Looking for article by Ken Hulme
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Sorry. I was not aware of the mistake. I will have to save the correct one once someone posts it.
Forum Activity for @kevin-r
Glitch with Graphics
Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?
Strumelia:
Kevin, what happens on the pic I attached in my post below, when you don't try to download it, but merely click on the picture itself which would normally just enlarge the pic right in a popup window, so you can see it larger but not download it? ...what happens for you on your mac when you do that?
Just like in chat, it opens a larger version of it.
Glitch with Graphics
Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?
I too have been having trouble, but it has been longer than the last couple of days. Weeks? Maybe a couple months? Jpg files will download, but the extension gets changed to .dms. I am on a Mac. If I rename the downloaded file by dropping the .dms and putting a "." before jpg then the file will open. It never used to do that, but for some reason it changed. I don't know if there is something on my computer I can change, or it is a problem with the site somehow?
The Drifting Thread...
Off Topic discussions
My wife and I went to see Mac McAnally last night in Harrisburg, PA. What a wonderful experience and if you ever get the chance don't hesitate to go and see him. For those who don't know him he is one of the guitarists and vocalists for Jimmy Buffett, but he is an amazing songwriter and performer on his own and has performed with many other top country recording artists. He has also been named the CMA Musician of the Year something like 9 or 10 times for his work with these artists. If you've never heard of him check out on YouTube. Some of his best songs include "It's My Job", "Down the Road", "Back Where I Come From" to name a few. A genuinely nice, humble and talented man. You won't be disappointed.
Advice on beginner’s dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Hi Lisa,
I am no expert, but I'm thinking you just need a new set of strings. As far as the pegs slipping I think that might easily be fixed too. It looks like there is a screw that goes thru the tuning peg. Maybe if you just tighten it slightly it will hold better. I wouldn't tighten it too much. Just enough to hold the peg in place. Hope this helps some. I'm sure someone else more knowledgeable will chime in soon if I am wrong. Good luck!
chatroom sidebar - adjusting the chat pane window size.
Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?
I believe there are 4 buttons on the left hand edge of the chat bar. Click the bottom one and it collapses against the right edge. I don't believe you can turn it completely off, but you can make it disappear.
A Word of Thanks and Recommendation
Building dulcimers
I have been blessed to have had 3 dulcimers built by gentleman who are members of this website and I wanted to offer a word of thanks and recommendation for them. I’ve never met any of them, but they were all very easy to work with and they all did a great job. If anyone is considering having a dulcimer built I can recommend any of them.
Last April I had a Prichard replica made by Kevin Messenger. A wonderful instrument that is a joy to play.
This February I had a more modern dulcimer made by Bob Gerard. Another wonderful, great sounding instrument.
Just a couple weeks ago I took delivery of a walnut Thomas replica made by John Knopf. It’s a truly beautiful instrument and great sounding dulcimer.
All of these gentleman have produced wonderful sounding and looking instruments. I know there are other builders here as well that I am sure do outstanding work, but these are the 3 I have worked with and I wanted to let people know my experiences.
Thanks guys!
Is This Common
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I get the same way. I'm sure it is mostly nervousness. I get the same way when I try to record something. I could know it like the back of my hand, but as soon as I hit the record button something is bound to fall apart.
What Are You Working On?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Dusty Turtle:
Jennifer and Jill, I'm certainly glad you got something out of my video. We should all remember that we have a Group here called Help Me Learn This Song where members can ask other members how to play certain passages and the Arranging for Dulcimers Group where we can seek help arranging tunes. We should all probably make use of those Groups more often to seek advice from and share advice with one another.
It may seem that there is a wide chasm between "beginners" and "skilled" players, but that divide can be bridged. I remember marveling at how cleanly some people played or how they used certain fingers (like their pinky or thumb) in ways that I seemed incapable of doing. But I just kept plugging away. I've found playing scales and arpeggios and using a metronome have helped me immeasurably. My pinky is finally feeling strong and I can sometimes play a verse or two really cleanly, with no buzzing or extra strings hit by accident. It doesn't take a long time working with those kinds of exercises to see some benefit. I tell my students that when you work on a song, you get better at that song. But when you work on exercises such as scales and arpeggios, you get better at every song you play.
Actually, sometimes the best players intimidate as much as they inspire. They just seem so proficient that it seems you'll never get there. That can be discouraging. But some beginners not only play with great enthusiasm but often express really great musical ideas, perhaps a rhythm, or an accent, or one or two well-placed notes, that can be truly inspirational even if the execution is not perfect from a professional standpoint.
Wow. Dusty, this was great! I still consider myself a beginner even though I have had my dulcimer for awhile now. Watching your videos, as well as other more accomplished players does help and provide inspiration to learn. I love watching an experienced player play, as well as teach and talk thru some of the things they struggle with as well. It provides encouragement because you can see that an accomplished player still has to work at things. It isn't just for beginners. They still have to practice, work thru difficulties, figure out how to make things work to make playing sound good, but also be done with ease of motion. Seeing, and knowing that it isn't just beginners who have to work at this stuff is great encouragement. It tells me with time, and practice I too will get better and will possibly become one of these more accomplished players. Keep up the good work and thanks for posting this.