Forum Activity for @beth-hansen

My new ukulele

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

When I was waiting for my Autoharp to be made I kept having dreams that something like an autoharp would arrive on my doorstep complete with instruction book. Never an autoharp, but in my dream I could play it perfectly. Thanks for putting the uke/guitar hybrid into my brain, I wonder what my dreams will do with that little bit of info?

musicoutreach said:

Enjoy your uke! I recently purchased a Yamaha Guitalele - its a hybrid instrument that's a cross between a small classical guitar and a tenor ukulele. It has 6 nylon strings and I have it tuned in standard guitar tuning. The scale length is much more comfortable for me than a standard guitar and it gives me 2 extra strings which my baritone uke doesn't have. Another "odd" instrument for you to consider!!

Susanne

My new ukulele

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

I went into the store looking for a stick-on type of pick up for my dulcimer and walked out with a Mahalo Soprano Ukulele! I did not need another instrument, but she's totally won my heart and a whole new world of happy times are before me. If only I wasn't 20 year to retirement...when will I have time?! I already play the mountaindulcimer, autoharp, and Finnish kantele. I'm officially a collector of odd instruments.I've done well keeping it to Zithers, but this little thing was too cute not to take home.

updated by @beth-hansen: 08/03/23 03:37:49PM

Starting a weekly jam session, please give me some tips.

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

That was great! You really all sounded good, and it looks like a lot of fun! I have friends who are much better players than I, and they've started inviting me to their jams. Twice a year I have a music party which is more of a folk circle with some jamming. Non musicians come as well to listen and generally have great conversations in the other rooms of the house. I started the parties when I first got my Autoharp so I would learn to play in front of people from the beginning. It's a really great time and always a surprise because new people are coming all the time. This is my favorite way to enjoy music, as goth a picker (musician) and a grinner (listener).

Looks like you're on the way to lots of really great times! Now I have to go see if I can learn Wagon Wheel...

You might be a dulcimer redneck if . . .

OFF TOPIC discussions

That's how I would figure it! Wonderful!!

Dusty Turtle said:

. . . when you describe your tax refund as "a baritone with a galax back and maybe even ebony overlay."

There really is no end to this, is there?

Playing with Guitars

Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!

Thanks for the advice! I managed to play along a little on a couple of songs, I let them know I was in the key of D, and they let me know what chords they were using. I also managed to play about four songs, though I messed up on each and every one, I got through them OK. I swear I play them all flawlessly for the cats about a dozen times a week! Funny thing is, when I picked up my dulcimer to practice later, I was all thumbs.

It was a really fun time, so I'll just keep practicing and look for any opportunity to play in front of people.

Playing with Guitars

Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!

A friend of mine is hosting a party room at our local Science Fiction & Fantasy Con which includes a music circle. Everyone else will be playing the guitar, and I will be playingmy mountaindulcimer. I do have extra frets, 1 1/2 and 6 1/2, and I know basic chords. And I do have a capo.

Any suggestions on how I can play along?

updated by @beth-hansen: 01/16/16 01:23:36PM

It was posted mid October, so I suspect the skulls are a seasonal decoration.

Macy Jayne said:

Here's yet another 'favorite' MD video I found recently on Youtube. I don't know anything about these people, so I also don't know the reason for the human skulls on their fireplace mantle, LOL. The women appear to be playing the chords an octave apart and the man is playing a melody line. Great rhythm!

_...

So good I had to watch it twice!

Wayne Anderson said:

Hello Maggie, what a great idea - well my favorite YouTube video is Bing Futch & Steven Seifert doing a number on Cluck Old Hen.

I used to sell my art at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival. I do know that all perfomers had to audition to get in, and all the one's I know sell CD's and collect donations as part of their performances. Best of luck with finding one that will fit you! Renaissance music is so beautiful, I would like to learn some on my dulcimer too.

What's up with the headless vids?????

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

That is so hillarious! One of my ALL TIME FAVORITE Dulcimer videos! Thanks Macy Jayne!

Macy Jayne said:

See my video response to this very serious discussion;) It's titled 'Headless Vid'?

(i inserted said video here for you- Strumelia)

What's up with the headless vids?????

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I'm with you Mandy, I love watching not only the hands but the expressions and concentration of the musician as well. It's part of the fun. It can even be amusing at times, like when watchingStephen Seifert's signature chicken head movement that he does.

That's a great article Stumelia! I have an alt title for you "Tab...once more with feeling"

Strumelia said:

I wrote a blog post a while back called

"Tab....a blessing or an evil?"

All the tab that I currently use also have Standard Music Notation, so I am looking at that as well. My goal is to learn songs by heart, and I have a long history of reading music to learn songs from playing in band in grade school and singing in choirs in high school. To me the TAB is just a shorthand way of learning to play while figuring out which note is which on the fret board. I find it really easy to learn new songs this way, but I've also picked up a melody or two just by playing it because it's so familiar to me.

I'm fairly new to playing, less than a year, and I am using TAB for just about everything. There are some songs that I've changed the TAB on to suit my ability as a beginning player, like changing the A chord from 4-0-1 to 1-0-1 for example. There are also some TAB that I've changed up a little because I didn't like the way it sounded, it's just an intuitive thing. As far as developing style, I guess my decisions will likely evolve into one, but I have a long way to go as I'm still learning the ropes!

updated by @beth-hansen: 02/14/16 12:06:01AM

That's a great tip Ken! And the cats will like it too.

Ken Hulme said:

if you get static shocks shuffling across the carpet, it's wwaaaay tooo dry. Pans or bowls of water set out near heat vents will help moisturize you and your dulcimers.

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer

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

I have mine now to try out, it's a nice little dulcimer, and I've had fun with it. I too will be sending it back, as we are saving up for new living room furniture. But I will be sure to give them my size for the free
Tshirt!
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.

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer

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

It's the part where dulcimers and Bigfoot must be linked somehow that I found so amusing, I know you're not making this up.

John Keane said:

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.

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer

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

So funny John, so funny.

John Keane said:

I knew Bigfoot and dulcimers had to be linked somehow.

The New Folkcraft Travel Dulcimer

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

Oh you lucky people! I'm looking forward to hearing what you all think of the new travel model. I love my Folkcraft FSH, and someday I will get a sister or brother for her.

Unicorn Limberjack

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

It is a delightful animal isn't it? And a very nice limberjack as well. I love their simplicity and potential for endless imaginative fun. Very cool!

folkfan said:

Really nice limberjack. Love unicorns and limberjacks. You did a great job with this one.

making Shakuhachi

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

That is a really beautiful shakuhachi David. I love hearing people's musical stories. I haven't ever tried the bamboo flute, I currently have some penny whistles that I pick up and toot on once in a while.

I've only been playing for 6 months, and am just trying fingerpicking on a couple of songs right now. It's tricky business, but the sound is so lovely that I'm practicing on my technique. My teacher said to think more of brushing the strings with my fingertips rather than plucking them. That's helped, but it's taking some practice time.

Vanessa Lorentzen said:

Without a doubt...you have a good point here and I have noticed that fretting close to the fret is the way to get an excellent tone. Thanks for your input!

Beth Hansen-Buth said:

Is it only buzzing on the strings you are fretting? I get a little buzzing now and then, especially on my base string, but I think it's mainly poor fretting skills on my part. What I do is go back and replay things more slowly to figure out where it's happening and play with how I'm fretting until it sounds a little cleaner.

Is it only buzzing on the strings you are fretting? I get a little buzzing now and then, especially on my base string, but I think it's mainly poor fretting skills on my part. What I do is go back and replay things more slowly to figure out where it's happening and play with how I'm fretting until it sounds a little cleaner.

New Timber Hill Butterfly dulcimer arrived today !

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

That is a really gorgeous instrument, I loved watching you play! You look like you are having a blast with your new dulcimer, which is as it should be. Congrats on your new friend.

What's your favorite mournful, spooky, or lonesome song to play?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks! I'll keep an eye out for it!

folkfan said:

I'm working on a tab for it, but my tabs are simple melody lines with the lyrics with no chords. At the moment I'm working from two slightly different SMN melodies and trying to get them to fit the music I have playing from a third source. Usually after going through the process of adding and subtracting notes I end up with a final tab. When I get there, I'll put it up.

Beth Hansen-Buth said:

I love unusual ballads! Would you happen to have TAB or lyrics with chords that you'd care to share for this one? I'm intrigued...

folkfan said:

The Rolling of the Stones. An unusual ballad in that it actual deals with magic and spelling.

What's your favorite mournful, spooky, or lonesome song to play?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I love unusual ballads! Would you happen to have TAB or lyrics with chords that you'd care to share for this one? I'm intrigued...

folkfan said:

The Rolling of the Stones. An unusual ballad in that it actual deals with magic and spelling.

Autoharp Adventures...Life & Death of an Instrument

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Someone else suggested I could make her into a clock...but I'm not ready to start the Frankenstein process on her.

Autoharp Adventures...Life & Death of an Instrument

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

That's a lovely idea! I might pull it out from time to time to remind myself as well.

Strumelia said:

I think you should write a little note that tells of the joy she brought to you and fold it up and put it inside the autoharp. Not only would it honor the instrument, but someone might find it 50 years from now, who knows? and that would be really lovely. I once wrote a message inside the closet of an apartment I left, on the old wallpaper way in a corner, saying how some of the happiest times of my life were spent there in that apartment. I like to think someone will find it there one day and read it.

Autoharp Adventures...Life & Death of an Instrument

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Thanks Strumelia, I just needed to share what has happened with other musicians, who have that same bond with their instrument. She sits on the stand that I just bought for her a couple of months ago in my office/music room. I'm normally the type to get rid of broken things, but she's my first Autoharp so I will keep her. She holds an honored place in my life and so will be on display as a reminder of all that I've learned and the wonderful experiences music has brought to me over the past two years.

Autoharp Adventures...Life & Death of an Instrument

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Once upon a time I bought an autoharp. I was inspired to do so after seeing my friend Becca play one in a gig at a small coffee house. She told me to look for one with fine tuners, and so my quest began. I found one on Ebay, and Oscar Schmidt Appalachian model, and I bought it. I was so excited to get my Autoharp, I couldn't have been happier when I got home and saw the package waiting for me. It was the middle of July 2009, I named her Becca after my friend who so inspired me.

A couple of months laterI took it in to have strap pegs put in at Homestead Pickin' Parlor , they noticed that 1) the instrument was hot from sitting in my car, and 2) the sound board had sunken underneath the chord bars. The supports had given way because of the heat. Whether that happened on that day, or when the instrument was sitting on the steps waiting for me to come home I do not know. I did know it would be more than the cost of the instrument to try and fix the problem.

So I went ahead and played her for the next two years, keeping her in tune and out of hot cars. During that time I began a tradition of having Music Circle Parties in my home each Spring and Autumn, and we've had wonderful times together, my Becca and I. Butthese past few monthsit has been going out of tune more and more until finally I cannot get it in tune at all. Upon close examination I found cracks at the corner of the High C fine tuner, with the soundboard caved sharply in. It finally gave way, may she rest in peace.

I purchased my mountain dulcimer this past May after becoming obsessed with the little instrument due to YouTube. I'm very careful with her indeed. I will get another Autoharp one day, but not for a while. I have my lovely Ginger...my mountain dulcimer...to get to know and share with my friends in my music parties.

updated by @beth-hansen: 01/15/16 12:04:30PM

Yay! This is a wonderful resource, thank you so much for sharing it Garey.

Oh yes, I would love to read your paper. Thanks for posting!

I built up my courage by having music parties at my house, so not large crowds. I had one party last fall and another one this spring. But my first time in front of a bunch of strangers was at the open jam at a local pub two weeks ago, I had my back mostly to the audience, but I played 3 songs and played along with 3 others that the guitarist next to me did that were "dulcimer friendly". I haven't gotten the courage to go back, but I hope to again soon.

Hmm...the Cassette is by Clarke, but the whistles that I have are a C and a D that have a logo that says Generation, and they are Brittish Made. Tin whistles with blue plastic for the mouthpiece.

I have a pair of tin whistles that I never learned to play. I think I picked up a flute at about the same time and I was concentrating on that for a summer. I still have the Clarke cassette tape, and the book must be around here somewhere, but I never see them both at the same time. 

I always put the whistles out for anyone to play when I have a music party, and my friend Stephanie always picks one up and starts with it. She can't practice at home because it drives her beloved bulldog, Mabel, totally nuts.

Perhaps I should just put in the cassette and grab one of the whistles and start playing.

Show us your sound holes!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

My Folkcraft Northern Cherry has heart & vine tone holes. They have a wide variety to choose from on their website. I made my choice for 2 main reasons: 1 - I wanted something that reflected the tradition of heart shaped holes in the Mountain Dulcimer. and 2 - I wanted tone holes too small to lose a pick in! I used to lose my picks all the time in my guitar when I had one. I did not want that annoying problem to happen with my dulcimer too!

Naming Dulcimers

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

OK, my dulcimer has told me her name finally, it's Ginger. :)

Naming Dulcimers

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Oh my that's a pretty one! And now I know how NOT to lose my pick.

Dana R. McCall said:

I named my new Modern Mountain Made of Curly maple "Curly Sue" it just seemed to fit.

Naming Dulcimers

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Icabod Crane...I love it!

Ken Hulme said:

I've not been one to name my instruments, just my boats. However, since Harpmaker Dave created a slightly customized Student model for me - without a tuning head so that it would fit in my travel footlocker. Being"headless", it has attained the nickname ofIcabod Crane...

Naming Dulcimers

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I just got mine, and I'm thinking about naming her. She's definitely a she...

I think she needs to gain her voice before she can tell me her name. But I'm curious about the rest of you, what are your instrument's names?