Forum Activity for @cindy-stammich

Nell, I thought I would add that Dr. Duck's Ax Wax is a little costly ( about $ 16 including shipping ) but it lasts a long time. I only use a few drops each time. It cleans and conditions the strings. Also, my fingers slide much easier up and down the fretboard with this great stuff. Again, just my 2 cents

Hi Nell, another thing that seems to have an effect on the strings is finger oils and other things that "dirty" them. I use "Dr. Ducks Ax Wax" to wipe down my strings each time I play. I have been doing this for a long time, and this doesseem to condition them and help keep them sounding bright.

Just my 2 cents - or maybe just a penny

Good luck!

Also I've found that new strings often require retuning because they do stretch a little under the constant tension. After a short time the will stabilize and hold tune a lot better.

weather does effect sound on some instruments....is the dulcimer in a case ?......or exposed?

As this was the first '"challenge" tune posted, but like how I re-did Shenandoah a bit ago, I re-did my clip of Amazing Grace. Hopefully the quality is much improved since the posting I did of this. http://youtu.be/zP0PL2tmTHA

James: I have not objection if people want to post their Amazing Grace videos in the main video area, but I strongly suggest that we also post them as responses to that discussion asking for different versions of the song. I think there are three reasons to do so. First, although it might be easy to find the videos on January 4, when they are all lined up, after a few days when another few dozen videos have been posted it will be less obvious who participated in your fun and interesting challenge and we'll have to do a search in the video area and then look at the date posted to find out who was involved. If we all post our versions in that discussion, then we will always know where they are and they will be much easier to find since they'll be grouped together. Second, if they are all in one discussion, we can have a more coherent discussion about them, pointing out similarities and differences and so forth. If we don't have one central location for that discussion, then all we have is a separate discussion for each video. Third, not everyone checks into FOTMD nearly every day as I do (yes, I admit it, I'm a dulcimer geek). If someone reads about your idea on January 8 but would still want to participate, she or he could do so simply by posting to that ongoing discussion.

Pamela: Flint Hill already created a tutorial on how to post videos as part of the introductory material to the Call the Tune group. You can find it here . If you want to post your video in the general video area, then all you have to do is copy the URL and post it in that discussion. But the tutorial explains how to embed videos as well.

And let me also reiterate James's point about amateur videos. None of us play with as much technical precision as Mark Gilston or Stephen Seifert or with as much emotion as Nina Zanetti or Linda Brockinton. But that does not mean that we have nothing to say musically. This website is specifically intended as a place where amateurs can share their passion for our beloved instrument. I am often moved more by playing that is not perfect from a technical standpoint but is played with genuine interest and passion. In addition, I urge everyone to record themselves playing on a regular basis, even if you choose not to share those videos with everyone else. As you continue to play, you will get better, but that progress sometimes happens slowly, and unless there is some record of what you sounded like last week or last month or last year, you won't be aware of how much you are progressing. And I don't know about you all, but I find playing music so frustrating that I need to be reminded of my own progress as a way to stay optimistic about my playing.

i am in

I need to admit that I was sort of bad and never saw that reply. I did not know that group existed at all, which makes me wonder if others may not know if it existed. I just figure putting it in the main videos section would give everyone a chance to see it, without looking through the videos.

Marg - just remember = This is not MGM or a movie studio. Do the best with what you have on hand. I know mine are not the best, because I have a laptop with a built in camera and mic I use, plus I play my FolkRoots on my desk when recording. I think as long as the *feeling* is there, that is what matters first and foremost. I'd rather see a video where it isn't the best quality technical wise, but the playing was spot on. Having both is ideal, but if it was one or the other, you now know my feelings.

I also think that would be a cool idea, James. But I note, as Robin did, that we have a group specifically designed for people to share their interpretations of common tunes. I would suggest that we post our versions of Amazing Grace onto the discussion Travis started years ago specifically on that tune, and to which many people have already posted their versions of the hymn. It will be nice to have one place to enjoy everyone's interpretation and to share ideas and encouragement. Here is a link to that existing discussion: http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/group/callthetune/forum/topics/ama... .

In the introductory discussion of the Call the Tune group, there is a link to a tutorial on how to post videos to FOTMD, so those who haven't yet figured out how can join the fun!

I'm going to start practicing tomorrow!

I can only do a copy with my phone so sound isn't very good but this is a really nice idea. If I can do it, I will

I think this is a great idea. I'm not sure I'll learn how to make a video by then though.

Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I had an idea, and mused about it in chat earlier, and thought that I would post it here and see what kind of response it would get.

I have always thought it was interesting hearing other folks' interpretations of songs, because while the song might be the same, people do there own take on it, making it there own.

So my thought is this: What about the first Sunday of January, the 4th, we all do versions of Amazing Grace, and post them up to share? Do it in your style, your way, your tuning preference. Be it noter/drone, fingerstyle, chord melody, fingerdancing....the more styles the better.

If anyone is interested in this, feel free to respond to this thread.

Wally - you've posted the same question in two places. I answered you most completely in your other posting.

String gauges are established, with certain ranges, by the VSL of the instrument and the open note to which you want to tune the string. The goal is to have approximately the same tension on each string regardless of diameter. Further the gauge determines the range of notes to which you can tune that string for the specified VSL. If a string is too tight (trying to tune up or play up to a specific note) it will break. If you try to tune down too far the string will flop around and make terrible mushy noises...

To avoid a bunch of "by guess and by gosh", as well as avoid having to learn a bunch of esoteric mathematics, several people have created String Gauge calculators which do all the guessing and math needed to pick The Right Gauge.

One calculator we use commonly is found at http://www.strothers.com/string_choice.htm Plug in the VSL and the open note to which you want to tune the string, and you get an answer that works. The Strothers calculator is, however, notably "light" in its recommendations, so you can go up at least one number in gauge without any problems, and most of us do.

I just built that kit, and it comes standard with McSpadden Ionian strings - 1st-3rd .012", 4th .022. Those gauges sound absolutely fantastic on it and the strings tension feels correct when fretting it. I will sometime string it Mixolydian tuning, Dad, I think their set has .012 for 1st and 2nd, .012 or .014, not sure for middle and .022 for bass. You could always order the strings from them and they will say, Daa or Dad probably. Anyway the Daa set is spot, just love those.

Welcome Tom. Another resource you might want to check out is the article/booklet I wrote here a few years back called Get Noterized . It's intended to be an introduction to N&D for new players, and discusses techniques, noters and where to find them, etc. The article is here:

http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/profiles/blogs/get-noterized

Always good to welcome another noter/drone player Tom ! You might try listening to the videos posted here by players such as Robin Thompson, or Bobby Ratliffe, both excellent exponents of the form, and there are others ! Have fun searching out those that really grab you !

Welcome to the place to come to learn all you would want about your Mountain Dulcimer and it's sweet sound.

Tom, don't forget to get to know folks on the site, in your area, in groups. Everyone is very kind and generous/patient with us Newbie's and some have lots of knowledge about this instruments and many other's and also music.

The first thing I learned is that everyone encourages you to find your style or your way of playing the MD which is most comfortable and enjoyable and they will cheer you on and answer any and all questions that you have. No question is a silly one, because we all what to see other's enjoy this fabulous instrument and it's beautiful sounds.

Enjoy your journey and just have Fun strumming along!

Tom, you may also find some helpful tips in my noter-drone blog for beginners: http://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/

Just be sure to start reading from the earlier posts and work your way towards the more recent ones- if you want the easier and information material first.

My very favorite noter/drone players here are John Henry and Robin Clark. It would be helpful for you to watch their videos. I think you picked the right style to get into this instrument the fastest way, and it's a blast.

No worries, folkfan. Thank you so much for the kind words!!

Guy, I truly love your playing, and those wonderful photos of the waterfalls, but I don't facebook..but I really do like you.

Oh good. I just don't like to break any rules!

Thanks for noticing that Dusty. I fixed it!

I'm not on Facebook, Guy, so the only kind of liking that I can do doesn't involve a click.

I do like those waterfall photos.

I was going to comment that you should post the link to your Facebook page on your FOTMD homepage, but I checked to see that you tried to do that already. However, the link doesn't work. It appears that "http://" occurs twice at the beginning of the URL.

Hi! Don't know if this is legal or not. So if not, just delete it! I started a Facebook fan page a few minutes ago if anyone feels like giving it a "like."

www.facebook.com/dulcibard

Hi Ann,

That song is copywrited, so you'd either have to buy a dulcimer book with the tab in it (and I don't know of any), or get help with tabbing the song privately. Due to copyright laws and ethics that protect musician's created works, I can't encourage the sharing of tab of copyrighted material here on FOTMD. Thanks for understanding, and I'll be closing this thread to replies.

If anyone is in doubt about whether certain holiday songs are public doamin or copyrighted, there are some handy lists to check over on our "Public Domain...or Not?" Group here on the site- see the Groups section, thanks!

Hi Ruth, the bridge is the high one. It was my post, but I had put part of a song on it that is under copyright and had to remove it.

I still don't have mine set up right, but I can tell you what I did wrong: I sanded from the bottom. Now I would sand from the top instead. OK? Sorry that came down when you needed it!

Regarding strings, I had never put any on a dulcimer before, I just left some slack and yes that action is going to be high. You can still see that video on youtube under my name to see how high the action is, under my name Folkcraft Cardboard Kit dulcimer. Don't dare post actual link.

Ruth, you have been given good advice. I have no experience building the Folkcraft kit, but have made or helped make dozens of Backyard Instruments cardboard dulcimers. I am sticking my neck out here, but I think Folkcraft would appreciate knowing what problems people have with instructions. I know I would like to know. That way they can improve the instructions. For example, the instructions should say the shorter piece (5/16 ths) is the nut and the taller piece (7/16 ths) is the bridge and the side with the two slots closer together should be toward the player. On your comment on winding the strings, I was not clear on what you meant by "excess." That should be the slack in the string and not the part of the string that does not wind around the post which is what I would call the excess. That part gets cut off.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.

the extra slots are for different string configurations - 3 string, 4 string with double melody, 4 string equidistant ....) the shorter piece is probably the nut and the higher the bridge - try them that way but don't glue them - also the edges with the closer double slots usually goes toward the player - hopes this helps some.

Ruth, I put together a Backyard Music cardboard kit. I do believe the higher piece is the bridge...was on mine. Do what John Henry says. He gave me advice on my "build" and I've been very pleased with the results

Hello Ruth ! Never having seen/handled a cardboard dulcimer I am guessing the 7/16" high piece is the bridge, this coupled with your description of a 'high action' suggests to me that you may indeed have nut and bridge at the 'wrong ends'. As for your string problem, try reducing the amount that you are attempting to wind on by 1/2" or so, and try to keep 'tension' on that part of the string you are winding on.

JohnH

(OK all you expert builders, I did say that I had never seen one, lol)