Forum Activity for @mj

Thanks for the good advice about anchor pegs- that dulcimer  now has a new anchor, loop end strings and her owner is delighted.  

Now I have a new question. Is there an easy way to fix buzzy strings.  I recently replaced friction tuners ( no screw on the end- just pegs) with geared tuners - in order to make a donated dulcimer tunable and playable. the Strings buzzed before I changed to geared tuners, I think it is slightly better but I was wondering if there is an easy fix for buzzy strings.

I have been giving away my dulcimers to people around town, and out of the 10 or so that I had a couple months ago, I now own 3. One problem with making experimental dulcimers is that I end up with *tons* that don't look or sound that good. I'd still feel bad just breaking them down for their hardware, though, so they pile up until I offload them on local musicians. lol

Wow you did an amazing job trying to to preserve that guitar.

About 45 years back, I found this little old tenor guitar at a yard sale.  I kept steel strings on it for about a decade, but, being worried about its integrity, I switched to nylon and put it in Chicago tuning (DGBE).  It was mostly a wall hanger for a long time, but since joining Ukulele Underground, I have been making some videos and occasionally whip out the tenor guitar/baritone uke.  Here's what it sounds like.

Thank you for your feedback.

Thought I'd throw in this additional link for where to find free dulcimer tab:
https://dulcimertab.com/click-here-for-tablature-list/

(btw I think a lot of their tab is actually taken from the original Bruce Ford's Everything Dulcimer site, which is no longer existing.)

(@Ken - I removed your post because it gave inaccurate advice, sorry)

Hi Sarah, FOTMD does not have a TAB section, since there are places where one can post tab online or on their own websites.  Try looking amongst the sites in this thread for good places to post your tab:
https://fotmd.com/forums/forum/dulcimer-resourcestabs-books-websites-dvds/5559/try-these-sites-for-free-tab

That aside, since your TAB is for a copyrighted (non-public domain) song by Merle Haggard, it would not meet the criteria for sharing with other members here on FOTMD. Our site has fairly firm guidelines about posting or hosting copyrighted material.

However, I would say that if instead of attaching your file to a post here,  if you instead post your TAB elsewhere online, I would not mind if you post a LINK here on fotmd, telling members about the fact that you are offering it on that other site. That way, our site is not technically 'hosting/offering' the file here. 

Sorry for the inconvenience!

I wrote a TAB arrangement I would like to share but I do not know where to share it so people can see it.

Thanks Dusty! I got it, and the notation is not a problem. So thanks again!

@dusty, thanks a bunch for the information!  

@lorilee and @robin-thompson, Neal is only charging $5 for a download of that Richard Fariña book, but the version of "A Swallow Song" there does not contain tab. It's just the melody in standard music notation and chord names to strum while you sing.  Most of the book is tab, but there are 2-3 songs like this where the melody is not provided in tab.

@lorilee The Richard Fariña Dulcimer Book is available for purchase as download from Gourd Music here: https://www.gourd.com/Books.html

Does anyone have tablature that they are willing to share for RIchard Farina's A Swallow Song?

This is actually a fun song to play.  You don't have to use the falsetto voice.

Tiptoe Through The Tulips Al Dublin & Joe Burke 1929

Intro: C / A / |Dm / G7 / :||

[C] Tiptoe [A] to the [Dm] window [G7]
By the [C] window,[C7] that is [F] where I'll [Cdim] be
Come [C] tiptoe [A] through the [Dm] tulips [G7] with [C] me [A][Dm][G7]

Oh, [C] tiptoe [A] from the [Dm] garden [G7]
By the [C] garden [C7] of the [F] willow [Cdim] tree
Come and [C] tiptoe [A] through the [Dm] tulips [G7] with [C] me [F][C][C7]

Knee [F] deep in [Em] flowers we'll [A7] stray
We'll [B7] keep the [Dm] showers a[G7]way

And if I [C] kiss you [A] in the [Dm] garden, [G7]
In the [C] moonlight [C7] will you [F] pardon [Cdim] me?
And [C] tiptoe [A] through the [Dm] tulips [G7] with [C] me [A][Dm][G7]

 Tiny Tim 1957.jpg - 65KB

https://www.facebook.com/groups/BeginningHammeredDulcimerPlayers

https://www.facebook.com/groups/177530402583937

https://www.facebook.com/groups/146510668705434

https://www.facebook.com/groups/175933649422605/?hoisted_section_header_type=recently_seen&multi_permalinks=1162454044103889

https://www.jonweinberg.com/music/jwhd_links.html

Does anyone know of a Hammered Dulcimer Forum that is currently active? Note: it doesn't have to be based in the USA. Thanks

I've added recorders, ukuleles and micro base so I think it's more curiosity about something new [like a kid with a new toy], or exploring, or maybe just a short attention span.

It sounds like you have quite an eclectic collection of instruments! From dulcimers to bodhran, and more, you've got a wide range of sounds to explore.

How was your experience with that bodhran?

Patricia, as per your wish, I'll lock this discussion.

Thanks Ken and Jerry. I actually already got what I needed a week ago, but thanks for sharing! I'd like to close (or delete) this discussion, but it seems that I don't have the rights to do that.

I didn't buy any dulcimers in the 1970s but made my own. I do have many catalogs and price lists but not sure of the dates. There may be one or two from the 1970s and early 1980s. Of course, I have a lot old issues of DPN from that time with prices of some instruments. Let me know if you are interested in any of these. I can scan and send them to you.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I did buy a Musical Traditions dulcimer from Hank Levin in 1970 or so.  The price might have been $125.  I also bought a no-name dulcimer around that year from the Music Inn in NYC for, I believe $60.

@davisjames , if the cicadas are singing in the note of E, then they should harmonize nicely in a 'fifth' interval with the key of A.  (Think of how fiddles are sometimes cross-tuned to AEAE)  Can you test this theory by playing something in the key of A against your cicadas?  Also, supposedly most telephone landline dial tones are set to the note of A, so that would be an interesting test as well, to see if they harmonize well together.  👂🏼 🙌🏻

Jennifer, you might get a better a response if you post this as a separate inquiry rather than in the discussion where few people will see it. I have not seen any dulcimer tab for it or even sheet music. I have found guitar chords, but that is all.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Has anyone seen tab for Bonnie Bessie Logan, as recorded by Dougie Maclean?

For Pete Seeger fans, there is a new book out, Pete Seeger with David Bernz Chopping Wood Thoughts & Stories of a Legendary Folksinger. It has a forward by Arlo Guthrie. It is not a biography but as the title says, thoughts and stories. David Bernz, the editor of friend of Seeger's provides some commentary and context.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

The first songs I ever knew were from the Pete Seeger children's albums.  The fact that I still love acoustic music so much is certainly due to his influence. 

I have a photo of his banjo up on my dulcimer wall , and across the room are three framed pictures of record album art from Folkways: one by Pete, one by Woody, and one by Leadbelly.

I didn't know about the memorial. I'll have to make a point to get there next time I'm on the east coast.

Thanks for sharing, Ken.

Thanks for sharing the photos, Ken!  

Pete Seeger was a man of deep convictions and all his work seems to have sprung from those convictions.  He and Jean were folk musicians who have had lasting influence on the lives and music of so many-- truly, gifts to us all.

I was in New Jersey this past weekend and made it a point to stop at the Pete Seeger memorial. It is behind the Puffin Foundation building at 40 Puffin Way and at the entrance to the Teaneck Nature Preserve. Pete is recognized not only for his contributions to folk music, but also for his community activism in cleaning up the nearby Hudson River and other activities. Whether or not you like his politics, no one can deny his positive influence in getting folks to sing and play musical instruments. I think he is one of the most underrated banjo influencers. His book,  How To Play The Five-String Banjo , started many on a lifetime journey. Well, today is the anniversary of his birth so I thought I'd share a photo of the memorial and one of me with Pete. BTW, he did a lot to encourage Jean Ritchie's participation in the folk revival (scare?) of the 1940s, 50s. and 60s.

Memorial

Me and Pete

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I have one dulcimer only but I have also some guitars (fender, takamine...) and some other musical instruments

Hammered dulcimer, autoharp, banjo are some of the instruments I hope to own and learn and play

You've got a range of options to experiment with and expand your musical horizons.  

I agree Robin. The Culture of Recovery is a wonderful program. The luthiery and Troublesome Creek Stringed Instrument Company are a great way to give people the opportunity to develop a skill and turn their lives around. Kudos to all involved.

Ken

"the dulcimer sings a sweet song."

What a moving, touching episode!  Music has the power to touch us all in so many ways and on so many different levels.  All the stories presented are heartening.  And what is going on in Hindman KY will, I hope, continue to bring folks together for common purpose.  

Thanks for letting us know about this, Dan, and thank you for your work with Doug and all at the luthier shop in Hindman!  Was a treat to see Sarah Kate and Willow, too!  

It appears it will be available on my local PBS affiliate at 9, too.  

Me, too. It's on at 9 p.m. EDT on my PBS station.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I'm hoping to get to watch this evening! 

I imagine that different species of cicadas 'sing' at different note pitches.

That is brilliant!As far as I can tell,the cicadas are hovering around,"E"....I eagerly await mountain dulcimer collaborations with cicadas this year...