Robin Thompson said:PS-Strumelia, your percussive slaps inspired my fat felt pick pounding.
And where else but on FOTMD would one ever read a sentence like that, I ask you?
PS-Strumelia, your percussive slaps inspired my fat felt pick pounding.
Whatever playing style you choose, listen to as much music as you can. Dulcimer music,yes, but not exclusively. The type of music you want to play on your dulcimer is important, whether others play it on dulcimer or not. Listening is one of the most important things you can do to learn music. It let's your ears help teach your hands. No matter how many tabs, or books you use, your ears will tell you when you hit a wrong note. After you have trained them what the song is supposed to sound like. The mistakes you make in reading, your eyes may not catch,but if you've listened to the song repeatedly, your ears will catch those mistakes. Your ears have been in training since your Ma first sang to you as an infant. Every radio you ever heard, every commercial jingle, all have asserted themselves into your mind. And when someone whistles one of these pieces, you recognize it. So help your ears by listening to what you want to play. Then let your ears help your hands.
Paul
)
On second thought, it's toooo pretty to eat. 
(I think this is my first posting using the peace sign smiley.)
Thank you, Bill, for all you've done here at FOTMD!
) 
Strumelia, I'd play our official tune if I knew it. Who knows, maybe I'll learn it by Thursday.Robin Thompson said:How shall we mark the day?
I'm thinking I'll listen to our official song a time or two.
Ah yes...the official theme song.
Ya done GOOD, girl!
Perhaps if you don't like it you can sell it used on Amazon.com
For a whole different approach, perhaps next try Jean Ritchie's recent teaching dvd? She is a good beginner level teacher, and it'd be interesting for you to observe the difference in playing style.
Here it is: http://www.amazon.com/Traditional-Mountain-Dulcimer-Homespun-Tapes/...
In addition to the many wonderful folks I know online, I've had the pleasure and privilege of meeting FOTMD player Julie Elman and playing music with her. Our getting together is truly a joy for which I'm most grateful!FOTMD feels like home-- thanks for all you've done, Strumelia!
"Ironwood" noter, from a slab collected in East Texas, ca. 1960, by A.L Vawter.
Approximately 6 1/4 x 3/8 x 1/4 in. (15 x 1 x 0.6 cm). "D" cross section.
Dense, extremely hard wood. It sinks in water and is difficult to work.
It made a nice, slick noter that sounds a bit softer than a goose quill.
Probably Big Bend or Eastern Hophornbeam. (Ostrya virginiana var. chisosensis or Ostrya virginiana var. virginiana, 2007)
My bone noters-- got from Randy Bretz-- yield clear tone on the string. For playing fast tunes, I need a noter that's forgiving, so use my homemade ones cut from a hard plastic jar that once held store-bought fruit. Photo can be seen by scrolling down the page just a bit here: http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/forum/topics/whats-your-favorite-n...
Ken Hulme said: They are easy to do and so good tasting!
So... When are you serving them??? Enquiring minds and all that...
I was afraid we were going to have to have a wake, for the 40.
