Forum Activity for @ken-hulme

As my friend John suggests, look closely at the nut and bridge of your Mize dulcimer.  There may be two notches, close together, on the melody side.  To make a 4-equal string setup into a double melody plus mid and bass drone setup, all you have to do is loosen and move the one equi string over to make a pair in the melody position.    The double-melody setup is very common for beginner and experts alike.  

Even if there are no second notches, you can either make a second notch using a small triangular file in the existing n&b; or buy a new nut and bridge for a couple bucks and replace the existing ones.  In either case you can then get rid of the 'leftover' middle string and just have 3 strings.

We can talk you through filing new notches or replacing the existing nut & bridge.  You won't be the first...  It's actually very easy.

Blue Lions are NEVER cheap, and you've already not had such good luck buying used.  If you're going to spend more money on yet another instrument, buy a new Folkcraft or McSpadden or an instrument from one of the numerous builders who hang around here.  

Lisa, the notches on the Blue Lion's nut look like they can accommodate either equidistant or doubled-melody setups.  If it has 5 or 6 notches, then you could string it either way.  I prefer doubled melody myself, which looks like:     I I     I      I  . 

If you want just three strings, leave off the second of the double melody strings.  If you can find somebody there to make a new nut and bridge for your Mize, you might be able to use that one to learn on.  Folkcraft Instruments sells Delrin nut and bridge multi-packs for 1-3/8 wide, 1/8" slotted fretboards (# 2851420).  Just something to try.  Best wishes!

I joined this group some time ago, and sadly still don’t know how to play the dulcimer due to the fact that I have bought two used instruments neither of which were suitable to learn on. The first I found out was a cheaply made instrument and would need to be upgraded to give me a decent chance at being successful. The second is actually a very decent Mize dulcimer, but I found out it is an equidistant stringed dulcimer and I couldn’t really find information for a beginner starting out with that type. I am not aware of any instructors in my area to ask for help. At present, I still have the desire to learn, but haven’t had the opportunity to see a variety of dulcimers in person or the funds to buy a very expensive instrument. There is a Blue Lion for sale near me. They aren’t asking a lot for it, but I’m afraid to buy it without knowing if it would be suitable for a beginner as there are many things I may not know to consider. From zooming in on the picture, it looks like it is made to be strung in the traditional style ( and maybe converted to equidistant based on the notches I see). It is a model IW if that helps with feedback. Thanks so much  

Well, I have another one!  I found it on the goodwill site.  It looks like a Black Mountain, but has no label. 

I'll post some pictures of some of my dulcimers a little later. 

This one came with only one string (the bass string); also the saddle is a bit damaged and the nut is a bit out of place.  So I'm going to take it to my favorite luthier down the road. 

Here’s the description from the listing:

”Unfortunately I can't tell you much about this Instrument it was my Dads so I’m not sure if it was bought or he made it, whichever way it is a beautiful Instrument. One of the strings is missing and there is a soft leatherette bag which was made of it.

Low starting price due to the origin of the instrument.  Ideal I suppose if you’re curious to know what one plays and sounds like.”

It hasn’t sold yet; it was on a 24 hour listing and didn’t get any bids. It’s now back up on a 10 day listing, but still collection only.

Let me introduce my two - Milo & Frankie. Frankie (on the right) was 6 yesterday, and Milo will be 7 in January.

Both of them were rescued as puppies when we lived in Spain.

I ditto the "Doh!". I guess we will never know since it was an eBay sale and have no idea who sold it or may have purchased it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Doh!   How did I miss that! 

 So... yes, this is either a kit instrument built backwards, or someone's one-off 'mirror image'. Certainly not a commercial product.     I'd bet it's a kit of some kind built nose-to-tail.  The shallow-sloped tail end should actually be the shoulder below the tuning head, and the more rounded bout should be the tail!

Good thing you didn't buy this.  It may play OK, but it's only real value is as a curiosity.

I thought the same thing, Dusty!  Like the soundbox is inverted somehow.

Interesting dulcimer.  Is it an optical illusion or is the upper bout wider than the lower bout?

Okay. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

“ I assume you either bought this used or someone gave it to you.”

No; It appeared on eBay here in the UK but unfortunately the seller won’t ship it and it’s not local to me.

"Always the best hello, but also the hardest goodbye" ... says it well.

I'm correcting my C.S. Lewis quote: “No,” he said, “not our dogs.” However, he said, there would be, in heaven, “the essence of dogness.”  I think those of us loving our pets would go more with the idea of without them heaven wouldn't be heavenly. 

Homer, you seem to be asking a couple of different questions.

One is just how to maintain your repertoire.   Ken has one strategy that works if you have a good memory of the songs and just need a reminder of the beginning to get going.  I keep an active "set list" of no more than a dozen tunes that I play regularly. The set list is constantly changing but represents the tunes I enjoy playing the most at any given time. And I try to keep up on those, allowing others to get rusty.

But maintaining a repertoire is not the same as practicing in order to improve.  Personally, I enjoy playing scales and arpeggios and spend some time with both as often as possible. When you practice a song, you get better at that song.   But when you work on technique, you get better at every song you play.  There are also some songs I play as exercises with no intention of actually performing them.  I used Pig Ankle Rag like that for years, forcing myself to use my pinky as often as possible to strengthen that finger.  I also use a metronome for songs like that and when doing those scales and arpeggios.

But I also spend time just playing the songs I am working on, focusing on the problem areas. I just wrote a song recently that I really like, but there is a two-measure sequence of all eighth notes that moves over several frets and two strings, and I sometimes just play those two measures over and over.

Importantly, I end every practice session playing a song I enjoy and can play well.  So the emotion I leave with is one of contentment with my playing rather than the frustration that accompanies learning new stuff. And I always make a point to take some time to just to play, without any interest in the metronome or the occasional buzz from inaccurate fretting, or whatever.   You have to have fun, after all. As Steve Eulberg says, we call it "playing music," not "working music."

Two thoughts: C.S. Lewis said dogs (or was it pets? should look it up) must go to heaven or else we wouldn't find it heavenly; & at the lake alongside our big dog park I found tucked away a memorial stone to a dog saying it was always the best hello, but also the hardest goodbye.

My malamutes all seemed to go at 10, while my huskies could go to 12, 13, 14, so the husky in my wonderful husky/malamute mix is now 14, but oh the joint problems!  Had a woman say the final year for her mal was 15 but again those joints.  I read these losses & dread it coming.

Hugs to all losing &/or loving their pets.

As usual, I agree with Ken. The inlay looks like a green heron to me, but could certainly be some other bird. Since you are inquiring, I assume you either bought this used or someone gave it to you. The use of ukulele friction pegs may place the date it was made somewhere in the 1970s when they were popular among one off or hobby builders.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

If there is no maker's label visible inside the bottom, below of the rear sound holes, chances are it is a personally-made instrument rather than a commercially made dulcimer.  Many personal instruments (better term than 'home made') which we make also have labels inside.   That fretboard inlay is nice, but is not like anything I've seen from the usual commercial builders. 

Hi folks,

Can anyone identify the likely make of the dulcimer in the pictures please? It has a distinctive inlay in the fretboard.

Or is it possibly home made?

Thanks

 dulcimer 1.jpg - 166KB

Practice

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@ken-hulme That's ...well, if not GENIUS, a darn good idea.  Those 200 songs could be an excellent idea to share &/or sell.  People tend to put down Ionian noter/drone, but this is a perfect example of how easily it can work.  Just had a thought <GASP!> Many of these songs, since they're so traditional, could be found in something like the Sing Out! book, but that is planned primarily for vocal & guitar or maybe banjo.  It would be easy to write in the dulci openers.

So MANY questions!    Each of us is different, of course.  I don't practice, per se.  I play.    Noter & Drone.  By ear, not tab or SMN.  Sometimes a lot, sometimes a little.

I have, I suppose, over 200 songs in my repertoire (well, tunes anyway, not words). I have about 100 of them printed on a "cheat sheet" in tiny type, each with the first measure or two of melody tab notes, so I can recall how they start.  It's especially hard for me to 'hear' the start of a tune in my head when I'm in a high noise musical environment like a song circle or Open Mic event.  Here's the first few from the Americana section of my list:

Wayfaring Stranger 11..55..454.3.0
Shady Grove 4.444.5431
Skip To My Lou 55..33..55.7 4.44...22...44.6
Old Joe Clark 4565.4.3.2 45654
I'll Fly Away 5.3.0.3.5456.5...4.....3.22.0

Wondering how people practice. I usually practice the fundamental/techniques, old songs, a new song and noodling. The time spent on each varies. The order varies and may or may not include all in a given session.   When one has a large number old songs how do people manage? I find I can play songs from years ago but not well. The time needed to play the songs at a higher level varies from song to song. Do people try to keep their entire list of songs playable? Do they move on after they achieve a certain level never to return? What does your practice session consist of? How much time to do you spend on each activity?   

I believe Bill retired in the late 80's. Not sure what the intonation was set to, I'd imagine the melody was an A vs. the contemporary d.

Dan,

  Any idea of when Bill Davis stopped selling his kit dulcimers?

This one was assembled by a careful woodworker. Joints are all good  and finish is even.  I have not restrung it yet but checked the sound.  It does have a big sound! Also, what tuning is normal for the 5 string 4 course setup?

 Thanks

Bill R

Not a Clemmer but a Bill Davis peg head. Bill taught Sam Carrell who in turn trained Mike Clemmer. Bill sold a lot of kits back in the day. His pieces where marked on the lower right back. (Early pieces had labels) They have a "big" sound!

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Dan an John ,

 Here are some photos

 PB0420353b.jpg - 140KB

Dan and John, I found photos of the Bill Davis dulcimer, it fits it to a "t". I can see the similarities in the Clemmer peg head and the Davis peg head

Thanks

Sounds like a Bill Davis kit to me.....we need images!

I agree with Dan.  Sounds like a Bill Davis dulcimer from Gatlinburg years ago.

Sounds like a Bill Davis kit to me.....we need images!

I thought mike's instruments we well labelled.  Call him and ask --

 Retail shop open Thursday and Friday 10am - 5pm.    Call 865.448.6647 

Did Mike Clemmer make an hourglass instrument with wooden pegs and a 5 string (double melody and equi spaced as 4 string? I just had one given to me, no tag or serial#  27.5 or 28" vsl, all walnut, no 6 1/2 or 13 1/2 frets. scroll has wheat heads engraved on the sides. It is the violin style, nice woodwork and finish

I love Hazel Dickens; she was more of a hollering type singer.  So, this version doesn't seem like a pale imitation but, rather, a fresh new version from two young people.  

Hugs to all who are missing their sweet furry companions...

I like "The Rainbow Bridge"

There are going to be quite a few canine and feline companions to meet me there!

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We lost our beautiful Cody on January 5, 2022, just before his 14th birthday. 

A sensitive, loving, and funny boy. 

As you all know, losing a pet is very difficult. They live on in our hearts. We got this canvas print, which was so appropriate for him.

Vale

Pug Maguire,
28 Feb 2009 - 15 Oct 2022

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Well, Shelby, a.k.a. Schlubby, turned 16 in April - and died in May. She was skinny enough and basically just wasted away. She passed in the Mrs.' arms. We knew she was a tiny cat, but it;s been confirmed, comparing her with the two we replaced her with toward the end of the summer. They're huge by comparison, and house wreckers! They are from the same litter. The one with the Manx tail is Bobbi (which makes sense, bob tail). The one with the very soft fur is Charmin (which makes sense in a weird way). At feeding time, the two squeak like mice. But they run around the house like a herd of buffalo, and jump up on everything! They want to cling to the Mrs., and dig their nails in. Then they lie down where you trip over them. I really appreciate our Schlubby time so much more!

Our cats have never been let outdoors. We have fox, coyotes, fishers, and who knows what else. Bears and cougars are farther north - we're by the St. Lawrence River, right near Lake Ontario. But at least we don't have rattlesnakes (my sympathies, Salt Springs). For that I appreciate being here in southeastern Ontario. 

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