Forum Activity for @robin-thompson

Friends, your postings have encouraged me with going through old paperwork, papers much accumulated in my own home during the years I was caregiver at my folks' house.  And I wish to tackle more than papers, too, to lessen the things in the house.  It will take me many months but I'm further along than had I done nothing.  

Andreas, I wish all good things for your hospital stay! 

Thank you for the inspiration, folks!  

@Gstringer The instrument is, surely, not "high end" yet it's a great little instrument.  The wood itself is light in weight and the color is a stain.  Plays well and has a nice timbre.  Enjoy your Kern! 

EDIT: Yes, Mr Kern's initials and last name are on the back of the headstock, written using some type of electric tool. 

A video with the A.R. kern mountain dulcimer

@gstringer Ambrose Kern made really nice-sounding dulcimers-- I own one, a gift from a music friend.  Mr Kern lived and built in West Virginia.  I have a video or two in which playing the Kern.

@Phroederick Paper bags can be a cat favorite, too.  

Those eyes through the slit in the box-- perfect!  :)

@Phroedrick That is a cool c'box uke! 

As far as I can tell, there is mountain dulcimer played on two tracks.  

If you are a fan of traditional ballads, this is a good cd.  And there's nothing like 1,000 verses of Barbry Allen. ;)

Jean Ritchie's instructional book & cd from Homespun have been of great help to me.  

I knew nothing about this recording until the uncommonly good singer-songwriter Jeni Hankins posted a photo of her newly-acquired used lp. . . My copy on cd arrived yesterday and I look forward to listening today when I'm traveling.  

Are any of you familiar with this recording?  

Hi, Susan, your instrument sounds to be wonderfully made!  Is there some way you can post photos here so, perhaps, better advice can be offered? 

I recently bought this cd of Mr Clayton playing "Southern Mountain Dulcimer" and singing, too.  Today, I listened to it on my car stereo-- the best stereo we have-- and liked it lots!  

That wood is so nice.  Love the upside-down hearts! 

I'm sorry about Angus, Paul.  Pets are family.  

@tssfulk I imagine Bosse may be getting to spend time outdoors soon.  

@David-Bennett Did Sally play Gray Cat on a Tennessee Farm? 

Wow, that's stunningly beautiful, Susie!  Happy bowing! 

@Robert-Shuler I hope you're moving today!  Are they pumpkins good for pies?  :) Pumpkin pie is my favorite.  

@hugssandi Hazel's violin with your singing was just right!  You enjoyment would have shown through.  <3

@Steve-Smith, that sees (and looks like) a fun gathering 

@hugssandi, you & Hazel will be your wonderful selves.  <3 Have fun!  

Mark & I are to play a mini concert at the Coshocton Dulcimer Festival on 15 June.  Though we've hardly played out much over the past few years, we're looking forward to seeing friends and sharing music. 

You can think of something to play for Jesus if he just was going finish dessert and coffee, @hugssandi 

You and the kids sure do it up right, Sandi-- making it a special holiday!  <3

@hugssandi I am happy you are enjoying playing!  Sometimes, music just feeds the spirit. . . :)

Michael, it has been several years since I've even read anything about Darcyhorse Dulcimers. . . I wish you luck with your query! 

@foundryrat Perhaps just give .012's a go and tune and re-tune to see whether it suits? 

I enjoy seeing the responses, folks! 

Playing mountain dulcimer with a noter is all I know-- I enjoy it tremendously!  And there are MD players who play styles of music I enjoy yet could never hope to play.  If a chromatic mountain dulcimer is what is called for to play the music a dulcimer player wants to make, then a chromatic fretboard it must be!  :)

The mountain dulcimer and the guitar have very different timbres.  Some music, music requiring "extra frets", can sound wonderful, more intimate on mountain dulcimer (as opposed to, say, guitar).  

For centuries, luthiers and musicians have adapted instruments and styles of play for any number of reasons.  And chromatic mountain dulcimers exist in this living tradition.  

This film clip is outstanding:

I hope to get to see the movie after it's released!  

I, too, wish I could make it! 

@jimmy-lamar That's a great photo! 

@Sharon-Day Great question!  I know what songs I've sung to/with a little niece or nephew yet have no clue what songs kindergarteners today know.  

It looks cool, John, and I bet I could get plenty of tunes out of the little critter. 

I met Ruth in '09 at Ken Bloom's Pilot Mountain Bowed Dulcimer fest.  She was generous, gracious, a prolific knitter, and all-around good gal!  Ken called her Saint Ruth for her work transcribing his chicken scratching on paper to music.  Ruth was a treasure. 

That sure is a pretty instrument-- happy strumming! 

Though I'm a by-ear noter/drone player, I think my approach to bringing variety to practice would work for anyone no matter the style.  I like to try different, really different types of picks or even fingerpicking on tunes to give variety to the sounds which can be got from a single tune.  It may not be to everyone's liking as an exercise, I imagine, but I also like to know the essence of a tune so well I can vary the tune slightly each time I play it through.  

You've built a lovely instrument, Kusani! 

Jeannie, I offer healing wishes for your health and all good wishes for the many things with what you must be dealing with.  Take care.  

Jeannie, I'm happy for your being able to enjoy playing music again!  That MMD is gorgeous. 

Whatever difficulties are ahead, my wish is for you to have strength to meet them.  

I've done a bit of looking in Jean Ritchie's Dulcimer People and not found a maker working under that label name. 

Entrapment!

I probably have about three hundred favorites! Yet I'll name three here.  :)

And Can It Be - Charles Wesley

Peace Train - Cat Stevens (Yusuf Islam)

Hard Times Come Again No More - Stephen Foster

Yup, what @Bob said.  :)