Forum Activity for @lenard

Lenard
@lenard
11/24/23 07:10:45AM
9 posts

Reasons NOT To Get a Chromatic


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

Ken Hulme:

TRADITION! 


When asked about dulcimer with “extra" frets, Jean Ritchie replied “In a strict sense it has a different finger board, it’s not quite a dulcimer anymore.”    


You can find all the notes in the dulcimer's range, but you have to be willing to re-tune at least one string to do so (takes less than 30 seconds, with practice).

If you want a chromatic instrument lay a guitar on your lap and play that.  Or I can build you an  "acoustic lap guitar". Just don't call it a dulcimer.   Part of the essential definition of Dulcimer, to many of us, is the diatonic fretboard.

If you are playing mostly "classic dulcimer songs" especially from tabulature rather than SMN, it will be 'more difficult' because the fret numbering convention is different, and you'll have to find the fewer diatonic frets among the plethora of chromatic frets.  You won't be able to simply count 1,2,3,4... to find a tab numbered fret.  With a chromatic instrument that becomes
1/2,1,1-1/2, 2, 3, 3-1/2, 4, 4-1/2, 5, 6, 6-1/2,7......

Dia-chromatic fretboard.jpg

Also, IMHO the 'sound' of a chromatic "dulcimer" is different when you slide from note to note -- because of all the intervening chromatic notes between diatonic notes -- I hear those slides as 'muddier'...


 

Yes, I agree with Jean Ritchie.  For me, the dulcimer is diatonic in nature, anything else is not quite a dulcimer.

Lenard
@lenard
12/21/22 08:57:55AM
9 posts

Various Chords


Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!

Strumelia:

Lenard:I was going to upload the Crescendo Music Notation file, but the Message program here would not allow it.  I assume such files are blocked due to potential viruses and other types of software which can damage computers.

That's correct. winky


What dulcimer tuning are you basing your chord chart on?



I use the DAA tuning and play with a noter unless I am playing chords.

Lenard
@lenard
12/20/22 10:09:17AM
9 posts

Various Chords


Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!


I have attached a PDF file with the various chords using frets one through six.  There are others but these I have found will allow you to play most songs.

I was going to upload the Crescendo Music Notation file, but the Message program here would not allow it.  I assume such files are blocked due to potential viruses and other types of software which can damage computers.

Again, I recommend the Crescendo Music Notation software.  I have purchased it, but the public free one will accomplish most of what a person needs.


Dulcimer Cords.pdf - 86KB
Lenard
@lenard
11/11/22 05:39:04PM
9 posts

How Many Dulcimers Do You Own?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

ocean-daughter:

Well, I have another one!  I found it on the goodwill site.  It looks like a Black Mountain, but has no label. 

I'll post some pictures of some of my dulcimers a little later. 

This one came with only one string (the bass string); also the saddle is a bit damaged and the nut is a bit out of place.  So I'm going to take it to my favorite luthier down the road. 

LOL, I have never  found a bad dulcimer...just some better than others. :)
Lenard
@lenard
11/09/22 07:03:57AM
9 posts



Ariane:

When I was at a concert of an Irish band (Geraldine McGowan and band) in 2004 I was so fascinated by the whistle player and the beautiful sound of especially the low whistle that I immediately had the wish to buy a whistle.

Since I have learned to play the recorder when I was a child and kept playing it all my life in recorder ensembles it was not difficult for me to learn how to play the whistle. 

What was different compared to the recorder playing was the typical Irish ornamentation like cuts, strikes, rolls, crans and slides and to not tonguing every tone.

I started with a Clare high D and "worked" myself down to an Overton (Colin Goldie) low D.

Please find attached a picture with my whistle collection (from left to right):

high D: Overton (Colin Goldie), Mac Nic, Susato

high C: Mac Nic

high Bb: Tony Dixon

low A: Mac Nic

low G: Ian Lambe

low F: Tony Dixon

low D: Overton (Colin Goldie)

I love all of them and every one has its specific sound and need of breath.

The Mac Nics are very easy to play regarding breath and getting into the next octave - the Overtons need more pressure.

Since I have relatively long fingers I can play the low A, G and F still with my fingertips and need no piper's grip. This is in fact necessary for the low D from Colin Goldie and I had to get used to it for a little while.

I so much enjoy playing the whistles and it is nice to hear that there are a lot of other whistle players here on the forum.

 

 

 

Great post and thanks for sharing.  I was not aware there were so many different types.  I bought a Clark, but never really learned but a few songs on it.  I love the sound, thanks again for sharing.
Lenard
@lenard
10/31/22 07:37:44PM
9 posts

How Many Dulcimers Do You Own?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Cindy Stammich:

Love all these dulcimers!  Which brings me to the question…..


How many dulcimers does a dulcimer player need?


Just one more! dulcimer



Cindy Stammich:

Love all these dulcimers!  Which brings me to the question…..


How many dulcimers does a dulcimer player need?


Just one more! dulcimer



I like it!! I like it a bunch.
Lenard
@lenard
10/31/22 08:24:34AM
9 posts

How Many Dulcimers Do You Own?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Susie:
Lenard:

I have seven.  My wife purchase a McSpadden for me years ago, a banjo style and five that I made myself.

Welcome to the forum! Thanks for sharing your dulcimer collection!

Lenard
@lenard
10/31/22 08:21:22AM
9 posts

How Many Dulcimers Do You Own?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I have seven dulcimers.  Over the years, I have made thirty nine of them.  I have a new one underway.  It will feature Gonca Alves, Lacewood, Zebrawood and either the Honduras or Nicaraguan Rosewood, I'll have to check the packing slip to see for sure.  I have been purchasing my wood from The Wood & Shop Inc.  They ship high quaility wood products and usually get the stuff within a week of ordering.  Most generally I use Cedar, Mahogany and Walnut.

If there are anyother dulcimer enthusist in the Cheyenne Wyoming area, we have dulcimer practice at Salt Life Church at 6:00 p.m.

Lenard
@lenard
10/22/22 08:02:50AM
9 posts

How Many Dulcimers Do You Own?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I have six.  My wife purchase a McSpadden for me years ago, a banjo style and four that I made myself.


Number 38.jpg Number 38.jpg - 1MB