I play DddA (using doubled high drones) and like it lots. I've been stringing instruments for awhile with a wound bass, doubled high drones, and single melody string.
Though I can't recall where I saw it, Harry Styles got a dulcimer from Joellen Lapidus.
Taylor Swift and Tracy Chapman, as I read in one of the more recent issues of DPN, purchased Blue Lion mountain dulcimers some years ago.
One of the lovely things about the mountain dulcimer is they feel like such personal instruments-- meditative, even. Though famous singers may own the instruments, they may not be part of public performance for them. And that's cool, too.
Friends,
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day is coming-- always the last Saturday in March. This year's date is 29 March 2025. Let's all celebrate the spread of the Appalachian dulcimer around the world!
Thank you for the good wishes, Strumelia!
I hope the coming year is filled with many pleasant surprises for us all!
It is a beautiful mountain dulcimer! With a bit of work from a luthier, it could be nicely set up to play.
Thank you, @marg !
Wishing you & all a lovely holiday season!
Thanks for this, Strumelia. I have shared it on another social media site.
What a gorgeous instrument!
@jim-yates Thanks for the story and the great photo!
Thank you for letting us know, Lisa. I wish for comfort for all her friends and family.
You're most welcome, @steve-c ! I just watched again and sang along-- it's uplifting to do so.
You're most welcome, Dusty! I've sung with it already this morning and it has lifted me. Good for the spirit!
Soul-stirring version of Bright Morning Star -- it's nice to sing along, too:
https://youtu.be/ch-t8UaGMPA?si=LsXdobcdxqOk2bh3
The condition is so good for an almost fifty-year-old instrument! Happy strumming!
@robert-schuler I'm glad you found time for playing Kesh Jig on the porch!
Oh, my lands, Nate! Like you, I hope the guy finds some peace. It's hard to imagine anyone seeing anything but goodness on your YT videos of your mountain dulcimer builds.
We have internet disruptions frequently due to, I think, extreme heat/demand on the power grid. Our plan is loose: make music, record it some way on whatever day works, and put it on the internet.
Happy strumming, friends!
The 2024 edition of worldwide Play Music On The Porch Day is Saturday 31 August! Make music where you can when you can, friends! (Not everyone can go outdoors to play nor is everyone available on the actual stated date.)
Oh, I'm glad for the good turn of events in this story, Nate! The bundt pan dulcimer can bring joy to the older gentleman to whom you gave it again.
I've been grabbing this older Blue Lion lots lately:
@dusty, Happy brought a lot of good to the world!
I have Jean Ritchie's Homespun instructional cd & book and am glad I do!
RIP, Happy Traum.
Great thoughts, Jamie! I'm with you-- we're all doing something we love. And we have a place here to communicate meaningfully with one another.
Jon, it worked both ways you did it-- I saw it in the first format. And I liked seeing it both times! 
Nate, beads fitted properly are easy to move to make very fine adjustments.
If this helps, here is an example of fine tuning beads used on a mountain dulcimer, a Keith Young built model (the instrument leaned against the back of the bench):
John, I hope you continue to feel better!
Jan, that is so nice you got to meet Cynthia! I always enjoyed her videos and her participation here.
Whoa, fifteen!?! This time next year, FOTMD will be looking forward to driving. 
John, your site looks good and easy to navigate! I saw pretty dulcimers when I was there. 
@dusty, thanks a bunch for the information!
@lorilee The Richard Fariña Dulcimer Book is available for purchase as download from Gourd Music here: https://www.gourd.com/Books.html
Thanks for sharing the photos, Ken!
Pete Seeger was a man of deep convictions and all his work seems to have sprung from those convictions. He and Jean were folk musicians who have had lasting influence on the lives and music of so many-- truly, gifts to us all.
What a moving, touching episode! Music has the power to touch us all in so many ways and on so many different levels. All the stories presented are heartening. And what is going on in Hindman KY will, I hope, continue to bring folks together for common purpose.
Thanks for letting us know about this, Dan, and thank you for your work with Doug and all at the luthier shop in Hindman! Was a treat to see Sarah Kate and Willow, too!
It appears it will be available on my local PBS affiliate at 9, too.
I'm glad Mark Brewer got back to you, KenL, with this advice! (I only know Rusty and he's on the radio side of things for WOUB.)
P.S.-A friend suggested you all may be interested in knowing Mike Seeger plays "Waterbound" on the episode with Elizabeth Cotton.
