Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
My favorite accessory item is my adjustable playing stand made by Gene Lamprecht of Corpus Christi, TX.Leave my dulcimer on it all day for immediate playing.
Forum Activity for @joseph-besse
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
My favorite accessory isn't really an accessory, but it's something I'm proud of. My husband built me a solid oak cabinet for all my instruments. I prefer to keep them in their cases and that is how they fit in the cabinet. He also built me a mini-cabinet that fits in our motor home closet. I call this my "entertainment center". I love my hubby.
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
These boards were used for drying animal hides. The skinned hide would be put onto the board and stretched tight until it dries. Some animals were split open at the belly and were then sewed onto the board by punching holes in each side of the cut. The wire was probably used for sewing the hide. It would have been placed with the fur side against the wood and the skin side out. Some animals were not split, but were case-skinned, so they were like a fur stocking. I don't recall which specific animals were done in which manner, or why. Dulcimer use of possum boards is much a newer idea.Paul
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
A couple of dulcimer stands I have will hold a notebook when I'm playing but not the book and the dulcimer at the same time. It's a pain to have to take the notebook off to put my dulcimer down, so I designed a stand that will hold my music and hold my dulcimer at the same time. And it all folds down into a bag. Then I found this really light weight metal music stand so I designed an attachment that goes on it that holds my dulcimer. I really like dual purpose things.
The idea of a bag to hold an dulcimer on the back of my chair wouldn't be difficult to do though. I posted a picture of the canvas chair I take places with me. I could easily sew a velcro attachment system to the back. That way I could carry more than one dulcimer and know it would be safe. Thanks for the idea. Now back to the drawing board.
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
My wife has a bag called a Ukearoo.(Not sure of the spelling) It's long enough to hang it over the back of a chair, and it holds her ukulele safely off the floor. It has velcro straps to fasten it to the chair, and to secure the uke in the bag. You might want to lengthen your bags and add the straps for the same purpose. Good for when you take a break at a jam or a gig and don't want your uke stepped on.Paul
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
If I got one order, it would be for more than I could handle. The trick to the bag is the flat plastic skirt hanger I use for the top which goes over the closet door. It doesn't have any effect on the opening and closing of the doors. It is, however, the type of skirt hanger that has a metal over the rod hook which rotates and I only have 4 of them. hehehehe. So I can make the 4 bags I'd need but wouldn't be able to do anymore until I could find a steady source for something that would function as well as these skirt hangers do and still be at a reasonable price. I got them for free with some slacks I bought.
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Recently I've been trying to figure out how to keep some of my instrument in my computer room without hanging them on the wall. I've tried hanging 4 of them from a closet door, but I don't really like hanging instrument by their peg heads, especially if they are being hung with pressure on the tuning machine heads. Also though I don't use the closet that much, when I do open the door the backs of the instruments sort of clatter on the wood. Not a good idea. So here's a picture of a prototype of a hanger bag for hanging on the door. It's just roughly done as my good sewing machine that I'd use to finish off the edges is broken at the moment.One instrument is hanging from a skirt hanger, but by it's peg head. The next one is hanging on an over the door hook with the cord through the scroll and not pulling on the tuners. The third is cradled in a quilted fabric bag and doesn't bang or clatter when the door is open. I'm going to make up 4 nicely finished bags on this pattern and get my dulcimers off the floor. And if things go as they have been this picture will be sideways. I'm not sure how to turn them.
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Thanks. Here's an accessory I made for my brother, Dave. He is a luthier and does music festivasl and uses my quilts for table cloths. This one is long and narrow and made completely of hand dyed and batik fabrics.
Vicki Miles said:
Excellent idea and beautiful quilts!
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Well I've shown you my favorite pickin' chair for at home, but I will admit to finding it difficult to put in the car. So here is my favorite chair for festivals or for just going outside and sitting on the deck. It's a wooden director's chair that I cut the arms off of so my dulcimer wouldn't be always bumping into them. (Picture 1) However, the lack of arms made the back unsturdy and I used it as a stool for awhile with just the arms down. (Picture 2)But since I wanted to keep the use of the back, I added some wooden braces. (Picture 3). For extra back support I throw a small quilt over it and add a pillow for a more upright sitting angle.(Picture 4)
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Just a thought for those of you who are headed for outdoor festivals this year. Having had problems with damp ground giving under the leg of a chair and then the leg getting stuck, twisting and breaking, I came up with an easy solution. I saved 4 large metal lids from pickle jars, and stick one under each leg like a coaster. Being metal they don't bend or break like plastic lids and if you are only going to be using your stool outside on the one occasion they can easily be tossed. I keep mine though in a small bag with a drawstring top that I attach to the chair.
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Just measure twice and cut once. I use the height of the books laid on the floor and make a pencil mark on each leg. Then saw across. If there is a slight unevenness this can usually be worked out using the small rubber nail/screw on leg caps or buttons.As for rests to put my feet on, for festivals where I'm not taking my chair, I use newpaper delivery bags tightly stuffed with other plastic bags until they are plump little pillows. I then tie them together with a cord that I can hang around my neck or over my shoulder. They also fit in my Lee Felt bags. And I can position them to fit my stance rather than have to adapt to the wooden stool. I've got one, but never use it for playing. It's nice when watching TV. The plastic bags are light and if they get muddy at an outdoor festival, they are tossed away at the end of the day. Many places now have bins available for disposing of plastic items. Stephanie Stuckwisch said:
My dulcimer teacher just introduced me to the folding foot stool made by Lee Felt (aka the Dulcimer Bag Lady). It fits just right for my stumpy little legs. I'm ordering one tomorrow. It'll be easier than sawing the legs of a chair (how does one get them all even?).
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
My dulcimer teacher just introduced me to the folding foot stool made by Lee Felt (aka the Dulcimer Bag Lady). It fits just right for my stumpy little legs. I'm ordering one tomorrow. It'll be easier than sawing the legs of a chair (how does one get them all even?).
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Today I noticed on eBay someone selling pine quilt stands very much like the one I adapted to make mine dulcimer stand. Here's the ebay # 190371996785.It isn't hard to do to relocate the bars and to drill the hole for the dowels and then cut the pegs from several dowel rods. Rosemary Bridges said:
Wow after looking online those quilt stands are very pricey so it is not likely there will be one in the goodwill shop. Looking at it though I think some pine shelving and boards will do fine to make one with my jigsaw and drill. I think I will put a slant on it too so they won't fall off. Oh the wheels are turning!!!!
Thanks again Folkfan.
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I use a pick bags that I design and make myself. I love them because I cannot hang onto my picks unless I have a place to stash them quickly.
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Rosemary, If you look closely at the picture, you'll notice that the top bars are farther in than the bottom bars. Both sets of bars are tilted, so the instruments do sit on a slant. I have the additional cross bracing using elastic pony tail holders as I have a very active cat who still does his cat crazies around the living room. Also with the elastic gently holding the dulcimer secure, I can pick up the entire stand filled and move it around the room for vacuuming, etc.If you want to go with a more extreme slant such as /\, then make sure that the sides are wide enough to keep the peg heads from bumping into each other. Rosemary Bridges said:
Wow after looking online those quilt stands are very pricey so it is not likely there will be one in the goodwill shop. Looking at it though I think some pine shelving and boards will do fine to make one with my jigsaw and drill. I think I will put a slant on it too so they won't fall off. Oh the wheels are turning!!!!
Thanks again Folkfan.
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I finally got a photo of some of my stands and I can say that the quilt stand I modified to hold dulcimers is really one of my favorite accessories. One stand that easily hold 8 dulcimers in one smallish space. I've managed through the years to buy, make, or win at festival raffles a number of stands that hold one dulcimer, but 8 is the best
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I just last week got one of Ray Lynn Woods' deluxe playing stands, with the music rest built in. It's like a possum board on legs ... and cost more than the MD did. But worth it for the increased volume without compromising the tone.Also the rosewood noter I bought from Carrot Creek ... it's starting to get scarred up, but it's still pretty good, especially as my left hand gets lighter with playing. Still want to get one of those bone noters though.
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Flint Hill said:
Ken, I was thinking of makming a fun little YouTube video showing how I make my 'button straps' for my dulcimers. I think I'll do that next! ...and next thing you know there will be button straps on dulcimers everywhere ! ;DLisa, I'd love to see how one of your straps works. Can't quite envision it from the description, and it's neat to hear of a way to do this without putting a strap peg on the instrument.
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Lisa, I'd love to see how one of your straps works. Can't quite envision it from the description, and it's neat to hear of a way to do this without putting a strap peg on the instrument.
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
My favorite dulcimer accessories is the dulcimer 'straps' I make for each of my dulcimers out of braided ribbon or yarn and a big old button so I can 'button' myself in with one of the loops of the other end. They are pretty, and different. Plus I don't have to have strap pegs put on my dulcimers.
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
My favorite is my adjustable dulcimer stand by John Stockard. :)And I really like my double dulcimer bags made by the Felts. :)
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Not really an accessory, but for me a necessity: hard shell cases for my mountain dulcimers.Favorite accessory: capo.Michael
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Not quite what I had in mind, but for you, Autumn, we'll count it. ;-) Autumn said:
I would have to say my fiddle is my favorite accessory. Does that count? :)
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Thanks for posting the possum board. I'd never seen one close up before. Sort of looks like the end of an ironing board, which also makes a handy stand for playing an MD on. razyn said:
But the term "possum board" historically refers to a pelt stretcher. Also works for cats, btw, or any similar sized critter, the hide of which one wants to use. For several of the appropriate uses, verses of the song "Ground Hog" are informative. Here is an actual possum board; some dulcimer player realized long ago that it was also an acoustically useful accessory.
http://www.museumofappalachia.org/veWebsite/exhibit1/e10342a.htm
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
But the term "possum board" historically refers to a pelt stretcher. Also works for cats, btw, or any similar sized critter, the hide of which one wants to use. For several of the appropriate uses, verses of the song "Ground Hog" are informative. Here is an actual possum board; some dulcimer player realized long ago that it was also an acoustically useful accessory. http://www.museumofappalachia.org/veWebsite/exhibit1/e10342a.htm
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
And my possum boards have a type of rubber matting on the back which keeps them in my lap, but doesn't come in contact with the instrument. Each one has movable lifts which can adjust to the shape of the instrument by sliding back and forth. I usually don't have to do this as my instruments are generally all about the same length. But if I got a baby dulcimer the possum boards would hold that size equally well, and add volume. Robin Thompson said:
Rosemary,
A dulcimer rests on a possum board for play, allowing the back of the dulcimer to vibrate with greater freedom, thus producing greater volume.
One of my favorite dulcimer accessories is a section of rubber bath mat that's placed on the lap under the dulcimer. Since I don't usually use a strap on my instrument, I like the mat for keeping the instrument from sliding onto the floor. :)
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Rosemary,A dulcimer rests on a possum board for play, allowing the back of the dulcimer to vibrate with greater freedom, thus producing greater volume.One of my favorite dulcimer accessories is a section of rubber bath mat that's placed on the lap under the dulcimer. Since I don't usually use a strap on my instrument, I like the mat for keeping the instrument from sliding onto the floor. :)
Favorite accessories to go with MD
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I thought this would fit in this category best. What is or are your favorite accessory or accessories to go with your mountain dulcimer. Here's a photo of mine. 2 types of possum boards, one has an extending leg, and a low picking chair so I don't have to sit with my legs bent and on tip toe to keep my lap flat
updated by @folkfan: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM
Sounds like you will be able to make the switch fairly easily- if you can do it already, even if awkwardly. Yay! This will make everything a whole lot easier especially if you buy other instruments in the future (and if you sell any too). Keep at it! the fact that you were able to use scissors right handed was a good indicator.
I think it would make more sense to string the dulcimer backward and turn it around. Might have to re-notch the nut and bridge, or make a new bridge if it's compensated (longer VSL for the bass string). Very few dulcimers have anything like a bass bar inside, that would cause reversal of the string gauges to mess with the actual sound of the instrument.
I am also left handed when writing, throwing the ball, and I need those special scissors..lol but I have always played my instruments right handed.. I say do what is comfortable to you.. I know several dulcimer players that are left handed and do fine.. I tried it once but had been playing to long the other way..lol just a quick story.. I had a student who started lessons with a loaner instrument of mine which was set up right handed... she was doing ok but struggling a little with strumming.. after several years of lessons she saw a left handed player and he let her try his and she felt more comfortable.. so next class I switch her set up to left handed.. and she been do better with her playing.. any way like I said do what you want...but that's just my opinion.. :) :)
I'm left handed when writing or drawing, or using a fork. But I'm right handed with scissors, hammer, throwing a ball, knitting, etc.I play all instruments like a right-hander.I'd say if you can use scissors right-handed, you could definitely play instruments that way too.Just my 2 cents.
updated by @strumelia: 02/12/16 09:51:19PM
Dulcilora said:
I agree. I dislike that tinny sound at the strum hollow- it's too close to the bridge, and on a banjo that place sounds tinny as well.As to hitting the dulcimer with a pick and marring it...well I do it all the time and my soft long pick just sort of makes a general worn patina area- i think of it as a cool personalization touch, I don't mind the surface damage. ;)The sound I get at the strum hollow is very tinny on all my dulcimers. I vary where I strum based on the sound I want to get, and use the sound at the strum hollow for special effect only.
Many older dulcimers, particularly in the Galax tradition, did not feature strum hollows. The shallower 'eggbeater' style of Galax strumming with a quill doesn't tend to mark the wood as much as strumming in the Kentucky tradition with a flat guitar style pick.Sho - if you're hitting the fretboard A LOT, you need to "lighten up" a bit, perhaps, so that the pick is not hitting the fretboard so much. Where you're strumming, up around 13, isn't wrong, but it's nicer not to scar the wood too much up there 8^>
I don't worry about fretboard finishes.I find I tend to strum at the halfway point between where I'm fretting and the bridge. So if I'm playing high up the neck, I strum closer to the bridge, and vice versa. The halfway spot is where you get the mellowest sound, by the way. I do the same thing on my banjo.I say don't worry about it! :)
updated by @strumelia: 02/04/16 10:01:11AM
The MD that I play most often has turned friction pegs. I have never used anything like a compound nor drops on them and after 20+ years they still work as they should. Every now and then while tuning I do get the "slip past" above or below where the string should be, and the solution is usually just to lower the string tension a lot and bring it back up to tune.If the pegs and peg holes are made to properly fit together, and with the correct amount of pressure on the pegs while tuning, slipping should never be a problem.
Nancy Galambush said:
I have to say that years ago on someone else's recommendation I tried the Lava soap trick on my antique banjo with wooden pegs, using just a little on one peg, and it was a total disaster for me. The peg would not hold at ALL, it slipped like it was covered in grease. I tried wiping the Lava off with a damp cloth and I had to really scrub and scrub to get rid of the soap film residue that did not want to go away. It was an awful experience for me. Then I bought the Peg Drops and it worked like magic. Just my own experience.I asked about this at Potter's music in Bethesda MD because the pegs on my old cello were slipping. I was told about the peg dope; however he suggested Lava Soap, which is what he used. I told a cello friend about it recently and she tried it and said it is working fine. The grit in the Lava holds while the soap is slippery. At least this is the idea. I didn't try it on my old cello because I haven't changed the strings on it since buying a new one.
I do not recommend the stuff that comes as a chapstick type tube. I found it lets the pegs slip too readily. That's the ' peg compound '. They made me use it on my cello pegs in high school. Hated it then, and bought it again when I grew up... and hated it all over again.I DO recommend the 'PEG DROPS'- a liquid that comes in a tiny plastic squeeze bottle (like eye drops do).This stuff corrects both aspects of the pegs- it corrects too slippery ones and makes them grip better, and also corrects pegs that won't turn enough. But you MUST follow the directions exactly. It's not 'more is better'. That stuff is really great, and will last you forever: http://www.google.com/webhp?hl=en&tab=iw#hl=en&safe=off&num=20&q=Ardsley+Peg+Drops&aq=f&aqi=&oq=Ardsley+Peg+Drops&fp=52e8f388e5caca67
updated by @strumelia: 02/16/16 03:20:43PM
Dulcimer Damsel said:
The thing I try to remember when playing in church is that we are not playing for them.. we are playing for Him and he loves our music...:) :)Hi, Miss Rosemary, and Happy New Year !
I have been playing at church for several types of services. Our music director has been very supportive of trying 'new' things so I am fortunate with that. BUT it does not stop folks regarding me with this funny mix of curiousity and fear when I come down the aisle, dulcimer akimbo. ( : I just take heart and know that I do a kind service when the elders who grew up with dulcimers thank me for playing an "instrument I have not heard in YEARS!"
folkfan said:
Wow i would love to see a video of you playing that. :)Striking just the melody notes is how I play with a striker, and if I lift my hand and angle downward with just the tip I can even pick up the lower notes I need on certain songs. I've done "Peat Bog Soldier" in Aeolian and have to pick up a 0 fret on the middle string. This is a song that works well will a strong marching beat. Dona, Dona, also in Aeolian, is another one.