Forum Activity for @robin-thompson

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.  

A lovely dulcimer and a lovely development!  Enjoy that beautiful instrument, Randal! 

Have fun fiddling!  One nice thing about fiddling is you can be going along quite nicely and then you're not.  

@ken-longfield , consider yourself enrolled!  And wait-- there's more:  you're the outstanding member for the year of 2023!  

Hey, since you've made me a minister, maybe I can perform weddings and you can play music at them-- how would that be!?!

I have a bad hip and poor balance.  So, perhaps I'll just fall into the undesirables before any actual shin kicking takes place.   

@ken-longfield How neat you put together a video with you and your Zoom friends for PMOTPD-- it's wonderful! 

I don't deny it, Strumelia!  

If that's the case (meaning there's no money involved), I want to run for President of FANS OF NATE.   I've gotten to be an old lady and will keep everybody in line.  

Count me as a fan and, please, may I have consideration as treasurer of the fan club?  

@strumelia I double dog dare you to change everything about this site into a massive fansite dedicated to how cool @nate is!  

Though we didn't get to record outdoors, we did make a little recording for worldwide Play Music On The Porch Day

https://soundcloud.com/robin-thompson-5/down-the-hill-and-back-for-worldwide-pmotpd?si=e47a6cd55e0c48a493915d5561db6b13&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

@dusty I saw where Ken Bloom's sister's ukulele group already made their video and will post it on PMOTPD.  So, that's an option.  Mark & I may make our recording ahead of time due to family health woes and post it on PMOTPD to mark the day.  

Always the last Saturday in August, friends.  

@dulcimerplayersnewseditor Fiona, so happy to have you here!  Though I don't read tablature nor SMN to play music, I am a supporter/subscriber of Dulcimer Players News because it is a valuable resource.  

I only play with a noter and it is challenging to me to get the exact sound I want when sliding to a lower fret.  It is a balance of noter pressure with speed (I'm talking getting a nice "falling away" sound on a slower tune) to get the sound I want.  I don't do it well consistently-- it's hit and miss for me. 

@nate Bubba is living the life!  

Happy birthday, FOTMD!

It appears Sally Ann is interested in what's in that cool mug. 

@nate, I think your observation is correct, reflecting current reality..  

I wish DPN all the best and will continue to support.  When the 55 and older crowd is no longer around to purchase, the publication may evolve further and thrive-- I hope so!

This is the breaking news from Ashley Ernst on Facebook (a posting which included a photo of Fiona Potts and Fiona's father) regarding DPN: 

I have been busting with excitement to share this news! Dulcimer Players News is under new stewardship! Meet Fiona Potts publisher/editor of DPN and her father, Bill Wake, tech guru. Subscriptions for the print magazine are again open, so visit dpnews.com to subscribe or renew today!!

https://www.sarahkatemorgan.com

Sarah Kate has a new record dropping on the internet soon!  There will be a limited number of cd's available, too.  I'm looking forward to getting a cd.

@ken-longfield I had no idea about your wife's serious surgery and am sorry the recovery has been a difficult one.  I will be praying for you both. 

I believe this year's fest is online only except for those who can travel locally.  Much work is being done in Hindman following last year's destructive flooding of Troublesome Creek.  

https://troublesomecreekguitars.com/2023-hindman-dulcimer-homecoming/

@anne-maguire It's wonderful you have given Biddie a safe home!  

There were several folks who participated in International Appalachian Dulcimer Day on Facebook.

@dusty What a great online gathering y'all had on IADD!  And your play of "La Promeneuse" is wonderful! 

@nate The strums you gave on that conceptual instrument sure sounded good-- lots of punch.  I'm guessing with your dowels, footed bridge, and false bottom the instrument will project nicely on whatever tune you choose to put up to demonstrate its sound.  

Happy IADD, y'all!   

@lisa-c I love your photo!  As you wrote, we celebrate the sweet music and the community of caring players-- truly, a wonderful community. 

@ariane Your music & your friendship bring joy to us!  I'll keep my eyes open for postings from around the world for IADD!  

A friend of mine recently had nice ukulele geared tuners put on a Jeffreys instrument and was happy with the result. 

It's a great instrument-- Gary made fantastic instruments.    

Gary made wonderful box dulcimers and called them Prussia Valley Music Boxes because they weren't reproductions of Tennessee Music Boxes yet paid homage to box dulcimers.  All of Gary's instruments were well built and my PVMB sounded great!  Though I no longer have this box dulcimer-- a young music friend of mine has it-- here is a photo of it: 

This Saturday-- the last one in March-- is International Appalachian Dulcimer Day for 2023!

Mark & I have a video uploaded to YouTube (it took hours!!!) and it will publish at 12:00AM, 25 March in celebration of #internationalappalachiandulcimerday .

I look forward to seeing how you all mark the day to celebrate the mountain dulcimer and its spread around the world!   

@marg Gary was a great builder and player!  You're fortunate to have acquired one of his mountain dulcimers.