Forum Activity for @diane-r

Thanks so much for the replies!  And Dusty the video is wonderful!  I had just started working on scales and this will be a definite help!  Strumelia, I have trouble playing with feeling.  I try, but it seems to be a rare occasion when I actually "feel" it.  Someone told me long ago that you've learned a song once you can play it 3 times through at the correct tempo with no mistakes and that, to me, is becoming very boring and frustrating.  Mandy, I'm going to try the index card idea.  It sounds fun and I'm sure will definitely break up the monotony!  Dusty, I agree with the "don't put the dulcimer down when you're frustrated" theory also.  I'd been doing that quite often since after I ran through all the other tunes I'm a bit tired when I start working on the new one.  So for now I start out with practicing scales then play just one or two songs I know, then start in on the new one, and finish up with Rosin the Beau or Wildwood Flower, ones that bring me joy and I know that I play pretty well and it really does make a difference when you walk away from it.   Thanks again!  I wish more people would post how they practice also because the ideas coming in will keep us from being bored for quite some time...lol

Was just wondering how people practice?  Do you go through your whole repertoire and then dig in to your newest song?  Or do you start out with the one you're trying to learn?  I notice when I play all the known songs first (three times each without mistakes) that I'm a bit tired by the time I get to the new learn.  I play them all because I don't want to forget them since I memorize them. Just wanted to know what others do so maybe I can break up the monotony a little.  Thanks :)

Thank you Strumelia!  I'm absolutely thrilled!  And all this time I was afraid I was losing my dexterity... 

So happy to say that I received my Folkcraft strings and the playability is so much easier!  I can actually do hammer ons and pull offs again!  Cannot believe the difference!  I can actually play the chords without pressing down with much force.  It actually sounds like a dulcimer again!     Thanks for all the advice and patience...

Boy that really is a beautiful dulcimer Atilwi!  And thank you Terry for the info on the pickups!  I appreciate it!  

Thank you for the advice Ken & everyone else...just waiting on my strings now & keeping my fingers crossed...

Ok, totally understand...I must've read Dusty's post incorrectly.  Sorry about that...

I've posted two in the Events section that I've found already and will post some more in a couple days... :)

Thank you Salt Springs...yes, I love my Yocky, just not too much recently.  If I knew how to post a video I would so everyone could hear it.  

Strumelia, Thanks...Yes, it did sound fine but the strings were rusted so thought I'd grab some new ones and clean it up.  With my lack of knowledge I just took what the man gave me.  I figured he knew what he was doing running a music shop.  He even played my dulcimer for a few minutes!  I've ordered some strings online because I don't want to use my local music shop and will try it again.   I really hope this resolves the situation  :)  I'll let you all know...

Ken, all I have for the strings are .012 .30mm plain steel ball end & .014 .36mm plain steel ball end.  I went to the Stay in Tune site last night and couldn't even find them.  As for photos I really didn't know what to take so here it is...

 IMG_20181004_153227901_BURST000_COVER_TOP_1538707224776.jpg - 1.4MB

Thanks Dusty!  I was looking at the Kentucky model also, I have very long fingers so probably can use a standard size.  Thanks for the link to his page... 

Oh my goodness!  That's hilarious!  I started about 14 years ago, self taught also, & picked it up pretty quick ( I was 40 ) I was learning a song called " In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree " for my Father.  He really loved that song...(think it's from the late 1800's maybe? ) Anyway, he fell ill with cancer & passed away before I could finish learning it because it was a bit difficult for me.  I sat my dulcimer down & never picked it up again until about 4 months ago.  I'm not back to the point of finger picking again yet but am determined to get there & to finish learning that song...now that I'm able to...but my dulcimer just isn't willing now since it's been neglected so long.  And it would be nice to have a quieter dulcimer along with my Yocky.  Don't get me wrong, I love my "Island" but would like to try out others.  I've never played any others except a cheap model I bought on Ebay.  Thanks for making me chuckle, I remember those days too & it seems like I'm repeatingit now!  Lol   

Thank you so much Ellen for the video...very informative.  I seem to be showing my ignorance once again... I guess if I'm going to play an instrument I need to understand the mechanics of it also...I won't be needing a pick up either,  I plan on playing alone as I always have.  Thanks again :)

Thank you... I'll take some photos & post them.  It does look like there are grooves worn into some of the frets but I haven't had a chance to really examine it.  It may just be dirty from the strings.  These strings are a generic brand I guess called "Stay in Tune"  made in Akron Ohio.  They just seem to be very thick ( and painful ) compared to the ones I used to have that I had purchased from Tom.  

Thank you Ken Longfield...my daughter took a look at it and tried to play it and said it was awful.  She noticed that the frets have grooves in them also and she said with her callouses she was also having trouble pushing the strings down to play.  So, I guess I'll have to learn how to "repair" the frets.  Sorry for the ignorance and thanks for all the advice...

Thank you Ellen :)  It looks beautiful!  I think I may get one, but not an electric & unfortunately it looks like there are quite a few on the site. 

I'm in the market for my third dulcimer & was wondering if anyone owns a Ron Gibson & what's your opinion?  Thanks

Thanks for all the replies.  I'll have to get down to the music shop tomorrow & purchase a few to make sets & go from there...anyway while I was at work yesterday & practicing I noticed that the nut has shifted about 1/4 inch to the right & that the bass string is rubbing the wood of the head stock on the side!  Obviously it's loose & I hadn't noticed...could having a loose nut cause some of the issues I'm having?  And how does a person repair it?  And why do I have that much space in the slot for it to shift?  Sorry about the neediness but I'm not a builder...I can't even play that well...lol 

Thank you Ken.  I will try down at the music shop where I bought the others and will let you know.  But I do NOT want the plain steel for the bass string correct?  Thanks again, I really do appreciate the help & advice. 

Thanks for the replies...the length is a little over 27 1/2".  I'm tuned to Dad & have been playing with these strings for about 2 months now almost daily and no improvement.  And with the sloppy, choppy, it's also twangy...lol  Thanks again :)

Hello, after not playing for quite a few years I finally pulled my Dulcimer out, cleaned it up, oiled it up, changed the strings ( was given .012, .012, .012, .014 plain steel ball ends) and I feel that now I sound terrible.  I sound so sloppy now and have tried to rack it up to older age but this seems ridiculous to me.  It's seems like I'm pushing down too hard and the sound is no longer smooth and flowing but choppy and sloppy!  I've even tried different picks but it still sounds awful...any advice?  Thanks 

Mine is named "Island" named by the Builder but I'm sure it also thinks it's name is the same as Sam's...lol...