Forum Activity for @garret-olberding

Airline Travel With a Dulcimer

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I went abroad to France on some business in fall of 2017 and brought along my McSpadden in a soft case.  I'm not sure about what the luggage allowance difference is between international and domestic flights but I was able to find under "musical instruments" the size limitations and discovered I could bring my McSpadden with soft case as a carry-on.  It fit into the overhead bin on top of other people's luggage.  I was nervous about it, I must say, but it traveled fine.  I would prefer doing what Aaron does next time.  Anyway, it was possible in 2017 to bring it onboard an international flight at least. 

Bear Meadow dulcimers

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

Hello, All,

     I am curious about the Bear Meadow hourglass dulcimers, those with a 27 5/8" vibrating string length.  Can anyone tell me how their timbre, attack, sustain, volume, and overall tone compare with the traditional McSpadden dulcimers?  Thanks!  

updated by @garret-olberding: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM

4-string dulcimer DADB tuning (5th and a 3rd)

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Yes, I am aware of Janita Baker's DAA#d tuning.  What I was trying to achieve with the DADb tuning is to allow my fretting hand to add more complex chordal arrangements and harmonic flourishes to music that is tabulated DAD while also allowing me to strum (and not just pinch the DAD notes, as Baker's tuning would require).  

Online dulcimer schools

Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs

Thank you, Dusty!!  Garret

Online dulcimer schools

Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs

Hi!  My wife is wanting to find a birthday present for me and I suggested an online dulcimer school (I think I might be categorized as intermediate to advanced, based on the music I can play that is categorized as such).  Are there any others than Dulcimer Crossing and Dulcimer School?  Thanks!

4-string dulcimer DADB tuning (5th and a 3rd)

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks, Ken!  I've joined quite a few, including some of the ones you recommended.  Hopefully I'll find some with similar bents.  

4-string dulcimer DADB tuning (5th and a 3rd)

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hello, All!  After a very long absence, I have returned!  I am a classically trained pianist and am very drawn to the harmonic (or even inharmonic) complexity of classical music.  That's not to say I'm not interested in various kinds of music—I am.  But I am excited most by novel harmonies and chordal structures.  Because of this, I purchased two McSpaddens, one with the 1+ and 8+ frets and one chromatic.  (My McSpaddens also allow me to convert them from the standard string arrangement to a baritone string arrangement without much trouble.)  I've also bought a lot of tabulature (for three strings) but have found much of it too simple in its harmonic structures (and very simple to play, too).  I played around with various tunings on my semi-diatonic dulcimer using only three strings but have found that still somewhat limited.  I thus have focused more on trying to use a 4-string arrangement (with a DADB tuning, employing a 5th and a 3rd).  Anyone tried using a four-string arrangement, playing more complex harmonies?  I'll be grateful for any feedback!!  Thanks!