How do you Practice?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
dusty, I don’t read music and can only play with tabs.
Can you give me examples of the scales and arpeggios you play?
Thanks.
Don
Forum Activity for @don-grundy
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
dusty, I don’t read music and can only play with tabs.
Can you give me examples of the scales and arpeggios you play?
Thanks.
Don
How do you Practice?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Regardless of how you start playing, I think it's important to end by playing something that you know pretty well. To avoid the frustration that comes from trying to improve on any musical instrument, it is essential to maintain a feeling of satisfaction and confidence. Don't put the dulcimer down when you're frustrated; rather, put it down with a feeling of joy and competence. Make sure the last tune you play is something you know well and that gives you pleasure.
Unlike Ken, I do practice. There are techniques or songs that I find challenging that I want to learn. Of course, sometimes I just play and don't care about mistakes or improving. That's important, too. But when I want to focus and consciously improve my playing I always start with some scales and arpeggios to get my technique into shape. Then I might play one song that I've learned recently, but pretty soon I start with whatever I'm working on at the moment. It might be a song or it might be a technique. Often it's a tiny section of a song, even a measure that's giving me problems, and I'll obsess on that measure, playing it over and over and over. But as I said above, while that OCD behavior does indeed lead to improvement, it can also be frustrating, so I make sure I avoid or at least minimize that feeling of frustration by switching to a tune that I know well.
Occasionally, I review lists of songs to make sure I don't "lose" any. Right now I have two different lists. One is the tunes that I play with my local dulcimer group. I don't really mind if I make mistakes with that stuff, since we play it all together, but I want to at least remember how each tune goes. The second list is my list of tunes that I might play if someone asked me to play in front of people. That list changes, as I add and drop tunes as my tastes and abilities evolve, but I try to make sure I can play those tunes with as few mistakes as possible. I don't go over these lists of tunes every day, though. Depending on how busy life gets I might only get to them once every couple of weeks.
My 40 year old box of harmonicas
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
My chromatics are all key of C. My tenor Hohner CX-12s are my favorite.
I agree about Hohner. I think Suzuki is the most innovative of the big three manufacturers.
I have never had any luck with Seydel chromatics.
I have two 16 hole chromatics. My favorite is the Hohner Super 64X. A piano has 88 keys and you have 64 notes in your hand. Amazing!
I also have a Swan 16 hole chromatic which is fine and only costs about $100.
Grab any instrument. Harmonica or dulcimer: make music and have fun.
My 40 year old box of harmonicas
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
Don Grundy: I have a number of harmonicas. Learning to play the diatonic well is difficult. Google Buddy Greene at Carnegie Hall. I have primarily play my chromatics. When I need the sharp or flat I push a button. And I like to play Broadway music as well as folk music and jazz.
Don, I often desire a chromatic. Problem is mine have broken reeds. I have sent them to Hohner for repair which gets a bit expensive. I always think of "someday" learning to repair reeds myself, but someday never seems to come.
This is a great time to get into harmonica since new companies are offering instruments with different tuning options, even custom tuning to order. Sometimes I think Hohner is stuck in the past and is reluctant to innovate... Robert
Luthiers - Cedar Creek?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
John Keane glad you’re maintaining a relationship with Cedarcreekdulcimers. They are very nice people.
How do you Practice?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I play a half dozen songs from my beginner DAd book. And then just roam the fretboard.
In the evening, relaxing I play my dulcimer tuned DAAA playing hymns and music in my head. It’s truly my Zen time.
I enjoy both.
My 40 year old box of harmonicas
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
I have a number of harmonicas. Learning to play the diatonic well is difficult. Google Buddy Greene at Carnegie Hall.
I have primarily play my chromatics. When I need the sharp or flat I push a button. And I like to play Broadway music as well as folk music and jazz.
How do you Practice?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
One way to break up any boredom is to take just one or two tunes you want to work on or want to 'refresh'- then play the tune much slower than usual, while trying to keep it sounding good. Then play it just a little faster than usual, keeping it sounding ok. Lastly, play it as your usual speed, but try to purposely put a lot of feeling into your playing. I think this is a good thing to try out when playing/practicing at home, and will benefit all your tunes. Particularly helpful is putting in the conscious effort to play with emotion and feeling... something a lot of people ignore even when playing for others.
How do you Practice?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I don't consciously "practice". I just play, stream-of-conscious from the bank of songs and tunes stuck in my head. No set number of times through. I'll go back and re-run a sticky bit perhaps. But I just play.
Working with Tropical Woods
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thanks Bob. :) I have some other requests involving tropicals so I need to be assured of quality finishes.
updated by @kusani: 03/07/19 09:41:40PM
How do you Practice?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Was just wondering how people practice? Do you go through your whole repertoire and then dig in to your newest song? Or do you start out with the one you're trying to learn? I notice when I play all the known songs first (three times each without mistakes) that I'm a bit tired by the time I get to the new learn. I play them all because I don't want to forget them since I memorize them. Just wanted to know what others do so maybe I can break up the monotony a little. Thanks :)
updated by @diane-r: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
Working with Tropical Woods
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
That's a beauty for sure! I imagine your customer is very happy
If you do want to finish Bloodwood, or any oily tropical hardwood, you can simply wipe it down with some acetone to remove the surface oils. Then apply a thin coat/swipe of Shellac. Then, you're set to go with the poly!
My 40 year old box of harmonicas
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
Hey @kjb , you should talk with fotmd member @terry-wilson .... he is a big fan of playing harmonica for fun! He plays all kinds of music on his harps, I think just about every day.
My 40 year old box of harmonicas
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
As a teenager I started playing blues on guitar and harmonica. I rarely play either now, but still love to play harmonica with other blues musicians.
Working with Tropical Woods
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Wow, really nice figured rosewood. It is a beautiful instrument.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Working with Tropical Woods
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thanks folks. I normally am asked by clients for walnut, maple, and/or cherry; sometimes cedar and others. The weight of this build was considerably heavier but it definately did not affect the sound in a negative manner what-so-ever.
Working with Tropical Woods
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Those are some beautiful woods, Kusani...you built a sharp looking dulcimer there!
Synthetic fretboard
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
There are some pretty fancy carbon-fiber guitars that are made specifically for outdoor extreme temperatures. And I've played those ukuleles like the Waterman by Kala that can be used as an oar if you get stuck in a boat. But I don't think dulcimers built along those lines would be so simple or inexpensive.
My initial thought is similar to what @Greg-Gunner and @Ken-Hulme have suggested. Get an octave dulcimer. They are no more than 2 feet long and can easily be transported in a small padded case and left beside your desk while you work. Then you just sling it over your shoulder, grab your lunch pail, and have a musical lunch hour. I work from home and still sometimes play one during lunchtime! My wife sometimes takes a shoulder bag to work that could easily hold a purse, a lunch, and an octave dulcimer. You could do the same.
updated by @dusty: 03/06/19 08:32:29PM
Synthetic fretboard
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I've ordered a piece of 6061 aluminum bar stock. I'm going to put together a prototype extreme dulcimer, (ED) this weekend.
Working with Tropical Woods
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
You've built a lovely instrument, Kusani!
Concert Ukulele
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
They're like potato chips--nobody can have just one.
Cigar Box Guitars
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
I need a cigar box uke or guitar. Since they are often tuned in 5ths like mountain dulcimers, do you find it helps playing them?
Concert Ukulele
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
Colleen Hailey:
So, I am now on my third ukulele... Apparently Ukulele Acquisition Disorder is as much of a thing as DAD. I now have a Fluke style concert, my original Kala CEM and a Kala tenor. Can play some chords now but strumming still a bit of a challenge. I was a slow learner on the dulcimer and will undoubtably be so on the ukulele as well.
I have several ukuleles. My favorite is the Fluke. Also have a Flea and Firefly (banjo uke) which are great. Another favorite uke I bought for $30 on a beach in Italy. It has a great sound.
Tenor Guitars
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
I don’t have a tenor guitar, but I have tuned a Ruan, or Chinese Moon Guitar like one. It was an ornament for years, but great fun to play. Please check out the link and enjoy.
Recommendations for a bow to play a Violin Uke
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
Leaned about a new instrument today. Thanks for posting.
Balalaika, the most Russianist of Russian instruments
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
I have a Balalaika which I play occasionally. I tune mine like a 3 string ukulele CEA and often play clawhammer style. The high metal string rings and can give a good drone sound. Great fun.
Working with Tropical Woods
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
This commissioned piece was built of Rosewood, Bloodwood, and Satinwood; the wood was provided by the client. I found out, after the fact, that rosewood does not like polyurethane; should have googled it first. However, was able to remove the poly and successfully replace with two coats of polish and all is well. 
updated by @kusani: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
Playing again after losing all my dulcimers
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Jeannie, I offer healing wishes for your health and all good wishes for the many things with what you must be dealing with. Take care.
Playing again after losing all my dulcimers
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Welcome back, Jeannie. It is wonderful to hear about your new dulcimers. David makes a really nice dulcimer which I'm sure you will enjoy. My best wishes are extended to you as you continue to recover from the fire and loss of your home and possessions.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Pennywhistle
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
Hi Bill!
There's a great discussion thread here on penny whistles, you might like to post there instead:
https://fotmd.com/forums/forum/adventures-with-other-instruments/3827/tinwhistle-penny-whistles
Pennywhistle
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
I recently purchased a Pennywhistle (Key of D) with hope of teaching myself to play it. I always like this instrument when I hear it along with Irish melodies.
Has anyone out there had experience with this device?
Playing again after losing all my dulcimers
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Thank you all! I had no idea that so many folks would remember me! I appreciate the kindness and healing wishes from you folks. I'm recovering fairly well from the trauma of losing our house. I can also use the healing wishes for a health issue that surfaced just a month before the fire. I've been undergoing treatment, and so far things are looking very positive.
updated by @jeannie-in-paradise: 03/04/19 12:02:31AM
Synthetic fretboard
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Lisa:
I ended up buying an old “Plickett” dulcimer shaped object to keep in the car. It’s very quiet and sturdy. It had a trial run last night, as I ended up doing an emergency overnight respite visit with a hospice client to give the family a break. I spent most of the night in a recliner about fifteen feet away from the open bedroom door, and plucked on my Plickett softly, to keep myself awake and pass the time, along with watching Forensic Files at low volume.
The strings were the original super thin, rusty wire, so I swapped two out with what I had on hand, and ended up tuning it to C, g, D, with the melody string being tuned lower than the middle, as is my personal presence. This is my favorite tuning that I use on my cardboard box dulcimer that I play constantly, too. The lower tunings made the Plickett sound less plinky, giving a more pleasing plunk.
It’s a fun little board, and I think would survive the trunk of my car wrapped in a towel in a duffle bag this summer.
For those who don’t know, a Plickett was a small novelty dulcimer sold in the 70’s for a while. It’s two feet long, five inches wide at the bouts, and a 3/4 inch thick solid board, with a big circle cut beneath the bridge in the back, to give it a little volume and resonance.
It’s not perfect by any means, but it beats not having a dulcimer at all by a long shot. I suspect my cardboard box dulcimer would survive a summer in the trunk if it were in some sort of bigger box or case, but I love it far too much to try that. The Plickett is actually small enough that I just put it in my work bag and it stuck out just a little, so I could bring it into work or field work situations with me, and not leave in the trunk at all. Yay! I have something to use during work breaks!
Lisa
I have one of these too. It's hanging on the wall of my music room. My wife got it for me years ago. Probably mid 80's at the latest. Every now and again I get it down and strum on it a bit.
Synthetic fretboard
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I ended up buying an old “Plickett” dulcimer shaped object to keep in the car. It’s very quiet and sturdy. It had a trial run last night, as I ended up doing an emergency overnight respite visit with a hospice client to give the family a break. I spent most of the night in a recliner about fifteen feet away from the open bedroom door, and plucked on my Plickett softly, to keep myself awake and pass the time, along with watching Forensic Files at low volume.
The strings were the original super thin, rusty wire, so I swapped two out with what I had on hand, and ended up tuning it to C, g, D, with the melody string being tuned lower than the middle, as is my personal presence. This is my favorite tuning that I use on my cardboard box dulcimer that I play constantly, too. The lower tunings made the Plickett sound less plinky, giving a more pleasing plunk.
It’s a fun little board, and I think would survive the trunk of my car wrapped in a towel in a duffle bag this summer.
For those who don’t know, a Plickett was a small novelty dulcimer sold in the 70’s for a while. It’s two feet long, five inches wide at the bouts, and a 3/4 inch thick solid board, with a big circle cut beneath the bridge in the back, to give it a little volume and resonance.
It’s not perfect by any means, but it beats not having a dulcimer at all by a long shot. I suspect my cardboard box dulcimer would survive a summer in the trunk if it were in some sort of bigger box or case, but I love it far too much to try that. The Plickett is actually small enough that I just put it in my work bag and it stuck out just a little, so I could bring it into work or field work situations with me, and not leave in the trunk at all. Yay! I have something to use during work breaks!
Lisa
updated by @lisa: 03/03/19 03:41:20PM
Playing again after losing all my dulcimers
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Jeannie, I am so sorry for the trauma and heartache you have been thru! I hope the road ahead gets easier. I am so happy that you have 3 dulcimers again, and oh my! That one is sure a beauty! I have found music to be very healing....... 
Playing again after losing all my dulcimers
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Jeannie -- so happy to hear from you again after such a long time, an such trauma! Heal with your music!
Playing again after losing all my dulcimers
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Wonderful to hear from you here again Jeannie, and to know that your love of music is inspiring you again in your new life journey. 
Playing again after losing all my dulcimers
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Jeannnie, I'm so glad you are starting to build your collection of dulcimers again. And your story is more evidence of what a kind, giving community dulcimer players are. Perhaps I'll see you at some dulcimer event in northern Cal one of these days.
Playing again after losing all my dulcimers
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I'm glad to hear your dulcimers have been replaced. That Koa MMD certainly cries out to be picked up and played. Knowing the well-earned reputation of David McKinney's work, I'm sure it sounds as good as it looks. So glad to have you back and participating on FOTMD's discussion forum.