Forum Activity for @robin-thompson

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/24/19 09:31:58AM
1,512 posts

Tiny mahogany dulcimer thingy just made


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

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

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/18/19 05:41:37PM
1,512 posts

Ruth Randle


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

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. 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/15/19 08:12:01PM
1,512 posts

New player / New purchase / Wellborn dulcimer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

That sure is a pretty instrument-- happy strumming! 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/14/19 10:17:07PM
1,512 posts

How do you Practice?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

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.  


updated by @robin-thompson: 03/14/19 10:18:40PM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/04/19 07:12:32PM
1,512 posts

Playing again after losing all my dulcimers


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

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.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/02/19 05:13:19PM
1,512 posts

Playing again after losing all my dulcimers


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

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.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/23/19 09:16:37AM
1,512 posts

Anyone heard of "Music Crafts" of California dulcimers?


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

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

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/20/19 06:20:27PM
1,512 posts

Your Three Favorite Songs


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

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

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/18/19 08:46:07AM
1,512 posts

Show Us Your Pets!


OFF TOPIC discussions

David, Sally Ann looks to be studying how she's going to play with her new acquisition.  :)

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/15/19 08:42:06AM
1,512 posts

Play Music On The Porch Day 2019


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@david-bennett I remember that video!  It's such a fun idea, I'm hoping to get somebody(s) to join Mark & me on the porch this year.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/14/19 03:04:54PM
1,512 posts

Play Music On The Porch Day 2019


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions


Mark your calendars, friends, for the last Saturday in August to join folks around the world heading outdoors (if possible) to make music!  

image.jpeg


updated by @robin-thompson: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/09/19 08:19:04PM
1,512 posts

Synthetic fretboard


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I neglected to state (along with my Corian idea) that I wouldn't put the Corian on a wooden instrument.  A cardboard box or a tin for a soundbox? 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/09/19 06:52:07PM
1,512 posts

Synthetic fretboard


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I'm thinking a fretboard made of a material such as Corian (used as counter material in kitchens, baths, etc.) might hold up? 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/09/19 06:42:41PM
1,512 posts

Blackbird


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@jp Perhaps those posted free tabs are not legal? 

Copyright law is complicated.  FOTMD makes every effort to demonstrate good faith with regard to protecting composers and holders of copyright, entities entitled to compensation for their work. 


updated by @robin-thompson: 02/09/19 06:48:13PM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/08/19 10:36:26PM
1,512 posts

Oddball double fretboard dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I've bowed both lap dulcimer and bowed dulcimers. . . I couldn't imagine bowing this critter.  In my view, the design doesn't seem to lend itself to bowing.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/08/19 06:19:50PM
1,512 posts

Oddball double fretboard dulcimer


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Wow, Lisa, I don't recall ever seeing anything quite like this!  Do you know anything about when and where it was built? 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/07/19 07:18:02PM
1,512 posts

No Strum hollow


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

For what it's worth, I strum just to the left of the strum hollow most of the time. dulcimer1

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/02/19 09:52:22PM
1,512 posts

Music must be in my blood


OFF TOPIC discussions

I took a look-- looks like Albert Hoffman to me.  

You've got a great photo, Charles-- a treasure! 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/26/19 04:07:27PM
1,512 posts

Show Us Your Pets!


OFF TOPIC discussions


Strumelia:

Brian and I generally get pushed off the edges and have to sleep on the cold hard floor.  crying1



Should we start a GOFundMe page for an air mattress for you & Brian? happys


 


updated by @robin-thompson: 01/26/19 04:08:13PM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/26/19 03:45:10PM
1,512 posts

Show Us Your Pets!


OFF TOPIC discussions

Strumelia, is there really room for a human on that bed?  :)

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/26/19 09:50:12AM
1,512 posts

Jam chord progressions


Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!

Don, something which served me well was attending several jams to observe & listen before I ever tried to play in a jam.  The skill of jamming-- playing called tunes 'on the fly'-- takes time for some of us to acquire.  I know it took me awhile.    

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/21/19 10:18:42PM
1,512 posts

Show Us Your Pets!


OFF TOPIC discussions

Hazel is a lucky dog!

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/17/19 04:39:04PM
1,512 posts

Jam chord progressions


Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!

Don, my guitar-playing husband says for the Keys of A, C, D, and G, especially, it is good to know the I, IV, V chords. 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/15/19 05:55:32PM
1,512 posts

Show Us Your Pets!


OFF TOPIC discussions

Pets are family!  nod

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/09/19 05:56:36PM
1,512 posts

Zither pins


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Lisa, I do not re-tune my instruments with zither pins by turning the zither pins.  I think lots of re-tuning would strip-out the holes in which your pins are seated.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/08/19 08:51:14PM
1,512 posts

Dulcimers in books & films


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@irene You are a marvel!  What a beautiful family! 

 

In the poetry of James Still, he included mountain dulcimers sometimes.  As I recall, Mr. Still lived for some years in the Amburgey cabin and worked at Hindman Settlement School in Kentucky.  I highly recommend his writings! 


updated by @robin-thompson: 01/08/19 08:52:22PM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/04/19 07:40:20PM
1,512 posts

“Shinga Shing Shinga Shing Ching Chang”


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I'm ate-up by mountain dulcimer.  My husband is ate-up by guitar.  I think mountain dulcimer can be an acquired taste.  I've forced my husband to acquire a taste.  jive

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
12/13/18 02:29:00PM
1,512 posts

Show Us Your Pets!


OFF TOPIC discussions

Hey, Fodderwing!  

For years, we had a crippled doe in our neck of the woods-- one of her hooves was turned under and she hobbled along on that first joint.  She lived a long time and I don't know what became of her. 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
12/12/18 03:57:24PM
1,512 posts

Favorite albums


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@hoodoo If you are a fan of the music of Phyllis Gaskins, check out decades-old recording by Bonnie Russell and the Russell family. 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
12/12/18 03:53:52PM
1,512 posts

Favorite albums


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions


I've had interest in the use of mountain dulcimer in a string band context. Two records, both released this year, have been delights:  

-The Long Point String Band- Piney Woods 

-Roger Netherton 

The mountain dulcimer player in both recordings is Hunter Walker.  Though dulcimer isn't played on every cut, when it's played, it is tasteful and in the service of getting a great overall ensemble sound.  The Roger Netherton record was recorded at the home old-time musician Rachel Eddy with friends in support of Netherton, a fiddle champ at Winfield in a recent year. 

 


updated by @robin-thompson: 12/12/18 03:55:26PM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
12/10/18 09:08:50AM
1,512 posts

Show Us Your Pets!


OFF TOPIC discussions

It's obvious Gracie loves snow more than I do!  haha

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
11/29/18 05:20:00PM
1,512 posts

John Jacob Niles's dulcimers and playing


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I've seen photos of some of Niles's creations so get what you're saying, Strumelia.  

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