Forum Activity for @robin-thompson

Have you met other FOTMD's in real life and become friends?

OFF TOPIC discussions

Now, let's see. . . a few other bowed dulcimer friends who are also FOTMD friends are Ken Bloom, Ruth Randle, Marsha Harris. . . Oh, I'm coming to realize that I'm not sure who-all I've met in person in the dulcimer world who is also on FOTMD and am realizing I've actually met quite a few FOTMD folks in-person. There's Heidi Mueller, Jerry Rockwell and Mary Lautzenheiser to mention a few more wonderful folks. I met some of the friends before there was an FOTMD and since I confuse easily . . . Love my music friends!

Have you met other FOTMD's in real life and become friends?

OFF TOPIC discussions

Oh, Kim, I was so focused on mountain dulcimer events. . . ! What a pleasure it was to meet you in Pilot Mountain and to see you take to the bowed dulcimer so quickly. (I wasn't surprised to see you catch-on so quickly! )

I also have met Don Pedi, Paul Tantillo, Maurice Solis, ReVonda Crow, Teri Sato, Marge Diamond and Randall McKinnon. There are some FOTMD members I've listed that I met before there was an FOTMD; I knew of them from Everything Dulcimer and then we met in-person.

Have you met other FOTMD's in real life and become friends?

OFF TOPIC discussions

To start off I met Robin T. and Tom McDonald at the first Noter and Drone Camp out. Wayne A. and Gail at Perkasie. Rob, Kevin M., Patty from VA., Scott Allen at the Wartz 'n All gathering, and this past Noter and Drone Camp Out John Wood, and Pat Boardman. By the way she sold me the dulcimer and is pictured between me and John in our group photo. So ten friends I have met from FOTMD and still counting. Hope to meet more this year.

Have you met other FOTMD's in real life and become friends?

OFF TOPIC discussions

There are a lot of wonderful folks that I know that are on fomd -- but I met them all first somewhere else :)I did meet a total stranger on fb and we ended up loaning him our mountain cabin, then my husband and I stayed with him in his home for 2 weeks in Quimper , France and he stayed with us again thIs year for 2 weeks in Tallahassee, and now he is getting ready to retire to Martinique in a year or two -- and of course, we are invited for an extended stay :) I've also met some great folks on banjohangout, and have stayed with them in their homes and become good friends. :)We are so lucky to meet so many wonderful folks wherever we go and have had the double fortune to remain friends for many years :)Happy Holidays :)

Have you met other FOTMD's in real life and become friends?

OFF TOPIC discussions

My goodness, how could I have neglected to mention meeting Paul Tantillo, Maurice (Mo) Soulis, and Don Pedi at Don's wonderful Tao of Dulcimer Retreat back in May? What a pleasure it was to become acquainted with these fellows!

Have you met other FOTMD's in real life and become friends?

OFF TOPIC discussions

Last spring I went to a dulcimer festival/workshop at Shenandoah University and met Ken Longfield and Susan. We had a blast. I met Maddie MacNeil, Ralph Lee Smith, Ann Lough and Rob Brereton. I hope this festival continues. I also had the opportunity to meet Jim and Bev Fawcett when they took vacation to visit Virginia. They are wonderful people. We spent time together touring Front Royal and we took pictures. I was the thorn between two roses, LOL. I was able to make it to the Wartz and All Gathering. I had the best time. I got to meet Rob Lackey, Liz, Scott Allen, Jim and Bev, Kevin Messenger and their families. They truly are the Friends of FOTMD. I got treated to a meal. Thanks Rob!!! We shared music, food and laughs. We had a great time. I'm looking forward to doing this again. I'm so glad I found this web site. Thank you Lisa for putting this all together!!!

Have you met other FOTMD's in real life and become friends?

OFF TOPIC discussions

Karen and I have met more FOTMD folks than we can count. Great folks one and all (even Rob Lackey lol), but there are two that I only got to say "hi" and "bye" to that I would love to visit with: Pop Miller and Leonard Griffin (both from Texas). Everyone else we've been able to visit with, go eat, take a class, or SOMETHING, but there was only time for introductions with those guys and I'd love to chat and get to know them a little better. Our FOTMD family is a treasure to us and we wouldn't trade these friendships for anything. Y'all are just some awesome rockin' people!

Have you met other FOTMD's in real life and become friends?

OFF TOPIC discussions

Like Rob, I've not met a FOTMD member I didn't like! I'm trying to think of them all. . . and they kind of come in the 'order' in which I met them. Gary Sager, Laura Elder, Butch Ross, Julie Elman, Ken Longfield, Hunter Walker, Kendra Ward, Tish Westman, Bing Futch, Doug Berch, Ken Bloom, Jim Fawcett, Rob Lackey, Sam (Oh, gee, I just think of Sam as Sam and can't recall his last name! )Tom McDonald, John Wood, Barbara (nice lady who sold a dulcimer to Jim F). . . I'm likely missing someone. My world has been made richer for having made the acquaintance of each of the friends of the mountain dulcimer!

PS-Oh, I must be forgetting someone!

updated by @robin-thompson: 08/10/15 06:17:02PM

Have you met other FOTMD's in real life and become friends?

OFF TOPIC discussions

I sure have! Sam's already mentioned our meeting/hanging out in Charleston last Memorial Day weekend. I had met Robin & Mark Thompson up in Ohio November of last year and March(?) of this year. Very short (like my memory) visits but enjoyable nonetheless. Then at Palestine, TX; there they were: The Keanes (John and Karen before they became celebrities.) We talked and talked. Then the next day had the pleasure of meeting Carrie Barnes. Later came Jim Fawcett, Kevin Messinger, Scott Allen, Patty from Virginia and I'm sure I'm leaving someone out. The first tho', since my coming back to the dulcimer after many a year, was Bing Futch. For one of the top professionals in this land, one of the nicest guys anyone would want to meet and one I'm proud to call "friend and brother." Indeed my 1st blog entry was about the Portage PA Dulcimer Day and meeting him. Ah, Portage, Ken Longfield was there too. Later came Butch Ross at the Purple Fiddle in Thomas, WV.

I look forward to meeting more and more of the wonderful members here! I've not met a FOTMD member I didn't like, to paraphrase Will Rogers.

Rob

Have you met other FOTMD's in real life and become friends?

OFF TOPIC discussions

Wayne, I will be attending the Pocono Dulcimer Festival in Stroudsburg in January. It will not only be my first dulcimer festival but my first time with other players. I look forward to meeting you there as I have enjoyed your posts for the last 9 months that I have been a member.

Bill

Have you met other FOTMD's in real life and become friends?

OFF TOPIC discussions

I met Lei Maier on FOTMD prior to the Evart Funfest last year. Then, we met at the event and hung out and attended workshops together. I even helped her spend some money on a new, hand-crafted Native American Flute. Lei is a super person with such great values and is a delight to be with. I even met her husband and her two beautiful dogs. Thanks FOTMD for helping me meet my new life-long friend.

Have you met other FOTMD's in real life and become friends?

OFF TOPIC discussions

This past summer I was very fortunate to have met Rob Lackey, Robin and Mark Thompson and Hunter Walker at the Vandalia gathering on the grounds of the state capitol in Charleston WV. It was a GREAT day filled with music and other festivities. It was very special to meet these folks in person. All were as cordial and gracious as I had thought they would be. I knew Brenda Joyce Rivers prior to finding FOTMD. She is a dear friend and we have attended the festival at Clifftop together. It was euphoric! I've also met Tish Westman. My what a dynamo she is. Building instruments, workshoping, teaching and best of all, playing several instruments beautifully.

Yep, I'm a lucky fella. There are so many folks here that I'd like to meet. I do hope that Ican attend 'Wartz 'n' All next year.

Thank every one of you 'for th' good times'.

Sam'l

Have you met other FOTMD's in real life and become friends?

OFF TOPIC discussions

We all know that Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer is a place where we meet lots of wonderful 'cyber buddies'.

It occurs to me that there must be some nice stories here about members getting together in person...meeting, playing music, and then becoming real life friends as well .

Let's hear some of these stories to bring cheer during our holiday season and brighten the bleak midwinter. How about sharing your tale of your FOTMD friendship 'jumping ship' into the real world?

updated by @strumelia: 07/31/23 09:26:09PM

Cedar Creek kits are no better or worse than any other kits.

I would humbly suggest that since you say "...I built a dulcimer years ago...and one of the tuners has stripped out on it. I have also had factory tuners strip out on guitars..." that the problem does not lay in the tuners themselves, but in something you are doing to them....

We just don't hear of factory or other tuners "stripping out" without decades of use or excessive (ab)use -- rock concert performers for example.

I started playing Dulcimer in March. I wasn't sure I was going to stick with it so I did not want to spend a lot of money. I purchased a fully assembled Backyard Cardboard Dulcimer for about $65.00. I still play it. I keep it tuned DAA and keep my newly purchased wooden dulcimer tuned DAd. Which Dulcimer I play depends on the song. I eventually plan on replacing the cardboard soundbox with a wooden box but have not gotten around to it yet. I had a great experience with my cardboard dulcimer and would recommend the same to anyone starting out. I hope this helps.

Cardboard dulcimer = $50 or $60.

Student/Beginner wooden instrument $100-$125

You can always make, or have someone make you, a wooden body and glue the fretboard from the cardboard instrument on it. There have been decent sounding dulcimers made from Legos and sheet acrylic plastic. The fretboard is the key to good sound. Without the frets in the right places you've got nothing but noise.

The cardboard dulcimers I've seen have been decent starter instruments. The sound quality isn't as nice as a wooden dulcimer, but it isn't near as poor as we might expect. They are pretty cheap to start with, but I believe some assembly is required. Not much, essentially you glue the fret board to the box, and install the tuners & strings. As long as the frets, nut and bridge are accurately placed in the fret board, and the nut & bridge height is set correctly,they play in tune and play easily. If you decide you want a better instrument later, you will have some playing skills to help you choose your next dulcimer. If you decide dulcimers aren't for you, you won't be out much money, and can pass the cardboard model to someone else to try. If you decide to keep playing, you also have the option of building a dulcimer, using the fretboard from the cardboard one. The fretboard on cardboard dulcimers is not cardboard, it's always wood. Talk to the local builder, and have him explain some of the terms I used here, and how the height of the nut and bridge make a difference.

There are also some builders making inexpensive wooden beginner models. Dave Lynch, of Sweet Woods Instruments builds a Student model from plywood for a very reasonable price. http://www.strothers.com/sweetwoodsinstruments.com/index.html You may find the price difference between the cardboard and Dave'sStudent model isn't a very great expense. I believe some other makers also have beginner models. The cardboard ones are unlikely to have much resale value if you decide to sell it, where a wooden one will retain more of it's original price.

Paul

Many of us started on cardboard dulcimers. I began with a Backyard cardboard dulcimer that was a kit I put together. The fretboard was already fretted, but the dulcimer had to be assembled and the strings put on. I think a lot of people were surprised by how good a sound it had. I enjoyed learning on it and used it in jam sessions, too. Mine didn't have the 6 1/2 fret, though, and after awhile that became necessary for me.

The best thing, of course, would be to have some angel lend you their really good dulcimer and learn to play on one of the best. Then, there are inexpensive "student dulcimers" that can sound pretty good...check out Sweetwood Dulcimers by Dave Lynch. His student model sounds pretty good, and if you decide you love playing the dulcimer (what's not to love?!) then you can tradethe student modelin as partial paymenton a more high end model once you've decided you're going to stay with it.

Good luck!

updated by @jan-potts: 02/13/16 05:27:29AM

Ayup - Korean, and usually good sounding instruments, unlike more modern dulcimers being built offshore in Romania and other places...

I have to agree with Rob. It definitely looks like one of the 1970s Korean dulcimers. Many of them sounded very nice. Enjoy your dulcimer.

Charley, I've seen ads from the 70's or early 80's for dulcimers from Korea which used that DC 2 model number. Seems like that was the more expensive of the models in the ad, and is probably a very good instrument. The "clover" sound holes seem to have been used on all of those hourglass instruments. The same models were sold with a lot of different labels. On the back, near the head, is there evidence of a sticker? If so, it probably said, "Made in Korea." I've also seen 1 on e-bay with DC-1 and Korea under it.

Rob

WOW!

Folkfan, thanks. For the time being I'm still using an old 6_ fret with serious limitations that make it better to stay in DAA. I know our folklore group's sub-group for dulcimer is playing DAd tab & thought it was a problem. This gives me hope until I succumb to DAD (Dulcimer Acquisition Disease). It's coming, but hopefully after Christmas expenses.

Pat, If you are playing a tab that has 6+ or 6 1/2 fret and is in a DAd tuning, you can easily switch to a DAA tuning. This is done by adding 3 to each of the fret numbers. Zero in DAd would be 3 in DAA, 1 to 4, 2 to 5 etc. on up. A 6+ becomes 9.

For any zero, 1, or 2 played on the middle string , simply bring them straight down to the melody string at the same fret.

And DAd and DAA tabs can be played together. So you can play the popular DAd tabs in DAA with a group playing in DAd. Just add 3. Hope this helps.

9 on the A string is the same as 6+ on the melody string. It's a common workaround for playing without the 6 1/2 fret if you can reach it.

Rob

What tuning is *requiring* you to use a 6+ fret? Playing Chord-Melody or Melody Stringstyle? The more or less correct answer is to change tuning tothe onethat does not require the 6+ fret. If it's DAd that requires the 6+, then tune to DAA and play the tune; or vice versa.

I would not suggest a toothpick as a temporary fret - it's too soft, and the note will not sound clearly. Use a length of large paperclip wire instead.

The simplest work around is to just not play the 6+ note, but either rest for that time or play the previous note again or the following note twice.

Since your dulcimer does not have a 6+ fret I would seriously suggest learning to play in DAA rather than DAd. If you must play Chord-Melody style, you can play the same chords, more or less, in DAA (but not at the same frets). But a traditional (no 6+ fret) diantonic dulcimer is probably best played traditionally -- Melody & Drone or Noter & Drone style.

Two suggestions, use a toothpick as a temporary fret or 'bend' the string at the 6th fret. Bending is pushing/pulling the string to cause the tone to change to higher a tone.

Ho Ho Ho and here I go again- buying another dulcimer!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Yikes, I remember when PopTarts were invented! I was 10, and it was 1964. Everyone thought they were so exciting and new. Before that there was only toast. My brothers and I wanted them for breakfast desperately, but a box only lasted for a few minutes around our place. I have not eaten a Poptart since 1969.

Ho Ho Ho and here I go again- buying another dulcimer!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

We had pop tarts for breakfast, hot pockets for lunch

Tonight we'll be scrounging a crumb or a scrap

It's Christmas, you know, but I have a hunch

Mama's still strumming the dulcimer on her lap

Ho Ho Ho and here I go again- buying another dulcimer!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Haha! I'm partial to the "Pop tarts for Christmas dinner" one. LOL I mean who has time for turkey's when I NEED to be strumming my new dulcimer? I'll just cook most of it the night before, or we'll just have a later dinner. You may be on to something though in suggesting I write my own song for it. Hmmmmm..... got me thinkin' now.

Dusty Turtle said:

Mandy, I think the Folkcraft deserves that you write an originalsong. So get out your writing pad. Here are some suggested titles:

"My Dulcimer Kicks your iPad's Butt!"

"Two Dulcimers, One Husband" [Or "Mandy's Trinity"

"Cut Down the Christmas Tree, I Need Wood for a Dulcimer" [Or "Cedar ain't just for smellin'"]

"No Christmas Dinner, Mama's Still Playin' Her Dulcimer" [Also known by the refrain: "Pop tarts for Christmas"

"The Second Best Husband in the World" [Hey, what do you want? I'm married, too!]

Congrats on the impending arrival.

Ho Ho Ho and here I go again- buying another dulcimer!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Mandy, I think the Folkcraft deserves that you write an originalsong. So get out your writing pad. Here are some suggested titles:

"My Dulcimer Kicks your iPad's Butt!"

"Two Dulcimers, One Husband" [Or "Mandy's Trinity"]

"Cut Down the Christmas Tree, I Need Wood for a Dulcimer" [Or "Cedar ain't just for smellin'"]

"No Christmas Dinner, Mama's Still Playin' Her Dulcimer" [Also known by the refrain: "Pop tarts for Christmas"]

"The Second Best Husband in the World" [Hey, what do you want? I'm married, too!]

Congrats on the new addition to your instrument family.

Ho Ho Ho and here I go again- buying another dulcimer!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Sam you are such a sweetie! I'm trying to decide right now between I'll Fly Away (i've been really doing that a ton and just can't get enough of it) and Wildwood Flower (i usually play that as my first song when i get something new). I may change my mind and play something completely different too, but I'd like to play one of my favs.

Sam said:

Screw 'er down to DAC and play Shady Grove. Jean Ritchie would be proud to have such an ambassador as you, just as I am.

Ho Ho Ho and here I go again- buying another dulcimer!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I've been pickin' my banjo a lot lately too. We have a gig on the 20th and I'm trying to cram in a ton of Christmas songs. Luckily I already knew a couple that we could add. Carol of the Bells on banjo, please record it if you can I'd love to hear it.

John Voorhees said:

Congrats on your new toy for Christmas. The next dulcimwer that I get I will have to make, right now I have laid my dulcimer aside and picked up my banjo again, practice Christmas music, mainly Carol of the Bells. Cheers john

Ho Ho Ho and here I go again- buying another dulcimer!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hey Bill - do you have any audio recordings of how it sounds? I'd sure love to hear it.

Bill Davenport said:

Oh you'll love it Mandy. I have one. I picked mine out at The Ohio Valley Gathering when Richard was there. Sound is awsome.

Ho Ho Ho and here I go again- buying another dulcimer!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I know it may seem weird but anytime anyone asks me to text them I laugh, or when they tell me they'll text me. I've yet to send my first text and wouldn't know how to. I was upset the other day when I heard they were giving away concert tickets to an artist I like on the radio. I listened in and waited for the right time, but when they said it was time they said text some word to some number or some number to some word. So apparently you can't even call in anymore to win stuff. So though it may appear that I like these kinds of things (since I do videos) I really don't. They are just a necessary tool to share my true love of hearing, playing, and tinkering with music.

Carrie Barnes said:

Mandy, major Congrats on the Folkcraft! Ipad -vs- dulcimer, not even a thought there, LOL! Merry Christmas to you and yours, and a Prosperous New Year as well!

Ho Ho Ho and here I go again- buying another dulcimer!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Yes they do! Awesome that you have a system now. We just use a band mates for all our stuff. Now you can get some great recordings . Would love to hear some. All that sound mixing is an art in and of itself though. I don't have the tech skills for such.

Susie said:

Congrats on your Folkcraft.....you'll love it. Don't our hubbies deserve a big kiss this time of year? My husband wanted to get me an amp and the whole setup. I said I'd rather not spend the money on me....he insisted. So, I now have a new amp in my music room. I didn't even have to wait for Santa. Have a very merry Christmas.

Ho Ho Ho and here I go again- buying another dulcimer!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Cedar and walnut sounds very nice :) Nothing like a new dulci under the tree!

:)MZC

Ho Ho Ho and here I go again- buying another dulcimer!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Screw 'er down to DAC and play Shady Grove. Jean Ritchie would be proud to have such an ambassador as you, just as I am.

Ho Ho Ho and here I go again- buying another dulcimer!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Congrats Mandy- I know you will be putting that new dulcimer through its paces!

Ho Ho Ho and here I go again- buying another dulcimer!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I'm grinning from ear to ear! Thanks everyone. You all are such a great group of folks. I've enjoyed this past year of being on FOTMD. Now I just have to figure out how the heck to not just die of anticipation. It seems like every time I know I'm getting something this awesome for Christmas I go NUTS. I usually have dreams about it, and just obsess or something. It's crazy. Instruments are my "crack" I guess. Haha. If I don't play at least one every single day I'm in a bad mood. No exaggeration there either.

Thanks for putting up with me. Haha.

Ho Ho Ho and here I go again- buying another dulcimer!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Congrats on your Folkcraft.....you'll love it. Don't our hubbies deserve a big kiss this time of year? My husband wanted to get me an amp and the whole setup. I said I'd rather not spend the money on me....he insisted. So, I now have a new amp in my music room. I didn't even have to wait for Santa. Have a very merry Christmas.