Forum Activity for @john-c-knopf

Thanks for the great article, Ken.  I wish I could have joined you all this year.

Thanks, Joe and Lexie!   Cool info. 

Angels We Have Heard On High, Joy To The World, Hark The Herald Angels Sing, Bring A Torch, The Friendly Beasts, O Come All Ye Faithful, The Holly and The Ivy. These are  just a few off the top of my head. I'm too lazy to go downstairs and look at our play list.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

You have a real treasure there and it is such a nice thing that Rick Scott got in touch with you to give you information on JR dulcimers. This will give your dulcimer that much more pleasure and personal value and the coolest part is that it was your Father's.

Have fun with your Dulci Journey!

Yeah, I have a home printer, and print large print lyric sheets, for most of my songs.  The ones that can, love to sing along.  The ones that can't ,  I still give them a sheet, so as not to feel left out.  Some hum .   Some read the words.

Thanks for your input . 

Winter Wonderland, Silver Bells and White Christmas always get people singing.  If you need uke chords for any of those, just let me know ;-)

On dulcimer you could add some happier traditional carols like Joy to the World and Angels We Have Heard on High.  My favorite Christmas song to play on dulcimer is In the Bleak Midwinter, but that song is entirely not going to make your setlist more cheerful! 

When the uke club plays senior centers, we often hand out lyric sheets to encourage singalongs.  Comes in handy on those 2nd and 3rd verses of even the most familiar carols.  Remember to use large type!

Lisa, your ideas are splindid.  I'll look into the bells and some cheery songs.  

You are right.  While beautiful songs, for the most part are slow sad songs.  Thanks for the eye opener .

Terry ☺😊😆

Terry, I know you and some of your church friends sew tote bags for seniors.  Here's a thought-

You can buy crafter's big bags of 'jingle bells' pretty cheap on Ebay and Amazon.  How about sewing like 8 or 10 bells on soft fabric hand loops that can be passed around to residents to shake along during certain Christmas songs like of course Jingle Bells... but also some other 'cheery/jingly' songs like maybe Rudolf the Reindeer, Jolly old St Nick, Here Comes Santa Claus, and Frosty the Snowman?  
Terry your songlist has mostly slow and very beautiful carols --but might make some of the residents emotional to the point of crying (I know it would me!)- so perhaps intersperse some cheery peppy ones and make them shake their bells or some percussion eggshakers?  (good physical therapy to shake stuff, too!)

You can't have too many flutes I say! lol

Christmas songs for seniors?  Virtually every Christmas song written!!  I add a few Anglo-European songs as well -- I Saw Three Ships, Il Est Nee, Wexford Carol, Once In Royal David's City... 

I ordered the high G in aromatic cedar as soon as I got the sale email from HS. Turns out, my sister also ordered a high F# in birch.

Then Susie, here's your perfect time to get one!! they are on sale for THIS week. 25 percent off all the flutes!

Let me know if you get one. I ordered mine!! 

Take care

Maria

For the folks who play at senior centers, church senior groups, nursing and/or assisted living homes, I was just wondering of the songs you have selected to present.  I am hoping this may help me learn a new song or two.  My list is very short and familiar.  I've discovered that seniors, especially seniors at assisted living homes, love repetition and familiarity.  My list also includes the instrument I use.

Away In A Manger (Dulcimer)           Jingle Bells (Ukulele)           Beautiful Star of Bethlehem  (Ukulele)

O, Little Town of Bethlehem  (Dulcimer)               Silent Night  (Dulcimer)               The First Noel  (Dulcimer)

It Came Upon the Midnight Clear  (Dulcimer)

I would appreciate knowing what works for you.  

25% off currently at High Spirits.

Just finished reading,  great folks doing great work.  Thanks for posting Ken. 

Interesting. Thanks, Ken!

Steven

Great article. Thanks for posting this!

Here is an article about Hindman, Kentucky where the Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming takes place every year. The folks at the Lutheriery make quite a few dulcimers based on the J.E. Thomas pattern as well as others. Just thought some folks might find it interesting.

http://www.kentucky.com/news/local/news-columns-blogs/tom-eblen/article116038888.html

Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Sounds like you have a beauty enjoy your journey and I am sure other's will lead you to more information as you have lead me to the discovery of JR's dulcimers have fun.

Rick Scott playing JR's last dulcimer;

I went to youtube and found Rick Scott playing J.R's last dulcimer and JR playing a dulcimer very much like yours.

I looked up JR Stone and found a interesting article "Meeting Joni Mitchel" by Rick Scott. Which includes some back ground information on JR Stone. This might interest you. http://jonimitchell.com/library/view.cfm?id=2682

Welcome to FOTMD.  Very cool dulcimer!  

Are you considering learning to play it?  In any case I'm sure you'll get some interesting info on this instrument form other members.

I removed your other duplicate thread, and I moved this thread out of the For Sale forum since it's not a sale thread.  If you decide to sell this dulcimer later, please create a new selling thread there after first reviewing the For Sale Forum guidelines.  Thanks very much!

Hearts of the Dulcimer Podcast - Episode 19
National Dulcimer Championship 2016

http://bit.ly/hotdpodcast

We have a new episode … National Dulcimer Championship 2016 with Mark Gilston, Cassandra Damper, and Wendy Songe. Listen to their dramatic stories about winning the national championship. With commentary by Jim Woods from McSpadden Dulcimers.

For episode resources, go to:  http://dulcimuse.com/podcast/resource/019.html

You are right Barbara. George Haggerty of Jacksonville, VT. ( Sweet-water Dulcimers) is my friend, neighbor and dulcimer building mentor and has been handcrafting some of the sweetest sounding dulcimers I have ever heard for 30+ years. His trademark design are his offset hearts and vines. As you mentioned he makes hourglass as well as teardrop dulcimers. The quality of his dulcimers are top notch!

Thank you, Ken!  ~I appreciate you so very much~

p.s.  George Haggerty, Sweet-Water Dulcimers, makes teardrop and hourglass shaped instruments, as well as student models.

Hi All - Sweet-Water Dulcimers are made by George Haggerty in Jacksonville VT.  My husband and I both have one of his teardrops - George makes a beautiful, sweet-sounding instrument!  Aubrey Atwater's primary dulcimer is one of George's.  George worked for FolkCraft when they were in CT, and runs the Dulcimer Daze August Festival in West Dover, VT, now in its 26th year.  Hope this helps.

 IMG_0689.jpg - 161KB

When you get that high, angle your pick way up -- almost vertical -- so you're only picking the melody string(s).  It's not out of tune, but it certainly is a "discord".

John Henry,  I am so very sorry for the loss of your beloved Mary...my deepest condolences to you and your family....

John Henry, I am very sorry for your loss, my thoughts are with you. Stay strong.

So as I keep on, I am playing well until the 11th fret.  Sounds out of tune every time.  I think I'll just cut those songs out of my Christmas repertoire for now...  LOL!

God bless you and yours, John and Paul.  I'm sorry for your loss.

I WISH!!!!!!!!!

John Henry...........I just read the post by Robin concerning your beloved's crossing Jordan. May you be granted great comfort from family and friends and the knowledge that beyond Jordan there is a promised land.

                                                                   "I'm just a poor wayfaring stranger
                                                                    Traveling through this world of woe
                                                                    Yet there's no sickness, toil nor danger
                                                                    In that fair land to which I go
                                                                    I'm going there to see my father
                                                                    I'm going there no more to roam
                                                                    I'm just going over Jordan
                                                                    I'm just going over home"

John Henry,  I am so sorry to hear of Mary's  passing.  I hope you and your family find comfort in knowing she is with the lord and is no longer in pain. You are a good man to have sacrificed of yourself for Mary's comfort the past few years.  If you need someone to talk to,  I'm here for you.  God bless you and your family in this tough time.  Your friend Kevin. 

I am so very sorry for your loss.

John, I'm sorry to hear about Mary. I'm lifting you and your family up in prayer. May God give you comfort as only He can. 

My condolences to you, John and Paul, and to your family.

Steven

John Henry, so sorry to hear of Mary's passing. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.