What an excellent update on the work going on in Hindman! Now folks everywhere can see what's really happening in the factory with these workers in recovery. Doug has started a meaningful enterprise, with world-class musical instruments being made and lives being changed.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful PBS News Hour segment on the Troublesome Creek Stringed Instrument Company! The folks there on the bank of Troublesome are doing wonderful work!
Also, I hope it comes to pass that the 2026 installment of the Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming will take place!
Last night (4/6/26) PBS News Hour featured The Road to Recovery program and the Troublesome Creek Stringed Instrument Company in its final segment of the broadcast. I thought they did a good job. Here is a link to the video: Rebuilding I hope you enjoy it. I spoke with Doug Naselroad shortly after the segment aired and he told me he hopes to hold the 2026 Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming the 5th, 6th, & 7th of November if funding for it comes through.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
@david-bennett, I tabbed out Corky Wolf's version. Send me a personal message with your email or contact me at www.rivercitydulcimers.com and I'll share it with you.
David, there was a banjo player from Arkansas named Carlos "Bookmiller" Shannon. Alan Lomax recorded some of his tunes in the late 1950s.
My guess is that someone learned a tune from Bookmiller but couldn't remember the name and just started calling it "Bookmiller's Tune" or something like that.
I just looked on Spotify and the only tune by Bookmiller Shannon is "Eighth of January." But those Lomax recordings must be around somewhere. Maybe there's some other stuff, too.
P.S. I could probably tab it out based on the recordings, but I won't be able to get to it for a couple of days.
Here's someone else playing the same tune
Do any of you know a dulcimer song by the name of Book Miller's Song or Bookmiller's Tune?
I am looking for a friend who first heard it at a jam in Mountain View, Arkansas several years ago. He is wanting to know the background/history of the tune and where to get the tabs.
I did find this on YouTube "Bookmiller's Tune" which my friend is the song he is looking for:
This may or may not be the same tune, I can't tell because I can't get the volume loud enough to hear
https://soundcloud.com/omareastwind/bookmiller-39-s-tune
Any info would be appreciated.
Hi @maddie-myers. I hope you're doing well. I'm sure "You Don't Bring Me Flowers" would sound great in fingerstyle arrangement.
To get a more complete answer about microphones and cameras, you might want to join the Technology/Software/Amplifying group and pose your question there.
Yes, I think the first USB mic I ever bought was a Samson Go mic. Back then they cost about $40. Now they are almost twice that. They are really small and portable and have much better sound than any mic built into your computer or webcam. Nowadays I use a Blue Yeti USB mic, which cost about $100 and is much bigger than the Samson Go. But I think the sound quality is better as well. It seems simple, but what I like most about it is that it has a big volume knob right on the front, and if you push it, it mutes you, with a noticeable red circle indicating that it's muted. Pretty idiot-proof.
Those are only the microphones I've used, but there are lots out there.
I use several Logitech webcams, including a C920S Pro, a C925e, and a StreamCam Plus. They are all several years old, so there might be newer models around with faster speeds. They all produce very clear images and all have built-in microphones. The microphones are very good for a work meeting, but not so hot for recording music. My only advice about webcams is to make sure you get a lens cover. Being able to glance up and know for certain that no one can see you is invaluable! 
Hi, Dusty - greetings from SW Western Australia. Been a long time. I'm working on "You Don't Bring Me Flowers," finger style. It's kind of a funny choice because my wonderful other half brings me flowers often, but I do love the song, anyway! Not sure, but I may still be the only mountain dulcimer player in Western Australia. 
It's a lonely road. Your 'Moon Shadow' sounds good. I don't think I would have thought to try that on dulcimer, but you make it work. Onya!! I have a probably unrelated reason for writing. I looked at a post you made with Anne Bowman like 10 years ago about microphones. My old computer has neither a camera nor a mike. I want to join in on the many dulcimer social sites but can't record or film myself because I don't know how or have the equipment. You recommended a Samson something-or -other mike, but from 10 years ago, surely there are improvements? Can you tell me what you use these days? Also, what about a camera? Any and all help would be much appreciated. Thanks in anticipation.
Beautiful McSpadden 4FHWR hourglass mountain dulcimer (4-string), made in 2016.
This is a high-quality, all-solid wood instrument with walnut back/sides and a redwood top. Features a pretty "skunk stripe" (that's what I call it) on the back where the walnut sapwood meets at the join—see picture.
Condition is never played (displayed only), extremely clean. A few slight marks of wear. Call it Ex+ or Ex++. I included two pictures that show the worst blemish, first the area of the top where the blemish is, to the left of the heart on the left; and then a picture that shows a closeup with a flashlight held at an angle. I could not get it to show up any better than that.
Includes original soft gig bag, navy blue with embroidered logo. Will be carefully packed. Shipping to U.S. only please. It may take me a few days to ready it for shipping as I do not yet have a box large enough. I will tell you the whole cost including shipping before you pay.
These currently sell new for around $545. Asking $425 plus shipping. Offers welcome.
Happy to answer questions or provide additional photos.
Mike
Western New York State
Nice, Dusty-- I like "Moonshadow"!
Have a blessed Easter to everyone from the ShopDad house hold as well.
Noodling around this morning, I found the entire melody for Cat Stevens's "Moonshadow." The only non-diatonic melody note is a G#, which we get on the middle string at the 6+ fret. It took a while to arrange this one, partly because the rhythm is a lot more complicated than it seems. There is just a lot of syncopation.
For example, here is the beginning of the part of the song that goes "If I ever lose my hands." Note that after the first note come 6 straight notes that all begin on the offbeat (meaning the "and" if we count "1 and 2 and 3 and 4 and").
I could have written them all as quarter notes (or a dotted quarter for the last one), but to make the off-beat rhythm clearer, I used tied eighth notes.
This was a nice project for a Saturday. And I still got the front lawn mowed! 
Happy Easter to you as well Richard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Happy Easter to all our friends on Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=W2SpunacfFU
I play the dulcimer by stringing it with 3 strings, and reversing the strings on both sides of the middle a string. Meaning I put the wound D string where the treble d string usually goes, and I put the d treble string where the wound D string usually goes. I play with my thumb and fingers and it makes sense to play the 2 unwound melody strings with my fingers and the would bass string with my thumb, Setting up the stringing this way makes my playing style way easier. I also string a classical guitar with only 3 nylon strings and play it like I play my dulcimer on my lap ---- it produces a rich warm tone.
Thought some might enjoy this video by Joshua Messick.
https://youtu.be/Y0587mo-Jqs?si=6WR1zznZhouJuY6R
Really nice John! Blessings and happy Easter!
I agree that it is a Blue Lion.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Thanks! I think you're right! I see that it does not have the one and a half fret but TT seems to do just fine without it! I love how he plays it.
Thank you! Thank you!
If anyone out there does know the TT video of this song, any idea what kind of md he is playing? It has a beautiful rich tone.
Hi Catherine. First, I moved your question from the Site Questions Forum, which is intended for questions about this site (how to upload pictures, how to start a forum discussion, etc.) to the General Music Discussion Forum. There is also a Group called "Help Me Learn This Song" which would be a good place to ask this question.
Secondly, I don't know the specific video you mention, but you can find the melody for Freight Train in either DAd or DAA. If you play in DAA, the melody would start on the 7th fret and begin 7 - 5 - 4 - 3. If you play in DAd, it would start 4 - 2 - 1 - 0 and then move to the second to the second fret of the middle string.
If you are playing with chords, the key to that song would be using a 2 - 2 - 2 F# chord for the "please don't tell them" part.
If someone doesn't beat me to it, I'll try to post a video or some tab later on. (I'm still at work right now.)
In searching for a md version of freight train, I happened upon a video of Talmadge Taylor playing it. He sounded great but I couldn't figure out what tuning he was using. Does anyone have any idea? Or where I could find a md tab for the song?
I haven't posted in a long time, so can't remember it this is the right place to ask a question! Apologies, it it's not.
Thanks,
Catherine
I would like to buy a used model of the Wolf Hill Woodworking Mountain Dulcimer sitting down playing stand. Please contact Joe Besse at: joebesse@aol.com. Thanks.
@dusty - Wow, how cool-- and it's especially nice your mom was there.!
Lots of folks participated in International Appalachian Dulcimer Day-- on YouTube, Facebook, The Traditional Appalachian Dulcimore site, I listened to an audio recording on SoundCloud, and here at FOTMD. There was participation from, at least, five countries. 
Yeah, it was a good turnout today. And it was the first time my mom had seen me lead a workshop. I keep a dulcimer in my parents house for when I visit. If she wants to join again I should make her play along!
Dusty that is so great! Very impressive number of participants, too.
Good thing your mom was there, it insured that you behaved.
Happy International Appalachian Dulcimer Day, everyone! The online workshop I run monthly met today. @Lisa_C was kind enough to capture a screenshot. We had over 30 join, including my mom! You can see my dulcimer and shiny balding head in the upper left-hand corner
I have found Richard Ash's book "Fret positioning fret guide" a tremendous help cutting fret slots. I have made several fret boards and repaired a few that weren't cut properly. The distance between two frets is important but the slots must be perfectly vertical. Hand cutting is fine but must be done when a person has the time to do it right. You are correct, Wally, the distance of each fret from the nut is crucial. Mr. Ash makes it clear in his book. He checks fret distance, over all distance and distance to nut. I'll admit, I'm a bit OCD, as its called, when cutting my fret boards. If the individual slots are off, by the time you get to the last cut it can be off enough to make a difference. With all this being said, let's not neglect string quality and cleanliness. As pointed out in earlier posts the type of wood is important too. Oh, Keep sound hole size and location in the formula too. Ha! I built a "CanJo" using a 1 Gal. lacquer thinner can. I never thought I would hear so much resonance come out of an old can. Anyone is welcome to let me know if all this is off the subject of temperament, but, from what I have learned since this thread began it all helps.
Actually, it should be the distance of each fret from the nut, not the spacing between the frets. Otherwise an error at one fret throws all of the higher notes off.
Well that video is way over my head but if I understand what the guy is talking about is when the instrument maker is setting up the location of the frets on the fret-board,The distance from one to the other in the relationship To each other the distance ???
Yes, I just did some research on temperament and really got a head full of information. Yes, much is over my head, but very interesting. I'll just stick to my tuning method and enjoy what I love, .the sweet song of the dulcimer. Going back and forth from guitar to dulcimer keeps me on my toes. Keeps the cobwebs cleared from the old grey cells
Very nice instruments, Shopdad. I just worry too much about temperament. I follow this philosophy.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
OK, now you guys have spurred my interest. It's time for some deep diving into temperament. Thanks Dan, all this is helping and explains a bit more each time. How long have you guys been dealing with this? Do makers of all string instruments understand the temperament. Skip, I use the note frequency on my instruments rather than just an eyeball on the balance point. I try to get the frequency as close as possible. Yes, the material in which the instrument is made is definitely a factor. I am careful not to install too much bracing inside just for that purpose. The tone/resonance on my homebuilt tear drop is about the same as the kit made from walnut. My next build will be another hourglass design so I may reopen this discussion with you. Maybe I'll have more knowledge about it and not sound as ignorant with my statements and questions :) Here's a pic of the kit walnut Cedar Creek and my handmade teardrop mostly poplar and some oak bracing, Hand carved eagle head stock is also oak.
Discussions on temperament can get very involved.
Temperaments are directly related to note frequency, not note names. This is because a notes frequency, for instance 'A', can be an 435 or 445, or larger spreads. In order to set a starting point, the note frequency of 'A' is designated as the base reference point. Another part of temperament is that they define the spacing between adjacent notes in a diatonic scale. There are many more pieces to the temperaments puzzle.
A 'D4' is a 'D4' across all instruments, it may sound a bit different because of the material used to produce the note [frequency]. Just compare the note of the bass 7th fret to the open melody on a DAd tuned MD.
A D4 on an equal temperament MD may not sound/have the same frequency as a D4 on a differently tempered MD.
I haven't noticed any difficulty tuning my guitar. Totally different even if same note as Dulcimer. I chalk it up to the resonance of the guitar vs, the dulcimer. Diatonic to chromatic I guess.
