made by all the potato chip companies big and small. Very hard.
@marg That double dulcimer has such a great, powerful sound-- I like it lots!
I happened to catch the film on YouTube, @ken-longfield , and thought others may like seeing like I did. :)
@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.
That was a cool little movie, Strumelia! It's inspiring!
I also recommend The Appalachian Dulcimer Book (Folksay Press) by Michael Murphy. Used copies may not be hard to come by fairly inexpensively.
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.
Weather changes can cause buzzes. Please, go with the easy experiment suggested by Strumelia.
I haven't yet gotten my DPN but will be sure to pay special attention to your remembrance, @ken-longfield.
