Sad News
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
What a great Mike Slone story! His personality comes shining through his words. It would do us well to read this! Thanks for sharing, Robin!
Forum Activity for @jan-potts
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Sad News
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Thanks for posting that link, Robin. It was something I was going to try to do this evening. I think that a nice piece on Mike.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Sad News
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I, too, was saddened to hear of Mike's death. We used to chat quite a bit on here. He helped a lot of people come to know and appreciate the mountain dulcimer. My prayers go out for his friends and family.
Sad News
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I don't know what to say to this news.
To me, Mike was the embodiment of the old-time Kentucky dulcimer spirit. A quiet and knowledgeable man who wanted to help others understand dulcimer history and mountain music. He did his part to perpetuate the best of tradition.
Rest in peace, friend, and may God bless your family left behind. Too sad...
Sad News
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
So sorry to hear this, Ken. Thoughts and prayers to his family.
Sad News
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Aw, that's terrible news. A great loss for so many music loving folks. My heart goes out to Mike's family.
Sad News
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Friends, I just received word that Mike Slone who worked with the Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming in Hindman, KY died. I copied this from the Appalachian Artisan Center Facebook post:
Arrangements for our dear friend and accomplished luthier apprentice, Mike Slone will be at Nelson Frazier Funeral Home. Visitation will be Friday January 4th six to nine p.m. and visitation on Saturday. Funeral will be Sunday January 6th at eleven a.m. with burial in the Slone Family Cemetery.
Mike Slone was a tenacious student of local musical heritage and in particular, of the dulcimers of "Uncle Ed" Thomas and McKinley Craft. In 2012, he began making quality replicas of these significant instruments at the AAC Luthiery and in 2014 was granted a KY Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grant to further this work. He became a certified Community Scholar through the Kentucky Arts Council. He was a major contributor and curator of the Museum of the Mountain dulcimer, on permanent display in AAC's Cody building, and he coordinated the Hindman Dulcimer Festival in 2014 and 2015.
Mike Slone was the co-recipient of the 2016 Kentucky Governors Award in the Arts on behalf of the AAC's Hindman Dulcimer Project.
We hold Mike Slone's family in our hearts as we honor the memory of a "true original". A strong voice in the telling of the story of this region.
My sympathy goes out to Mike's family and friends. He was an enthusiastic proponent of the mountain dulcimer.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
updated by @ken-longfield: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
What songs were you taught in kindergarten/grade school?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
"This Land Is My Land"
"Oh, Shenandoah"
"Old McDonald"
"She'll Be Comin' 'Round The Mountain"
"On Top Of Old Smokey"
"The Bonnie Banks O' Loch Lomand"
I know there were more, but these are the ones I can remember off the top of my head.
My favorite one, of which I can't remember the title, went something like this: " There was a little princess a long time ago". If anyone can remember this song, that would be great.
what was your first song on the dulcimer?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I just got my first mountain dulcimer a couple of months ago, so I’m still wet behind the ears. But, being a songwriter, my first song was an original entitled “What’s It Look Like?”. I didn’t write the words yet though, because I’m still trying to get the chords worked out. I thought It sounded pretty darn good until I recorded it. Holy cow is it slow! There are long breaks between chords, because I don’t have that muscle memory yet. Whew! Hey, but that’s why we record right, so we can hear our mistakes?
Dulcimers in books & films
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Here's my collection of shows/movies I know about featuring mountain dulcimers:
CHRISTY TV SERIES https://athensdulcimerclub.wordpress.com/dulcimentaries/dulcimentary-articles-pt-ii/christy-tv-series/
DANIEL BOONE, AKA FESS PARKER, PLAYED DULCIMER IN 1964 & 1969 EPISODES https://athensdulcimerclub.wordpress.com/dulcimentaries/dulcimentary-articles-pt-ii/daniel-boone-aka-fess-parker-played-dulcimer-in-1964-1969-episodes/
JOHN BOY WALTON PLAYS TWO MOUNTAIN DULCIMERS https://athensdulcimerclub.wordpress.com/dulcimentaries/dulcimentary-articles-pt-ii/john-boy-walton-plays-a-mountain-dulcimer/
Chevy Chase Show: KNOW WHAT I MEAN VERN? https://athensdulcimerclub.wordpress.com/dulcimentaries/dulcimentary-articles-pt-ii/know-what-i-mean-vern/
LAST MAN STANDING https://athensdulcimerclub.wordpress.com/dulcimentaries/dulcimentary-articles-pt-ii/last-dulcimer-standing/
SHEFFEY https://athensdulcimerclub.wordpress.com/dulcimentaries/dulcimentary-articles-pt-ii/sheffey/
updated by @david-bennett: 12/31/18 11:18:36AM
Dulcimers in books & films
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
ahhhhh, this is the post to put it in. A day before Christmas I got a DVD of our family playing and singing Christmas songs thirty years ago in Hawaii. I got somethings wrong in my speaking, but you'll see 8 of our 14 children. The older ones were gone....one in the Marines, some in school and some married. Happy new year to you all. &source=gmail&ust=1546298787918000&usg=AFQjCNFF3ALCH5AzPI6rFiLSv9DPO9DZPA"> ALOHA, IRENE
What do we call it?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
My friends always ask, Well just how many do You have ? I call them my Eye Candy they are like a box of chocolates all different but wonderful in their own way. .
Dulcimers in books & films
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Don Pedi played Dulcimer the movie the Tune Catchers set in Appalachian Mountains Not that good but remember it because of Don.playing dulcimer at a barn dance.
updated by @glenda-hubbard: 01/01/19 06:58:26AM
Dulcimers in books & films
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Several episodes of the TV series Daniel Boone, where Fess Parker actually played (rather than just faking) a dulcimer for his wife.
Several music related TV programs where Cyndi Lauper plays her dulcimer. Taught by David Schnauffer. She composes all her tunes on dulcimer.
updated by @ken-hulme: 12/31/18 07:06:47AM
Dulcimers in books & films
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
On the TV show, "The Waltons", one episode featured the dulcimer. One episode (right word?) of the TV show, "Rainbow Quest", hosted by Pete Seeger, featured Jean Ritchie; another episode featured Richard and Mimi Farina (Richard played dulcimer). In the early '60's, I recall seeing John Jacob Niles once or twice on TV.
Dulcimers in books & films
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
The other day I started reading The Urban Fantasy Anthology by Peter S. Beagle and Joe R. Lansdale. The very first story, set in 1970, was "A Bird that Whistles" by Emma Bull about a young banjo player who meets a charismatic, handsome and great musician. I was immediately greeted with a great opening sentence, "The dulcimer player sat on the back steps of Orpheus Coffeehouse." The musician, a fiddle and guitar player, was just trying out the dulcimer, but there were references to "Shady Grove," other folk songs and tuning the banjo to "mountain minor."
Where else have you encountered dulcimers in films or in books?
updated by @tssfulk: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
what was your first song on the dulcimer?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
"Lincoln and Liberty"...made lots of goofs learning it...still make lots of goofs playing it now (after 30 years, go figure)!
What do we call it?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
"Too many" (7)...but I just ordered a new one, so I guess there are never too many dulcimers!
Randy Wilkinson tab book for Elizabethan Music
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
Oh my! I could just kiss you, @Maddie-Myers! 
I've been looking for that book for years and I don't know why it never occurred to me to post a note here. I'll send you a personal message right away. You're the best!
Randy Wilkinson tab book for Elizabethan Music
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
Hi, Dusty - I just checked into the FOMD site for the first time in a long time and came across your request for the Randy Wilkinson Elizabethan Music for Dulcimer book. I have a book by Wilkinson entitled "Randy Wilkinson Elizabethan Dulcimer." published in 1982 by Kicking Mule. It says it goes with the album KM226. I would be happy to give it to you. However, I live in Australia and would have to post it from there, so I will need your postal address, and perhaps you real name, unless you regularly get mail addressed to Dusty Turtle and your mailman doesn't get hostile about it.
Cheers, Maddie Myers in Western Australia
Randy Wilkinson tab book for Elizabethan Music
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
For several years I've been searching for the book of dulcimer tablature that accompanies Randy Wilkinson's album on Kicking Mule records called Elizabethan Music for Dulcimer. The book came out in 1982, I believe.
Does anyone have a copy kicking around that they'd be willing to part with?
Muchas gracias!
updated by @dusty: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
Attention Ledford owners.
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Difficult to say. Homer made mistakes and you know the registry if far from complete. Those are "special" tuners, maybe you can find a matching description in the time line?
Attention Ledford owners.
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Somehow I ended up with quite a collection of Ledfords. Most are identifiable from the master list (which, naturally is not complete). I have several early ones including two before he started numbering. Recently, however I acquired one which did not have a number assigned. [There is one on the list unnumbered.]
It has staple frets (long 3rd), early style hearts, and an unusual construction for the fine tuners. It was made of yellow poplar (very dark brown) from 150-y.o. church pews, which locates it from 1969 to, perhaps, 1979. The label also has "Winchester, Kentucky" spelled out.
I'm trying to zero in on an approximate date; does anyone else have one with a dark poplar top and/or a "Kentucky" label and/or the tail plate with fine tuners.
Need Advice--Buying a New Dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
McSpadden is what I chose as my first and never regretted it. It is now my loaner.
Need Advice--Buying a New Dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
McSpadden would be a great and reliable choice in your price range. It's very well regarded, sounds wonderful, and you can resell it easily later on if you want.
Need Advice--Buying a New Dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
A four string model gives you the option to play with three or four strings. Almost all modern dulcimers come with a 6 1/2 fret and its octave 13 1/2. If you plan to play in DAdd tuning those extra frets will come in handy. If you plan to play in DAAA all the time, the 6 1/2 can be a pain (only because it gives you a little extra bump sliding up to the seventh fret.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Need Advice--Buying a New Dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thanks for all your responses!
I live in Long Island NY. Does anyone have a contact in the New York City area?
Money is not the main concern.
My kids are giving it to me as a 65th birthday present so I can pick a quality instrument in the $400 to $550 range.
McFadden has a nice web page where you can hear the sounds of different instruments; I'm tempted to buy one of theirs or buy a used one. They were also recommended by Jessica Comeau with whom I've had a correspondence. She seems very helpful. I emailed McFadden and will also call them after Christmas.
From my research, for my first instrument, I should get a 4 string model with 61/2 frets set to D. Is that correct?
Need Advice--Buying a New Dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Mark -- first thing you'll learn in the dulcimer world is that there is not such thing as "best". The 'best' anything is what works for you... not someone else.
With 40 years experience as a dulcimer builder and player, my advice is to start with a "Student" model dulcimer such as the one made by Dave "Harpmaker" at www.sweetwoodsinstruments.com His student model is an excellent starting place without being terribly expensive. There are two or three other student models out there. I own one of Dave's and use it as a loaner.
If money is a real issue, start with one of the cardboard dulcimers for about $75. The fretboard is the important part of the instrument, and those fretboards are spot on. When you decide you like the dulcimer, you -- or someone you know -- can make you a nice wooden body, to which you transfer the fretboard from your cardboard starter. I did that recently for one of my students...
Builders like Dave will play their instruments for you over the phone, but generally don't have other builder's instruments to compare. Without much knowledge of dulcimers, listening to "the sound" isn't that useful because instruments in different tunings will sound different and you won't recognize the difference.
Where are you in "the Northeast"? We might be able to point you to someone. Chances are you'll not find dulcimers walking into music stores unless they specialize in acoustic music, and then you'll probably only find one "brand". A dulcimer Festival is the best place to check out lots of different dulcimers, but it will be a couple months before 'festival season' kicks in.
There is a ton of information here at FOTMD; start reading. As Lisa suggests, join the Beginner Group and start looking there.
Need Advice--Buying a New Dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Mark, I don't know where you are in the Northeast, but there are some dulcimer festivals coming up. One is near Albany, NY (Latham) the first weekend in March. Another is in East Stroudsburg, PA the last weekend in April. There will be several vendors at both festivals where you can try different dulcimers. I would beware of dulcimers in the $100-$250 range unless they are well cared for used instruments. Also, look at some of the individual builders who do quality work and sell dulcimers for less than the prices you mentioned.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Need Advice--Buying a New Dulcimer
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Mark, i'm encouraging you to join our site's Beginner Group (click on Groups link at top of page)- and read several discussions there about advice on buying a first dulcimer- lots of good info there! 
Be aware to in order to read the actual discussions ib Groups, you have to JOIN that group. You can unjoin the group eaisily at any time, btw.
Beware of that big site that has paid to come up on top when you do searches for 'best dulcimer'. I saw that site and it's really just a big paid links ad disguised as a helpful dulcimer site. it's content simply consists of stuff they've pulled from other sites, too... they have not created their own content.
updated by @strumelia: 12/25/18 01:04:55PM