Forum Activity for @robin-thompson

I wish you great success with your project, Richard!  

Yes, @dusty, that's the article!  I'm glad you were able to locate it so anyone reading this thread can have a look.  

For some reason, I'm thinking the luthier's first name may be Vince.  Could be totally wrong yet that came to mind.  

I think the name of the maker was included in a piece in Dulcimer Players News in the past year or so.  And the fellow had been a member here at FOTMD, if memory serves, and photos were posted.  

I'm sure it was a treat for your audience to hear you & Ms. Levy!  

@alex-lubet Thank you for the correction-- a mistake I shouldn't have made since I have the cd!  The mezzo soprano is Ms. Vargas and the long-departed poet, Ms. Levy.  

I'm guessing a bad string could be possible.  I'm guessing you've checked the winding at the tuner to see if the string could be slipping in the tuner (due to some overlap in the winding). 

What an awful tragedy for Christophe!  I cannot imagine what he must be experiencing right now.  I wish for comfort and strength for him.  

I was fortunate to get to hear Gary in Lancaster OH some years ago.  He was a great player and luthier.  

Thanks for sharing this wonderful PBS News Hour segment on the Troublesome Creek Stringed Instrument Company!  The folks there on the bank of Troublesome are doing wonderful work!  

Also, I hope it comes to pass that the 2026 installment of the Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming will take place! 

Nice, Dusty-- I like "Moonshadow"! 

@dusty - Wow, how cool-- and it's especially nice your mom was there.! 

Lots of folks participated in International Appalachian Dulcimer Day-- on YouTube, Facebook, The Traditional Appalachian Dulcimore site, I listened to an audio recording on SoundCloud, and here at FOTMD.  There was participation from, at least, five countries.  

One week from today, folks-- 28 March 2026!  The spread of the mountain dulcimer through the US and to many places around the world has enriched the dulcimer world in so many ways.    

Such an elegant instrument!  

@benjamin-w-barr-jr & @ken-longfield A couple of troublemakers, for sure!     Hope y'all had a lovely time! 

DPN is still in business.  I got a magazine in the post not long ago.  

Thank you for sharing this sad news, Ken.  Though I never met Mr. Huron, his name is, indeed, part of current mountain dulcimer history. 

Indeed, Val, time is flying and a day in which we highlight the spread of the Appalachian dulcimer around the world is fast approaching.    

As you already know, I'm a fan of your tunes and the wonderful-sounding mountain dulcimer(s) you've built there in your home country-- I look forward to your recordings!   

I, too, am sorry to hear this.  

It's me bumping this thread again!  

Saturday 28 March 2026 is the day.  

Blue Lion still shows they offer the MusicNomad fretboard oil: https://www.bluelioninstruments.com/accessories.html#instrument_cleaner_polish

I like this group's music!  

https://youtu.be/PnxRVLjTVz0?si=sQyPj7e3PbLRP-Jz

Leo, I offer my condolences to you and all who knew Ms. Adler.  It seems she was an incredible ambassador in the mountain dulcimer world!

Alex, I hope you can find a Minnesotan here!  I've been here since very early on and vaguely recall there being, at least, a person or two from the Land of 10,000 Lakes.  

I only know how to play mountain dulcimer with a noter, which is all about the slide.  :) Hammer-ons and pull-offs with a noter can also be used to give slightly different flavors to tunes.  

Giving this thread a bump.  Saturday 28 March 2026 is International Appalachian Dulcimer Day-- always the last Saturday in March!  

We celebrate the Appalachian dulcimer and its spread around the world-- the more countries represented in the celebration the merrier!  

There will be no burning of mountain dulcimers here at my house!  

Thanks, Ken L & Ken H for the research and your article!  One thing I realize is the story of the Appalachian dulcimer and its origins is still being written-- a good thing!  

@casserole Here in Ohio, the air is quite dry in Winter and I assume the same for your climate.  Be sure to never store a wooden instrument near a heat source.  It is a good idea to use a humidifier of some sort in the case.  I hope your used Folkcraft arrives without incident to your doorstep!  

Ken L has given you wonderful advice, casserole.  I wish you a joyous mountain dulcimer journey!  

Thank you, @cindy-stammich-- wishing you and all at FOTMD lots of happy strumming in this new year! 

The next celebration of International Appalachian Dulcimer Day will be Saturday 28 March 2026!

I look forward to seeing videos, audio recording, photos, poetry, etc., of how y'all choose to mark the day!  

An amazing collection-- such treasures, Kendra!   

Sandi, I have no advice on how to work on the instrument yet hope some knowledgable person chimes in!  

I use the Peterson tuner and have one upstairs and one downstairs.  :) 

Sending all good wishes for light, love, and lots of music-making in this season and in the coming year!  

Strumelia, so, he really could say he plays the banjo.  

Dusty, the fan has perfect pitch.  

I had a funny thing happen.  The attic fan was left running while recording a tune-- the attic fan created a drone in tune with the mountain dulcimer.  

https://soundcloud.com/robin-thompson-5/awake-early-solo-mountain?si=794db22eec7d4e6d8154e6fff81875fe&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing  

I've liked this video for some years and am glad you shared it, Alex! 

I love my Blue Lions!  (Two of mine were bought used and Bob and Janita Baker made modifications to the instruments for me.)  Wishing you the best in selling yours!