Forum Activity for @ken-hulme

If the cracks really bother you, wick a drop or two of slo-set Superglue into them...

No problemo, I just couldn't see!    Thanx Lisa.

I would say YES you need more sound hole area to get good volume.   I would center the knotholes on the length of the instrument, and add 4 more round sound holes about the same size, half way between the knotholes and the ends of the instrument.   Generally speaking you want at least as much sound hole area as 4 US quarters -- about 2-3 square inches.  

Virtual Festivals - what I like is concerts and lessons, they are very effective in the  virtual realm. What I miss is looking at instruments, sitting around jamming, and eating/drinking with other people who I know from past years. I understand the limits but those are the things I miss.

Many thanks for sorting the picture size.

i new to this site and am not finding it easy to navigate. 

I'll persevere but apologies in advance for my basic errors.

OceanD, that thing about "making the notes sound connected" is actually a big deal, and it's not all that common that people really think about it. It's sort of the equivalent of if you are playing penny whistle and making a separate blow out for every note, rather than doing sometimes two or three notes on one breath. Same with fiddling- some fiddlers make a separate back/forth stroke of the bow on each note. I find that becomes irritating to listen to after a while, like ratt-a-tat, ratt-a-tat.... 
With the dulcimer, it takes some conscious effort to sound more than one note per strum or pick motion. And it's not all about sliding. Lots of folks never get into such things because it's hard to change how you play once you've gotten used to something. The fact that you are aware of this and are taking technique workshops to improve your playing skills rather than to simply learn more tunes, is admirable!  

I think maybe @dusty-turtle can say something here about players wanting to actually have some enjoyable conversational time with each other during virtual zoom festivals... Dusty?

Pondoro, maybe you could elaborate a bit on why the virtual festival experience does not feel satisfying to you?- such input might really help those who organize such events.  :)

i fixed the pic size.

I've been to virtual festivals and they did not do a lot for me. I do enjoy virtual play-alongs with friends who I already knew, and I've enjoyed virtual concerts. Also some Zoom lessons. But the "festival" or "conference" experience seems lacking (to me).

Well I don't see any knotholes in the pictures as you posted them.  The photos are far too large.  Try reposting them smaller so we can see the entire picture. 

 All I see is a portion of woven basket, the butt ends of two planks that appear to be walnut, and one end of what appears to be a glue up of walnut and something else troughly trimmed to a dulcimer head or tail shape.|

Ken, I am very happy to read your good news.

Knot holes but do I need to add extra holes? 

I've done it, come on over!  :)

I've been getting back into playing dulcimer after a hiatus of several years, and one thing I've done is to "go" to several virtual festivals.  I've "been" to Florida, Georgia, and wherever Quarantune is based, and tomorrow I'll be "in" Albany. 

I've found it to be a really good boost for me personally.  I was already familiar with Zoom, so that wasn't a problem.  And I've gotten to learn some wonderful music from some amazing teachers.  I couldn't have traveled to all those places. 

It's also helped me think about my own goals in playing.  One thing I've wanted is to develop technique--to make the notes sound connected, and to find the way I like playing.  I keep taking workshops on embellishments.  Maybe I've nearly reached saturation point...

I admit that one problem is that it's harder to connect with fellow students.  There's not as much opportunity for casual conversation.  So being able to go to a live festival will be great, when we're able to do that. 

Have you been to any virtual festivals yet?  What do you think? 

Good idea. I think it will be an active discussion.  I was tempted to do start one myself, but it was your idea!

I've been getting back into playing after a hiatus of several years, and I've found the virtual festivals to be helpful to me in getting back into the swing.  Not every workshop is a perfect match, but sometimes you strike gold. 

I think I'll start that thread in the General forum so we can continue the discussion there.  ;)

I will be "in" Albany this weekend. I have booked two Beginner workshops and the Saturday concert, and will be lurking at the jam sessions. Looking forward to it.

Warren May dulcimer

 IMG_20200511_172229.jpg - 116KB

Those tuners look like planetary ones-- the best.

Lois, it occurs to me that a snake plant (SANSEVIERIA) sounds like it might be just the thing for your low-ish light counter.  It's fine with erratic watering schedules, like to dry out sometimes completely. Loves the sun but survives just fine in low light too. It gets tall and elegant and puts out lots of leaves and 'pups' to give away, but won't take up lots of horizontal counter space. It's not very expensive, and there are many beautiful different varieties of sansevieria to choose from. Look up some google pictures of snake plant varieties.

I have a nice unassuming snake plant that loves it on my low light desk next to my computer- I bought it cheap at the supermarket about 6 months ago, and it's been putting out several healthy new spears:

Those look like good quality tuners, whether original or not.  It's true Bob like his wooden tuning pegs, but that doesn't mean he didn't fit these pegs to that instrument.  I would certainly go ahead and use them.  If they have trouble holding tune, there is a tiny screw in the end of each knob which can be tightened say 1/8 of a turn at a time with a small screwdriver to tighten things up.   

I thought Astilbe and mandevilla were strictly outdoor garden plants, and get really big in size? They may need to be dormant during the winter, but I don't know much about them. Can you maybe take cuttings and root them?
I too have used aquarium water on my plants. I'm sure they love it!  I've allowed my aquarium fish to naturally die off over time, without buying new ones. Soon I'll dismantle the (12 gallon) aquarium and take over that prime window spot for my plants.  :)

I went to this discussion hoping for HELP!  Are there members able to make suggestions to somebody I'm sure makes plants quake with fear?  Right now I'm wondering what might replace an Astilbe that has finally almost surrendered to my "care."  It took 2 1/2 years, but this plant on my kitchen counter gets some light, but not enough to be truly sunny.  My watering tendencies also are sporadic.  The one good thing is I use water from cleaning my aquarium.

Also in my defense, it looks like I kept the Mandevilla from the sunroom alive in the house.  I usually just buy 3, 2 for the entrance & 1 to be a real plant in that sunroom.  The local garden store didn't think I could do it.  Right now it's far from luxuriant, but hope to see it bounce back in warmer weather.

While I feel like I torture plants, I guess I'm not as hopeless as I claim, but at the other end of the spectrum from all posting here so far.

Virtually sounds good. I've hiked portions of the AT in Maine, NH, Vermont, NY, PA, Maryland, and VA.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

VIRTUALLY, Ken.  It's the only way either of us would survive it.

Lisa, enjoy your beautiful Mize!  

My little ginseng ficus bonsai tree is supposed to come today. I'm both worried and excited, hoping it didn't suffer from any freezes during its 3 day fedex journey from Mississippi to me in freezing NY.

Yesterday I noticed several new leaf shoots emerging on my big split leaf philodendron (monstera deliciosa). I love how the bebe leaves on it are all tightly furled up like a green burrito. Then as it slowly gets bigger and unfurls each day you can see whether that leaf has splits or not. I look forward to it getting big enough for me to make cuttings to give to my two grown daughters.  :)

As long as you promise to carry me all the way.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

It's great to hear this news, Ken!  Now we can both hike the Appalachian Trail from Canada to Georgia! (virtually).

Awesome great news Ken.

Lois, I do have a bass dulcimer on loan from a friend. It is a Blue Lion and not much heavier than my Blue Lion dulcimer.

Lisa, it certainly does feel good.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken that's great news!  It must feel so good to have your heart working properly now. 

YAAAY!  Since your dulcimer probably isn't heavier than 8 pounds, you can keep picking it up as it's obviously helped you so far, Ken!  If you have a bass or otherwise heavier instrument, let it be your incentive for playing again in May.

Dusty, sure, as long as I don't have to lift anything heavier than 8 pounds. Are you paying for my round trip airfare and other expenses?

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken, that is great news!!! Glad you are back!!!

Ken, I am happy to see your good news! 

If PA is anything like OH, the thing which makes a person eligible for helping someone move is owning a pickup truck.  It must be different where Dusty lives (than where I live).  :)

That's great news, Ken.  We're all delighted to hear it.

So can you help me move this weekend?

Today I saw my cardiac surgeon for my first, and as it turns out, my last post op appointment. I am doing so well with my recovery that he does not need to see me again. I can drive again. I still need to be cautious of lifting things for another 2 months so I do not damage my sternum. My heart is in great shape after the mitral valve repair. Look out world, I'm back! LOL

Thank you to all who offered good wishes, prayers, notes of concern , and phone calls during this time. It is greatly appreciated.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Lisa, you have a beautiful instrument. Bob Mine did excellent work. I do not think those cracks were there when he built that dulcimer. I think They are a function of age and humidity. I can't tell if they go all the way through the peg head or are just surface cracks. If the latter, let them go. If the former a little bit of thin super glue in the crack and some clamping will fix the cracks. Put new strings on it, tune it up, and play it. Enjoy your "new" dulcimer.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Lisa, this YouTube video shows a Mize dulcimer purchased in 1992 that has the same tuning pegs as yours.  I think they are original. 

About twice a year I treat my dulcimers to a rub down with Howard's Feed N Wax. The stuff is inexpensive and you can get it at any hardware or home improvement store.  Here is Bing Futch demonstrating how he treats his instruments with the stuff.

If this were my instrument, I would clean it up, add the Howard's, and then put on new strings. I bet it will sing!

Thank you for your response. I will search online for the product you recommended. The wood does not feel particularly dry to me. Depending on the light, the cracks are not as visible. That is why I did not see them at first. Maybe treating it will help. Would you try to go ahead and tune it as is? Also, what do you think of these pegs? Do you suppose they're original? The reason I ask is I read he mainly used wood pegs. Or maybe that was earlier than this 1984 instrument.