Forum Activity for @folkfan

folkfan
@folkfan
08/20/11 03:08:35PM
357 posts

How to welcome a new jammer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Took me a while longer to give up on group playing. Having gone through the DAd can't play with DAA lecture from a member of the group I used to go to, I hear you. Of course, my response to the individual was to inform her of certain facts, i.e. that I was playing the same blasted notes in DAA that she was in DAd. That's when I got the chords sound better routine. ARGH!!!!!!!!

Speed of play was also a problem for me. When ever the music got too fast, "Why does it always become a race?", I'd turn my dulcimer over and drum. Usually the group stopped playing when at least half of the players were drumming, so I wasn't alone in not caring for the speed. Songs like "Simple Gifts" shouldn't be hurried, but played to a singing speed not a gallop.

So, now, as stay at home player, I enjoy the music I prefer. The only way I'd join a jam is with a shaker egg.

Thanna said:

Justreturned from my first - and very likely my last - jam with the local dulcimer club and wish I'd printed this out to take with me. I just endured a 2 hour lecture on why I should play DAD, why I should chord and how I need to play without a noter. To say that I didn't feel welcome would have been an understatement. I left at the lunch break because I'd had enough. Sad because I felt pretty good about my ability to keep up with the music itself.

Back to playing for my own enjoyment!

Rob N Lackey
@rob-n-lackey
08/20/11 02:15:36PM
420 posts

How to welcome a new jammer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

It's a shame some groups are so hide-bound! I was talking to some in a group (after they had played) and they also didn't know any other tuning other than DAD. When I showed them my dulcimer was tuned to DGD, they acted like it was something strange and unusual or maybe from Mars. Only one person was brave enough to try it, and they used mine instead of re-tuning theirs.

Hopefully you'll find some other more welcoming

John Keane
@john-keane
08/20/11 02:03:02PM
181 posts

How to welcome a new jammer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

That stinks, and I am so sorry that you had to endure that for as long as you did.
David E.Hall
@david-ehall
08/11/11 01:00:38PM
10 posts

How to welcome a new jammer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Intitial advice to a newbie to a session --- Look, Listen, & Learn. Good advice can be found on the web - Google music session etiquette. By and large, session players are keen to help and encourage new players and beginners. Thats what can sometimes keep sessions going in the future. It's sometimes forgotten that each and every one of us started somewhere, we all made mistakes , fell off tunes ( sometimes still do), played too fast, played too slow , put the second part of a different tune to the one we started. At the end of the day, it's supposed to be FUN. I look upon sessions as a way of holding a non verbal conversation with the others. Never forget there will always be one (occasionally) who will pull a face,but an awful lot won't. Again LOOK, LISTEN & LEARN . Recently read quote (Can't remember the scource) "Better to play slow with feeling and get all the notes than play fast ,have no feeling and miss most of the notes"
Strumelia
@strumelia
08/11/11 11:45:07AM
2,425 posts

How to welcome a new jammer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Yes, I have seen that happen a few times- where a new jammer starts their own tune at a slow pace which is the only way they can play it, and some hotshot starts speeding it up until the beginner simply has to drop out. How rude is that?!

So yes one thing is to ask the newcomer if they have a tune they'd like to play, and to make a point of saying they should play it at their own comfortable pace.

It's always nice to ask the newcomer if they have any favorite tunes they'd like to play.

Strumelia
@strumelia
08/10/11 09:04:53PM
2,425 posts

How to welcome a new jammer


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

We often hear about jam etiquette in terms of what we should do if we are trying to join and fit in with a jam, but what about looking at it from the other side?

I thought I'd toss this out there for folks to share their own ideas...

When you're playing in a jam or session, and a new hesitant person approaches, what things do you do to make them feel comfortable and welcome?

What if they are a beginner player and are having a little trouble keeping up with everyone else- what things might you do to help them out in some way?

On the flip side- what kinds of things would tend to discourage a new person and make their initial jamming experiences unsuccessful?


updated by @strumelia: 08/01/23 06:28:46PM
Stephanie Stuckwisch
@stephanie-stuckwisch
07/29/11 10:51:48PM
45 posts

Happy Birthday FOTMD


OFF TOPIC discussions

I lift my glass in a toast to FOTMD and to Strumelia! Thanks for being here, everybody.
Strumelia
@strumelia
07/29/11 10:43:23PM
2,425 posts

Happy Birthday FOTMD


OFF TOPIC discussions

You're all more fun than a barrel of monkeys! :)

Happy 2nd birthday to us all!!

folkfan
@folkfan
07/29/11 07:11:59PM
357 posts

Happy Birthday FOTMD


OFF TOPIC discussions

Hayom yom huledet
hayom yom huledet
hayom yom huledet

Shel FOTMD

Todah Rabah, Lisa

I always sing Happy Birthday in Hebrew. It's "Tradition!" And Todah Rabah is another way of saying, Thank you, Lisa.

Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme
07/29/11 03:16:27PM
2,157 posts

Happy Birthday FOTMD


OFF TOPIC discussions

Happy Birthday to us...

Happy Birthday to us...

Happy Birthday everybody!

Happy Birthday to u!!!

Jim Fawcett
@jim-fawcett
07/29/11 02:27:13PM
85 posts

Happy Birthday FOTMD


OFF TOPIC discussions

Time flys when you're havin fun... Happy Birthday FOTMD.
John Keane
@john-keane
07/29/11 12:07:26PM
181 posts

Happy Birthday FOTMD


OFF TOPIC discussions

Happy Birthday FOTMD (and MANY more)!!!
David E.Hall
@david-ehall
07/29/11 12:05:56PM
10 posts

Happy Birthday FOTMD


OFF TOPIC discussions

Happy Birthday FOTMD From all the dulcimer players in the North East Of England .... Known or unknown .....members or not

Keep Up The Good Work(s)

John Henry
@john-henry
07/29/11 11:46:31AM
258 posts

Happy Birthday FOTMD


OFF TOPIC discussions

Happy Birthday to us all indeed, and we are beginning to think about that 2000 members mark!

Can we also offer some birthday cheers for the person who started it all ! Now, who was that.....................?

JohnH

Sam
@sam
07/29/11 11:32:43AM
169 posts

Happy Birthday FOTMD


OFF TOPIC discussions

Strapped for time. Didn't see a thread right away .... soooOOOOOOooooo .....


updated by @sam: 02/18/19 08:56:53AM
John Keane
@john-keane
07/26/11 09:42:26AM
181 posts

Names For Dulcimer Groups


OFF TOPIC discussions

A group from the health food store: Slim Pickin's

A group of clowns: Three String Circus

A group of firemen: String of Fire

A group from a ski lodge: Hot Buttered Strum

Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme
07/25/11 10:19:37AM
2,157 posts

Names For Dulcimer Groups


OFF TOPIC discussions

I have a sign I put out when playing in parks etc. It reads

Will STOP PLAYING for money!

That's the name of my Group of One...

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
07/25/11 09:36:42AM
1,571 posts

Names For Dulcimer Groups


OFF TOPIC discussions

John, just yesterday I told Mark that we could use "Don't Shoot!" as a name for our guitar/dulcimer duo. More appropriately, I should've said, "Please, Don't Shoot!"
John Keane
@john-keane
07/25/11 08:11:02AM
181 posts

Names For Dulcimer Groups


OFF TOPIC discussions

In a moment of randomness I was thinking of some of the creative names invented by rock bands in the 60's and 70's and thought that it might be fun to create similar names for dulcimer groups that we'll probably never see. I'll start with a few and encourage y'all to add to the list if you feel compelled. I feel that a giggle or two never hurt anyone in this ol' world.

A group of Coca-Cola Bottlers: Diet Coke Replaced My TAB

A group from South Bend, Indiana: The Noter Dames

A group of cosmetic reps: Made-Up on the Spot

A group from Canada Dry: The Diet Tonics

A group from a pet shop: Pick of the Litter

A group from an arts district: Beat of a Different Strum

Here's a few to get started. Please feel free to join in!


updated by @john-keane: 01/13/19 05:09:18PM
BJ Jordan
@betty-bj-jordan
07/09/11 06:44:18AM
11 posts

YEAH!!!! I finnally got one.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

WhoooooHoooooo! Im lovin that! Congratulations Dana. Let us know how it plays and sounds!

BJ

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
07/07/11 03:28:28PM
1,571 posts

YEAH!!!! I finnally got one.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

John,

John Henry said:

Ouch! (but maybe true Robin)

John

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
07/07/11 11:06:32AM
1,571 posts

YEAH!!!! I finnally got one.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Dana, if you ship that Ledford to John H for any adjustments or minor repairs, you might as well it !
John Henry
@john-henry
07/07/11 08:15:25AM
258 posts

YEAH!!!! I finnally got one.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hey Dana, just to let you know that should you want any minor repairs , or adjustment to action etc done to your new baby, just ship it over here, I am ready, willing and able to help . Of course, it may be some time before you get it back, what with me being old and slow , and the instrument having to be played in an all . lol

John

Dana R. McCall
@dana-r-mccall
07/07/11 08:04:05AM
168 posts

YEAH!!!! I finnally got one.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I'm heading to Florence to pick up my Ledford. It is only about 1 1/2 hrs away thought I would rather pick it up that take a chance and have it shipped. Won't be a bad trip going to get in a little shopping with my daughter at the outlets in DryRidge. Will post pics when I get back.
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
07/05/11 11:03:11AM
1,571 posts

YEAH!!!! I finnally got one.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I sure am glad to know Dana, John! And I want to hear her play that Ledford!
John Henry
@john-henry
07/05/11 10:49:31AM
258 posts

YEAH!!!! I finnally got one.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

OK, OK, I'll leave it where it is , , there's no need to get heavy , but it was played in commiseration with Dana's 'Lack of a Ledford' . ( Robin, ain't you glad you know someone of her distinction, )

John

Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
07/05/11 09:38:27AM
1,571 posts

YEAH!!!! I finnally got one.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Dana, if you need help dealing with John Henry, just let me know. If he takes down Dirge for Dana, we just might have to head across the ocean-- we can either fly or swim --and persuade him to put it back up.
Dana R. McCall
@dana-r-mccall
07/05/11 07:29:51AM
168 posts

YEAH!!!! I finnally got one.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

You better not take down the Dirge for Dana it's a part of history now and I love it. I deff plan on playing the Ledford it is a little strange though. It is a prototype he did teardrop shape with 4 strings melody then 2drones close together and then base string. it has acoustic tuners on the bridge also. I thought it would be nee because it is one of a kind but I guess all his are one of a kind. It has round sound holes.
John Henry
@john-henry
07/05/11 12:23:31AM
258 posts

YEAH!!!! I finnally got one.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Congratulations Dana, what good news to wake up to, I am so pleased for you, looking forward to seeing some pics of 'you two' together. You hinted just a little of its history, tell us more if you can. I hope it is to be played and not kept as a wall hanger, I should'nt worry too much about any small imperfections, the one I rebuilt for JohnS still sings a sweet song' (does this mean that I have to take down the 'Dirge for Dana' that I played on it for you, lol)

John

Dana R. McCall
@dana-r-mccall
07/04/11 11:52:51PM
168 posts

YEAH!!!! I finnally got one.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hey Louis, thanks I think you sent me a friend request on FB and was asking about dulcimers for sale. Sorry but I've already sold the two I had for sale. If I hear of any nice ones for sale I'll be sure and let you know. Welcome to FOTMD. Dana
Dana R. McCall
@dana-r-mccall
07/04/11 11:48:23PM
168 posts

YEAH!!!! I finnally got one.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks Randall, Looking forward to see and hearing you sing again soon. I'm wearing your CD out.
Dana R. McCall
@dana-r-mccall
07/04/11 09:32:36PM
168 posts

YEAH!!!! I finnally got one.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks Robin, been wanting one a looooong time. can't wait to get it.
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
07/04/11 09:06:49PM
1,571 posts

YEAH!!!! I finnally got one.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Dana, I'm really happy for you! A Winchester gal's gotta have a Ledford.
Dana R. McCall
@dana-r-mccall
07/04/11 08:14:49PM
168 posts

YEAH!!!! I finnally got one.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Sorry

R N Lackey said:

so you're the one that out-bid me!

Dana R. McCall
@dana-r-mccall
07/04/11 08:13:24PM
168 posts

YEAH!!!! I finnally got one.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I sure hope not they didn't put that in the discription I'll go back and look at the pic again. Thanks

R N Lackey said:

Congratulations, seriously.

However, in one of the pictures it looked like there was a small crack going down the top at the round soundhole between the 1st and 2nd strings. That may need to be checked. I was hoping it was just the angle of the camera, but I couldn't get away from it in my mind.

Robert

Rob N Lackey
@rob-n-lackey
07/04/11 08:02:42PM
420 posts

YEAH!!!! I finnally got one.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Congratulations, seriously.

However, in one of the pictures it looked like there was a small crack going down the top at the round soundhole between the 1st and 2nd strings. That may need to be checked. I was hoping it was just the angle of the camera, but I couldn't get away from it in my mind.

Robert

  656