Forum Activity for @john-keane

I hope this makes sense to y'all...the one I want to post as a "favorite" isn't a "favorite" because it entertains me the most...it's because it's the song encouraged by Geekling and Strumelia many months ago when I was trying to learn how to play dulcimer and sing at the same time. Their encouragement made a HUGE difference for me and will forever be appreciated! It's silly (of course), but it has really opened some doors and I offer my sincere thanks to them for making me see it through.

This was my first "favorite" video shortly after joining FOTMD...I still think it's awesome.

http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/video/the-sailors-wife

Wendy...you're much appreciated. Thank you!

Macy Jayne said:

I just clicked on 'My Favorites' on FOTMD and had these 2 vids listed

http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/video/sapphire-1

http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/video/duet-squirrel-heads-and-gravy

Thanks to Kim, JohnK and KarenK for the great vids!

My wife and I both own Cedar Creek dulcimers (my profile picture is one). They are well made and the folks there are some of the nicest people that you'll ever deal with.

Ya just never know...

Wayne Anderson said:

I feel a JohnK original coming, yes I sure do.

Okay...that was funny!

John Henry said:

Can't wait for verse 4 Jim !

JohnH

John Henry would make fun of my hats if I filmed everything from the head down...

That's great news! I hope the quality will remain. Surely it will...

They're pretty cool at FOTMG, but we're MUCH cooler at FOTMD!

Macy Jayne said:

Wow, I just joined FOTMG yesterday and I'm truly amazed and see that is a very special group of people!

That is really cool! John Henry has outdone himself, but I can't imagine a more worthy recipient. Congratulations on your wonderful surprise!

Agreed. They do a great job of taking care of folks.

Susie said:

I didn't realize they were doing it either, until I got the instrument, and the instructions letter said that they were doing T's as a "thank you". I'll take it....it's a nice thing to do on their part.

John Keane said:

So...I guess you realize that I didn't know that I was passing on a free shirt...

Susie said:

Oh....and I'm getting a free T for auditioning one. Since I already own a FolkRoots dulcimer, it will be nice to have.

I'm workin' on it!

John Henry said:

Tut tut ! With your wardrobe in it's current state !! C'mon JK !!!

Anon

So...I guess you realize that I didn't know that I was passing on a free shirt...

Susie said:

Oh....and I'm getting a free T for auditioning one. Since I already own a FolkRoots dulcimer, it will be nice to have.

I played one at Dulcimerville in June, so I passed on the test trial. I was very impressed with the sound from such a small instrument.

Awesome!

Susie said:

Surprise, surprise......I got notified by Folkcraft and got the FolkRoots Travel dulcimer on Friday to try out for a few days. My sister also got one. I'll be giving them my feedback...mostly good, but a couple suggestions. Nice that Richard followed through with the auditions. Neat little dulcimer...nicely made. I'll be sending it back, though, because I have another dulcimer on order.

Absolutely...the more the merrier!

Oh...you are quite welcome. I was afraid that folks had kinda given up on the things.

Talked to Richard tonight...it shouldn't be long now.

Frets...I ain't heard nuthin'.

That is certainly understandable. When I initially read about the project, I thought that the time line was a tad optimistic lol. I reckon it'll happen when it happens.

It's just been mighty quiet, so I was wondering.

Okay...has anyone heard anything???

Ben is actually a member here at FOTMD...that's a big ol' sound for a little dulcimer!

frets4fun said:

Here's a nice video of an "old" FolkRoots Mini Dulcimer, before FolkRoots was bought by Folkcraft. This appears to be the instrument that Folkcraft is designing the new FolkRoots Travel Dulcimer after:

Sounds really neat.

Lemme see if I can get an image on here for you...

Geekling said:

Im pretty sure that I didnt come across the CapriTaurus Bigfoot Discovery MuseumI wouldve remembered that!

Wow...I feel like that guy in the commercial ("Everyone's outside Mike's office eating tacos...I like tacos" lol). I had no idea. Well...ya learn somethin' new every single day. A Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours as well!

Geekling said:

John, believe it or not, I already knew about the Bigfoot connection! I discovered Michael Ruggs Bigfoot Discovery Project around the time I asked Howard Rugg about my Folk Roots (which is how its referred to on the label, not the current FolkRoots). I cant remember if I found it via Google or Howard Ruggs MySpace page. However, Im pretty sure that I didnt come across the CapriTaurus Bigfoot Discovery MuseumI wouldve remembered that!

Oh, and I understand that some chord players find a dulcimer with a long fretboard, such as the 29 VSL FolkRoots, somewhat awkward to play. But for someone whose limbs end with disproportionately large appendages, this might not be such a problem. Coincidence?

PS: In other newsHappy Thanksgiving!

John Keane said:

Cool! I can't believe you haven't checked out the Bigfoot stuff mentioned earlier in the thread! I can't wait to hear what y'all think of this little dulcimer!

Geekling said:

I just found out that Keith and I are #31 on the list! We requested one with just the 6 and 13 frets, so I guess well wind up getting ours a bit sooner than some. Ooh, this is going to be so much fun!

Cool! I can't believe you haven't checked out the Bigfoot stuff mentioned earlier in the thread! I can't wait to hear what y'all think of this little dulcimer!

Geekling said:

I just found out that Keith and I are #31 on the list! We requested one with just the 6 and 13 frets, so I guess well wind up getting ours a bit sooner than some. Ooh, this is going to be so much fun!

Yep...they just kinda let the dulcimers become the background music for a time.

Dana R. McCall said:

That was cute. Thanks for posting. I heard a little Ole Joe Clark

Okay...here's a link to a video from our local news. This played last month. Dulcimers, Bigfoot, AND a wedding!

http://www.stormtracker12.org/story/15666224/big-foot-love-birds-tie-knot?clienttype=printable

Well...I wish I could take credit, but I ain't makin' this up!

Beth Hansen-Buth said:

So funny John, so funny.

John Keane said:

I knew Bigfoot and dulcimers had to be linked somehow.

Awesome! Well, it seems there are a few of us around here. On a related matter (since this thing is based on the old Folkroots design), Michael Rugg (yes, THAT Michael Rugg) was featured along with his BIGFOOT MUSEUM (in Fenton, CA) on a show that I recently caught in passing (while channel surfing). It seems he may actually have a Sasquatch tooth in his possession (according to the show, tests are going on as we speak). I had NO IDEA he was a Bigfoot guy, but the interview was pretty cool. His place is called "The CapriTaurus Bigfoot Discovery Museum", and admission is free. Talk about a potentially neat place to visit if ever in that area! I knew Bigfoot and dulcimers had to be linked somehow.

Erin said:

Hey John, I'm going to be trying out the standard 6 1/2 and 13 1/2 fret dulcimer which is apparently going to be sent out for testing by around mid December.....can't wait....

I've been happier with my Keith Young travel dulcimer since I restrung it with lighter gauge strings but I could still go with an instrument with regular tuning pegs rather than the zither pins which I find a challenge to fine tune.

John Keane said:

Erin, that's great. Which version will you be trying?

It was largely a blast! I highly recommend it!

frets4fun said:

I sure would like to visit Dulcimerville one of these years. What did you think of it?

John Keane said:

Sounds like a plan. I really liked the Folkcraft instruments that I tried at Dulcimerville last summer, so I'm looking very forward to this!

frets4fun said:

John, maybe those of us here can compare notes on this forum. This summer I purchased a FolkRoots butternut/walnut dulcimer and absolutely love it. I'm really enjoying the 1+ fret. The folks at Folkcraftdo great work. Should be fun.

Sounds like a plan. I really liked the Folkcraft instruments that I tried at Dulcimerville last summer, so I'm looking very forward to this!

frets4fun said:

John, maybe those of us here can compare notes on this forum. This summer I purchased a FolkRoots butternut/walnut dulcimer and absolutely love it. I'm really enjoying the 1+ fret. The folks at Folkcraftdo great work. Should be fun.

Erin, that's great. Which version will you be trying?

Frets, we'll need to compare notes. I can't wait to see how they've turned out.

Awesome Ken! Richard told me to expect one around the end of December. I'm testing one with the added 1+/8+ frets.

Just curious if any of our FOTMD crew signed-up to test drive one of these. I know there were some delays, but I understand they'll be shipping soon. The design (based on the old Folkroots model) is intriguing...simple in appearance, but it looks like it's designed for a big sound in a small package.

That's FOTMD member Michael Futreal of Twang Darkly (we share Shreveport, LA as home base). Great stuff!

Brian G. said:

I wouldn't call You are My Sunshine a bright and cheery song at all, especially when you consider the verses. This verse, for example, has a more melancholy feel:

"The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping
I dreamt I held you in my arms
When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
So I hung my head, and I cried"

This one seems vaguely menacing:

"I'll always love you and make you happy
If you will only say the same
But if you leave me to love another,
You'll regret it all one day"

And this one is definitely sad:

"You told me once, dear
You really loved me
That no one else could come between.
But now you've left me
And love another,
You have shattered all my dreams."

Aura Waters said:

Just for fun, come see this guy's minor key YouTube version of "You Are My Sunshine " entitled "Not My Sunshine"

It really demonstrates what a minor key can do to an otherwise bright and cheery song!

So that slot is normal then, John? I've seen my instructor's McSpadden a few times but never really looked that closely at the tail.

Oh yeah. The rust issue amazes me. Apparently the strings havent been changed in 20 years. This is a dulcimer that's crying out for a new home IF the price is right.