Though I don't do scales or "practice" in any disciplined way, I am always working on skills. Even though I've been playing noter style for a long time now, my noter skills can always improve-- long slides smoothly, using slides to bring emotion to a tune, hammer-ons and pull-offs, and on. . .
If you go through the course, Greg, please give us an overview?
@david-messenger Perhaps this link may be of help:
https://fotmd.com/strumelia/group_discuss/2594/just-vs-equal-temperament
I'm guessing you're wondering about the Warren May instrument. . .
Paula, I have a Dulcijo-- a little 3-string banjo tuned to DAd. To play out of G, I'll re-tune the middle string to G. I haven't had much chance to play around with it yet hope to in the coming year. Here is a photo:
@staylor Well, happy new year & happy strumming! So good how things worked out. :)
@hobbyhorse How does the rebec sound? The hurdy-gurdy? Your builds look good.
I understand! I have different problems with my hands. Other than pulling up my pants and brushing my teeth, mountain dulcimer is the big consideration when something happens with my hands. :)
I'm a big fan of Appalasia-- banjo, erhu, and mountain dulcimer music is fantastic!
Here is a different video from this French trio, Douce Merise :
I'm a fan of this group!
Good to have you folks here!
@vicki-moore There is a rich mountain dulcimer history in the Smokies. The last time I was in that neck of the woods was several years ago so I'm of no help on being able to offer specific suggestions. Perhaps you would like to post a thread in this section: https://fotmd.com/forums/forum/off-topic-discussions
@garyinwyoming How neat you were able to find a couple other players out your way! Happy strumming!
I love this!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=6knLaDmjhYk#dialog
You know how in school knowledge in third grade built on knowledge from first grade? That's how playing out of different tunings has been for me. Perhaps your experiences will prove to be similar to my own. Happy strumming!
We wear our jeans until they are ready to be cut to rags. I was cutting a couple pairs of Mark's jeans apart and saved the leather tags from the waistband. They feel really nice in my hand and give a good tone.
@marg I hadn't thought of weighting the chopstick some way when I've given using a striker tries. Thanks for the idea!
Anne, I'm glad Bran is doing well! We wound up with a stray dog about a month ago. . . One never knows what will present.
Robin NC, Ollie sure is a handsome boy!
@anne-maguire How is Bran doing?
@david-bennett With a name like Sally Ann, she has to like old-timey music. :)
@bryan-fridlund I've imagined Doug Thomson's hammer is used that way. It may feel more balanced in the hand than a found object of some kind used as a striker.
Thank you for the name correction, @pierre-yves-donnio and @john-shaw! I've edited the posting.
From my experience of trying to use a striker, John Shaw's pointing-out the important factor of having a loose well-balanced hold is true.
I do not know what was being used as a striker in the video yet I've used a chopstick when I've tried the technique.
Though it doesn't come until near the end of the video, I was fascinated with seeing how Mr Molineux used the striker.
Thank you, Strumelia!
Wishing everyone here a meaningful Thanksgiving!
@susie I came-by the instrument used yet it has been used very little. I've not contacted the builder, Paul Conrad, to ask him just what variety of instrument he called it. It has a very deep voice with which I am smitten.
Thanks, @don-grundy!
Indeed, it is, @dusty-turtle. I have been fiddling with the bridge to get the intonation set and am not there yet, yet I really love its deep voice.
A new-to-me Timbre Hill mountain dulcimer. :)
@Dusty-Turtle I like what the md player is doing, too! These fellas work so well as a duo.
Enjoy that beautiful Appalachian dulcimer, Susie!
What a beauty, John! No better way to spend time on your birthday than doing something you love.
Matthew, I'm glad you're playing again!
So glad you are enjoying this video, friends!
@John-Shaw I only have one of their cd's yet am sure the others are just as good. It's funny you mention Bruce Greene because this duo reminds one, in ways, of Bruce Greene & Don Pedi's play together.
Cool! And I learned a new word: lullabologist. :)
If I had a new/new-to-me dulcimer I'd post!
@david-messenger Wow, she looks really good! As a simple, temporary fix, you could loosen the strings and place a little slice of good grade of paper in the nut and see whether that fixes your buzzing. If it doesn't, you may just need another string gauge. (I'm not a luthier so my advice is just that of a strummer.)
I did a few different searches and knew what I wasn't looking for (McNally, Merlin, etc.) in the way of a strum stick.
EDIT: Funny, until seeing your reply to me, I hadn't seen the photo with the stamp on the headstock-- I missed a few of the photos.
There are elements of an eBay instrument which remind me of your instrument, @boingercat:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Strumstick-Handmade/174043907074?hash=item2885d34402:g:nTYAAOSwcJVdj~Ot
*Note the mention of maker's initials at the tuners.
