Forum Activity for @robin-thompson

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
05/24/15 09:37:51AM
1,485 posts



Sure is a beauty, Dillon!My KYoung dulcimer was built in '77 and it's a treasure!
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
05/23/15 10:44:06AM
1,485 posts

electronic tuners people use


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I like my Peterson clip tuner. It was pricey and I mainly bought it for use on my bowed dulcimers yet use it on all my instruments.
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
05/18/15 08:36:14AM
1,485 posts



It's a beauty, for sure!
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
05/17/15 03:49:07PM
1,485 posts

So if Jesus came to dinner, what would you play?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

After Hangman's Reel, I'd play Jesus an original tune or two that Mark & I put together. So I wouldn't have to change tuning to change keys, I'd offer our Quittin' Time at Essex Mine since it's also in the key of A and tell Jesus how each of Mark's grandfathers worked at Essex Mine at one time or another.PS- Not that I think our original tunes are so great-- it'd just be fun to play them for Jesus! :)
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
05/16/15 11:12:03AM
1,485 posts

So if Jesus came to dinner, what would you play?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I'd be playing Jesus some fiddle tunes! Likely, I'd tune to the key of A and play Hangman's Reel for starters-- it's such a fun tune and I like the AABBCCDD structure.
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
04/26/15 04:28:58PM
1,485 posts

Mountain Dulcimer Cd's you like to listen too.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Bill Graves- Sugar in the Coffee (lap dulcimer makes up a portion of the recordings)Jean Ritchie- The Most Dulcimer (nice vocals, too)
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/29/15 09:10:04PM
1,485 posts

.024-.016-.014--- Sounds good but too heavy?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Wow! Thanks for the info, Rob. I like all those tunings.

Rob N Lackey said:

DAA, Robin, and EAA for mixolydian. In fact, I believe I've gone up to DAc for a little minor action

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/29/15 07:22:05PM
1,485 posts

.024-.016-.014--- Sounds good but too heavy?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Rob, I can go to DAA yet like the sound of CGG with this set-up. How high have you tund with similar gauges?

Rob N Lackey said:

I would think they'd be fine, Robin. I've used similar gauges and the instruments have been fine.

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/29/15 03:46:20PM
1,485 posts

.024-.016-.014--- Sounds good but too heavy?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hey, friends--My dulcimer's just been strung with, bass to treble, .024- .016-.014 and the sound's good in CGG. I've never gone this heavy with the gauges across the whole fretboard before and am wondering whether I can do my lap dulcimer harm by going this heavy?Thanks for your thoughts!Robin
updated by @robin-thompson: 06/11/15 07:42:55AM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
05/13/15 12:41:42PM
1,485 posts

Hello and a little info


OFF TOPIC discussions

High fives from us, Dana!
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
04/30/15 10:12:07PM
1,485 posts

Hello and a little info


OFF TOPIC discussions

Dana, I hope all continues to go well with treatment. You remain in my thoughts!
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/28/15 07:59:23PM
1,485 posts

Hello and a little info


OFF TOPIC discussions

Dana, Mark and I both will keep you in our thoughts and send our love to you and Jim. I hope you will get some much-needed rest!Hugs,Robin
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
03/01/15 01:39:31PM
1,485 posts



It looks as though that fretboard might have been a later addition, Quinn.
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/13/15 04:01:24PM
1,485 posts



Charley, I do more audio recording anymore and am using the Zoom H2 we've had for some years now. Our video recorder is also a Zoom.
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/09/15 04:52:53PM
1,485 posts



Dulcimers are faithful friends; mine wait until I'm ready for them.Happy strumming, Charley!
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
02/09/15 11:45:38AM
1,485 posts



Charley, do let us know when you take the plunge! :)
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/31/15 09:35:48AM
1,485 posts



Sweet score, Nicholas! Mr. May's instruments are wonderful. The time I visited his shop, it was a real treat.
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/31/15 11:18:19AM
1,485 posts



Joe, how neat that you got to speak with the builder himself!
updated by @robin-thompson: 02/14/16 11:01:48PM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/01/15 09:43:25AM
1,485 posts

Post your favorite song


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Noah, I'm a fan of Appalachian old-time music and really love some of the music that's come out of West Virginia. One of my favorites out of WV is a tune called Cherry River Line.
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
12/22/14 06:52:51PM
1,485 posts



Larry, no maker's name is coming to mind. Perhaps someone will see the photo and the "MH" will ring a bell?Happy strumming!
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
12/19/14 08:51:13PM
1,485 posts



Hi, Larry! Could you post a photo or two of your new-to-you dulcimer?
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
12/10/14 11:50:29AM
1,485 posts

The Dulcimer in Eastern Kentucky Videos


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks a bunch for the link, Ken L! I look forward to getting to watch the videos and seeing Mike in them!
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
12/09/14 05:37:33PM
1,485 posts

New Doug Berch Dulcimer :)


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Susie, your Berch is beautiful!Doug is a wonderful player, builder, and, most importantly, a wonderful person. I don't yet own one of Doug's instruments though I'd like to someday.
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
11/11/14 02:52:26PM
1,485 posts

Video Links for the Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hey, thanks for putting these links all in one place, Rob!I've enjoyed all I've had a chance to see from the gathering and look forward to exploring the links above.Thank you to all contributed!
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
11/02/14 07:04:20PM
1,485 posts



CD,Rod certainly lives in the hearts and minds of many here and at EverythingDulcimer. He was a treasure.
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/29/14 06:25:52PM
1,485 posts



CD, I'm thinking Rod is playing some of the Sacred Harp tunes he put together in the months before he died. . .And when we would have our online potlucks here at FOTMD, Rod could be counted on to bring Mountain Dew. :)
RIP, Deputy Mo.
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/19/14 08:03:41PM
1,485 posts



Hi, Graham--So good to have you become part of FOTMD. You have fine musical instruments! It is hard to imagine having 50 dulcimers all in one place. :)PS- I went to grad school in Roanoke. Pretty country!
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/19/14 11:11:48AM
1,485 posts



Terry, I hope your journey with the mountain dulcimer is a fun one!
updated by @robin-thompson: 02/17/16 10:27:27AM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/19/14 11:15:37AM
1,485 posts



Theresa,McSpadden dulcimers are favorites of many players. Fingerpicking produces some very relaxing sounds and the act of doing it can be soothing, too.It's good to have you become part of FOTMD!
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/15/14 06:54:45PM
1,485 posts

Before and After


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

That is a neat picture, Bob-- your fat- waisted dulcimers are beauties!I am glad I was required to take wood shop & industrial arts, art, and cooking & sewing in Junior High School.
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/04/14 09:38:07PM
1,485 posts

Question about keys and modes


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hi, Tumbleweed! I'm a by- ear player and am not good at "talking" music. That said, you may not need to switch keys yet may wish to try the same key with a different tuning. For example, for noter/drone play you can re- tune from DAdd to DAAA or DdAA and remain in the key of D with your key note at fret 3.I experiment with different tunings to work out how to get a tune to lay out well on the fretboard. Not everything lays- out well. :)Hope this helps!
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
09/16/14 02:49:45PM
1,485 posts



Kristi, the event and the company sound delightful! (That was a great photo of you & Stephanie!) Though I'm most grateful such measures were not needed, I believe Steph would have found a way to get to this year's fest no matter what. ;)
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
09/08/14 10:49:45PM
1,485 posts



PS- DAA and DAd are both the key of D yet just different tunings out of which to play in the key.
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
09/08/14 10:47:18PM
1,485 posts



Pam, I play out of DAA lots. Go with what's in your book and, over time, you will learn the ins and outs of playing the mountain dulcimer.
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
09/10/14 09:39:02PM
1,485 posts

Eppinette, Scheitholt, and Kantle player "Orange Kantele"


Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Thanks for the tip about Orange Kantele, Gregg. I checked out a couple of his pieces and subscribed!
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
09/03/14 10:34:02AM
1,485 posts



Hi, Eric! Page two of this thread may be of interest to you regarding playing melody on the middle string: http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/group/themusictheorycorner/forum/topics/a-theory-about-keys?commentId=3745489%3AComment%3A681001&xg_source=activity&groupId=3745489%3AGroup%3A22445
updated by @robin-thompson: 02/12/16 03:17:26AM
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