Forum Activity for @dusty

Well I'm an old dulcimer player, and I like to party!

My oldest dulcimer is from 1931. It doesn't party. I don't take it out on camping trips or to parties. I do take it to mountain dulcimer events and allow others to play it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I don't know a good way to find out about this. I have a 1976 McSpadden kit dulcimer.  The guy I got it from was happy because he knew I'd play it. I swear this dulcimer has been out on camping trips and to parties. Everytime I play it, it's like "Let's jam!!!"

my question is, do you notice this with old dulcimers?  I'm thinking about the really old ones now. Do certain ones just feel like it should be party time?

P.S. I'm in NY through August (2025) then driving back to San Diego

Good to know, thanks so much.  I think much of what I do is grounded in being entirely self taught (on dulcimer), at some distance from the mainstream dulcimer community.  It's great to have so many really knowledgeable people like you from whom to learn.

When my vocalist friend Victoria and I were planning to do a set of songs together, I shared some Jean Ritchie recordings with her.  I've thought we might do some of her songs together.  Victoria has an operatic voice, but she's done musical theater, too, and she has great diction, expression, and rhythm.  Not all classical singers have her diction and rhythm.

I'm glad I asked and appreciate your response lots!   A fan of drones here!   

Though Jean learned on a 3-string dulcimer, for her second instructional recording (Homespun), she played 4 equidistant strings and noted one string.  For accompanying her vocals, she often strummed with her thumb instead of a turkey quill or plectrum fashioned from a plastic coffee can lid.

Hello friends,

Looking to buy a pre-owned/pre-loved Warren May dulcimer. I'm traveling on my boat all summer, every summer, and don't want to bring my 'fancy' dulcimers made by Warren and Blue Lion as I leave them at home  :-) Warren's dulcimers are so easy to play - would like to have one with me every summer! Thanks in advance! PS I live in San Diego

I usually play with four equidistant strings these days and use many different tunings.  But I really enjoy tuning three or even all four strings to low D.  That's great for droning, obviously, but also great for bending, as the strings have different tensions.

I would say Jean Ritchie.  It's more obvious in other pieces.  

But I would say it's really the drone and not the noter that has been the influence, as I don't use a plectrum of any kind.  And, to be honest, I've been interested in drones forever.  My parents were progressives and brought me to see Ravi Shankar when I was quite young.  They (and my older brother) were folkies, so I'm pretty sure I heard Jean Ritchie even before I started guitar, about 1966.

I was also a fan of the one-chord jams that 60's rockers like Cream, the Dead, and Santana played, and still love the modal jazz of John Coltrane and others.  And I love medieval music, which only rarely has actual drones, but often has long held bass notes (which were called "tenor").

I'm a very left-handed lefty who plays right handed (was never given the opportunity to play left-handed, as I started on my brother's guitar), so no one should ever look at my right hand technique, especally young people.  I have a couple of noters, but I really struggled with them.

Thanks so much for asking.

Very nice of you to listen to my music! 

Ah, it's curious noter-drone style has been an influence on what you do!  I'm wondering whether a particular style(s) of play in the noter tradition influenced you to some greater degree (for example, was Jean Ritchie a big influence or field recordings of players in the Galax tradition, etc.)?  

Hi All,

A medieval instrument that looks a lot like a dulcimer but serves a very different role as accompaniment only to melodic instruments, sort of like a drone without a noter.  I think you'll enjoy this.

Have a great weekend.

I enjoy your work, too.  I really appreciate the noter-drone style.  It's been an influence.

Best,

That's so kind of you to say.  I really appreciate it.  I also appreciate the great contributions you make to this community.  This is not just a great place for music but for kindness and sharing.

Have a great weekend, Robin and all.

Way to go! That will be a great help with your restoration.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

http://jugtones.com/images/blog/12.Vintage%20Plans/1955%20Rebec%20Fiddle.pdf

I found it. Original plans from 1955 magazine.

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Oh, so uncommonly good, Alex!  I've ordered a couple of your cds and look forward to hearing them!  

Hi All,

I hope everyone is well and enjoying life.

This is,  A Farewell , a song I composed for my friend and colleague, mezzo soprano Victoria Vargas.  The poem is by Amy Levy, a Victoria era Anglo-Jewish writer, well known in her brief life (she died by suicide at 27) and admired by Oscar Wilde.

https://soundcloud.com/user-356765105/07-a-prayer-7

I'm on dulcimer, of course.  I'm unaware of any other dulcimer recordings or performances that feature an opera singer.  Please check it out if you have the time and inclination.

Have a great weekend and thanks.

This is brilliant, Dusty!  Thanks ever so much. 

Kathreen

Very nice article, thanks for posting.

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Hi Kathreen,

Your question is a good one, and one that has a simple mathematical answer.  If you know the alphabet from A to G and can count to 7, you can transpose from one key to another.

If we start with D as 1, count to A.  D = 1, E = 2, F# = 3, G = 4, and A = 5.  So to move from a chord in D to a chord in A, you just count up that same amount, starting with 1 and counting up to 5.

For the main I, IV, and V chords . . .

Your chords for D in the key of D will be A in the key of A.

Your chords for G in the key of D will be D in the key of A.

Your chords for A in the key of D will be E in the key of A.

And for the relative minor chords . . . 

Bm in the key of D will be F#m in the key of A.

Em in the key of D will be Bm in the key of A.

F#m in the key of D will be C# minor in the key of A.

Does that help?  There is no reason to seek a chord chart. The chord positions are all the same ones you already know.

Some years ago I made the chart below for the most common keys in folk and old timey music.  Perhaps you'll find it helpful.

You might enjoy this short article:
https://www.cincinnatiearlymusic.com/rebec_rebuild.html

Hello, All --

I'm not exactly sure how to ask my question, but here goes.

I learned to play in the key of D, DAA.  I now have my dulcimer tuned to AEE.  I use the chord shapes for DAA (for instance, a G), but, being in the key of A, the resulting chord is not a G but something else - and I don't know how to make that translation, how to determine what chord it is in A.

I have the opportunity to jam this weekend and am concerned that when prompted to play a certain chord, I'll have no idea what it corresponds to in D to be able to play it.

Does any of this make sense?  I haven't been able to find any chord charts that include the key of A.

I'd appreciate any guidance at all!

Thanks,

Kathreen

The local fiddlers faire has said he will give me some ebony pegs and a tailpiece that I can use. Gut strings will be next then make a bow. How many horsehairs will be sufficient? 3/8” bundle? What wood works best for a bow? Bridge?

thanks for resizing, I was at a loss to explain.

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Thank you, Strumelia.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

In the meantime, i downsized that photo to make things easier.  ;)

Thanks for the photo, XLIV. As you can see it is too large to show the entire instrument. You might try resizing your photo and reposting it. I usually post my mine at 8 x 10 inches or 5 by 7, but sometimes my mind slips and I post them at 8 1/2 by 11.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

it needs pegs, nut, tailpiece and bridge (they were broken). Finger board unglued. The top is cracked and coming unglued from body possibly from sound post being a little too tall. Someone put a lot of time hollowing body from one piece. I hope to repair using hide glue and making a horse hair bow. Winter project.

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Please post some photos of the unfinished rebec project. I assume you want to finish the project. I'll offer what advice I can after I see what you have. Sounds like an interesting undertaking. 

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Hi folks, new to hobby. I found an unfinished rebec project at a yard sale. I realize this is an old thread but thought I might glean some advice from those more familiar with this instrument. If it gets some hits I’ll post some pics.

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Alex, I read with interest the description of your album in the link you provided- the combination of dulcimer player, singer, and Victorian era woman writer in your album seems like it would be a very unique and compelling interplay.

Sorry, I've been traveling all day.  The discoloration at the 6.5 fret is exactly that.  Either Dad or my older brother (I blame Tom) took a thin wire and held it down with some electrical tape and used that as a 6.5.  I just haven't gotten around to deciding how to clean the residue yet.

As for the slot, it doesn't bother me but it's definitely a curiosity.  It was definitely cut with precision.  The side profile shows a squared channel, identical in profile, width and depth to the other frets, so that's what piqued my interest.  To be fair, I don't know who the luthier was and there's no label inside the soundbox that I can find, but it was definitely ordered in Townsend, TN around 1980 or 1982.  I know Sam Carrell was still making instruments at that time and was overwhelmed with orders, so he enlisted some help.  Maybe an apprentice cut the slot?  I also think that was about the time when Mike Clemmer was getting started.  Maybe it was an early build and a mistake was made?  Either way, It never seemed to affect the sound or the playability, so I'll just call it "character."

There may have been more luthiers in Townsend at that time, but I don't recall any others.  All I can say for sure is that we picked it up in the little dulcimer shop next to "Nawger Nob" if that means anything to anyone.

Jonathan

(Also, thanks to everyone for all the positive responses and words of encouragement.  Sometimes "enthusiasts" can be snobs, but not in the dulcimer world it seems!)

*Edit:  I just took a macro photo of the side profile.  I couldn't see this with my reading glasses, but it seems as if the slot actually was filled. it looks like its just worn away a bit.

 E63589C0-7597-4BF2-ADB0-BC0360E4DE79_1_201_a.jpg - 137KB

Could what appears to be a slot near the 6.5 just be discoloration of the wood? In the close up photo it doesnt look like those 'slots' go all the way across the width of the fingerboard. The dulcimer looks great, so it's hard to believe the original builder just left the slot unfilled. You could always put a fret in it and call it "microtonal" lol.

It was nice meeting you too! Ironically, I'm interested in the baritone partly because I DON'T play with other dulcimers usually. (Nobody around here!) It's attractive to have a dulcimer that can easily manage G or A, without capoing, along with my D-friendly dulcimer.

I did look at your YouTube videos and heard the difference between the 3 and 6 strings. I like the look of the hourglass shape so that's what I'd probably get. I've been researching and it seems like the red cedar is a really popular top. I'd been thinking spruce, but now I don't know.

Hi Carolyn. It was nice to meet you last month.

I can't remember if I told you, but in addition to the little dulcimette I shared with you, I also have a baritone dulcimette, which I actually prefer due to the extra sustain.  I originally requested a 6-string instrument, but I have been playing it with just 3 strings for the last several years.  With 6 strings it is great for strumming, but the 3-string configuration allows for more nuanced play.  It is tuned to G or A, so it is not always easy to play with other dulcimer players; that's why I took the dulcimette up to the Wallowas.

I think you'll have a great time playing your new instrument and figuring out which arrangements work best for it.  Good luck!

I'm 90% headed towards ordering a baritone dulcimette (Ron Ewing). I got to put hands on a dulcimette at camp last month (thanks, Dusty) and it was just too charming. I decided that a baritone version would work the best for me. Does anyone have opinions or input that would be helpful to me at this point?

Looking at a closeup of that mystery empty fret slot...

My thoughts:
A good luthier would never have put that extremely misplaced slot there in the first place, and even if they did, they would not have left the empty slot there after moving the fret to the right place. So, I think someone later on did this.
If you look closely, there are also indications that other fret slots had been cut and then filled, around where the 6.5 fret might go. Again, that job ldoes not look professionally done.

I'm thinking that 'somebody' who didn't know very much wanted to put in a 6.5 fret by themselves, and they misguidedly decided that frets 6, 6.5, 7, and 8 should all be equally spaced. So they yanked the original 7th fret out and put their new 6.5 and 7 frets in, equally spaced between the existing 6 and 8 frets. Perhaps they could hear that the 6.5 was not in the right place, and they yanked it out agin and filled the slot... but left their new 7th fret in place.

Then later yet, someone else (or maybe the same person again) realized that the (new) 7th fret was in the wrong place and it just wouldn't play in tune, so they pulled it out and put in a new 7th fret back in its original slot. But this time they didn't bother filling the empty slot.. too much trouble trying to hide it or match the color.

I do not think the luthier would have done any of this.

Hi Jonathan,
I am not going to be any help as far as your questions.  I just want to wish you all the best in your new adventure!  I have a dulcimer that my dad built and it is truly a treasure, as I am sure yours is too!  I look forward to hearing updates on how you are doing!  Above all - have fun!   🎶 😊

You're correct.  Strothers said 0.020", 0.010" and 0.013".  To be sure, I just ordered an assortment so that I'm sure to have something that feels and sounds good.  I really appreciate the help and the links!

Jonathan

I agree with Strumelia that 27" is pretty much "the normal/standard range for a dulcimer." If you haven't already done so, you might check out this site: https://dulcimercentral.com/gallier-dulcimers  

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Twenty-seven inches is my favorite VSL. I use 28.5 inches on dulcimers for noter playing. I think if you do the calculations on the Strothers calculator they won't be to far off from what I suggested. Restring that dulcimer. It deserves to be played and enjoyed.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."