Just a quick note. Have a look at Shearwater whistles on the web.I am told that they are good value for money and nice to play. I must admit bias as John ( The Owner ) , built me a nice 6 string dulcimer a few years ago.
Just read about your loss JH , sorry to hear about it and for your loss. they say Time is a great healer, but every now and then the loss comes back to bite. Lost my Dad nearly 10 yrs ago and still in catches me now and again.
Keep a Haad ,young man.
Just to add my 2 cents to this group. A friend of mine ( who built a dulcimer for me ) also builds ( Makes ) whistles. Have a Google at Shearwater whistles
I cannot remember the web address unfortunately. Nice whistles at a reasonable price ( well in the UK that is )
Re " The Battle Of The Somme " First off it was one of the first tunes I learnt on the dulcimer . I learnt it by ear from the playing on a Fairport Convention album . I originally understood that it was written by an unamed piper who was killed in the battle ( the battle went on from july to very nearly October 1916.) However i later found out it was wriiten by a known piper ( the name evades me ) who indeed died as a reult of wounds recieved in the battle , probably on the first day 1st July 1916 .being evacuated , died later in hopital in the U.K. It is a slow march, I am told that it qualifies as a " Retreat March " which means the music played as the soldiers prepared for the nights rest when in camp. A beutiful tune with a real kilt swing to it
Ken - You know what I meant, didn't you ?.
I just am shocked that 3 enthusiasts who bit the bullet and went to a jam or session and ran into a brick wall instead of being welcomed thro the door - hopefully as we would welome newcomers. Thanfully they are probably the only 3 sessions (jams) like that. And I also agree with Foggers and the bullet points she makes.( Only 'cos I met her & her partner is bigger than me ), treat the newbie like you would want to be treat in the same situation.
I fall into the DADist and Chordist camp tho. I know no better (Bad education -- beer mats )
I do not believe what I have just read. Thanna , Folkfan and R N Lackey have just shot down in flames the idea that dulcimer players are friendly, even- handed and open to new things . It seems that the 3 of them have run into a group of dyed -in -the wool diehard reactionaries. I understand that the States is the home of Trad Appilacian dulcimers . Talk about " how to win friends " Two choices then , 1 . face them out and stick with it until you win them over or 2 as has been said find a new group or start one yourself. In my neck of the woods( N E England ) we (dulcimer players ) are so few and far between that we are only too pleased to see each other. I put my hands up and confess ,I have never played noter,nor tried any other tuning other than DaD. Now I have more than one dulcimer, I may in future experiment,but I doubt it . Its taken too many years and too many blistered fingers to get this far. DO NOT GIVE UP.
I am more than 3,000 miles away and I feel quite angry about this,(not an easy thing to do) Thank Heaven that it (so far) hasn't happened to me.If it has, I never noticed (Thick skin ,or too much Guinness )
Happy Birthday FOTMD From all the dulcimer players in the North East Of England .... Known or unknown .....members or not
Keep Up The Good Work(s)
