Forum Activity for @robin-thompson

@casserole Here in Ohio, the air is quite dry in Winter and I assume the same for your climate.  Be sure to never store a wooden instrument near a heat source.  It is a good idea to use a humidifier of some sort in the case.  I hope your used Folkcraft arrives without incident to your doorstep!  

You mentioned "Low-Maintenance." Provided that they are properly set up when purchased, lap dulcimers don't need much maintenance work except when a string breaks, and if you learn to tune carefully that will not be often.

It's best to store it in a proper case, rather than a pillow case. Try to keep the case out of the rain, and don't leave it on a beach. Wiping occasionally with a soft cloth and maybe oiling the tuners every couple of years is a good idea.

The traditional dulcimer is reputed to have been kept hanging on the wall over the fireplace in a cabin which wasn't heated much in below zero weather. If well built, they are a tough as the Kentucky hill folks who owned them.

I'm assuming you didn't buy one made with faces of glued up exotic wood with wild grain or knots, or millions of sound holes, and that it has a proper one-piece fretboard and geared tuners. Buying exotic stuff is always a risk.

Thank you both so much for your help! I really needed a little boost of confidence before making the investment. I just placed an order on Reverb for an "excellent condition" used Folkcraft. Fingers crossed the order goes through and the dulcimer is as good as the vendor claims.  

Ken L has given you wonderful advice, casserole.  I wish you a joyous mountain dulcimer journey!  

Sometimes it is best to start with what type of music do you want to play? You mentioned that you played noter style. It is easier to play in a 1 5 5 tuning (DAA, CGG, etc.) because for most tunes you will only play on the first (melody) string. In that tuning a 6.5 fret is nice to have, but not necessary. If you plan to play in chord/melody style you really should have that 6.5 and its octave 13.5. If you choose to play more modern songs or choose to play in a cross fret board style you might add the 1.5 and 8.5 frets. In general most folks play in DAd in those styles. Another question to ask yourself is do you want 3 or 4 strings. Four strings seems to be the most popular with the ability to turn it into three strings by removing one and you can have the nut notched to play four equidistant strings which opens up other possibilities. I hope I'm not confusing you with too much information.

Your profile lists you as being in Stillwater. You might call or drive down to Redwing and visit Stoney End Music. They usually have some mountain dulcimers in stock. Stoney End is associated with Hobgoblin Music in Great Britain so they also have instruments associated with British folk music.

In addition to the makers you mentioned I would encourage you to look at Folkcraft as well.

Ebony fretboards are nice, but add to the cost of the instrument. The first dulcimer I made in 1974 has a walnut fretboard and has held up very well. For myself I would not bother with an ebony fretboard on my dulcimer. Some folks feel that ebony helps your fingers slide better. It's really a matter of personal preference and how much you want to spend as fretboard overlays add to the expense of the instrument.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Hello! After 40-some years of wishing, I'm finally buying myself a dulcimer. I've been trying to educate myself, but I feel overwhelmed. I would greatly appreciate any guidance on dulcimer makers, models, and/or features that would be reliable and easy to play. I'm not being modest when I say I have zero musical talent, and I'll only be playing by and for myself. When I had a cardboard dulcimer 40-some years ago, I played what I believe is called noter/drone style (with a wooden rod and a pick). I really liked that, but would be game to try plucking it, too. I know it would be best to try various dulcimers out, but I live in Minnesota, and don't have easy access to a dulcimer store or dulcimer luthier (that I'm aware of).  

I've been looking at McSpadden, New Harmony, and Warren May, but am open to anything. I can afford a new, basic dulcimer, and possibly an upgrade or two, but nothing too crazy. I have thought about getting a smaller model, like a Ginger or Pudge, but don't know if that affects the reliability or ease of playing at all? Are ebony fret boards a good investment? Finally, are there certain frets that should be included or added (I see a lot of discussion about the 6.5 fret)? 

Thank you so much for reading! Any opinions on any of this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for all the good feedback and yes on my 25” V.S.L  it's a bit of a stretch for the 1-2-4 chord for me on my 25” diatonic. I can do it but it's definitely uncomfortable. I need to practice stretching more.Okay that answers my question thanks. Don't know if I'm ready for a chromatic. I’m just playing with the idea at this point maybe I'll stick with what I have 

I have, and prefer, chromatics. The one I use the most has 23" VSL.

If you can play on a 25" VSL diatonic, you can play a 25" chromatic. The frets are the same distance apart, just some are missing on the diatonic. It should not be a problem unless you play up the scale alot, eg. frets above 10 on a 25" VSL

It would probably help understand this by comparing fret spacing between different VSL at the 'tight' end. There's really not much of a difference until the VSL's are significantly different. 

This is a good calculator for comparing.

https://www.bearmeadow.com/calculators/fret-calculator.html

Jon, the only answer I can offer is "kinda, sorta, not really, maybe."  This is all a matter of preference.

Yes, the frets themselves get smaller on a chromatic and for playing higher up the neck, we might want a longer VSL to enable our Fred Flintstone-like chubby fingers to get in there to fret the strings.

However, the challenges of stretching to reach chords--the reason many of us prefer shorter VSLs--does not go away.  I think of the 1-2-4 A chord in a DAd tuning as the test case.  Can you comfortably fret that chord?  On my 25" dulcimer, it is very comfortable, and I can even move my thumb up to the 5th fret for melody notes while still holding down the 1 on the bass and 2 on the middle.  On my 27" dulcimer, I can fret the 1-2-4 chord, but it is a bit of a stretch, and I can't get up to that 5th fret with my thumb.  That issue is the same whether the fretboard is diatonic or chromatic.

The muscles in our fingers do indeed stretch over time, but your comfort level fretting chords is largely a function of the size of your hand, so there is no universal "ideal" VSL. 

In order to maximize your ability to finger chromatic frets higher up the fretboard, I would suggest you determine the longest VSL that allows you to fret that 1-2-4 chord comfortably.

  Hi kids. Just me Jon again.  I have a question about chromatic V.S.L.  I know that the trend with the diatonic set-up  is to go with a 25 inch V.S.L to make it easier for reaching the frets. So following that logic I would think with the chromatic you would want the maximum V.S.L Since there are so many extra frets The longer V.S.L is better in order to make the spacing of the frets further apart?. I guess I'm asking what is the ideal V.S.L for a chromatic setup anybody out there with any ideas  Like all ways THANK

Lara, what a wonderful little story of the Sunhearth tradition around the 4th of July!  Thank you for starting this great thread.

I’m stealing this post from my dad who tells the tale of The first Fourth of July festival at Sunhearth. 

“ Hi folks, thanks for welcoming Lara. She mentions that she has three dulcimers. What she doesn't say is that she built one of them at Sunhearth, under the watchful eye of Walt Martin. Her roots in the Martin family are deep.

Ken, the July 4th weekends at Sunhearth have an interesting history:

Walt was friends with a group of musicians centered around Penn State U, about 75 miles from Roaring Spring, where Walt and his Dad built the Martin homestead, Sunhearth, (upwind from the Roaring Spring village paper mill, thank goodness...).

Awhile after Walt started building dulcimers, he got into a free-wheeling conversation with these musicians, and said "I'll bet all the beer you can drink that you can't sing and play for 24 hours straight without repeating a song!"

Well they took him up on it. And along came everyone who had owned a Sunhearth. And Lara, her mother (who was Walt's niece), and me.

We all got sloshed, and Walt gladly paid for the beer. And we had one of those 12 fish and 5 loaves of bread stone soup three-day weekends. Sometimes I'd go down early to help Mike put up out-houses and get the electric lights strung, etc...

That weekend became a tradition for many years, until Walt and Helen wore out...”

Yes. And on the dulcimer, the term means the same as on any stringed musical instrument, though the exact quality on the dulcimer will of course be different, just as a viola played by plucking will be different from a guitar.

Overtones are created by any string. If you want to hear just the fundamental, pluck the string at the octave. That will get you the least overtones. Plucking it at the second octave (the 14th diatonic fret) will yield another fundamental.

Plucking or picking anywhere on the string will result in various families of overtones being accentuated. If you watch a classical guitarist, the right hand is all over the fingerboard, not just down by the soundhole, and the results are spectacular.

The same kind of effect can be achieved with the dulcimer, so get out of the strum hollow and have some fun!

There are also three other influences at work in the voicing of the dulcimer.

The first, of course, is the construction of the dulcimer itself. There are some that sound harsh, some that sound mellow, some that can be anything in the range between, depending on how they are played and how they are strung.

The strings themselves have two different modes of affecting tone and brilliance/warmth.

The first is the string itself. A wound string is liable to be warmer. And that might be accompanied by the 'whizz' of fretting, if one slides the finger from fret to fret. So there are 'squeakless' strings, in which the string winding has been milled flat. But then the string may not have enough brilliance.

So brilliance itself is determined not only by the string's character, but also its tension. A high tension string will have more brilliance than a string operating at low tension.

In choosing strings for a Bear Meadow, I keep in mind the sort of voice that best fits the needs of the musician. And having settled on the balance between loudness, playability (the force needed to fret the instrument), brilliance and warmth. Once I have one string that fits those needs I will choose other strings suited for the tuning scheme (usually DDAd, AAAd, CCgc, etc.), and operating at the same tension as the first string I chose.

When strings operate at the same (or closely similar) tensions, the brilliance will be in the same 'family' of overtones. Strings that are not matched in tension will be performing differently, sometimes subtly, sometimes jarringly, depending on all the above (including the design of the dulcimer).

Does anyone on this site? Remember going to the Sunhearth Fourth of July folk festival? 
and just maybe, @Dwain-Wilder can tell us when they started, and when the last year was…?
I would love to hear your memories!

It is amazing pedigree to be sure. I am very grateful to have been a small part of it.
Mike Martin (My uncle Mike and godfather, my mother’s cousin) was stationed in Cuba with my father in the Navy many years ago. So Mike Martin was how my parents met…and how, many years later, Sunhearth transitioned from one branch of my family to the other!

Thanks Alex - pleased you liked it. The link you posted is to the audio supplements to the newsletter. I believe that the actual newsletters are generally only available to club members, but the audio gives you a flavour of what is in each edition of Nonsuch News.  

Welcome to FOTMD, Lara.  You should indeed be proud.  Both Sunhearth and Bear Meadow have attainted the status of legends in the dulcimer community for both quality and innovation.

I am a member of the Martin family who grew up going to Sunhearth every year. I am also the daughter of DwainW. of Bear Meadow dulcimers. 

I would love to hear your stories of Sunhearth And my great uncle Walt. (My profile pic is of me and uncle Walt..chillin in the sun) And I am happy to share some of my own.

Your newsletter is fabulous.  I encourage everyone to check it out.

https://www.dulcimer.org.uk/about-us/club-news/

Hello Karen - good to hear from you again. Yes, Sandie did set a high bar so I will have my work cut out. I will definitely get back to you with an idea or two. Thanks.

I won't be at Halsway unfortunately - it is always booked a year ahead, so difficult to get in. I am still organising the Nonsuch Spring Fling event in Newcastle every year - this will be our 5th year. Be good to get you to come up North one time!

Hey there Steve! Congratulations on your new gig!  Sandie set a high bar, but they’ve selected a talented guy to follow in her footsteps.  Happy to help if you want to pitch an idea. Hope to see you at Halsway.

Hello - for some reason I seem to have volunteered to be the new editor of the quarterly UK dulcimer club magazine "Nonsuch News". I am therefore looking for stories to feature in 2026. We cover both hammered and mountain dulcimers (am I even allowed to mention hammered dulcimers here?). So if you have a story to share - history of dulcimers; your personal journey with dulcimers and the dulcimer community; building or collecting dulcimers; unusual tunings used; favourite tunes and songs - in fact anything dulcimer or music related - I would love to hear from you. Sorry, there's no money involved - Nonsuch Dulcimer Club is a charity - but it would be great to hear about dulcimers from a U.S.A. (or elsewhere) perspective. You can contact me at editor@dulcimer.org.uk 

Thank you

Steve

In answer to your question, in our home we celebrate Hanukah and New Year's.  For Hanukah, we light our menorah and make potato pancakes.  Our kids are adults so we no longer give gifts.  It's very Jewish to get Chinese food for Christmas, so we did.  We also called my wife's family (in Hawaii, where she's from) who do celebrate the holiday.

Because my wife is Japanese-American, New Year's is a big deal.  New Year's Eve, we make Japanese food.  This year, it was sushi and yakisoba, fried noodles.  It was a somewhat simpler spread than in years past, but we're not as young as we used to be.

I may have mentioned this before, but I started playing dulcimer (after decades of guitar, bass, and ukulele) when my wife composed a piece for her Japanese fusion ensemble (of which I was a member) and dulcimer was the closest thing we had to a particular Japanese instrument.  I've given concerts in China (even on tv) and South Korea and audiences (and composers) love it.

I have some health issues and I got to meet with a dietician yesterday, who was very positive about how careful I've been, especially in preventing diabetes.  Per her recommendation, my New Year's resolution is to drink 64 ounces of water a day.  I also plan to compose some songs on poetry of Emma Lazarus, who's best known for the inscription on the Statue of Liberty.  That seems timely.

Happy New Year to this wonderful community.

Here's to more peace, kindness, and compassion in this world of ours for 2026.
Wishing you all a joyful new year.  oxo

Happy New Year! May you live 2026 in reckless, musical abandon! Learning songs you never thought you could play, giving performances anywhere they will let you play and trying out new styles of playing! Fill 2026 with music it just might improve the year.

Thank you, @cindy-stammich-- wishing you and all at FOTMD lots of happy strumming in this new year! 

Wishing each of you and your families and friends a Very Happy New Year!

 IMG_6442.jpeg - 181KB

Hi - I just returned here after a few years absence and I am trying to remember how these things work also! 
anyway, Happy New Year, everyone!

The next celebration of International Appalachian Dulcimer Day will be Saturday 28 March 2026!

I look forward to seeing videos, audio recording, photos, poetry, etc., of how y'all choose to mark the day!  

An amazing collection-- such treasures, Kendra!   

Well, my turntable just started acting whackadoo (suddenly speeding up to 78rpm range)  so I can’t guarantee the whole album. On the first track it’s solo dulcimer accompanied by a mockingbird. I believe the rest of the album is solo dulcimer (no bowing). 

Is the music on the "Chet Hines – Fiddlin' With A Dulcimore" record, duets with a fiddle and dulcimore or a dulcimore played with a fiddle bow or something else?

The "Hollow Poplar" is an album of the 1974 Indiana Fiddler's Gathering performances. I have the vinyl album.
Chet did play the dulcimer on that album

Hollow Poplar - The second Battle Ground Fiddlers' Gathering 1974

A1    Artie P. Crowder, Harold Lamb (3)–    Cackling Hen
A2    Seamus Cooley–    Cooley's Favorite
A3    Chet Hines–    I Don't Love Nobody
A4    Mike Mumbler and the Stink Creek Stump Jumpers, Mark Gunther, Laura Gloger, John Gordley, Tim Wilson (29), John Lilly–    Over The Waterfall
A5    John McGreevy*–    Tom Fitzmaurice's Reel / Boys Of Ballinahinch
A6    Gene Moore (12), Ruby McDonald, Lyle Mayfield, Doris Mayfield, Mac Abell, Quentin McDonald– Bright In The Corner Where You Are
A7    Donald Duff, Gary Mantooth–    Fire On The Mountain
A8    Sean O'Dwyer (3)–    The Gold Ring
A9    Quentin McDonald–    Pan American Blues
A10    Francis Geels, Jim Mikels–    Twinkle Little Star
20:40
B1    Mark Gunther, John Gordley, Bill Foley (2), Tim Wilson (29)–    Staten Island Hornpipe
B2    Mrs. Dessie Brown, Jim Mikels–    Shout Lulu
B3    Mary Cooley–    May Morning Dew
B4    Lowell Keller, Jim Mikels–    Hollow Poplar
B5    John Lilly, Tim Wilson (29)–    Dallas Rag / Dill Pickle Rag
B6    Elizabeth Carroll (2)–    Melody: Fonn Gan Ainm (Airt Without A Name); Morning Dew; Merry Sisters; Tom Steele
B7    Jay Round, Jim Gage (2), Ruby McDonald, Quentin McDonald–    Eighth Of January
B8    Jim Gage (2), Walter Sikora, Miles Krassen–    The Soldier And The Lady
B9    Larry McCullough–    Maid Of Mayberry
B10    Ervie Burge, Laurence Pratt, Jim Gage (2), Walter Sikora–    Red Apple Rag

https://youtu.be/8DMet7ox45o?si=bdQj2zEVtYp98NYL

while the picture shows Chet playing a fiddle, the music appears to be just dulcimer. This is NOT on the album I have. 

paula

https://youtu.be/8DMet7ox45o?si=YcvQ-_nZoyaHVopA

This is from discogs.com

https://www.discogs.com/release/21054343-Chet-Hines-Fiddlin-With-A-Dulcimore

Chet Hines – Fiddlin' With A Dulcimore
Label:        Not On Label – none
Format:     Vinyl, 7", 33 ⅓ RPM, EP
Country:    US
Released: 1971
Genre:       Folk, World, & Country
Style:         Country, Bluegrass

A1        Mockin' Bird
A2        Old Joe Clark
A3        Soldier's Joy
A4        Chet's Sawyer
B1        Silver Bells
B2        Flop-Eared Mule
B3        Wildwood Flower
B4        John Henry
Pressed By – Rite Record Productions, Inc. – 27679
Pressed By – Rite Record Productions, Inc. – 27680

Matrix / Runout (A-side Label): 27679
Matrix / Runout (B-side Label): 27680

Rite Record Productions, Inc.
Profile:
Record pressing plant in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; owned and operated by Carl Burkhardt. Rite Record Productions, Inc. offered custom pressing services from 1955 until 1985.
Contact Info:
[obsolete]
9745 Lockland Road,
Cincinnati 15,
Ohio 45215

I also own a copy of this “not quite an LP”. Would there be any copyright issues posting it? I don’t have any recording equipment but could probably find a way to upload a rough recording from my iPhone. 

here is the track listing 

side one

1. Mockin’ Bird

2. Old Joe Clark

3. Soldier’s Joy

4. Chet’s Sawyer

side two

5. Silver Bells

6. Flop-eared Mule

7. Wildwood Flower

8. John Henry

It certainly would be nice to be able to download a copy of Chet Hines recording. There seems to be several of us interested in hearing it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

@steve-c , It's nice to know there's one still around. I contacted a dulcimer luthier who knew Chet personally. He has one, too. So, hopefully he will digitize it and make the tracks available. If not, let me know if you ever dig it out of storage. Thanks.

@john-petry - The link you provided is a performance Chet did at the second Battle Ground Fiddlers' Gathering in 1974 in Battleground, Indiana. But thanks.