I'm finishing up a 15 string plucked psaltery with decorations. I gave my #25 plucked psaltery to my two little grandsons that came here with their daddy and they left today. We made two canjo's for them. One is 3 and the other is 8. both could play both instruments. sooooooooooooo fun. aloha, irene
The bottom line, How does it sound? aloha, irene
ahhhhhhh, another good learning post thread. THANKS LOADS. and that screwdriver and wirecutters are both things that I've forgotten. ahhhhhhhh, storing in cases our dulcimers. Well, I can see that too....However, I've made all my cases and they are material with a thick lining on the inside. Mostly for traveling and getting them on airplanes and such. Never been turned down bringing my dulcimer....the scroll head pokes out. Easy to see that's it's an instrument. The last trip from Hawaii, it was stored in the same closet that the pilot puts his coat. nice. aloha, irene
I hope you have a case for your dulcimer as all that traveling in a car and then on the boat. If it's an ocean you'll be living on.....stuff gets rusty and Dulcimer might swell a little being the humidity might be higher on the boat. Where will you be going? Not Hawaii? (wishing) aloha, irene
I LOVED THIS DISCUSSION.....makes my mother's day happy. Skip, Now I have a new name for that whatjajigger at the top and that thingamajig....great name for the bridge. yep, I look at sites that have "walkabout dulicmers". very beautiful instruments, but they are not dulcimers. BUT then we could end up talking story ALL NIGHT about what is and what is not a dulcimer or dulcimore.......modern or traditional....Southern or Western....or just throw an apple at ya. Thanks for all your comments and I learn a whole lot from ya all. aloha, irene
Thanks Lois. Well, I can see folks playing here and on youtube....playing on the 12 fret or there abouts....with using their hand and not a pick, then the sweet tone is there for sure. I watch Kendra Ward play, always in the strum hollow....she uses a corset stay.....that would make a quick mess of fret boards up higher. I can also see that's it's a bit hard when it's on the lap.....so the flappty flap flap is copied. Tell me how you can play with a pick and NOT get that flappy flap flap? It's great percussion, but I don't want percussion on all my music with the dulcimore. As others have said many times here, there's no right or wrong way to play a dulcimore....there's just the joy of playing music alone or with others. So thank you other lutherers out there that made a strum hollow....I use 'em. aloha, irene
Grateful for the place to order the brass pins, thanks John. and a beautiful job of how to hide the ball end of a string. There are a lot of ways of tying those strings down.....but a stick out with all of 'em attached to one is not a good solution. aloha, irene
yep, Steven, I'm with you on that. However, during this Plandemic, I've loved the hymns most of all and Tomasi, my husband, playing the autoharp with me. There's one I've been working on...........COME HOME. although I'm already muchly at home............I love playing my newest dulcimer that is all cherry wood and I'd sent the peg head to a carving son that lives in Maui, he carved a beautiful scroll head for me and this is a bright sounding dulcimer. Still, I love my big Box dulcimer that is so very mellow.....aloha, irene
WOW, another interesting and thoughtful post. yep, I've tried several kinds of finish. On my harps and other instruments I've used OLD DAD'S wipe on finish and I loved that. Easy to put on, to touch up and all. then they went out of business. I then went to General Finishes (Oil based) Gel Topcoat Satin. I also noticed that too many coats seemed to lessen the sound. So 3 is about my limit and very thin coats. My brother introduced to some water based finish that dried in an hour........and I didn't like it all....but it was a trial on the one that I had with me there. I'm going to sand that one down and try something else. When in Hawaii in the month of Feb.....I made two dulcimers and got what Bob suggested Minwax wipe on Poly. I like that very much.....3 thin coats is all that is necessary. Who was it in Berea that said they often didn't have any varnish or paint on the early ones? and it's very very true, all of these instruments need time to develop their sound.....the little tiny air pockets need to be filled with sound and sing. There has been studies on instruments that ARE NOT PLAYED and they do lose their musicality. It's so fun to play an instrument, and have the other instruments I have around me do some sounding simpathetically. aloha, irene
Well, now, I must say something here. Being that I had NO ONE to teach me in Hawaii 35+ years ago, I learned from Jean Richie's books. Then when I met some wonderful folks in Southern Oregon 20 years ago.....they played all over like you talk about here. Weird for me....I didn't like the FLAP FLAPITY FLAP with the picks on the fret board. I really LIKE playing at the strum hole. HOWEVER, I've also watched so many videos on this site and those that play without picks and with chording..............finger dancing all the way.....I love the sound as well. It's that FLAP FLAPTIY FLAP....and maybe only for me.............distracts from the beautiful melodies and or chords folks use when they play. Yes, Ken, there is a sweet sound in the middle....but I often play way up high on the fret board....so for me............I stick to playing at the strum hollow. aloha, irene
Well, Lois, this is a very cool instrument and I liked it very much. aloha, Irene
Strumelia, I've found that living in my small town it is the same. I'm so grateful to live here. Someone heard we were out of firewood and brought over a big bunch and we're more then warmed by it. and Lois, what a crack up of a song. THANKS. aloha, irene
This gathering was the FIRST thing I put on my calendar for this year. sigh. Until Next year. Maybe there could be a gathering of sorts....us all having ONE SONG to play noter and drone style and put it up here or??? like so many others are having "virtual" conferences. It's a thought. I had sooooooooooo much fun last year. TOTALLY loved it and made many friends. We look forward to being together next year. aloha, irene
this site puts life into perspective and brings a great laugh....thanks Terry....not tupid......just engaged in listening. hummmmmmmm, gotta look up that song Antioch Church Choir.
aloha, irene
I'm smiling reading all that is said here. What a joy to read after reading for days about this CD-19. I love this site, oooooooooooops, I've said that before. Singing. My mother would carry her Martin ukulele in the car, even with it's original case and we as a family would sing together many miles on the road. My parents had wonderful voices and I learned a lot of old songs and my brother as well. We get together and SING....and when looking for a man to marry, I had on the top of my list, "he has to carry a tune".....yep. Married 55 years and 14 children. All sing and play instruments. We've loved singing as a family and with others and with our instruments. Lisa, loved the story of the banjo boy.....
When I've had others come to my house and we have "learning sessions" on the dulcimer....I've had several great singers and others that were just finding their voices. One used to sing in the Tabernacle Choir and we were in AWE when she'd sing with the dulcimer. Other women that I've known that have sung in the Tab. Choir have said that a "woman's voice is not developed fully until after the age of 40." So that should be encouraging to folks that start later on in life.
When you sing, you develop better breathing, better posture, your body has harmony within. It need not be perfect, just SING. Find words to songs you want to learn, write 'em down and put them at the sink where you do dishes. I have many stories about learning to sing....aloha, irene
I just love reading all that has been written here. SMILING. Today watched the first barges on the grand Mississippi. drove into Nauvoo to have someone put in my car 40# of wonderful fresh chicken breasts. I'm canning all that now. I'll save the last batch for tomorrow. whew. On that dulcimer, not worth saving. but is sure has me thinking how I might make a box dulcimer out of aromic cedar wood. I know it has a tendency to crack....so I'd reinforce the inside of the top and the bottom. hummmmmmm. creative juices are COOKING like my canned chicken. ha ha. Lots of wildlife around here too and I sooooooo love the froggies and critters making their orchestra in the little marsh in front of my house. I'm making this into a good time....as best I can. Still miss being with friends and making music together. aloha, irene
I have now been home for 2 weeks and 2 days. Missing friends and such, I have my sweetheart. I had someone come and light the pilot light in my shop so I could create in there without freezing out. I have an all cherrywood dulcimer under the varnish now and tomorrow I'll "steal" 4 banjo machine pegs from a junk dulcimer. I think I'll do as Bob Gerard did....burn it. I paid only $40.00 and it's not even worth that. ha. I'm always excited to create things and to have more time to do this is GREAT. My mother used to sing some ditty of a song to me and I just thought she made it up...till I found that it's a real song. "Accentuate the possitive, eleminate the negaitve, latch onto the affirmitive and don't mess with Mr. Inbetween." Her age went through the great depression. We may too, I think I'll look at those old songs on youtube again as some of the best positive lyrics with great music came from the depression era. Prayer can get us through anything. aloha, irene
WOAH, I loved your playing and demo. I loved that you created such an instrument and most of all.....I loved that you made this video that we could see your smiling face. NO KIDDING. you are a creative man that will do many things in your life. Keep creating and experimenting and show us all along the journey. I like it even without the water at all....I'd be concerned with water getting on my woodwork and varnish and all that "jazz". Thanks for sharing with us all. aloha, irene
ohhhhhhhhhhh, very nice. I'm asking the same question. Will we see it in Berea? I'm making a dulcimer in my shop to take with me there. I'm sure hoping it's going to happen. Everything else has been cancelled. hrumph. aloha, irene
I love rounds. This is a good one and when is your book coming out? When raising our 14 children in Hawaii, we did soooooooooo much music. While in the car, I learned that kids don't argue when they are singing. So we have a raft of rounds. There used to be fuguing Tune societies in England. marvelous tunes. It's really fun to play these on recorders. When teaching the dulcimers, I start them off doing rounds. As I read more about folks that are able to meet "on line" somehow, (how cool is that?)....I bet rounds could have a good go at it that way. aloha, irene
many years ago in Hawaii, when I first got my dulcimer, I started getting the DPN and she was the editor of these then. I wrote her several times about questions I had and she called me on the phone and we talked. . She is a treasure and will surely have groups playing dulcimers in the Eternal Worlds and I hope to join her when it's my time. aloha to you dear Maddie. Irene
We just got back from Hawaii on Friday.....(wonderful time, we were there for 4 weeks)............and went through 3 very busy airports. Picked up our van Friday morning and it started right up in St. Louis, MO. Drove to Keokuk, Iowa and did some shopping...and yep. Both of us feeling very very good!!! (gonna make more fermented foods, sauerkraut stuffs) They were out of all sorts of stuff, but not the fresh foods. That is what I was there for. We are self isolating just because it's wise after so many airports. however, no CV-19 gonna keep me from voting. quick in and out and back home. washing hands etc. I split a bunch of wood on my electric log splitter and my husband chop sawed a bunch of dry drift wood from the Mississippi banks. A beautiful sunny day. I'm looking forward to playing more music (made 2 dulcimers in Hawaii)....gonna work in the shop....get to some wonderful books on my shelves....oh so much to do. I love being home, smack on the Mississippi. I found out that #56 grandchild coming....so gonna look at making a quilt......... Looking forward to the big barges going by. Trains are running over in Iowa and I hear and see them. I miss seeing my friends, dropped off some bread I made yesterday so I could just wave to them after I ran the doorbell. Lost in Scrabble tonight....going to beat him good tomorrow night!!
I love this thred and enjoyed all that you folks wrote here, from all over.
aloooooooooooha, Irene
Robin, love your commento. Now the "guess" is on. ha ha ha. Well for my instruments. I've lived in a rain forest in Hawaii for many years. I had more trouble with moisture then dryness. We now live in Nauvoo, Illinois and in the summer....woah.....it is HUMID. I have had trouble with humid much more then dryness. I think my instruments are happy for the dryer winter...but a log house and wood floors .....LOTS OF WOOD....it all breaths. I've had no trouble with cracking of instruments. When i make instruments I use Tight-bond glue. Glue is important in understanding where the instrument is going to live. I've found that to be the best for me. aloha, irene
YES....DAILY. I have them everywhere. In the winter time, they get more dusty as we have a fireplace. But we play our music often several times a day. yeah. aloha, irene
wow folks, I read through all of this thread....and learned tons. I need to learn more about an "unwound" bass string. thanks so much for all this information.....just in one thread....I'll be making a dulcimer to take to Hawaii with me....materials coming tomorrow. yeah. all excited. now when I get to Hawaii, I'll learn again how to post a photo. wonderful granddaughter taught me....13 steps. now I lost that paper when cleaning off my desk. oh well.............. aloha, irene
Thank you Strumelia for your clear and wise words here. I can't count all the things I've learned on this site. I used the E.D. site mostly for the fast way I could get old songs in notation and words. Maybe that will happen again. Thank you for owning this site. Thanks to all who moderate and communicate here in. aloha, irene
Robin, thanks for posting this one. I wanted to hear what his songs were like and he told of the song where he "found his voice". I really really enjoyed it. Monday Morning video, David Olney. Aloha 'Oe to David.
and she is just beautiful. All that fast playing and she is calm as a summer's morning. I loved this one. Thanks Robin. aloha, irene
While I smiled writing the last post....on a more serious note (pun intended)..........I thought of the reasons to go to Church for me. Leading the singing for a congregation is a sure JOY and being with friends and hearing words taught in sincerity and Love of our Savior. To keep me from getting callous's of the heart, to partake of the Sacrament and renew my covenants is the real reason I love to attend Sabbath Day Meetings. So go to church folks where ever you live....and don't get callous's on the heart. aloha, irene
Oh, how I needed such a good laughing post here. "fess up Irene.........." It's been a hard day in that I can't go outside. Already a 1/2 inch covers my car of ice and no can open the door. It's now 10 degrees....wind chill is blowing to the max................ So that means no church going for now 2ed Sunday in a row. bummers. Oh yes, I've got plunty to do at home....reading and playing music...but meeting with my friends at Church and leading the music there is a joy.
Okay, I'll "fess up". I've made 55 harps........all nylon stung. No need to get callouses for playing these. One thing that appealed to me about the mountain dulcimer....30? some years ago...NOTER AND DRONE....that's how I play...no need callouses to play this way. I play with a triangle pick with my right hand. I've used various other picks, but go back to the triangle one I can get at the music store. I've cut up credit card sends....they make great picks.
someday someone reading this may need this info. If you get stung by a centipede or any bad bug bite....bees and wasps....Urine can take away most of the pain. Hawaii learned
Thanks Ferrator for your question. aloha, irene
THIS THREAD CRACKS ME UP LAUGHING.
My fav is "DA TUNER" for Android. There's a free version, I use that one. Chromatic. When my husbands autoharp is a little off....I just adjust my dulcimer to be a little off and tune his auto harp another time....I can tune every instrument in this house with that tuner. But when there are lots of outside noise....some other tuners like Snark and such work best. aloha, irene
Hobbyhorse....your builds pictured here are just marvelous. I know your N.Z. wood and the history of that swamp Kauri wood. But your building such fabulous musical instruments is a marvelous thing. Do you play the rubic and the hurdygurdy? I've always wanted to make a hurdygurdy....wayyyyyyyyyyy too many parts.....Did you do that hurdy gurdy with plans from somewhere? aloha, irene
sorry about the "slice" but the rest of these posts are a crack up. Yep, I have counted it a blessing when I did a number on my right and said, "well, I can still strum, so it's okay." aloha, irene
I've been away down in Tyler, Texas with my brother that has also taking to making instruments. He's made several ukulele's and guitars and his intruments are awesome. So we finished 2 dulcimers and had sooooooo much fun working in his shop. He has a big shop and one shirt that says it all, "I'm one tool away from greatness". I missed going to this site daily like I do when I'm home. I've loved using a little hammer, Lois displayed the one that I use now. I'll see if I can get someone to film me playing THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY while using my striker. I LOVED seeing the videos of folks using the "fiddlesticks" I Use that expression ALL THE TIME........now I have a visual of how they are used and what they're called. OH TOOOOOOOOOOO FUN. aloha, irene
I used to sing this song when I sang and played guitar in a pizza parlor in Canada when my husband was in premed school. I was paid more in 1/2 hour of singing then working all day.....I just loved this song, but was not my life....being so happily married and with our new baby girlie. That was 54 years ago. sigh....time flys. but my love for that tune never wains. I sang many of Joan Baez's songs. I loved all of the Child Ballads...and old folks songs. aloha, irene
Another suggestion is to get a kit. Just type in "mountain dulcimer kit" in google and many come up to choose from. I've heard that cardboard kits are also good to learn on. Do your own research and see what one calls your name. IT'S A JOY TO BUILD YOUR OWN DULCIMER. After you build one, then...............oh oh..........you'll build another. aloha, irene
OH YES YES YES....and I can hardly wait for the next Berea, Kentucky gathering. I consider all that were there my friends. If fact, a great blessing. I smile even typing this note. I've called several and asked how to solve a problem I'm into with dulcimer making and the problem gets solved. That's friendship. Then I've gone to the OLD PAL Festival in Palestine, Texas and what a blast that is. YES, friends with many there and I'm looking forward to going to my 4th festival there. Marvelous entertainment and classes and jamming there. my brother and I have gone for 3 years in a row and we figured "that's our family reunion" aloha, irene
TERRY, can I quote you....more smiles on this one....aloha, irene
I just CRACKED UP LAUGHING on these posts and read them all. The best book I've found on the UKULELE is written by Jim Beloff. The info is a gathering of many years of research. The name of Ukulele is like this. When the Hawaiian's saw the Quatro being played by the Portigee folks that came to Hawaii said in Hawaiian of course, "wow, he's playing so fast it's like a jumping flea!!" Uku=lice lele=fast. A type of Tenor ukulele was popular in a "tenor banjo" or a banjolele in Hawaii 1910-1930. You can find 'em on sale on ebay. I've made 7 of them. These were also called TENOR BANJO'S. They are not as loud as a big banjo.....and fit in with Hawaiian music. The Tahitians still have as their national instrument a banjo uke. When that was popular, England and other places made these banjoleles. plunty of them on ebay now. ha, I'm going to check out the UU site. sounds really fun. My mother had a Martin ukulele and played it in the car while I was growing up with my brother. My brother has that ukulele. He took it to Martin Guitar co. to see what it was worth. He about fell over....$55,000. He still has the original case. FYI....there are more ukulele players in the United Kingdom then all of the USA and that includes Hawaii. We lived in the islands for over 30 years. aloha, irene
