I'm taking a guess that some of you dulcimer playershave alsodabbled with the Kantele. If so, does anyone want to answer a fewquestions and/or share their thoughts/experiences....
How difficult is it to learn?
How do you play it?
How many strings do you recommend?
Just curious for some input. Thanks.
It's my only guess. Maybe it wasn't what you were thinking of. Yes, $69 is a bit steep. I bet there's a better option out there somewhere for you Ken.
I also agree with Marc and recommend MusEdit. I use it for all my SMN and dulcimer tab. Its learning curve probably isn't any different than other software. You can use MusEdit for basic SMN or tab, or you can use the software to its fullest extent and really make it look extremely professional. I learn something new with the software each time I use it. I've really gotten into writing my own tab from existing songs (I play chord/melody style) and am having alot of fun doing it, thanks to this software. I've always gotten good feedback when contacting Doug. I haven't had to contact him for awhile, though. I think my work looks pretty sharp thanks to this software (it actually looks better than some tab that I get at dulcimer festivals 
). Oh, you can also change the tab options for writing tab for different fret configurations....for example, if you have a 1+ fret.
I didn't realize they were doing it either, until I got the instrument, and the instructions letter said that they were doing T's as a "thank you". I'll take it....it's a nice thing to do on their part.
John Keane said:
So...I guess you realize that I didn't know that I was passing on a free shirt...
Susie said:Oh....and I'm getting a free T for auditioning one. Since I already own a FolkRoots dulcimer, it will be nice to have.
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.
I wondered the same thing, Dusty. Oh well, if they still want to send me one, I'd love to try before I buy, if I end up liking it. Sounds like that's still Richard's intention. Maybe they feel they owe it to those of us who signed up. Richard took a couple to a show/festival in Feb. and had good response. He sold those too.
Dusty Turtle said:
I stopped waiting. I just figure maybe someday I'll hear from Richard that they're ready. But until then, I'm not holding my breath. I also thought we were supposed to be the beta testers before they sold the model, but they're already selling the model! I don't really understand why they need testers anymore.
I talked to Richard about a week ago and heard the same thing, John. However, I've been hearing that they are "almost ready" for a few months now. I know they are really busy at Folkcraft, and regular orders take precedent. I'm with the rest of you....I'm really anxious to try the new dulcimer out, but I've kind of tried to crank up my "patience" meter a bit. They've been selling them too, which I'm sure is having an effect on the number of dulcimers that they can get ready to send out to us. My music store has 2 on order. So, maybe I'll end up trying one at the store before I get one sent to my house. I'm glad that Folkcraft is real busy, though...shows business is going well for them.
So, has anyone out there in FOTMD-land purchased one of these little guys yet? Any feedback for those of us who are anxiously waiting to try one out?
Last I heard, they were trying to fill orders for "regular" dulcimers. I talked to Richard, and he said that they've been swamped, and these orders take priority (understandably). They get to the travel dulcimers when they get the time. It also sounds like they will have a group of "trial" dulcimers that they'll send out, then get back, then send out again to the next group of auditioners. So, I kind of got the impression and there will be waves of trials, instead of a one-to-one ratio of trial instruments to auditioners. I'm just saying what I've heard, and its not necessarily gospel. I'm anxious to try it out, maybe early next year we'll get that chance.
Ken,
After seeing your reply, and that you are #59 on their list, I got real curious as to where I am on "the list". I just talked to Richard and I'm #27. Sounds like they are just so swamped with orders, they've gotten behind on this travel dulcimer project. But, that's a good thing for them.
Thanks Ken. That helps alot!
Ken Hulme said:
Frets4Fun -- it's Real Soon Now! Expect yours when you get an email from Folkcraft and the FedX guy shows up at your door.
Last I heard from Richard they were still finishing the instruments and in fact had to make a second batch of trial instruments. Some of those testing the 1+/8+ fret versions will have to wait longer -- for the second batch. Those testing the modern 6+/13+ versions may get theirs sooner as there are fewer of us and they have enough instruments in the pipeline. On Nov 15th he told me "mid-to-late December". I am #59 on the list of testers. He also said:
" I'll email once an instrument is ready for you (it seems that most folks are taking the instrument with
the 1 1/2 and 8 1/2, so yours might be sooner rather than later - we made up a number of each,
but demand is higher than anticipated for the current "modern" extra frets
(as opposed to the 20-30 years less-modern extra frets of 6 1/2 and 13 1/2)."
So, has anyone got the "official" word of when we'll be contacted and the dulcimers will get sent out to us? I'm reading conflicting claims (mid-Dec., end of Dec., etc.). Just curious.
I sure would like to visit Dulcimerville one of these years. What did you think of it?
John Keane said:
Sounds like a plan. I really liked the Folkcraft instruments that I tried at Dulcimerville last summer, so I'm looking very forward to this!
frets4fun said:John, maybe those of us here can compare notes on this forum. This summer I purchased a FolkRoots butternut/walnut dulcimer and absolutely love it. I'm really enjoying the 1+ fret. The folks at Folkcraftdo great work. Should be fun.
John, maybe those of us here can compare notes on this forum. This summer I purchased a FolkRoots butternut/walnut dulcimer and absolutely love it. I'm really enjoying the 1+ fret. The folks at Folkcraftdo great work. Should be fun.
I signed up to audition one of these Folkroots Travel Dulcimer reissues. I'll probably go with the standard-plus with the 1+ and 8+ frets. I'm really excited to see it and try it out, but it's beena longer wait than expected. From the ED website, sounds like there were several reasons for the delay.
Reviving an old topic here. Like I needed another instrument to dive into, I picked up a tenor uke last Saturday. In the first week, I've really gotten to know it. My first love is guitar, and that's helping immensely. It's a fun little instrument. The dulcimer festivals that I attend have uke jams and workshops. I'm looking forward to attending those with my own instrument. I joined a uke forum wich is as much fun as the instrument itself. To quote a member of that forum, "I uke, therefore I laugh". I agree with everything Dennis said in his original post about the uke.
