Forum Activity for @robin-thompson

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.  

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!