Forum Activity for @robin-thompson

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/17/23 05:44:31PM
1,485 posts

CBS piece on Troublesome Creek Stringed Instruments


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/11/23 08:10:34AM
1,485 posts

A stolen Rolling Stones dulcimer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Oh, it'd be cool if the kid who stole the dulcimer came forward.  

Thanks, Bob! 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/10/23 04:47:56PM
1,485 posts

W. Martin Dulcimer History


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Wow, thanks for sharing the video from Liliya, Dwain!  I enjoyed that lots. 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/10/23 07:25:57AM
1,485 posts

W. Martin Dulcimer History


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Yes, in the realm of art.  And Dwain posts photos of his processes in building Bear Meadow instruments.  It's neat to see them!   

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/08/23 09:56:17AM
1,485 posts

W. Martin Dulcimer History


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Sunhearth instruments are fantastic!  I had one and passed it along to a young person-- I was the caretaker for awhile and it was a privilege to have the instrument.  Enjoy your Sunhearth!  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/08/23 06:54:45AM
1,485 posts

New Year's Resolution: "Help Somebody Today"


OFF TOPIC discussions

I've heard many old hymns (my mom was a church pianist for many years) yet this one is unfamiliar to me-- I look forward to hearing you play and sing it, John.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/04/23 07:57:38PM
1,485 posts

International Appalachian Dulcimer Day


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Yes, the 'official' International Appalachian Dulcimer Day in 2023 is Saturday 25 March.  In a thread here at FOTMD, we landed on choosing the last Saturday in March as the day.   

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/04/23 07:15:07PM
1,485 posts

International Appalachian Dulcimer Day


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@ken-longfield & @leo-kretzner I just checked my calendar and the last Saturday in March in 2023 is the 25th.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
01/04/23 04:27:52PM
1,485 posts

International Appalachian Dulcimer Day


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@ken-longfield I'm happy you gave this thread a bump!  I need to plan a tune to celebrate. dulcimer1

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
12/31/22 07:27:53PM
1,485 posts

Rest in Peace, Gwen Caeli


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

So nice of you to pay tribute to Gwen, Lisa.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
12/13/22 09:30:54AM
1,485 posts

Advent Calendar


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@ariane I am hoping the coming new year holds better things for you, my friend!  Hugs! 


updated by @robin-thompson: 12/13/22 11:32:39AM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
12/13/22 07:03:06AM
1,485 posts

Advent Calendar


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@homer-ross We've enjoyed the Advent Calendars which @ariane has organized in past years!  This year, though, there is no Advent Calendar.  

Wishing all a meaningful holiday season!    

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
12/08/22 03:48:50PM
1,485 posts

Jean Ritchie was born 100 years ago today


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I'm happy y'all enjoyed the video!   It's curious to me that Dave Garroway says and repeats the Ritchie family was in South Carolina.  Perhaps they all did gather there at a relative's home yet I can't help but mentally think they must be in Viper KY.   

It seems George Pickow's channel at YouTube has been taken down.  There were some wonderful videos-- Wintergrace , Black Waters , Blue Diamond Mines and others) done by George and Jean and I am very sorry to see them gone.

Celebrating Jean's birth and the gifts she gave the world! cake  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
12/08/22 09:20:33AM
1,485 posts

Jean Ritchie was born 100 years ago today


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions


This morning, I searched YouTube for Jean's Wintergrace (which I believe was on George Pickow's channel) and was unable to find George's channel.  

I'm grateful for all Jean Ritchie shared with the world!  She was born 8 December 1922 in Viper, Perry County KY.  

https://youtu.be/piV-BGDHLF4 


updated by @robin-thompson: 12/08/22 09:22:35AM
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
11/17/22 05:15:16PM
1,485 posts

Bruce Hornsby documentary


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions


The mountain dulcimer makes an appearance about 1-hour 15-minutes and the album which featured mountain dulcimer, Rehab Reunion, about 1-hour 22-minutes. 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
11/11/22 05:18:14PM
1,485 posts

Feedback welcome


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Lisa, I have owned a Mize and own two Blue Lions.  (I only sold the Mize because the tuning pegs were wooden and my aging hands couldn't manage them very well.)  To my knowledge, a Mize and a Blue Lion can be strung with 3 equidistant strings and it is a good way to begin learning to play mountain dulcimer.  

P.S.- Though it is rare to find an inexpensive Blue Lion, my first Blue Lion was bought used (yet in new condition) for far less than a new one cost.    

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
11/04/22 10:13:42AM
1,485 posts

Sarah Kate on mountain dulcimer on a Hazel Dickens song


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I love Hazel Dickens; she was more of a hollering type singer.  So, this version doesn't seem like a pale imitation but, rather, a fresh new version from two young people.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
11/03/22 09:14:10AM
1,485 posts

Sarah Kate on mountain dulcimer on a Hazel Dickens song


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions


Friends, Sarah Kate Morgan is joined by Megan Gregory on fiddle to play and sing a Hazel Dickens song.  I first saw it last evening and enjoyed it so.  So, I'm sharing it here: 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
11/02/22 06:32:43PM
1,485 posts

Show Us Your Pets!


OFF TOPIC discussions

I enjoy seeing the critters!  

@salt-springs I'm sorry about Fritz.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/10/22 05:26:47PM
1,485 posts

David Schnaufer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks, Ken.  I appreciate your sharing this information.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/10/22 08:35:56AM
1,485 posts

David Schnaufer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@don-grundy I'd be interested in learning what has become of the program there, too.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/09/22 09:03:53AM
1,485 posts

Holiday


OFF TOPIC discussions

@ken-hulme Your trip sounds incredible!  I'm especially happy you survived hurricane Ian! 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/06/22 03:48:27PM
1,485 posts

Holiday


OFF TOPIC discussions

I'm glad Ken is fine and am sorry for the many who have fared badly.  Thank you for posting here, @richard-streib

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
10/06/22 07:47:41AM
1,485 posts

Holiday


OFF TOPIC discussions

Ken H, when you get a chance, please let us know how you are doing since hurricane Ian.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
09/23/22 08:48:34PM
1,485 posts

Holiday


OFF TOPIC discussions

@ken-hulme I'm glad to learn you have arrived home all in one piece!  Y'all batten down the hatches and stay safe!  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
08/23/22 08:05:31PM
1,485 posts

Holiday


OFF TOPIC discussions

Safe travels, Ken!  I hope you have a delight-filled visit to what sound like magical places.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
08/22/22 08:55:40PM
1,485 posts

David Schnaufer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@salt-springs I read Pluck and will re-read it sometime.  I learned lots about David Schnaufer and other players, too! 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
08/21/22 06:53:26AM
1,485 posts

General Observation - Two Dulcimers, Two Sounds


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

RoyB, one of the things I love about mountain dulcimer is what you've observed-- how different they each can sound.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
08/14/22 06:14:09PM
1,485 posts

Making a noter


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

RoyB, I really can't use round noters due to soft tissue problems with my hands.  The pad on my thumb (I hold the noter with my thumb on top) needs a larger point of contact than round noters offer so I use flat noters.  I don't know what makes a bamboo noter hard on your fingers but round noters don't work for me.  Just a thought.  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
08/14/22 05:45:38PM
1,485 posts

Making a noter


Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I've used beeswax on noters to get them to slide real slick-- I have a small slab of it and it can just be rubbed onto the noter.  Just keep your string wiped mostly clean when using it. 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
08/03/22 04:59:41PM
1,485 posts

Kentucky Flood and Dulcimer History


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Ken, thanks for the information.  Even after clicking around a bit on Facebook, I couldn't find a way to adjust settings as you did.  I appreciate your efforts to help me, though!  

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
08/02/22 06:55:35PM
1,485 posts

Kentucky Flood and Dulcimer History


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks, @salt-springs yet Facebook is where I've tried to watch it originally and can't proceed beyond about 4:20.  Though please know I appreciate your efforts to help, though. 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
08/02/22 09:40:10AM
1,485 posts

Kentucky Flood and Dulcimer History


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@ron-gibson, I've thought of Mike Slone, too.    

I live here in old coal country in southern Perry County OH and since the hills aren't nearly as big as those in SE KY, we do not get walls of water as you describe.  We do, though, see flooding due to many areas not having much/any top soil for good rain in-soak due to mining (some done many decades ago and some done more recently).  My heart is with all touched by the awful flooding. 

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
07/31/22 05:53:43PM
1,485 posts

Ionian tuning question


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Roy B, I have this book, put out by Homespun, and it came with a recording:

https://folkways.si.edu/jean-ritchie/traditional-mountain-dulcimer-taught/book/smithsonian

I am a straight by-ear player and have listened to Jean's instruction (which accompanies the Homespun book) many many times.  There is also an older instructional recording Jean did and it is offered by Smithsonian/Folkways.  If I were only going to have one of them, I'd go with the Homespun.  I only include the link so you can see what it looks like-- I'm thinking I purchased my copy straight from Homespun.      

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
07/31/22 05:13:37PM
1,485 posts

Ionian tuning question


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@lisa-golladay Beethoven and Jean Ritchie (from her Homespun instruction tuning description-- not the early Folkways version)!  

@royb I'm not a great player yet have been at it since '05.  Though modes haven't sunk in all the way for me, it hasn't stopped me from making music one bit.  Still enjoying the journey!  Happy strumming to you!  

  5