Forum Activity for @wally-venable

It looks to me that the string hole is now more-or-less a slot. First, I'd try using a screw driver, but not really expecting that to work.

My second try would be to deepen the slot with a saw and files. This would require removing other strings and maybe some pins. I think that would require less skill than drilling for a screw extractor.

It also looks to me like the string hole in the broken pin might have been off-center. I would also be concerned about the variation between notes in the string windings.

If the pin holes do not go all the way through the wood, some may have bottomed out. The pins may not have been backed out enough before winding on the new strings.

In celebration of the today's #internationalappalachiandulcimerday please find my original composition called "Waltzing in the Appalachians" - I would be happy if you enjoyed it (best listened to it with headphones).

The journey with this special musical instrument started for me in 2018 - and the magic is not only its sweet sound and beautiful look but also all the very kind dulcimer players one can meet all over the world

Happy dulcimering!

Ariane

So happy you are enjoying it!

There are many beautiful and plaintive tunes in DAC tuning (Aeolian mode). They are so easy to play in drone style when in the proper tuning.

Here are a couple other DAC/Aeolian tab posts from my blog if you like to explore more:

https://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/2009/03/here-is-another-old-ballad-in-aeolian.html

https://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/2009/03/black-is-color.html

https://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/2009/07/wedding-dress-my-little-doney-gal.html

Nice.

Dear Robin and Mark - I enjoy your wonderful music so very much! (...and what a nice t-shirt you are wearing, Robin

You're right, John.  I was seeing shadow, rather than shaft sticking up.  A small or needlenose vicegrip pliers should do the job...  It will take a lot of turns to get it out, but patience will be rewarded as they say.

Friends, it's International Appalachian Dulcimer Day!  I wish you all peace and joy and lots of happy strumming!   

There is enough of the pin sticvking out of the hole that you can unscrew it. I would use a pair of locking pliers, such as Vice-grip pliers, clamped onto the pin from above. Gently twist the pier handle counter-clockwise to unscrew the pin. Don't rock the pliers back and forth and there should be no damage to the hole. That is a very strange break. It will probably never hppen to you again.

My oh my oh my! That Shady Grove in DAC is beautiful!

@ken-hulme it appears to be a chorded zither (autoharp).  It is surprising to see a steel pin shear that way!

Is that a Hammered Dulcimer?  In some decades of messing about with dulcimers I've never seen a steel pin shear like that. Wooden pegs, yes, but not autoharp pins!

The tuning pins are threaded into the wood of course.  There are "screw extractors" which you can purchase to aid in the removal.  Basically, you'll have to use a tiny drill bit to drill down into the broken tuning pin, insert the the screw extractor (which IIRC has threads reverse to normal), then unscrew the pin using the extractor.  Do an internet search on 'how to extract a broken screw".  

Thank you!!! I’m glad I asked!

Hey Carolyn, the standard for fret numbers with a capo on a dulcimer is that all the frets retain their original number except for the one with the capo.  So if you capo at 1, that capo-ed fret is referred to as 0, but the next one up is 2 and then 3.  If you capo at 4, that fourth fret becomes 0 and the next one up is 5 and then 6.

This is different than guitars and banjos, which causes a lot of confusion. At least it did for me when I first started on the dulcimer.

I'm experimenting with my capo. I'm looking at my chords, and realized, of course, that with no open strings, the chord doesn't change with the capo. I'm not used to playing that much in minor keys (with their chords) but I'm trying to figure a couple out. I have a couple pieces of tab to help me on my way. But I am a little confused. Looking at a piece from Bing Futch, (Star of the County Down) he has 000 as the open strum. Ok, no fretting. But then when the G chord/note is used, it's 333. Counting the capoed fret as zero would make it 222. Is that standard? Once you get up past the capo, to just go back to normal tab notation? The other piece of tab is Sally in the Garden, (arr by Allen Macfarland) who seems to be doing the same thing. 

So is that the way I should expect tab to be? I figure I'll mostly be playing by ear and with a bit of musical notation, but I want to get all my potential tools figured out.

Replacing all my strings. Just broke off one of my tuning pegs. Has this happen to anyone? How do I remove the piece without damaging the hole? 

 C740E49F-1D84-4356-AFD7-79BDFB8F1120.jpeg - 127KB

It's so cool that this is taking off.  Tull Glazener will be posting as well and just sent out an email with @steve-c's poster and offering tab for an original composition, available only on IADD!

That's a wonderful idea and I have just finished my recording for tomorrow

Yes- thank you Dusty! My coffee had not kicked in yet when i wrote that.  lolol   Will correct my post.

@Strumelia, don't you mean Suzette should tune to DAC?  Your link mentions "aeolian," after all.

Friends, this is a free virtual fest sponsored by Troublesome Creek Instruments in Hindman.  I've signed up and look forward to this event.  I'm not in any way connected to the organization of the fest so share it here in a discussion thread in case any of y'all may have interest.   

https://troublesomecreekguitars.com/2022-hindman-dulcimer-homecoming/

Wow I bet you are super thrilled to have this new beauty, Richard. Happy playing! 

Suzette, tune to DAC and try my free noter/drone style tab for Shady Grove:

https://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/2009/03/beautiful-aeolian-mode.html

(I posted over 30 free tabs on my noter dulcimer blog)

Tomorrow's THE day!

What Ken Hulme said. Enjoy playing it Richard.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Enjoy your new beauty, Richard! 

Nice!!! Thanks!

Suzette, in the drone style, you never fret the bass or middle strings. They are always left to drone, and you will play the melody on the melody string.

You will sometimes run across tablature that places the melody across all the strings.  That tab is just not for you, so ignore it.  But whenever the melody can be played solely on the melody string, you can ignore the chording indications on the bass and middle strings. Over time you'll discover that a lot of traditional tunes sound great in that style, but some more modern pieces don't.

Make sure you join the Old Style Noter & Drone Group . You'll find lots of guidance there. 

Thanks Mr. Turtle. Yes, I am looking for one finger drone style. So for most songs, I’m guessing I can just play the melody string?

This is not the easiest tab to read, so don't feel bad.

The song is given in two sections.  In each there are three lines.  The top line refers to the bass string. The second to the middle string.  And the bottom line to the melody string.  So in that first section, you start by playing 1-1-1, meaning you fret the first fret on all three strings.  You end that line playing 3-3-5, meaning the third fret on the bass and middle strings and the 5th fret on the melody string.

However, if you are a beginner or if you want to play in the traditional drone style, tune DAC and only play the bottom line (melody string) of each section, letting the bass and middle strings drone.

The description on the page indicates how to read note duration, but if you know the melody, I would just follow the rhythm in your head.

For the record, there are plenty of examples of tab for this song that are easier to follow, so if you can't figure this out, I'm sure people can help you find other tab to use.

How do I read/play this? Is it 6 individual lines? 2 individual lines?

 BDA00891-BE2C-410C-B509-80A3C738562D.jpeg - 98KB

That's one good lookin' dulcimore, Richard!

Beautiful work!   As is everything that Dan makes.  One of thee top three or four traditional dulcimore builders in the coutry.

Dulcimore Dan built a replication of a Leonard Glenn dulcimer with full traditional features. Fiddle edges, staple frets, feet, wooden tuning pegs, music wire strings, taller fret board for noter playing. Poplar with butternut stapleboard, tail piece and head stock. Walnut tuning pegs.

 Glenn Traditional 01 cropped.jpg - 61KB

Ah, so now we know: 1) why Leo could not attach a word file, and 2) why there was suddenly a .pdf there that Leo did not put there. Mysteries solved!

To explain the confusion, I turned Leo's Word file into a pdf and posted it in his thread.  I was trying to be helpful , but this appears to have caused enormous confusion .  Just call me an agitator (or maybe a gremlin).

Leo, I have our site code set to not allow people to attach word docs to posts, because that type of file can contain malware code. It's just a site safety setting that has nothing to do with you.

I conclude (half believing it) that it was necessary for me to leave the page, the computer and the room it's in for it to work!! Have no idea how it turned into a PDF from a Word doc. It's all voodoo and gremlins, but sometimes they're friendly...  

Thanks, Gregg, for posting about our Saturday get-together and open jam at Claremont's Shelton Park! We'll be there on Saturday from Noon to 3 - or longer if the turnout warrants it! C'mon down!! 

(I'd post the flyer with all details, but Word docs are not showing up after choosing 'Attach File.' (Computers still hate me.))   [And yet, lo and behold, a flyer has appeared -- DT]

1st Annual Mountain Dulcimer Day.pdf - 185KB

Thank you Greg…. I appreciate having this info!

Unless the vibrating string length is excessively short or extremely long you should be able to use standard dulcimer strings:

Melody Strings = .010 -.014

Middle String = .012-.014

Bass String = wound .022-.024

If you plan on using hammer on and pull offs, then a lighter gauge will have more flexibility and be easier on the fingers.

Locating the bridge is not too difficult.  Measure the distance from nut to 7th fret.  The distance from the 7th fret to the bridge should be approximately that same distance.  If the notes go flat as you ascend the scale (fretboard) move the bridge a little closer towards the nut (small increments).  If the notes go sharp as you ascend the scale (fretboard) move the bridge slightly farther away from the nut.  Once you have located the bridge to get decent intonation all the way up the fretboard, mark the bridge location on the banjo head with a pencil.  This will enable you to locate the bridge quickly in the future.

And, as you have already been advised, slanting the bridge slightly will sometimes improve intonation on the middle and bass strings.