electronic tuners people use
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
The Snark will serve you well, James.
Forum Activity for @robin-thompson
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
The Snark will serve you well, James.
electronic tuners people use
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I wound up getting the Snark from a local music store when I got strings to restring a dulcimer. Works well and eliminates the need for me to use a Signal Flex guitar tuner pickup that I plugged into the Korg so it could tune in a noise environment. Thank you all for the suggestions, much appreciated
electronic tuners people use
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Hi James,
http://www.snarktuners.com/tuners/original-clip-on
These are very good and seem popular among players of many instruments.
The one I use is the "black".
You might find the clip is a bit small for some instruments, but you can always clip onto a tuning button (though I don't like that myself).
The head is fixed to the clip by a ball and socket joint, and can be pulled on and off with a little care.
Like this, the head fits beautifully into a sound hole on mine.
Prices can be a lot lower if you shop around
electronic tuners people use
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
James, the go to tuner these days seems to be the Snark. I have several of the red models. You can find them on Ebay for arounnd $15, They clip on to the headstock and are always available at the push of the on/odd switch.
electronic tuners people use
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I like my Peterson clip tuner. It was pricey and I mainly bought it for use on my bowed dulcimers yet use it on all my instruments.
electronic tuners people use
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Good morning all,
My Korg CA30 chromatic tuner is on the fritz and I am thinking it is on it's way out. Changed the batteries, and still acting up. I am starting this to find out what electronic tuners people use and recommend. I have not bought an electronic tuner since I bought this back in mid 00's, so I have no idea what is out there nowadays.
Best,
updated by @james-phillips: 08/01/23 08:35:17AM
Jay Gilliam in Virginia may have a price you'd like. I own one of his strummer-leles and its great!
He's on facebook as
Tinyguitars Handbuilt Instruments
Tell him Phil McDaniel sent ya!
In need of someone in the Nashville/Mt. Juliet Tn. Area for mountain dulcimer repair.
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thank you Linda for the contact. I just picked up my dulcimer from String Theory which did a fret tuneup. Really ground down all the frets to compensate for the bow in neck. He does not have a dulcimer jig so could not plane the neck. Seem as though that was going to work but minutes ago one of the double melody strings went dead on the 6th fret. Crazy because the two strings are within a 16th of an inch to each other and only one is dead on the 6th fret. I'm sure String Theory will address the issue. Should this problem can't be fixed without removing the fret board overlay and planning down the neck and adding a new overlay fret board, I will look up Mr. Scotten. I also know of a Bill Lawson in Sparta Tn. that use to build beautiful dulcimers and did repairs, he is also a possibility if he is still around. Sorry I did not mean to write a book to your reply. Thanks again and have a blessed week.
In need of someone in the Nashville/Mt. Juliet Tn. Area for mountain dulcimer repair.
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thank you Lora, I will drop by to see him this week. Have a great Memorial Day.
In need of someone in the Nashville/Mt. Juliet Tn. Area for mountain dulcimer repair.
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Lora said:
Thom Abell is right in Mt. Juliet.
String Theory Guitar Repair
603 Georgian Way
Mount Juliet, TN 37122
615-415-5681
In need of someone in the Nashville/Mt. Juliet Tn. Area for mountain dulcimer repair.
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thom Abell is right in Mt. Juliet.
String Theory Guitar Repair
603 Georgian Way
Mount Juliet, TN 37122
615-415-5681
In need of someone in the Nashville/Mt. Juliet Tn. Area for mountain dulcimer repair.
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thank you Dan, don't know why I did not think of that. Another Senior Moment I guess. Have a great day. Thanks again.
In need of someone in the Nashville/Mt. Juliet Tn. Area for mountain dulcimer repair.
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Does anyone have any information on someone that does mountain dulcimer repairs in the Nashville Tn. Area. I have a very special dulcimer that has a downward bow of 1/8 of an inch or more in the middle. The neck has a fret board overlay on top which also has some cupping or low spots on outer edge around 3rd, 5th frets . Fret board is to thin to be planed down. The neck will need planning down an 1/8 inch or so and new fret board overlay glued in place, 18 frets, no Strum Hollow on either. no Nut Slot either on board. Any information will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you
updated by @victory-martin: 06/08/16 09:24:05PM
Autumn Leaves Festival? Question fromChatroom
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Thank you, Lisa. I should have thought to do that.
Autumn Leaves Festival? Question fromChatroom
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Well, here is a website for it, hope that helps: http://www.autumnleavesfestival.com/
Looks like a fun event! Seems like it may be largely about crafts but with music entertainment as well.
Autumn Leaves Festival? Question fromChatroom
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I saw a question from Kevin Oltsmanns in the Chatroom requesting information on the Autumn Leaves Festival being held in Mt Airy, NC in October. I checked the events lists both here at FOTMD and on the Everything Dulcimer site and that festival wasn't listed on either. It's probably a general folk music/old time music festival similar the the Vandalia Gathering being held in Charleston, WV this weekend. If any of our members have any info about the Autumn Leaves event, please let us know.
updated by @dan-goad: 06/11/15 07:43:29AM
Hi Ron, go here and you'll find it:
http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/forum/topics/roanoke-valley-dulcimers-inaugural-meeting-and-workshop
Richard and Pamela Wilson. They built many dulcimers. There are several discussions on here about him. Here is a link to one. He is also on FB http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/photo/img-20130326-083334?commentId=3745489%3AComment%3A445093&xg_source=activity
updated by @kevin-messenger: 02/14/16 06:40:21AM
So if Jesus came to dinner, what would you play?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
After Hangman's Reel, I'd play Jesus an original tune or two that Mark & I put together. So I wouldn't have to change tuning to change keys, I'd offer our Quittin' Time at Essex Mine since it's also in the key of A and tell Jesus how each of Mark's grandfathers worked at Essex Mine at one time or another.PS- Not that I think our original tunes are so great-- it'd just be fun to play them for Jesus! :)
So if Jesus came to dinner, what would you play?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I'm going to change it to if "so and so" came to dinner as while I do play songs out of the hymnal, I am more spiritual then religious, if that makes sense. Mine would be Ode to Joy, In The Sweet Bye and Bye and Wildwood Flower.
So if Jesus came to dinner, what would you play?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I'd be playing Jesus some fiddle tunes! Likely, I'd tune to the key of A and play Hangman's Reel for starters-- it's such a fun tune and I like the AABBCCDD structure.
So if Jesus came to dinner, what would you play?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
There are certain songs that are just good. Always good, everyone seems to love them and you never get tired of hearing their pretty melodies.
For me, one of those would be Lee's Waltz. If I was demonstrating the beauty of the dulcimer for a new listener, I'm pretty certain that'd be what I'd play.
What are some songs you play that never seem to grow old and make you smile when you hear them?
(I'm definitely going to check out any and all songs listed!) :)
updated by @d-chitwood: 06/11/15 07:43:25AM
Are there luthiers who will build with your wood?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thanks everyone. My new dulcimer is coming down as I type. I have mixed feelings about it, but having the new dulcimer made will allow it to sing in the years to come.
Are there luthiers who will build with your wood?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
If you manage to have some dried lumber from the tree I might be able to help. Most of my dulcimers are kind of unique in a number of ways, but if they are of interest to you, I would be willing to work with customer supplied lumber that was properly dried. I am used to breaking down larger pieces into pieces suitable for instrument parts.
My instruments are non traditional in a number of ways and most of them are travel oriented. If that interests you you might have a look at:
Are there luthiers who will build with your wood?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Yeah.... you could probably make a couple of dulcimers out of a 4 ft diameter walnut log....<grin>
Are there luthiers who will build with your wood?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thanks for the insights. We live near Amish country and many families run sawmills, so we would be able to get that part done, too. The tree is easily that big around, probably closer to four feet diameter.
Are there luthiers who will build with your wood?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
There are certainly builders who will work with your wood, but it needs to be cut and cured (dried) properly. Your "tree cutters" can cut the trunk into logs about 3-4 ft long. Hopefull the good parts of the tree are 8"-10" in diameter. But unless the "cutters' work for a sawmill, they won't have any idea of what to do beyond that. A local sawmill, or someone with a large band saw, can then slice the logs into planks of varying widths and ideally about 1/4" or 1/2" thick. These planks are then stacked together with spacers to allow air in between the planks, and allowed to air dry slowly (out of the sun) for 6 months or so before they can be used for building instruments or anything.
Are there luthiers who will build with your wood?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
We have a black walnut tree that has to come down, and I'd like to have a dulcimer made with some of the wood. So...are there builders I the US who might do this? I 'd like to find out how to prepare the wood properly, and if the tree cutters need any specific instructions? Thanks.
updated by @gwyn-calvetti: 08/04/23 06:43:45AM
Yes, Everythingdulcimer.com is a great site altogether, for both mountain dulcimers and hammered dulcimers!... They've had a terrific members Forum since long before our site here ever existed, and they also have a wonderful free collection of dulcimer tab!:
http://everythingdulcimer.com/tab/index.php
O'Mara's, thank you for mentioning fake books. I'm not a big fan of bluegrass, but saw your comment in the daily list & a light bulb went on over my brain just like in a cartoon! My 1st instrument was the piano & I really need SMN there. Never could manage a fake book. As a result I ruled them out for me for any instrument.
Thanks for widening my thinking. (Can't get tablet to stop underlining, but that's o.k. as this is such an expanding idea.)
Judy, most bluegrass tunes are the same tunes played in dulcimer circles or old timey groups, but they are simply played much faster in bluegrass groups. The most comprehensive collections of those tunes in dulcimer tab are Stephen Seifert's Join the Jam books. You might pick up the first of those books and then do an online search for common bluegrass tunes to see which ones are played in both circles.
One thing to look out for, though, is that while dulcimer players play nearly every tune in D, in bluegrass circles, other keys such as C, G, and A are also common. Blackberry Blossom is always in G, Billy in the Lowground is always in C, Red-Haired Boy is always in A, St. Anne's Reel is always in D, and so forth. If you are going to play with bluegrass folks you will want to learn the keys for common songs.
When I was learning mandolin, I used a book/CD set called Steve Kaufman's Bluegrass Workout which has music for a whole bunch of common bluegrass tunes, with a CD that plays each tune once very slowly and then once at bluegrass speed. But each rendition has the full song once and then two versions with just the back-up instruments, and you are supposed to play the melody. It was really good practice. The book does not include dulcimer tab, though, but if you can learn by ear or get the basic melody off the standard music notation it could work pretty well.
Looks like your song list is mostly in the key of G with a few songs in C. I would tune a dulcimer to GDG (the key-of-G equivalent of DAD). Learn the basic chords in G (G, C, D, Em and Am). When the song is in C, put a capo on the 3rd fret and use the same fingerings to play the chords C, F, G, Am and Dm. That covers almost everything you'll need. Remember to smile, sing, and skip the chords you don't know!G and C are popular keys among uke players. Thus, uke-playing friends are an excellent reason to buy a Ginger or baritone dulcimer. ;-)If you don't have a dulcimer that can comfortably tune to GDG then try the reverse Ionian tuning DGD. That puts you in the key of G (with the scale starting on the 3rd fret). And I guess a capo on the 3rd fret will put you in C.Yet another option is to tune a DAD dulcimer down to CGC, which puts you in the key of C. And then for the key of G you could capo on the 4th fret. I haven't tried this, but in theory it should work.If none of this makes sense, give a holler and I'll break it down. Do you have a good chord book? Mel Bay's giant encyclopedia can get you through pretty much anything a uke player will throw at you. http://www.melbay.com/Products/93858/dulcimer-chord-encyclopedia.aspx Of course, your last-ditch option is to borrow a uke and make your friend show you how to play it!
I think easier is for you to have a book with dulcimer tab and chords, and she can play along as you play the chord/melody. To me this would be a giant headache to do this list. I play uke, and basically can play on sight the chords for any song anyone hands me. I cannot do this on dulcimer. It's difficult to find tab for modern songs for dulcimer as they are under copyright. This may not be what you wanted to hear though...