Forum Activity for @jan-potts

Gin Onan had a pick holder specially designed for her since she couldn't hold one any more  with her MS issues.  Other folks have, too.  You might just find a different way to hold the pick...for instance, with your fingers making a fist, and the pick held firmly between 2 of your fingers.  You might need to try picks of different shape, size, and thickness....and you might want to experiment with ones you cut out from margarine tubs, for example.

I've had several injuries to my hands and right now I'm mostly fingerpicking with my thumb lying alongside the fretboard and my 4 fingers doing all the work.  I used to use my thumb, index, and pinkie to fingerpick so that's been a big change in the past year. 

Don't worry what it looks like, just do whatever works for you.

Hahahahaha! 

Just have the Doc do a Pick Implant -- get that pick permanently mounted.  You'll never lose another pick down a soundhole!

One year in and my fingers are chording, dancing, flying all over the fretboard and my joy is complete! 

However, there is one caveat.

I have some arthritis in my right index finger, first joint and the finger joint is swollen, painful and is beginning to turn out and a nerve-rubbing bone spur in my thumb knuckle. 

Just got a 2nd opinion today from an older very wise ortho doc and he thinks fusing that first joint could stop any more disfiguring and, he can also get rid of the bone spur on my thumb. There would be 4-6 weeks of resting for my pick holding finger.  

Have any of you dear people ever had a finger joint fused? As it is, I think I could get used to typing and playing. I just wanted to know how you fared.

Thoughts?

I just want to play....better.  I've been playing two years now, and while I am much better than when I started, the road to where I want to be is a long one.  I'll never be as good as people who have been playing for years and who have a real feel for music, but I can always be...better.  I guess that one goal would be to be able to take an Intermediate workshop at a festival and be able to keep up on the songs on the first go-through.  So, better tab reading, better traveling up and down the fretboard, and getting a handle on rhythm and difficult chords.  

The fun part is the journey on the way there, though.

My main aspiration is to play my dulcimer's every day, to listen carefully and learn how to add my own touch to each song.

I want to continue to play the songs I know to keep up my skills and to work on my memory so I can play without tab.

I want to learn from other's and become more comfortable playing in front of others and work more on playing by ear. 

Playing my dulcimers and the helpful folks on this site have greatly enriched my life. Thank you Friends, who have taken the time to teach me about the MD and it's sweet music.

I'm sitting here in my home office,music room man cave(when my wife of 11 years come 6/3/16)(I'm 62@ retired) lets me have it. I thought I was the only one that had issues playing in front of people. 

I have had something in me, and have been trying to find it for 45 years, I found it. Dulcimer.  After a year and a half I can only play 5 or 6 songs with out tab. Gospel and Messing with Sugar Hill. Thanks John K.  But I know a little bit of a lot of songs. I try John Henry, thanks Dusty.

Most nights I will play to keep up what I know and try to add more songs.  At a certain time I find that songs I could'nt play 6 months ago are attainable now.

Guess I play because it feels good to me. I pay attention to you all every day.

Aww...thanks Terry!  That's a very sweet thing to say.  It just kinda revolves around perceived frustration.  When we (in general) start asking ourselves about what we're getting out of this little musical endeavor, we need to also inquire as to what we are putting into it.  Fulfillment and effort seem to go hand in hand.

John, what you wrote was inspiring and thought provoking.  I could never say it that way, but that's very much how I feel, and I am sure there are others just like me.  Your description of life and music is a blessing.  And I'm not just trying to buddy up to you, no reason to,  just being honest. 

Thank you much,

Terry

This is such sad news.  I was lucky enough to meet with John at a couple of the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club events and we corresponded both here, on ED and by email and phone.  He was such a lovely man and helped us all managed modes due the clarity of his thinking.  Phrases such as 'home fret' and 'gapped scales' have entered our dulcimer vernacular because of John's posts.  Furthermore, he simply loved to play the dulcimer and introduced us all to many old world folk tunes through his music.

Fair thee well John P - you are sorely missed.

Tender mercies to John's family and friends. 

such a knowledgeable soul, and kind heart. 

I guess that I have a rather nerdy thought process, but I usually think more along the lines of "what does my music aspire for me to do?"  I have always had the feeling that as long as I respect the musical journey, that same journey will respect me.  Respect for the journey includes things such as practice and participation for sure, but also the mindset that music is a powerful entity.  It can evoke inner feelings and emotions at will.  Music also brings people together to share a common experience (both musically and socially).  If I look at my relationship with music over the years (both childhood and adulthood), it is best described as a two-way street...as long as I love and respect my musical pursuits (and share that love and respect with others), music will always fulfill my human spirit when I need it the most.  That is why I strive to KEEP IT FUN and KEEP IT GOING!  

Rest in peace, John.  You will truly be missed.

I am sad too. One tune he posted, during the blizzard in the US, was Log Cabin Home in the Sky.........sweet playing...Play on, John-p...

Oooh, doggies, how cool is that! 

On both the original and the new FOTMD, John's was one of the first profiles that I followed.  He was a very kind and helpful man--I enjoyed his comments and the music that he shared.  I, too, wish to express my condolences to his family and friends.

I'm so sorry to hear of John's death.  He was a real independent spirit with a deep love of the dulcimer and its music.

This is sad news indeed.  FOTMD have lost a valuable member, as well as his family and friends.  His presence and gifts will be missed.  May he rest in peace.

RIP John. We will miss your knowledge, humor and helpful suggestions. Thank you for sharing your love of dulcimers with us.

I am truly shocked and saddened to hear of the death of John P. Since getting to know him I found him a very knowledgeable and sharing person. One of my favourite players, I found his style of playing so perfect and relaxing. He will be sadly missed by all. Natures true gentleman may he rest in peace.

Hearts Of The Dulcimer Podcast - Episode 13
Linda Brockinton: The Art of Fingerpicking

Linda Brockinton is known for playing a full chord fingerpicking style on the mountain dulcimer. In 2001, she was the first woman to win first place in the National Mountain Dulcimer Championship as well as the first to win playing a full chord fingerpicking style.

For episode resources:  http://dulcimuse.com/podcast/resource/013.html

John P embodied what is best about the dulcimer community: an interest in helping others, the joy in sharing music, a general kindness and willingness to take time explaining things to newbies.  He was always eager to share his knowledge of modes and never seemed to get irritated by those like me who never could quite grasp them.

It may seem odd to be so saddened to hear of the passing of someone I've never met, but such is our community. I feel as though I've lost a friend.

Just a day or two ago I was perusing the photos John had posted and was struck by a couple of potted flowers.  I am not sure why I was so taken by them, but I think they reveal a joy in simple things. The flowers themselves--though quite pretty--were nothing special, but John's interest in them and sense that they deserved to be photographed reveals, I think, a sense of the wonder in our everyday lives.  John clearly enjoyed those flowers, and he clearly enjoyed explaining modes over and over to those of us a bit slow on the uptake.

Rest in Peace, John P., the dear friend I never met.

Very sad news. Rest in peace John.

I am saddened to hear this news. John and I had shared a lot of good conversation. My prayers are with his family. John you will be truly missed. 

This is sad news.  My sympathies to all his friends and family.

I join the others in expressing my sympathy to John's family and friends. He was a wonderful asset for our community and will be missed.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I am sad to hear about this.  John and I talked some, mostly privately, and he always encouraged me to follow my own muse.  RIP.

Sad to hear of the passing of one of our treasured dulcimer players on the other side of The Pond.  He will be missed both there and here.

He was quite the player.  I only wish I'd have known him in the flesh.  I'd think we'd have enjoyed each other's company over a 1/2 pint (or 2,) then played a few great tunes.

Very sorry to hear this sad news.  May God comfort his family and friends.

Rest in peace.

A good man indeed... With sadness... Robert 

Very sad to here that John P has passed away. You will be missed.

Deeply shocking and sad to learn this news. We had such wonderful and fun exchanges. I can't believe it.

Rest in Peace John P. 

Oh I feel a little sad today, however I have been listening to my playlist of John P's music and remembering his gental way of guiding me to hear the sweet sounds. I have been recalling the demo songs he would post for us in audio and how it was slowed enough so I could attempt to pick out the melody along with him, as if he and I were face to face and yet we were across the pond from each other.

I will remember his love for sharing this beautiful instrument and all the encouragement he gave us.

John's music will live along with us, He gave us a beautiful gift and we shall remember his life with appreciation and Love.

Thank You our Friend!

It is with sadness I have just been given the sad news re Johnp.    I shared with him music, a love of our West Country, and my home !   I also lay claim to having introduced him to this our site, where he gave his knowledge and experience freely and never in a disparaging manner.   He was a quietly confident player of our shared instrument......I just wish he had shared more recorded music with us !

Indeed, Rest In Peace Johnp

JohnH

Oh wow. This is a shock. He helped me learn a few things. I will miss him. I'll be saying prayers for his family. I am thankful that his music and posts are here. :(

Info on Dulcimer U is now up--I've decided to go (I'll be in Nina Zanetti's morning class) and my husband, Craig, has surprised me by saying he wants to go, too.  He'll be in the dulcimer building class all day, but will attend some of the jams and all the concerts at night.

http://www.wcu.edu/engage/community-resources/conferences-and-community-classes/dulcimer-u/dulcimer-u-summer-week/index.asp

I've been several times, so if anyone has a question, just ask!  I'm looking forward to meeting some FOTMD members there!

Jan

Oh, I am shocked and saddened by the news of John's death.  I treasured both his friendship and the wonderful music he made.  I'm reminded how through sites such as FOTMD and Soundcloud (where I am one of John's followers), John's music lives today. 

I offer my deepest sympathy to John's family.  He will be sorely missed.  

Rest in peace, John.