Forum Activity for @robin-thompson

This fretboard design, though somewhat different, is reminiscent of Keith Young's: 

https://www.newharmonydulcimers.com

Makes me think of Keith Young's fretboards.  I think I don't have any photos of the end of the fretboard-- I used to have 2 of Keith's wonderful instruments.  

Chapman Sticks are very cool!  

KenL, if you didn't have time to make a recording, you should've taken a picture of your workbench to post for IADD!  I believe you worked on the dulcimers yet photographic proof may be needed.    

I think I've listened to music from 4 countries on this International Appalachian Dulcimer Day.   In addition to friends who shared audio or video here, there was more participation on Facebook than I might've imagined.  The spread of the love of the Appalachian dulcimer around the world is, truly, a beautiful thing.    

I hope y'all have nice weather for your 20 April music circle, Leo!  

Happy International Appalachian Dulcimer Day, friends!  

I just listened to the first offering to celebrate from @macaodha and it's a jewel.  I haven't uploaded a tune yet, yet will soon.    

Yay, @dusty!  I hope lots of folks do the same, too!   

We have an audio recorded and uploaded and will make it "Public" on IADD.  

In her HomeSpun instructional recording, Jean lists many names for the lap-held zither and says its names come from the parts of the country in which you find it.  She goes on to say that for her lessons she's just going to call it a dulcimer.  

I'm fortunate to own a dream dulcimer, a Blue Lion Jean Ritchie model instrument.  Top is Western Red Cedar, sides & back are Walnut.  I can't tell you the VSL off the top of my head-- I only play with a noter so VSL isn't much of a factor.  

1 week from today is International Appalachian Dulcimer Day!    

Feel free to share any work you create (music, photography, embroidery, jewelry, poetry, etc.) which celebrates the Appalachian dulcimer and its spread around the world!  

I like the sound of the wound bass drone with the doubled high drones a lot!

Some months ago, I was just messing around with string configurations.  Doubled melody vs. doubled drone vs. 4 equidistant.    It was cool to hear the differences.  

Welcome,@robmachin !  Enjoy your McSpadden when it's made its way to you!  

Could it be some sympathetic vibration is in play with the doubled strings-- especially since, as Randy indicated, one string is struck a tiny fraction of a second before the other? 

In a related yet unrelated matter, I play a doubled high drone and a single melody string.  (String array: wound bass tuned an octave below doubled high drones then a melody string tuned either a 4th or 5th above the bass.)  If I just un-double that high drone and play the same style (noter)  with 4-equidistant strings, the sound is just not the same.  It is fuller with the doubled high drone.   

It's a beauty, John, and Ohio is a nice place for that Galax.  

Thank you for sharing this cool video from '73, @ken-longfield !  I really like Mr. Nicholas's dulcimers and it was really something to see the other folks making creations of some type or another.

Thanks for the tag, @dusty -- except for brief times away at grad school, I've spent all my life in O-H-I-O.   

Today, it's the first Saturday in March.  The last Saturday in March will be International Appalachian Dulcimer Day.  

Indeed, the last Saturday is 30 March and Easter is the following day.  Perhaps some may wish to celebrate the Appalachian dulcimer on IADD with a hymn or two.  

Tuning from the tuner is one thing.  Sharpening a note when I use a noter is another-- noter pressure can do that. (me with my noter)   

I think repertoire and whether or not one plays alone make big differences in what is "good enough".  

For me, I use a Peterson tuner and Mark and I both try to be very much in tune with one another or we'll make our tunes even worse.     When I'm playing by myself, I like to be in tune with myself or it can drive me a little crazy.  

@lilley-pad My experience is I play the mountain dulcimer with the sound I want to fit the repertoire(s) I want to play.  Also, my experience is there is no Holy Grail. Depending on style of play and repertoire, one instrument may suit over another.    

Bob Stephens is a member here at FOTMD and you can find his page by searching members.  Here is a video of Aaron O'Rourke playing a prototype (so, an early model) of one of Bob's wonderful-sounding dulcimers: 

https://youtu.be/EPClQt6v0Z0?si=0D_xkDv1OR9fTkH7

@nate Your perspective was one I hadn't considered-- I'm glad you wrote of it!  

Colloquially, although my newer Jean Ritchie model Blue Lion has "extra" frets, I'll still call it a mountain dulcimer.    

Happy strumming, y'all!   

Beautiful!  The sound hits my ears like it's a lute being played. 

You're welcome, @wildcat !  Hope you'll enjoy the day strumming your Warren May mountain dulcimer!  

@ken-longfield , Yes, it falls late in the month this year.  Happy strumming! 

Hey, friends-- our special holiday is approaching!  Always the last Saturday in March.  

https://www.blueridgeheritage.com/artist/betty-smith/

https://www.citizen-times.com/obituaries/pgsc0650042?fbclid=IwAR1oVFxixAqDZ_HcDYjYJ-OyTlyG0INklPJ2eqYuGFOZscQleKqD-q8MOoY

If you'd like to hear Jean talking a bit about her life and her approach to playing, I recommend these: 

https://www.homespun.com/profile/Jean%20Ritchie

https://folkways.si.edu/jean-ritchie/the-appalachian-dulcimer-an-instructional-record/music-instruction/music/album/smithsonian

Also, search Jean on YouTube and you'll discover many wonderful recordings.  

Warren May builds lovely instruments, lovely both in looks and in sound.  Happy strumming, @wildcat !  

A couple cool links: 

https://youtu.be/uQaLuklN73Q?si=zt632ssDhTAiSg8d

https://www.conniellisor.com/orchestra/blackberry-winter

It is to be noted the traditional tune Blackberry Blossom is foundational to the piece.  

You've got a beauty!  Regardless of what you do about the tuners, I hope you enjoy it.    

I offer my sympathies to Rob's family and friends.  

I'm glad you enjoyed seeing it, friends.  

https://youtu.be/3vtOSWqS5oE?si=tbeWZmovuLGaNzo9

I send my warmest wishes for peace and lots of music-making in the coming year!  

@john-c-knopf I'm grateful for the music she left behind-- it continues to enrich my life! 

Jean Ruth Ritchie was born 101 years ago today in Viper KY.

How I see it is the mountain dulcimer has several traditions depending on where you are on the planet.    Here in the U.S., Jean Ritchie is one person whose family story and travels spread awareness there was such a thing as a mountain dulcimer in the central/southern Appalachians.  On Jean's album The Most Dulcimer , several different styles of music are represented and it is, perhaps, my favorite record of all the music we have in the house.  To me, this album offers a great point of departure for exploring various traditions related to the Appalachian dulcimer.

P.S.- As I understand it, Jean Ritchie is the person who introduced the mountain dulcimer to Ireland.  We have an excellent player and singer from there right here on FOTMD, @macaodha .   

Thank you for sharing your interviews, Steve! 

Many thanks for sharing the interview, Steve! 

Where are the bagpipes then?  

@shanonmilan I had a music friend who was a very good mountain dulcimer player yet her mother didn't like hearing her play it.  There's just no accounting for taste, it seems.