Forum Activity for @irene

Strumelia, I LOVED this story too, brought tears to the eyes...(I sent it onto my daughter)......I have one daughter that worked for Huntsman Institute in S.L.C. Utah for 10 years.   They took blood from elephants ears at the zoo to compare and do lab work.  She got to do that a few times and also loved it.  One time the syringe dropped on the ground and she said, "oh, can you get that for me." to the elephant and it did, handed it through the fence.  so intelligent.  Elephants do not get cancer. That's why they are studied at Hungsman.  aloha, irene

oh I see now, FRANCE. 

OH CUTE CUTE....I saw it just fine.  It doesn't look like a psaltery...but some kind of guitar/or long dulcimer.   He's got a pick in his hand.   not a very happy face, so he must be singing or playing a sad song.  lots of color in the photo.  Where was this taken and what country?   aloha, irene

I've made 106 bowed psalteries.   I do put fancy letters on the right hand side....I iron these on before I put the finish on.  I have a decoration that I add as well, making the bowed psaltery more mellow.  All of my psalteries are altos.  It's too late at night to see if I can post photos....and yes, I'd love to make some little bowed psalteries to go with Dulcimers...that would be fun.  That's a great suggestion.  aloha, irene

Well now....this was interesting in that I wanted to know how his voice sounded after the comments here.   I went to youtube and hear, I WONDER AS I WANDER....very interesting voice and it could be an aquired taste.   When singing the "R"....it can stand out too much.   Then I didn't know that he wrote this song.  I've loved and performed this song often on the harp and will do so this year too.  I listened to Joan Baez and another one sing it.  Such a beautiful song with a message of great worth.  aloha, irene

Ken, your lyre's are very very beautiful....and made to replicate really the REAL OLD ONES.  wow. And....Lorraine, From the bottom note of the Old world Lyre....what note do you start with.  "G"?  and so when I go on up to the highest string...I have to skip the leading note, "B" and C is my highest string.  Interesting that the olden days they were NOT sung with, but just played.  hoooo boy. sooooooooo much to learn and so little time to learn it.  Thanks so very much.   aloha, irene

I have made both of these when they first came out.  I've had a lot of fun with the old World Lyre as I introduce folks to all my instruments as "and this is a Lyre and I'm telling you the truth".....yeah, I know, bad joke.   I love using this lyre to play very old melodies and it fits to more minor then major tunes.  I chord and sing with it. I always wish for just one more higher string.   The Lynda Lyre has a LOT MORE STINGS...and I can play a lot of tunes on this.  I just sit by the fire and hold it with my left hand play with the right.....I like the thick strings in the lower end.  I like it that I've chosen to use the nylon (you can choose to have metal strings if you like)....I sapose it would be much more expensive to use gut strings and find ways to sharpen and change keys quickly, but I don't see much need for that.  I have other instruments that I can change the keys fast.  These are BOTH great instruments.  Unique sound.   Lots to add your own touch of painting or wood burnings.  I painted tulips on the larger Lyre, and used some ground turquoise on the smaller old world lyre.  Both of these are a little challenging to make....but worth the trouble.  For those that might want to tune the larger lyre to the key of D to play with dulcimers....just sharpen the C's and F's in the tunings.  easy.  That would be really fun to try. 

TOTALLY BEAUTIFUL.   however, the sound bite can't be heard, maybe send another way?   Thanks for posting so much on this dulcimer as it taught me a lot too about restoration of old dulcimers.   aloha, irene

and what PERFECT F holes.   I wonder if he used a scroll saw or a coping saw.   Beautiful dulcimer.  aloha, irene

YES YES....FOTMD folks are truly GRAND!!  THANKS on the tip about Howard's Feed n Wax, I've got that on my list to get when I go to town next.  aloha, irene

You got a great find there.....Dave.  This will be a big learning time for you and you'll be glad you bought that dulcimer.  I'm interested in what those "fine tuners" are and how they work.  The notches at the nut side are for putting the strings in different places to what you're used to.  nice choice for a builder to make.  aloha, irene

yep, I know they are clamps....but just a thought here.  Thanks so much for posting the photo and way to make them and others too.  I'm going to make a bunch of these as they look great to use my shop.  TRUE, never enough clamps in a wood working shop....mine included.  For putting decorations on some of my instruments I use some old heavy bricks.  aloha, irene

If you cut the broom handle a little less thick, and put a plastic tubing over the grooves on that screw......... you have a nice, easy to use, capo for your dulcimer.  aloha, irene 

Ken, I'd never heard of an "Onion flute" and went on youtube to see it played.  how fun is that!!!  Where did you get your onion flute?  aloha, irene

ohhhhhhhhhhh. where ever you go, TAKE THOSE DULCIMERS WITH YOU and help sooth those in the Shelters.  (and you) Take care and watch out for one another.   The rest of us will be praying for  you...and as I live on the grand Mississippi river....it is quite high, but not flooding stages YET.   aloha, irene

Strumelia, THANK YOU SO MUCH for fixing that link.  That was fabulous reading and I love to do that kind of painting as well.  I've done some of that on my "find and repair and loan out dulcimers" that I rescue in places here and there.  and Ken. here's my email. and I don't mind that it's on this site at all.  harpvision@gmail.com  aloha, irene

and Ken, I tried to get to your link and it didn't happen.  love old tune books.  aloha, irene

YES YES, I would love to make this one.  YES YES...I looked at all the photos you had there at the beginning....and I know I could do that.  Those little (not zither pins) look hard to turn though.  I play my M.D. with a bow too and yep, would love to make one that you describe here.  WOW....would be very fun.  Being that I have my address on my business card...I can post it here.   Irene Tukuafu

2639 N. Sycamore Haven Dr.

Nauvoo, Illinois 62354  I'll be happy to pay for plans and shipping.  aloha, irene

I've gone through the pictures 3 TIMES..(I'll go over 'em again too!!)..that is soooooooooooooo cool.  I also can hardly wait to hear her sing.  What did you use for the staples?   I see TWO strings over the staples...I would love to make one of these....what's the history behind this one?   I guess I have too many questions....thank you so much for posting it so well and taking so many photos....aloha, irene

I so agree with Bob, just let folks try 'em.  yep, the three women came by the house today and all three want the bowed psaltery and other stuffs I make.  making photos.  I'M SO FRUSTRATED on that!!!  I take photos and they are "too big" for something on this site and so what I need is some teenager to show me how to do it.  I have a verizon/motorola phone.  that's my camera.  the picture you see me here on the left, I've made those instruments you see there. Bob, you've encouraged me by each of your dulcimers and each are different....so I've been making them different.   I'll try it tomorrow to take a photo of #100 bowed psaltery.  aloha, irene

oh my, with that many dulcimers you've sold, SURELY there's someone that would do a show with you.  they would like to take the classes, but then during the breaks, they'd work for you and show others how they are played and such.  I've been only to ONE dulcimer/other instruments....festival.  OLD PAL. in Palestine, Texas late March. It was so wonderful I'll be going every year.  there was more then one displayer of instruments that didn't play 'em.  but they sold.  Just say to folks, "Just try it out for yourself".  I can play all the instruments I make....but I'm a better maker then player of harps.  I've sold 54 harps.  When a person sits down and plays it....they feel it call their name.  Tonight I had a group of 15 folks over to our house.  I asked when I played something on the bowed psaltery, "is there anyone here that has never had an instrument in their hands?"  One shy woman about 50 was among 6 or so that raised their hand.  I had her play a common song....I showed her the notes....but she held the bow beautifully....she cried when she was done....so did I.  That's why I make instruments and sell them...they're a joy to make, but more of joy to see folks learn how to play....even on the first try.  I believe I sold 3 bowed psalteries tonight.  I love making those.  I've made 100.  YOUR BEAUTIFUL INSTRUMENTS WILL SELL THEMSELVES. 

Your dulcimers are just beautiful.  I also have had a hard time selling instruments through a music store or others stores.  They take all the profit out of making an instrument.  However, I've not had too hard a time shipping them.  Usually $25.00 UPS.  yep, I use A LOT of that bubble wrap and have not had any damages to any of the instruments that I've shipped off. Surely you live where you can take your dulcimers to some of the festivals.  wow, really 170 dulcimers...JUST WONDERFUL...that many more folks enjoying the playing of these instruments. aloha, irene

Yes yes, this is wonderful....and yep, like the other's posted here, we'd like to hear her played.     aloha, irene

The comments here in....about RIVER by Bill Staines had me looking it up on youtube.  No wonder it's a favorite.  I've never heard it and I too can love that song.  I live on the grand Mississippi....seeing the sunsets daily...sunshine and rain and big thunder clouds....remembering my past with all the kids and now just my husband and I ....looking and singing and playing our instruments together at ages 77....We'll sing our 54th anniversary in our round yurt this July 30th and be grateful for all our years together and then some. Thank you friends for posting your favorites for us to learn from them too.  aloha, irene

These are great places and I'm writing this down!!  Maybe one reason some of the old dulcimers "back in the day" had such high fret boards, was to accommodate the "real fence staples" that were used.  I wonder what European Hummel makers used?  hummmmm, gonna get that book out and look see.  Thanks for the leads here.   aloha, irene

If you could hie to Kolob (I'll post the words to this some other time)...but any one song would become boring after too many times a playing it....We all have many.  I've loved the answers....who will watch the home place....amazing grace...Music is in all our souls else we'd not be doing it daily and posting and reading here in.  Thank you all for your posts.  aloha, irene

I've been in a few hardwear stores looking for "frets" that could be used as you're doing....no luck yet.  All the staples  are too long...soooooooo music wire eh?  I'm going to go watch Dulcimer Dan's youtube and learn more things.   thanks for doing something I want to do someday.  Today I put the second varnish on my 100th bowed psaltery...I love making these.  fiddlesticks, I just love working in the shop.  aloha, irene

very cool.  Are the sides and back of the Aromatic cedar as well?  I'm grateful you are doing this for such a cause.  God Bless you....aloha, irene

Fabulous talent of that young woman.  When I first came to Hawaii, I worked in a Japanese Department store that had just opened and I was the first Haole that worked there.  They put me up in the art and music floor and some times I'd sell these instruments for over $1,000.00.  I was paid $1.25 per hour.  That was good 54 years ago. ha.  If I'd only known that I'd be in learning how to play harps and dulcimers and such later on in my life. This is a kind of Japanese HARP.   I love how this gal played.  thanks for posting.  aloha, irene

When this is all done, I'd like to play that dulcimer with someone.  It's soooooo beautiful.  A rosette on the bottom like the design on the top would work very well and might even play a little louder. I do a lot of scroll work on my instruments....but the little darling hearts on the top are really tiny...I could do them, but maybe not as perfectly as those are done.  Ask Bob where he gets his lazer rosettes and maybe have one made the same as the top.  Keep us "in tune" (pun intended) to what you decide to do with that lovely dulcimer.  aloha, irene

I loved reading all the write up of this man. wow.  It would be a shame to cut all those darling hearts out to make a round hole to fix the braces, but those braces can BUZZZZZ.  bummers. I'd suggest maybe a possible nice made heart UNDERSIDE of this beautiful instrument.  THEN fix the braces.  Best of all I'd follow Bob's suggestions.  aloha, irene

great news.  however, I have an older computer and way slow internet.  bummers.  Could it all be downloaded to a THUMB DRIVE?  I could have a friend do that and then I'd have all those tunes, and so much good info on building dulcimers and etc.  Why can't someone else take it over?   aloha, irene

Thanks so much for all you teach here, including a way to find old sites closed down.  I read his letter as to why he's closing down and it's so understandable.  I'm sure we all wish Bruce the BEST in where he puts his time and efforts.  aloha, irene

WOAH, that is one fabulous site, full of much research and love the list of songs etc.  WHY WHY WHY?   Can't somebody take it over?  hard to say aloha to that site.  irene

HOW FUN.  how about a photo?   aloha, irene

FOR SURE going to Palestine.  It's their 18th.  So fabulous last year.  I never want to miss a year.  Great folks run it and music....wow.  aloha, irene

My first cousin learned to play the harmonica while she lived in Sacramento, CA.  She said that the trip accross town was sooooo full of stop lights.  So she would play her harmonica while waiting at all the stop lights.  I love it when my husband plays the harmonica too.  aloha, irene

GREAT...I just put that date on the calendar.   thanks. 

Bob, I'd love to hear that same tune on the dulcimers you make.   sweet and slow....I loved watching you play on your pipes....almost like a sit down dance.   and Strumelia, I sooooooooo love all the sizes of recorders.  I have a wonderful book to recommend to you to learn from.  Mine are all plastic from Japan....Wood recorders in Hawaii had a very hard time.  My fav. to play is the bass....That's how I got acquainted with SACRED HARP MUSIC was playing the recorders. all separate lines...then heard and sang that fabulous music at the OLD PAL MUSIC FESTIVAL for the first time last year.  yep. going again this year.  ALOHA, irene

Ken, so many sounds comes from these lyre's of different countries.  I'm learning so much...thank you.  I LOVE learning the history of anything, especially musical instruments.  I'm sure you would play it differently as well.  One Lyre I saw on youtube was as tall as the woman playing it.  yep, only 5 or 6 strings.  aloha, irene