Benefits of longer VSL?
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Nate, listen to I. D. Stamper's long dulcimer for a possibility:
Forum Activity for @john-c-knopf
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International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
@hugssandi I'll be looking for a video from you on International Appalachian Dulcimer Day! 
Benefits of longer VSL?
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Hey folks just wondering what reasons people might have for preferring a longer scale length. I started off building dulcimers around 28-30" VSL, having heard that longer dulcimers are louder. Over time I've gradually made them shorter to make long stretches more comfortable, the most recent one being 23.5"
To me the tone of a longer scale seems a little fuller, but maybe I'm just convincing myself of that one.
I also appreciate the ever so tiny bit of extra space that you get between the frets in the second octave. A big downside to long dulcimers that I've noticed is that the packs of strings designed for dulcimers will be at a much higher tension than typical when brought up to Dad tuning.
So anyway just wondering what some benefits are for long dulcimers compared to short ones. Whether it be in the sound characteristics, practical reasons, play-ability, just anything that you tend to prefer on longer dulcimers. More perspective would help me to figure out what VSL I want to build at going forward.
Thanks
Nate
Dave Lynch Harpmaker passing
OFF TOPIC discussions
@folkfan Keigh, my heart is with you and your dear ones. Dave was, truly, a good guy! I was fortunate to have had our paths cross a couple times. Your brother's beautiful instruments sing now for so many and will sing for years to come! Rest in peace, Harpmaker.
Dave Lynch Harpmaker passing
OFF TOPIC discussions
I wanted to let Dave's friends here at FOTMD know that Dave passed away at our sister, Barbara's home. He had been suffering from stage 4 lung cancer. Now he is no longer in pain. Keigh/folkfan
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I would so love for folks to friend me on fb and flood my page with vids of you playing on that day! --Sandi Lowery
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
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Salt Springs:
I'm curious, did you ever get in touch with Terry Pattison? Let us know how your re-string goes..if you take your time it should go just fine. BTW, if you want you can also tune down to CGG and reduce string tension and play DAA tab. If I remember there are a few video's on youtube that will help you a great deal until you get the hang of it. Give us a yell and we'll do what we can to give you a hand.
John Crocker
OFF TOPIC discussions
It seems John Henry has stabilized and may get to go home before the week's over. 
John Crocker
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Mark & I love John and our hearts are with him and all of his dear ones.
John Crocker
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John Henry is a truly wonderful and amazing person. He and his family are in my thoughts and loving wishes right now.
John Crocker
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John's son Paul says that John is in hospital and is asking prayers for him at this time.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
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Thank you, Strumelia! I will keep that in mind. Gonna try to re-string it this weekend.
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Dusty Turtle:
That's a sweet video, @alegre1. Thank you.
Thank you Dusty for the kind words! Linda 
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
NateBuildsToys:
really terrific @alegre1 . One of my absolute favorite things about the dulcimer, that a couple people brought up in this video, is the low barrier of entry. So many people who don't consider themselves to be musically inclined find joy in making music with a dulcimer. Many times folks have expressed to me that they don't consider themselves musical and as soon as they learn to put enough pressure on the fret to get a clean note, they're enjoying playing music. It's cool to have an ambassador such as yourself for our lovely instrument.
-Nate
That is mighty kind, Nate, but I'd call myself like the person you describe rather than an ambassador. I had given up hope of ever being able to play an instrument until I found the dulcimer in my late fifties and then it was love at first sound. I like that it will challenge me for the rest of my life but, as it does so, I still get to play songs! Best regards, Linda
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Ken Longfield:
Wonderful video, alegre1. Thank you for creating and sharing it.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Aw shucks, thank you! I had fun making it with these friends and for the new Tn. club
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Wonderful video, alegre1. Thank you for creating and sharing it.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
really terrific @alegre1 . One of my absolute favorite things about the dulcimer, that a couple people brought up in this video, is the low barrier of entry. So many people who don't consider themselves to be musically inclined find joy in making music with a dulcimer. Many times folks have expressed to me that they don't consider themselves musical and as soon as they learn to put enough pressure on the fret to get a clean note, they're enjoying playing music. It's cool to have an ambassador such as yourself for our lovely instrument.
-Nate
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
That's a sweet video, @alegre1. Thank you.
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
@alegre1 I enjoyed your "Why Play the Dulcimer" very much! I imagine it will help attract new people to mountain dulcimer because of the joys of doing so expressed by the folks in the video.
How to Convert guitar tab to mt. dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
If you mean tabs for guitar chords, you can go to a website like ultimate-guitar.com then find a song you like. For example here is a link to 'Leaving on a Jet Plane by John Denver"
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/john-denver/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-chords-32979
at the bottom of the screen you will see a white box that reads
"FONT -1+1 CHORDS AUTOSCROLL TRANSPOSE -1 +1"
you can transpose the tabs to a key that is better suited to your dulcimer by clicking on the +1 to transpose it up a half step or the -1 to transpose it down a half step. For example if you found tabs in the key of E, but your dulcimer is tuned to D, you could click the '-1' button twice.
This chart might then help to translate the chords into dulcimer chords https://everythingdulcimer.com/tab/chord_chart_dad_major.pdf
I don't know of a way to directly convert the kind of tabs which show all 6 strings, other than to just convert those tabs into their notes, then convert those notes into dulcimer tabs. This can be quicker than you might think with a chart like this
As Lisa mentioned, your biggest obstacle at that point is the chromatic frets, which might not be a problem at all if your dulcimer has a lot of frets. Quite a lot of pop music is mostly diatonic so if you are willing to put in the time to translate the guitar tabs into their notes, then transpose those notes into a key you can play on your dulcimer, a lot of times its very rewarding, but sometimes it can be fruitless if you dont have the frets you need.
Hope this helps
-Nate
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Robin Thompson:
It will be a delight to see how you all celebrate the day! @dusty-turtle will be with a group and, perhaps, other friends will be, too. I'll be at my usual playing location (home) with my usual playing partner (Mark). 
Hi Robin and everyone who might be interested for International Dulcimer Day,
Hi Everyone, In case anyone might be interested in a "Why Play the Dulcimer" promo for your club, I've attached a link to a five minute video I made for a friend who is launching a new club in Middle Tennessee to help her attract new members. The file is too big to attach here, but here's a link from her library's Facebook page, and so I think you can save the video that way if you'd like to use it.
Happy Playing!
(Looks like you might have to cut and paste it into the URL space)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iiSRd9TtCUnwz5y2AwnEGp5j7MiTWpv6/view?fbclid=IwAR2qO49okapHt1G_C8pq6foVvjKYUUByAgSpQ_Xaknm5SBwleXxbrJr3qQU
updated by @alegre1: 03/06/23 02:05:44PM
How to Convert guitar tab to mt. dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I much prefer classic ukulele tab chords such as here: https://www.ukulele-tabs.com/ukulele-tabs-chords.html call be old fashioned but it just reads easier for me.
updated by @endaamelia: 03/06/23 10:27:07AM
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
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Those strings should work ok, but if the .012 strings for the melody course feel too stiff or are hard for you to press down, try using .010 melody strings, especially since your scale length is almost 28".
updated by @strumelia: 03/05/23 10:20:59AM
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
It will be a delight to see how you all celebrate the day! @dusty-turtle will be with a group and, perhaps, other friends will be, too. I'll be at my usual playing location (home) with my usual playing partner (Mark).
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
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That's what I'll go with, then. You've been a great help and I really appreciate it. BTW, based on your recollections, I found a phone number and address for Terry Pattison. I just want to let him know how much I have appreciated the Darcyhorse over the years. Thanks so much and have a great weekend!
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
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Welcome..........I think you would be good with 12's-14-22 since some Darcyhorses had an action that was a bit high if I remember some other comments.
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
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I'm going to tune it to DAA. Thanks.
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
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Generally,
I use 12, 12, 14, 22 or if I use DAA tuning I like a firmer string so I use 14's and a 22 or 24 depending on what I can find that is handy.
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
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You going to tune it to DAA or DAD?
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
As a follow up, I want to put new strings on my Darcyhorse, and I'm not sure what type and gauge to use. The string length from nut to bridge is 27.75 inches. Any thoughts on strings would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
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Thanks so much, @salt-springs! That gives me a starting point. I really appreciate it!
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
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I don't know how to contact him these days, however Terry Pattison I fairly sure lived in Union Township, Pa. on Wager Road.
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Good morning and Happy Saturday! Years ago, I bought a Darcyhorse Dulcimer from the builder off ebay. I'm well aware of the issues and objections many had with Darcyhorse, but truthfully, mine is one of my most favorite dulcimers. I lost the contact info on the builder and was wondering if anyone here would still have that information. I'd like to reach out to him if I can. Thanks in advance.
Michael
updated by @michael-willey: 03/10/23 10:50:16AM
Search for a tab of "Let There Be Peace On Earth"
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
Thanks for the responses. I don't have an issue paying for a tab & I'm going to order Glazner's packet.
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
My online dulcimer group meets the fourth Saturday of the month, so we'll be celebrating IADD together. Cant' wait! 
Search for a tab of "Let There Be Peace On Earth"
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
Dusty Turtle:
You might feel otherwise if you were trying to make a living as a songwriter.
You are probably right. I haven't ever experienced that side of it. I feel that knowledge should not be owned and the idea that a knowledgeable musician could easily replicate a piece of music that they hear, but cannot share the information of 'how' with others makes me sad.
One could go to a friend and have him show them note for note how to play the melody, but one couldn't pass that along to others online, and if one didn't have that friend, they'd have no such luck.
updated by @nate: 03/03/23 11:50:37PM
Search for a tab of "Let There Be Peace On Earth"
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
NateBuildsToys:
Dusty Turtle: The song is under copyright, so it is illegal to post free tab to the melody.
What a frustrating concept.
You might feel otherwise if you were trying to make a living as a songwriter.