Hi there Wout ! A while back someone asked me if I could change the camera angle I used when recording, so as they couild see what my noter was doing ? Easier for me, being a non techno, to change the angle that I played ! So I dropped the left knee, and away to go , no problem with noter drone, tho' as you say, almost a necessity to use a strap ?
best wishes
John
Looks like your husband did a good job Maryann. Usually at festivals when I work on someone's dulcimer I do it in private so they don't see me drilling holes or pounding on their precious instrument. These instruments are tougher than they appear. BTW, another former Jerseyite here.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
I love the position of the right foot normal placed, but my left foot under the chair, which lowers the left knee. I can play much faster that way than in horizontal position. It can only be performed using a strap.
Playing more than one dulcimer in a performance one can use more straps, or, as I mistakenly thought, use two carabiner (hooks), but the metal makes the dulcimer too noisy! I wanted to avoid the idea changing 'strapped' dulcimers reminds the audience of changing clothes on a crowdy beach...
I attached eyebolts on the instruments and shoe laces on the strap.
BTW the slope position of the dulcimer doesn't work well when playing drone¬er style.
I too had trouble keeping the dulcimer on what little lap I have. I recently installed strap buttons and starting looking around the web for a strap. I couldn't find one that suited me so I bought some latigo lace leather and am in the process of braiding an adjustable strap. When I finish it I will try and post a pic.
Having spent lots of time in Jersey (and more to come later this summer) I think it fair to say that there are a lot more guns than there are dulcimers.
Some of those guns might be for hunting in the Pine Barrens or Poconos, but those in the Meadowlands have less noble functions.
Maryann Lang said:
guns and dulcimers - yup I think this former Jersey family is thoroughly redneck now! (and lovin it!)
Well you can imagine me installing strap buttons on my own on my very first dulcimer. I was drilling holes and covering my face in tears at the same time!
But that strap made all the difference in the world. The instrument "became mine" immediately. I can position it exactly the way I want regardless of how high my chair is or how far my legs are apart. And I can play more vigorously, not worrying about moving my precious instrument. I would have given up on the dulcimer had I not found the courage to install strap buttons.
Just you wait until you decide to have an extra fret installed. Now there's mental agony, not only do they cut into your baby with a saw, they hit it with a hammer as well. Shudder!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maryann Lang said:
I would never judge but I would highly encourage! It is very frightening to watch. Almost as bad as watching my daughter get her ears pierced! (Except my dulcimer did not cry - althought I almost did for both events!)
My daughter plays the uke and she definitely would never add a strap.
I love using a strap on my dulcimer. I play pretty aggressively (I guess) because it would be almost impossible for me to play without one I think. LOL.
I'm a "pro strap" type though because even when I'm sitting down I like to be wearing my banjo strap, guitar, strap, and mandolin strap too. I can't imagine playing without it actually. I tend to like to go from sitting to standing a lot too though (not on dulcimer of course though).
"...you can then sand it with fine sandpaper and get the shape pretty close without damaging the wood."
The danger with this technique is that sanding will give you an irregular surface. Fret tops need to be flat all the way across, so my procedure is to use a series of fine files to do all the cutting, and only then touch up with sanding.
For sanding, by the way, if you want better control than you can get with fingers, Skip's advice on the wood block is good. For finish polish in this sort of situation, though, I use foam-core nail files. They are available in grits from 100-600 at Sally Beauty Supply (they are usually around in shopping malls everywhere here in the Northeast, at least or go to their website). The 400/600 pink stick, with just a drop of mineral oil for "wet sanding" gives a great finish on a fret, with just enough "give" to form around the crown but not enough to cause lumps an bumps.
If you can find some thin sheet metal or wood to tape over the fretboard on eather side of the fret, you can then sand it with fine sandpaper and get the shape pretty close without damaging the wood. Aluminum foil is too thin and soft to do the job, but a Popsicle stick may do just fine. There are slotted sheet metal tools made for the purpose, but if you aren't going into a new career as a luthier you may not want to buy specialized tools.
I use a small 6" fairly fine file. A fine triangular may work also. Put tape on the fretboard on each side of the fret to protect the wood and file carefully, a half dozen strokes then test. Be sure that you remove material evenly across the fret. You will have to angle or rock the file to round over the top of the fret as you go. If the frets are stainless they will be harder to work with. When you're done, use a small strip of 400 grit and polish. You can use the side of a nail to knock a half-round groove in a piece of wood to help form the paper to a curve. An eraser may work also. It won't take much to polish the fret.
My possum board has shelf liner glued to the back of it. The lifts that hold the dulcimer up off the board are shaped like shallow L's and the part that touches the dulcimer back are felt lined. No scratches, no slides, no sticking to the board. And I can angle my legs comfortably. Plus in case of extreme need, one of my possum boards has strap buttons. How's that for covering all bases.
I second that Jan! Dusty, that's funny. I'll have to remember that one
I too have had the marks on the back of my dulcimer. I clean it up and then used Johnson Paste Wax. I know some of the old dulcimers had feet on them for playing on a table. I'm just wondering if that will make a come back and the use of a possum board to solve the sliding problems. As Frank said you would need to keep the possum board from sliding. I should use a strap because I do have the buttons. Now that warmer weather is here bare skin seems to keep my dulcimer from sliding around.
If I were a dulcimer, I would say, "Strap me down and tickle my strings!"
Seriously, I had so much trouble getting my dulcimer to stay in one place until I installed a strap. I know it's not for everyone, but with a strap you don't have to worry about sitting at the exact same height to create a flat lap or anything like that. You can adjust the dulcimer anyway you like it, even tilting it up ever so slightly to allow the back to vibrate more (thus obviating the need for a false back or possum board). And tilting the dulcimer also solved the tennis elbow (strummer's elbow?) I was developing early on.
By the way, how do you make a possum bored? Just read him War and Peace !
The shelf liner stuff only damages the finish of instruments if you leave it attached or stuck on the instrument or store it in your case with the instrument or lean the instrument on the shelf liner on a stand. It's never a problem if you only lay it on your lap while playing. Always store the shelf liner separately from the instrument.
Other options include putting something under your left foot (or both feet) to keep your lap level (there are lots of suggestions on this site, everything from Thistledew Acres folding footrest to footrests made from recycled plastic bags full of bags. My dulcimer doesn't slide off my lap because it's usually pushed up against the knee brace velcroed onto my left leg. I would think that any strip of material velcroed above your knee would accomplish the same thing...if you need something for the dulcimer to "push against" as you play, just fold over the top edge of the material like a cuff and your "dulcimer dam" will now be twice as high. Something adjustable like a belt or short strap might also work. you could put the strap/belt through a tube of material that would be soft and not harm your instrument and you could have different colors of tubes for whatever you were wearing. I'm thinking about something like a tube made from an old pair of jeans or a hand towel, etc. Be creative! I have never used either a strap or the shelf liner squares and haven't found them necessary so far. There may, however, be something out there that works like the shelf liner but doesn't affect the finish on your instrument...I'll let others address that. And, by the way , folks may have better luck with removing the marks with a product like Dr. Duck's Ax Wax which is good for cleaning and lubricating instruments and can be purchased online from music supply stores.
Brian, it's okay. You're doing fine. I made a couple of boo boos when putting together my cardboard dulcimer. The biggest boo boo (poor decision) was using decoupage to affix the hummingbird cutouts. It became a sloppy mess and made the paint finish not look as shiny. If I ever make another one I am not going to decoupage cutouts. I would rather just have the paint. Although some have told me the color scheme looks too much like a certain canned meat product
It's supposed to be WV colors Hang in there. Post pictures when you can
When I was considering the same thing, I called and talked to Mike Clemmer. Hereallyrecommended theChurch style, because he saidI'd be happier with the sound, volume and sustain. He doesn't make very many of the non-Church, because most people order the Church model.So, the decision is yours, but that's what I was told and why I ended up going with theChurch. If you can swing it financially, I'd go with theChurch.
Maryann Lang said:
Hi Susie, very pretty wood grain, I will have to decide between the regular and churxh model - money is a factor but I also want a nice sound.
This is exactly what I have....sassafras top, walnut sides. I went with the church style, which is a deeper body for more volume and better sound. It still isn't as loud as a full-sized dulcimer, but the sustain is really good for a small dulcimer. I really like my Clemmer Sweetie for travel and when I want a smaller dulcimer, sitting on the couch. IMHO, I think you would like it.
Here's a pictureof mine with the sassafras top:
Just wanted to bump this to the top and remind people of my Christmas In July video idea, of people posting Holiday music in the month of July.
Even if we wind up doing the same songs, we all have our own ways of playing and tuning. I'm for sure going to start working up Silent Night, and the US version of Away In A Manger.
I think this is a great idea - Christmas music o too good to be confined to December - or is that November, October, September ...
I look forward to hearing the contributions.
I think this is a great idea, James. I might even be inspired to sort of sing/hum along as I play...not as a "performance", as such, but much like you would hear if I thought you were busy in the next room and not listening to me as I noodled around on some Christmas tunes. I'm already making a list and checking it twice.....
