There are a few tunes I'd thought I'd never play. . . Black Mountain Rag was one of them. Surprisingly, when Mark and I were just jamming over the weekend, BMR just started to fall into place.
St. Ann's Reel is a tune I've never gotten worked out to my satisfaction. Maybe someday!
Lexie, I hope you'll be able to travel southeast someday and visit, play some tunes and share in fellowship at a mountain dulcimer gathering!
Happy birthday, Susie!
Rob, great run- down of the weekend! I felt like I'd made it to Appalachian Dulcimer Promised Land in Hindmam! I hope to go back!
PS- Kathy V and I had been, unknowingly, assigned to the apartment Jean Ritchie, George Pikow, and Edna Ritchie used when they visited Hindman. It seemed the history of the school and the village was present.
Dana, I imagine the vacation you, Jan, and Gail have had has been good for each of you girls! Hugs from me!
I have one of the late-Walt Martin's Sunhearth dulcimers-- a Lorraine Lee model-- and it's wonderful instrument. The tone is lovely, it's easy to play, and the craftsmanship is impeccable.
Also, I have a cool little instrument-- a small Kentucky hourglass with a diatonic fretboard-- built by Jerry Rockwell. The noter sounds so fine on this small-waisted instrument.
Hey, Kimberly! Laura Elder has been part of a regular group in Lancaster OH for some years. If she doesn't see this post, you could contact her privately.
PS- I want to meet you when/if I ever get back to Roanoke! :)
I got my first dulcimer ten years ago this month (I think). It was made by Tom Yocky. Though I no longer own it, it got me on my dulcimer journey. And I can't helpbut wonder whether it still has a home in the UK (with the fellow who bought it from me). . .
John, I'm thinking our own Ken Bloom did studio work on Monkees' music back in the day. . .
D, I used to have calluses from playing bowed dulcimer and look forward to developing them again when life allows. :)
Sam, I can well imagine that's difficult, frustrating. With a family history of dementia, I've felt concern over some of my own lapses. If I'm on the road to dementia, I'm hoping I'll always love music, appreciate it some way.
D Chitwood, have you determined what about your play is giving you the callus on the side of your thumb?
PS- i didn't even notice anything about a misspelling! Even if I had I wouldn't have cared. ;)
The cross is really lovely, Charles. It's neat you know what the various elements symbolize.
Don't forget the alternate lyrics-- my favorite lyrics at one time. I assume these were never copyright protected. :)
Happy birthday to you
You live in the zoo
You look like a monkey
And you act like one, too!
A positive game-changer for me was when I realized Strumelia and a few other experienced players were right when they emphasized the importance of being solid with rhythm. A wrong note isn't going to throw a jam off the rails but being off with rhythm can throw things all out of whack. Once this sunk in, it caused me to try to pay particular attention to rhythm. . . I always need to work at it. It's fun work, though!
You've had another successful fest in Winchester, Dana! Way to go!
I'm glad you got that private bones lesson from Dom, Lisa! I'd like to get to play in a duo of Appalachian dulcimer with a bones player someday. (Hint, hint) And also with fotmd member Abby Spoon Lady who is a master of the spoons. :)
Hey, Ken, you met some of my FOTMD/in-person friends! And I can attest to Bev's skill in the kitchen. 
I like to keep things as simple as possible. :)
You could record with the microphone on your computer, save the file to convert to mp3, then attach the file to an email to your daughter.
John, you covered the topic nicely! I'd like to add a brief mention about how using a false nut (small piece of wood or other hard material) under the drone strings makes re-tuning a lap dulcimer with zither pins fairly easy.
So glad to have Bob, Jan, and Sam be a part of the Mod Squad!
PS- A bit of trivia: FOTMD's own Ken Bloom was one of the musicians who performed the music for the pilot of The Mod Squad television series.
It sounds like a great time was had by y'all had there in NC! Friends, food, and good music are all tops in my book. :)
I have 7 Appalachian dulcimers here at home and two out on loan. A few are diatonic instruments and a few have the 6.5 and 13.5 frets also. I use a variety of tunings; my box dulcimer is always strung with light gauge strings and tuned to ddd. Each instrument has a unique voice-- and I like that!
I just pick up quills (that look to be of the sizes I like) when out walking. though most of them have, likely, been attached to a turkey, I think not all I collect are turkey feathers. And I'm not too particular. :)
Cool, Sheryl! A quill makes a really nice sound on strings.
There's just something about an old friend that's extra nice. Lovely work!
What a beautiful instrument, Jerry!
Though I don't recall where I read the comment, it seems I've seen someone stating how they'd not seen an open headstock on a dulcimer. . . I don't know I have until now.
Hi, Sheila!
Click on your own name at the upper right side of the page-- your name is next to the magnifying glass search icon. In the pulldown menu under your name, you will find a link for sending private messages.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for the information, Sam! I may need to try this on a noter or two whose wood isn't very hard.
Tom, a second dulcimer is handy. The instrument you built has such a nice sound! And it was always a treat to hear you & Melissa make music.
Last summer, I bought a used dulcimer through Craigslist-- the seller and I met in a public place to conduct business. Perhaps you would have good luck buying used locally?
It'd be an honor and a treat to hear you two playing Quittin' Time!
Hi, Tom!
I've only seen one of JR's instruments and it was at a luthier's shop in need of a repair of some kind. As I recall, it was a heavy, sturdy instrument (as opposed to being a light build). I didn't play it so have no idea about how it played or sounded.
Hope you are well! Warmest wishes,
Robin
An idea that confused me a lot when I first began playing was when a tuning and a mode were equated. . . Once I realized that a tuning and a mode are not the exact same thing I had not quite a "lightbulb" moment yet it was rather like a dimmer switch being turned up. :)
I play lots using DdA tuning, key of D, fret 3 as tonic, Ionian mode. From this tuning, easily, I can re-tune the A to a G and play in the key of G and Dminor (I think) and I don't know what mode I'm in with those two keys unless I look it up or ask somebody. ;)
CD, I know Strumelia has spent countless hours over the past many months working for this much-needed move. . . I know I am grateful for all she's done!
Back when Deputy Mo was Strumelia's right-hand man, the two of them worked together to be sure FOTMD was a friendly, welcoming place. . . Rod will never be forgotten
