Enter FOTMD's 5th Birthday Pickled Dulcimer CONTEST!
OFF TOPIC discussions
121 hope it has many more
121 hope it has many more
I never purshed a dulcimer but have built about 75 over the years most of wich I sold or gave away have three I playregularly. also have a balbika I made two mandolins one of which I made several gaitars one electric which I made
a numer of harmonicas bowed psaltry which I made verious other instruments to many to list.
I don't know what you would call my disease but it sounds like I need to clean house.
Robin Clark said:
Hi Sharon,
I found a short clip of the Willie Nelson version of Amazing Grace from Songbird on Amazon. He is singing it in Em and using accidentals. I've had a quick go at the tune and tried to capture the same sort of feel. I used E,B,A tuning on my old Tignor staple fretted dulcimer and a hardwood noter to capture the accidentals. As I'm playing noter drone I don't have the chord changes that are on the Nelson version but I've tried to get the same sort of lilt in the melody. I've added some pick up notes to each phrase so the sound is not quite so sparse.
Realy Nice!! Robin
Thank you Kennety and Strumelia. I've ben looking for a long time could not find anything about it thought it looked like a dulcimer of some kind. of course the name written on the pix. is not spelled right and I had never herd of it. I don't have Ralph Lee Smith's book tried to get it from my library they said they could not get It. I though I would like to try to build one will need to get more information but this is a good start. thank you
Burrell
A friend gave me this pix a few years ago, said it came from Kansas,was going to find out more but was killed in a car crash before it happened. I would like to find out anything I could about it.
John C. Knopf said:
Burrell,
That's how I make wooden cases -- build the whole box, then slice off the lid. It'll fit perfectly every time.
I haven't made box joints at the corners, though that's the best way to fasten them.
I generally use either 3/8" solid poplar or 1/4"- 3/8" plywood for the edges, and 1/8" plywood for the top and bottom pieces.
I wrap the raw box piece exteriors with thin vinyl sheet goods, usually black, and glue/staple the edges all around.
Then the rigid-foam interior is added and cut to accommodate the instrument. The foam is then covered with Fun Fur or flannel material and trimmed. Sometimes I add a flap lid in one corner for an accessories area.
Then 3 or 4 small brass hinges are added, 2 draw catches and a handle.
I've made them that way for years by the way I put rest of the pix. here
http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/photo/2-case/next?context=latest
Hi was going to put some pix on earler but could not find this discussion. I make plywood box using box joints on the cornors cut the top off so top and bottom match, cover with vinel materal on out side, and do the inside with foam and fake fur. will atach some pix.
Melba Gray said:
Don't feel bad. I have read music notation most of my life and I didn't know what SMN meant, either. I was just too shy to ask! lol
I bet there are others out there, too.
Garey McAnally said:
Reading all the great discussion, I suddenly felt overwhelmed by ignorance. Does everyone in the world know what SMN is but me? I thought it might be something kinky. But, my friend, Mr. Google, set me straight. SMN- S tandard M usical N otation. Oh, I know what that is ! ! ! Not too old to learn 'sumpin' new.
Hi took me about 10 min. to figure it out but got to thinking everyone uses abbrevation on here so dicied it is was ordinary sheet music. I can't spell either so try not to type to much on here.
Hi everyone intresting discussion I usely play by ear, all most always play Hyhms, so know most of them from memory
have never used tab, do sometimes use music notation to help learn a new song. I never had any music training so have
had to pick it up on my own. I have always felt a little jelous of someone who can take a peice of music and start playing, but realy hold it aganst them.
Burrell
Hi I have never named my dulcimers although I've made 70 some but a friend of mine named the short teartdrop one I make the spud because it is a short kinda fat teardrop with a 21" VSL other wise I just say you know the one I play most of the time or the one I have tuned to G or something like that mayby a name would make more sense.
I have used a lot of different sound holes from knot hole to dove but usely try to keep them simple. here are a couple of pix.
burrell