Forum Activity for @john-henry

Hello Sam, if you are an oddball then you are not alone, when not using a noter, I too mainly use my thumb. I am told by some that it is a bad habit, and I can see that point of view, but if those who are telling me had smashed their L.H.fingers in one way or another as many times as I have,they might tend to play in the same way. If playing in the manner that you do keeps you playing your dulcimer, go for it, but don't be afraid to try other ways, you might just develop into a true 'chord playing member' LOLmy regardsJohnH Sam said:

Great question, great thread. My musical background parallels yours ... I have none. Got interested in the dulcimer and have been doodling with it for some weeks now. I've tried a noter and like the sound. It's different than with fingers. Fingers? Guess I'm an oddball. I use my thumb, the side of it. I put my left index finger against it like I was holding on to a penny (something us older folks are akin too I'm afraid) then use my thumb like a noter. If I shouldn't be doing this, somebody needs to tell me to quit it!

Great question, great thread. My musical background parallels yours ... I have none. Got interested in the dulcimer and have been doodling with it for some weeks now. I've tried a noter and like the sound. It's different than with fingers. Fingers? Guess I'm an oddball. I use my thumb, the side of it. I put my left index finger against it like I was holding on to a penny (something us older folks are akin too I'm afraid) then use my thumb like a noter. If I shouldn't be doing this, somebody needs to tell me to quit it!

Don't press any harder than is necessary to produce clear notes. Starting with guitar in 1966, I've been playing stringed instruments for 44 years. I have no appreciable calluses on my fingers, just a slight toughening of the left fingertips. I don't know why some folks get calluses, but I suspect excess pressure on the strings is the reason.Paul

I just wanted to add that Ken's description of starting with the index finger on the frets to sound out the melody is exactly how I started. It just seemed natural for my middle and ring finger to get into the action as I began to learn my fret positions. It was as if they just naturally wanted to play or dance along.Many times you'll find that while your index finger is fretting one note the ring or middle finger is right over the next fret you need to hit and all of a sudden your other fingers are in the action and you're finger-dancing. Ken Hulme said:

Although I've played noter & drone for over 35 years, the easiest method, IMHO is to start picking out songs using just your index finger to pick out songs. Then over time advance to using multiple fingers on the melody string(s) - called Melody Drone or Fingerdancing style. This does require developing a callus on your index and/or other fingers, though.

Once you get proficient with your index finger, you can try substituting a noter for that finger. You can read the article I wrote on EverythingDulcimer called Get Noterized by Ken Hulme. Lisa also has a couple of good YouTube vids...

Although I've played noter & drone for over 35 years, the easiest method, IMHO is to start picking out songs using just your index finger to pick out songs. Then over time advance to using multiple fingers on the melody string(s) - called Melody Drone or Fingerdancing style. This does require developing a callus on your index and/or other fingers, though.Once you get proficient with your index finger, you can try substituting a noter for that finger. You can read the article I wrote on EverythingDulcimer called Get Noterized by Ken Hulme. Lisa also has a couple of good YouTube vids...

Hi, I'm a melody drone player who uses just three fingers on my left hand. Years ago my doctor told me not to even try to play chords due to arthritis. I like the sound of the drones so giving up chords was no problem, but I'd gotten use to having my fingers on the fretsPlaying a noter requires a certain set of skills that develops through diligent practice. I found playing with my fingers feeling the frets a simpler style of play. I've also found it easier to play an instrument that has a certain VSL or fret scale. Since all of my instruments have the same scale, the fret boards all feel the same under my fingers and my muscle memory has developed for that distance. Playing a longer or shorter VSL means that I have to look at my fret board more often for finger placement. Drives me crazy.

Paul,Good-- no, great advice!Just to piggy-back on Paul's comments about listening; be diligent about learning to tune your dulcimer and listening for when it may be out of tune. Hearing when I'm out of tune is a skill I'm always working to hone. Paul Certo said:

Whatever playing style you choose, listen to as much music as you can. Dulcimer music,yes, but not exclusively. The type of music you want to play on your dulcimer is important, whether others play it on dulcimer or not. Listening is one of the most important things you can do to learn music. It let's your ears help teach your hands. No matter how many tabs, or books you use, your ears will tell you when you hit a wrong note. After you have trained them what the song is supposed to sound like. The mistakes you make in reading, your eyes may not catch,but if you've listened to the song repeatedly, your ears will catch those mistakes. Your ears have been in training since your Ma first sang to you as an infant. Every radio you ever heard, every commercial jingle, all have asserted themselves into your mind. And when someone whistles one of these pieces, you recognize it. So help your ears by listening to what you want to play. Then let your ears help your hands.
Paul

Whatever playing style you choose, listen to as much music as you can. Dulcimer music,yes, but not exclusively. The type of music you want to play on your dulcimer is important, whether others play it on dulcimer or not. Listening is one of the most important things you can do to learn music. It let's your ears help teach your hands. No matter how many tabs, or books you use, your ears will tell you when you hit a wrong note. After you have trained them what the song is supposed to sound like. The mistakes you make in reading, your eyes may not catch,but if you've listened to the song repeatedly, your ears will catch those mistakes. Your ears have been in training since your Ma first sang to you as an infant. Every radio you ever heard, every commercial jingle, all have asserted themselves into your mind. And when someone whistles one of these pieces, you recognize it. So help your ears by listening to what you want to play. Then let your ears help your hands.Paul

Jim..I would call myself a melody droner... I play almost all the time with my fingers. Many... many years ago I started with a noter.. and I still play with one on occasions. I personally like the the feel I get from playing with my fingers, but after years of playing my fingers are nicely callused also. So my answer to you is simple... do what ever is comfortable to you.. big thing is to enjoy your playing.. if your not having fun and doing it comfortably you will stop playing it.. so just enjoy and have fun learning the mountain dulcimer..

Jim H,Hi-- you've picked a wonderful instrument to take up!I can't say what would be easier because I've played with a noter since taking up the dulcimer; I like it and enjoy it. Thus, I would encourage any beginner to play with a noter (on the melody string only)-- stick with this for a few months, anyway, to get the hang of hearing/playing melodies-- then try other styles of play. After you've had a chance to feel your way around, so to speak, you can go with the method that brings you the greatest pleasure. (Basically, I just repeated what Paul said. )

Hi jim h, you have a good answer from Paul . A bit of a different one from me tho', I am guessing that we might be in the same broad age group, so I will say that my fingers tell me that using a noter is best for me, I find that I can get all that I want from my playing using a noter, just have to be a bit inventive now and again, LOL. I have this thought in my mind that 100 years ago folks who may have played the dulcimer did so with what were probably work hardened fingers, on instruments which may not have supported much else other than 'a noter'. One comment I would make, a 'deeper' finger board does make it much easier!my regardsJohnH jim h said:

paul-thanks for the speedy reply-appreciate your experience

I find playing melody and drones the easiest, though I use my bare index finger instead of a noter. The noter ties up my fingers, and I like to be able to switch to chords or chord melody in the middle of a song, especially when singing. I tend to play more chord/melody, but I like to be able to switch without looking for where I dropped the noter. Which I can count on doing. For a new player, I would suggest starting with drones, since you can be playing songs in almost no time. After you have a few songs going, try other methods as well. You may eventually find you have a preference for one style, and want to concentrate on it.Paul

A Tool for Choosing the Right Strings for Mountain Dulcimers (and Psaltrys!)

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Hi Keltia,

Thanks! Do you mean that "at last, your website has achieved some beauty"? Or "at last, I've found a beautiful website among so much garbage on the web"? Or...? Inquiring minds want to know! ;o)
Keltia said:

Beautiful website at last. : )

A Tool for Choosing the Right Strings for Mountain Dulcimers (and Psaltrys!)

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Dwain Wilder said:

I just posted V4 of the String Choice Tool worksheet on my website. See the menu item Calculators>>String Choice Tool...

It's been suggested that it would be helpful to give the url of the String Choice Tool. Here it is: http://www.bearmeadow.com/calculators/string-tension-workbook.html

A Tool for Choosing the Right Strings for Mountain Dulcimers (and Psaltrys!)

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I just posted V4 of the String Choice Tool worksheet on my website. See the menu item Calculators>>String Choice ToolThe main improvements are (1) it is now on google docs, which supports guided input (known as drop-down menus, in the trade), so it is easier to understand what kind of input is required in the user input boxes; (2) the tool now lets you enter a couple of different phosphor-bronze materials for plain wire (Many people are switching to phosphor bronze wire for its warmth, and as a squeakless bass.); (3) the tool is now fully color coded, so it will be obvious where you are to enter date, and where the tool is giving you calculated results; (4) I've made the instructions on the About page more readable. They still aren't as accurate as I'd like, but the new tool should be much more self-explanatory.

A Tool for Choosing the Right Strings for Mountain Dulcimers (and Psaltrys!)

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I just published the latest version of the String Tension Workbook. This is a tool for finding out what tension your present strings are operating at, and how to choose a set of strings that will give you that performance at different tunings. There is also a string diameter calculator, where you can enter the pitch of the strings you are looking for, a target tension, and string length, and this tool will give you a good list of strings to use. The tool is located on my website at Calculators>>String Choice Tool.

My colleague in this effort, Karl Mouck, is a psaltry builder, so he added a worksheet to help choose strings for that instrument. Take a look, all you psaltry players and builders!

Let me know if you have questions about how to best use this tool. Karl and I have put a lot of work into this. I'll be putting up the final version tomorrow, but take a look tonight if you like. I'd also like to thank Terry Downs, guitar builder, for creating this workbook in the first place.


updated by @dwain-wilder: 02/19/19 10:15:20AM

Using Common Sense Caution when buying or selling

FOR SALE:instruments/music items/CDs/Wanted to Buy...

Just a reminder that folks should be smart when buying or selling instruments and merchandise online. FOTMD cannot guarantee that all members are legitimate, and we cannot be responsible for any sales transactions. Please proceed carefully when exchanging goods or money, and don't be afraid to ask for credentials or verifications of identity. Using Paypal or your credit card can help protect you as a purchaser, but you should verify who you are sending an instrument to before shipping it out. Ask questions, verify, and be smart!

Using Common Sense Caution when buying or selling

FOR SALE:instruments/music items/CDs/Wanted to Buy...

"Caveat emptor" (Let the buyer beware.) Always good advice.It's also good for the seller to beware and bank the check before mailing the merchandise.

Using Common Sense Caution when buying or selling

FOR SALE:instruments/music items/CDs/Wanted to Buy...

There are seldom problems with folks buying and selling here on the FOTMD For Sale forum.
This is just a general reminder that one should use common sense when buying or selling items online.

FOTMD provides this space to facilitate sales between members, but we cannot guarantee any sales or purchases made here. Please take logical precautions before exchanging goods or money with someone you don't know. Never send funds or instruments to anyone you are not comfortable about- only you can protect yourself. It's always smart to pay attention to your hunches.
If you experience difficulties or have suspicions about the legitimacy of any sale or purchase offer, please do let me know.
Thanks! :)

updated by @strumelia: 07/31/23 09:26:55PM

FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

One of the funny songs i play and sing on the dulcimer is Harry Belafontes Banana boat song

FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Oh and how about:The cat came back, we thought he was a gonerBut the cat came back; just couldn't stay away.Away, away, yea, yea, yeaI used to do this years ago with my youngest daughter's pre-school school and even the parents enjoyed it...That and have you see the ghost of John were our favorite funnys, especially for this time of year, time to dust off the cob webs on those...dulic-geek

FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Another one I forgot because I haven't played this one in a while: He Never Came Back, learned from an early 1960's Dave Van Ronk record.Paul

FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I guess my dulcimer hasn't found its sense of humor yet.I play "O'Brien is Tryin' to Learn to Talk Hawaiian" on a pink ukulele.When I play guitar for my daughter's kindergarten class I play Pete Seeger's story/song "The Frog" ("Oh way down south in the yankety yank, a bullfrog jumped from bank to bank") which involves singing like cows, chickens, a barnyard gate, grass, a babbling brook, etc.And another kids guitar favorite which could easily be adapted to dulcimer: "There Ain't No Bugs on Me."For the adult crowd I will sometimes play Loudon Wainwright's "I Wish I Was a Lesbian" but the mood has to be just right.Most of the funny songs I know I learned from Jim Kweskin albums. Where else do you get, "Washington at Valley Forge/Freezing cold but up spoke George/He said, vo do dee do, vo do deeo do do"?What a great topic for a discussion, Strumelia!

FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

A couple I forgot to mention before: You Ain't Talkin' To Me, Tying A Knot In The Devils Tail', and Starving To Death On My Government Claim. There's some others I haven't tried on dulcimer yet, only guitar: Stairway to Gilligan's Island, and Talkin' Grizzly Bear Blues. And one I'm just starting to work on, I'm My Own Grandpa.Paul

FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

My grandmother used to sing that song to me all the time. I love it. His fingers were as long a a cane in the break and he had no eyes for to see, and he had no teeth for to eat the hoe cake so he had to leave the hoe cake be. Is that the same song. Michael Vickey said:

Uncle Ned. Sometimes with "politically correct" lyrics.

FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Uncle Ned. Sometimes with "politically correct" lyrics.

FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Cholesterol - from SweetwaterThe Portree Kid - from the Corries (to the tune of Ghost Riders in the Sky)

FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

The Ballad of William Bloat. Funny in a dark wayI think I first heard it sung by the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem

FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

"The Ballad Of The Shapes Of Things"-Kingston Trio"The Scotsman" -I don't recall who first recorded it, I have it by Atwater-Donnelly -I'm as likely to play it on banjo as dulcimer"Einstein The Genius" -Cranberry Lake Jug Band. -I got this album as a part of a grab bag when Kicking Mule was unloading all of their old vinyl cheap. I don't know anything about the band other than this album."5 Pounds Of Possum"- Stolen from Sweetwater,not sure who wrote it. I play it more often on guitar, but occasionally on dulcimer."The Devil & The Farmers Wife"- An old song, possibly from England in Colonial days or earlier. Another I stole from Atwater-Donnelly. I probably play this more often on banjo, too.Paul

FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

What are some of your favorite funny, silly, or humorous songs that you play and sing on your dulcimer?

And where did you learn them from?

updated by @strumelia: 01/17/20 09:38:42PM

FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!

OFF TOPIC discussions

It's party time... wow 1000 members... 3 cheers for Strumelia..CHEER, CHEER, CHEERwhat a site...glad I took a break from my work to see that me made this goal...

FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!

OFF TOPIC discussions

FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!

OFF TOPIC discussions

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Strumelia! You know I was hoping one of your tasty JELL-O creations would be part of the prize package. And this is even better-- I don't even have to win to get a spoonful of, uh, the thing. On second thought, it's toooo pretty to eat. (I think this is my first posting using the peace sign smiley.)

FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!

OFF TOPIC discussions

I've been hand counting the members, since the main page count is not entirely accurate.Only one more member to go to reach 1000.Meanwhile, here's one of my 'famous' Jello Molds to enjoy as an appetizer:

FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!

OFF TOPIC discussions

With newest member Amy, we now have 998 members.Only two more to go! ....spammers don't get counted because they aren't here very long.

FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!

OFF TOPIC discussions

Hey Bobby, I think that I was wearing my pink pyjama's when I read that we had reached the 1000 mark! (send you a picture if you like...............!)John Bobby Ratliff said:

Sorry John Henry, but the 1000 members don't count just yet. It seems we have a pitiful SPAMMER that has registered several times. But we're still getting close.

John Henry said:

1000 up !!! Congrats Strumelia, and thank you.
JohnH

FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!

OFF TOPIC discussions

Who ever is counting certainly had me fooled ealier !!! LOLJohn

FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!

OFF TOPIC discussions

I just hand counted all the members. We have 997 at this point in time.Somehow the 'show all' button on the members column is not accurate right now. Could have been because of the spammer issue this morning.Anyway, counting our latest members Ann and Bonnie, we now have 997.Three more to go after Bonnie!

FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!

OFF TOPIC discussions

1000 up !!! Congrats Strumelia, and thank you.JohnH

FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!

OFF TOPIC discussions

Yes, I noticed that too, Bill!there must be something in the water here on FOTMD.