Forum Activity for @dusty

@ken-hulme, I agree with your basic message about the vast number of diatonic songs and the fact that we can often find work-arounds for songs with an occasional accidental, but the fact is that there are millions of songs that simply cannot be played on a diatonic fretboard.  I challenge you to play George Gershwin's " Rhapsody in Blue ," for example.  I don't even think that ascending clarinet line that begins the whole piece could be done on a diatonic fretboard. Or how about Art Tatum's " Tiger Rag ?" (Obviously I've chosen extreme examples to make the point.)

Having said that, one might argue that the piano is more limited than the dulcimer. After all, on a dulcimer we can get all those microtones in between notes either by bending strings or using that noter technique in between frets where the noter touches the fretboard and the string.  Playing those microtones is possible on a piano.  Instead of concentrating on what an instrument can't do, we should concentrate on what it can do, and find our freedom of expression there.

Thank you for the new answers.

And thank you Strumelia for the noter explanatory videos. Here it is difficult to get hold of one (I can't find any in Spain and if I buy it outside the shipping costs are exorbitant for an object that is not expensive), but I think I can try to make one. The same thing happened to me with the capo, my father made me one. It cost him a lot but it works great and I am very proud, one day I will show you a picture.

Thanks Skip for the ideas, I tried the toothpick thing and it works! Although I held it temporarily, and finally it fell off, it has helped me a lot.

Thank you Jost for the store indications. At the moment I can't afford another dulcimer but as soon as I save a little money I will look at those stores, although I am very happy with my dulcimer I understand that "DAS", I too am looking forward to having another one. And another one. And another...

Ocean Daughter (lovely nickname), that would be the idea, to have different tunings on different dulcimers. At the moment I only play songs in DAd, I haven't been playing for a long time so I don't want to complicate things. As soon as I master a little more I would like to try other tunings, I hope that the habit of playing in one tuning doesn't play tricks on me. After playing the pentatonic lyre for a while I forgot for a moment about the diatonic scale when trying to play by ear! And sometimes I get lost when I learn a song on the lyre and then want to play it on the dulcimer.

Ken Hulme, indeed in my case as a player I'm very limited, I've only been playing for a short time and I find it hard to learn on my own. When I bought my dulcimer I thought "how original, I won't know anyone else who plays this".... And sometimes it turns against me! But little by little I am overcoming the limitations.... Or I make up the songs a bit, at the moment only my husband and my dog listen to them.... My husband doesn't know those songs and my dog doesn't mind that I'm out of tune ;)

Thanks for the information and help I find on the forum.

My apologies for the odd spacing on the posting!  I have tried to compact things yet have not been entirely successful.  I hope you like reading the tribute to Larkin!  

Here is a lovely and lovingly written tribute to Larkin posted on facebook by a dear music friend of mine, Kim, and used with permission here:

Most everything I know about the dulcimer I learned from Larkin Bryant. Almost every Friday afternoon for five years, I would go to her house for a dulcimer lesson (with an old-time fiddle lesson thrown in occasionally). We'd sit in straightback chairs in her front room across from her piano with our backs to the windows so the sunlight could shine in onto our sheet music. The sheet music was for me, as Larkin could play anything from her heart and memory. Her elderly black and white cat, Sweetie Pie, would snuggle in on Larkin's lap in the space between her dulcimer and stomach. Ariel, Larkin's beloved Weimaraner, would sit directly on top of my feet, chewing her heavy-duty blue rubber dog bone until she fell asleep. Mr. Kitty and Hannah, her two other cats, usually found spots in our instrument cases to curl up and snooze. We'd usually start our lessons catching up with news in each other's lives. Larkin always took time to ask and genuinely cared about what was going on my life. She was a fantastic listener and always spoke carefully and with wisdom.  

After talking a bit, we'd play music! She was a wealth of repertoire and music history, and she loved telling me the stories behind the songs. I soaked up everything I could. She would often walk me out to my car after my lesson and we'd talk about the many beautiful plants and flowers she had growing in her front yard. It seemed she even knew everything about those as well! A couple times, when I'd go back to my next lesson, she would have a clipping of one of the plants or a cutting of some of the flowers I had admired to give to me.

Her house was filled with wonderful antiques and instruments, and after our lessons she would tell me their stories or demonstrate one of the instruments. (I'd never heard of Cajun triangle until I had met Larkin! ) She even generously offered to let me display some of her precious antiques at my wedding, and I gladly took her up on that offer. But even more special to me than displaying those beautiful antiques at my wedding, was having her play at my wedding. She played her mountain dulcimer during the lighting of the unity candle and then she played several Celtic and fun old-time tunes on her hammered dulcimer and fiddle at our reception. Most memorable of all was a surprise she had planned. As Jon and I were walking to our car to leave town, Larkin followed behind us and began playing a farewell fiddle tune for us. That was so special to me.

Larkin wasn't just my dulcimer teacher; she was a true friend and I will miss her dearly. During our last phone call together a few weeks ago, even though she was ill and extremely tired, she took time to ask about me and my family and offer words of encouragement. She was always thinking of others before herself. I am thankful for and will always cherish her friendship and memories I have with her.

Lodging and Activities will be in the Anna Smith Hall. 

See attached map.  The other location to note is the Alumni Building where we take our meals.

 InkedBerea Map.jpg - 175KB

The limitations are in the player, not the scale.  There are tens of thousands of diatonic songs,  There are thousands of more songs which have an accidental note of two which can be ignored, graced over, or otherwise accommodated.  In a long history of playing I have never found a single-key song i couldn't play.  

This is a good question...When I was learning to play, I learned the tunings for different modes, and so I would re-tune to play a particular tune.  However, I like having more than one dulcimer, because I don't want to re-tune the same instrument all the time.  I will tune from DAA to DAG, or from DAd to DAC, but I don't like to do more than that very often.  

I do like having a 6 1/2 fret, because it gives me two modes for each tuning.  For example, if I'm tuned to DAG Dorian, a minor tuning, I also can play in the Mixolydian, which is a major tuning. 

As a melody-drone player, I actually feel somewhat limited by the DAD tuning.  The root note of the scale is on the open string, and so melodies that go below that root note are more challenging to play.  You can (usually) play those notes on the middle or bass strings, but I have a bit of a preference for having my melody notes on my melody string.  I like using a tuning that places the root note a few steps toward the middle, as DAA does.  Sometimes I consider inventing a fretboard that does just what I want it to do...

Hmm, I just counted and I have nine dulcimers! 

the Cripple Creek kit I built in 1996

a Folk Roots dulcimer a friend gave me

two Black Mountains, one cherry and one walnut

an unknown dulcimer that looks like a Black Mountain, possibly built from a kit

Another unknown with the names "Bodd & Eye" engraved inside

Yet another unknown with inlay trim around the edges

a Russ Green hourglass

a little "board dulcimer" by a man in Kentucky, which I got for travel

All except the first two came to me from eBay or shopgoodwill dot com.  I've been learning what I like in a dulcimer. I love finding different quirky unknown instruments, and it's a wonder I don't have a dozen or more yet.  I also plan to have extra frets added to a couple. 

I do envy those of you who have made several, but I'm hoping to do that myself when I make space in the garage. 

I'm sorry to hear this.  I have Larkin's book.  I didn't know much about her beyond that, but have always had a friendly feeling toward her.  Peace to her and to her family and friends as they mourn.

Well I've been continuing working on my houseplants, repotting them, and adding some more.
I cleared space in front of my twin office windows and asked Brian to make me a bench that spans both windows so i would have better room there for plants. I painted the new bench an ocean green/blue to feel restful. I also hung a couple of plants at that window, and a couple of tiny shelves as well. It looks real nice now and is wonderful to look at to my side every time I take a minute off working at my computer.

I bought four baby rhizomatous begonia plants on Etsy, and I'm very impressed with their wonderful rich colors, tapestry textured leaves, and furry stems. They are young plants in 4" diameter pots. I've never grown begonias before and am try to read up on their care. I know they like humidity so i have all four sitting in a pebble tray that has a bit of water under the pebbles which will slowly evaporate around the plants.

Up to now just one dulcimer ( I plan to get another one spontan though) but I already have a mild case of Instrument acquisation  sydrome:

- One dulcimer ( beginner level)

- two classical guitars and one lute guitar ( not a beginner but no Bert Jansch either)

- Two tin whistles ( D and C tuning, beginner) 

- One mandolin ( my latest addition, still struggling with the first song after one month)

Super cool how many of y'all have other instruments aside from dulcimers!

While 95% of what I play is a dulcimer I also pick up my other instruments on occasion:

-a few acoustic guitars
-2 electric guitars
-a mandolin
-an ukulele
-a dozen or so harmonicas
-a D tin whistle
-a 10 string lyre harp
-an ocarina
-an electric keyboard
-a few cigar box guitars
and some folksey stuff like a jaw harp, washboard, washtub bass, tambourine shoe, kazoos and a couple more I'm sure I'm forgetting

That Nora Brown video was so neat to watch!  

Did you hear about the poor guy from Avenue J?  He has to go 6 blocks to P.

That's cool, Lisa! I'm from Avenue J.

Hey Steven- I was born on Flatbush x Sterling Place !   

Thanks, Dusty! She's a Crown Heights girl, and I was a Flatbush boy.....and that's where any resemblance  to each other, in regard to musical talent, ends! She's fantastic!

@Silverstrings, McCafferty fretboards are 1-1/2 inches wide.  That is a pretty standard size.  My Blue Lion and Probst dulcimers also have 1-1/2" wide fretboards.

Terry now sells his dulcimers with notches in the bridge and nut so that the strings can be set pretty widely apart or brought in closer. I can't tell you the exact distances since I have a custom version, but I'm sure Terry would answer these questions. 

Does anyone know the fretboard width on a McCafferty Dulcimer?

Thanks for sharing the video of Nora Brown, Dusty. Very encouraging.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I know just how you feel Dulcinina. I visited a dear old friend too recently and our vaccines made it possible. It was such good medicine, in more ways than one! 

Thanks for posting this, Dusty.  Restores my faith as well.  A great way to start off my day.  I sent it to a couple other friends.

Today I am meeting up with a dulcimer friend whom I've not seen in over a year.  She lives about 50 miles from me and we used to play together once a month at her home.  So we're both vaccinated and eager to play together again. Yay.  Nina (aka) Dulcinina

Paul that's too funny!

I forgot about the limberjack.....

I just watched this video of Nora Brown on the banjo .  She is only 15.  Born in Brooklyn.  I think there is hope for the world after all.

Shelby (a.k.a. Schlubby) and Angus got along. Or, I should say, Schlubby tolerated Angus. She was known to swat him from time to time. In our household the smaller pets ruled. We had a very small bunny, Abby, who jumped up onto the back of a sofa and bit Schlubby on the stomach. He chomped down and held on when she jumped off. The cats gave that little bun a wide berth.

 2016-10-22 #11a Paul Rappell photo.JPG - 163KB

I have sold several guitars. Currently, I only own the three dulcimers and a rain stick.

LOL to "Bag of Kazoos" band! 

I guess I will add to my list (forgot about these the first time) - 

• Fender guitar - my first stringed instrument
• Gretsch 5 string banjo
• Several pennywhistles in D
• Native American Flute in B minor - High Spirits
• Old band instruments - flute, oboe. cornet
• Gretsch sunburst mandolin (my husband is playing this)

"Bag of Kazoos" would be a good name for a jug band. Or even just a folk jam.

Since folks are adding to their instrument inventory, I'll add a few since my original response only included mountain dulcimers, zitters, and other instruments I made. So in addition to all of that I have two more open back banjos, three acoustic guitars, a soprano ukulele, a D tin whistle, a recorder, a jaw harp, a couple of harmonicas. an assortment of rhythm instruments (spoons, Catspaws, limber jack, etc.), a small tambourine, and bag of kazoos. Oh, an electronic keyboard which I don't play, but my wife does. There might be a few more instruments around the house that I've forgotten about.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Skip, you bring up a good point, about other instruments. I've been suffering from GAS (guitar acquisition syndrome) much longer than DAD (dulcimer acquisition disease). My first love, fingerstyle guitar (since 1973), has been my true passion for nearly 48 years. I've settled into a stable of 6 guitars and 1 guilele. Many other instruments (primarily stringed instruments)  have come and gone over the years, but I'm simplifying to just guitar, dulcimer, and Native American flute (I have 5). In fact, my last banjo is moving on to a new home this week. I was in band all through school, where I played flute, then alto saxophone. Music has been such a joy in my life.

I don't have a pet right now. However, my sister's beagle, Madison, loves the dulcimer. She has told me that she prefers the dulcimer & singing over instrumental. 

It's interesting to see that many folks have more instruments than just mountain dulcimers.

In addition to my dulcimers, I have a bodhran, half a dozen or so diatonic harmonicas, a chromatic harmonica, several pennywhistles, a full size keyboard, and 5 autoharps [three chromatics, two 2 key diatonics, FC and GD] and a 15/16 hammered dulcimer I made and still have. I've tried guitars and a banjo but they didn't, physically, work for me.

I guess I have IAD, but music is such a fascinating subject and has so many facets and challenges it's easy to overindulge! Especially for a non-music oriented retiree [no music instruments at all before retiring].

Nate -- we've mentioned this before -- dulcimers are NOT guitars.  String gauges and tensions are different.  FWIW, 26"-26.5" is a little on the short side for dulcimer VSLs.   Use the Strothers String Choice calculator; know that it runs light in gauge, and you can go up a size or two.  Don't worry/think about string tensions. 

As Dusty says, one you figure out which gauges work for you, just buy singles from a local music shop, rather than sets.  However, since most of my instruments have the same few VSLs, I tend to buy in bulk from www.juststrings.com; packs of a dozen strings of a given gauge .09, .010, .012 in my case. If I'm building an instrument with special requirements, I pick up singles locally.  Another thing you can do is buy 10-12 ft small coils of music wire of your commonly used gauges, and make your own strings -- it's not particularly hard.

Since  your apartment building is so prone to Porch Pirates, perhaps you should get an "accommodation" address.  I have one a local 'pack & ship' store nearby 

For example, I am in a dulcimer group that plays traditional music. However, I tend to play Renaissance, Celtic, Manx, Baroque, and a few pieces from the Middle Ages when I am by myself. 

Some really neat collections here. I can get a feel for the type of music that is played, just by looking at the collection. Such a variety, between members. Thanks to all who have shared so far, it's been fun to follow.

@steven-berger So, you're who has that checkerboard TMB John built-- I remember it!  You've got a cool collection of instruments which, I imagine, give you lots of joy in making the kinds of music you want to make.  

@susie I can imagine those little Gingers are much handier to have when traveling and space is at a premium.  Enjoy your little DAD Ginger, your final dulcimer (you think).  

I decided that my McSpadden Ginger (intonated GDG) needed a sister, so I ordered a walnut (w/ sapwood) - spruce Ginger (intonated DAD) to keep her company. I'm enjoying the smaller dulcimers (they also come in handy in our smaller motorhome when we travel). It's in at my music store where I ordered it though, but I can't get in to pick it up until Wednesday. I think this is my final dulcimer.

Robin, I see that you also have a new one on order. I'd love to see pictures of the BL after you get it. 

I have:

All poplar Tennessee Music Box (with checkerboard on back) by John Knopf

All poplar Will Singleton by John Knopf

All poplar J E Thomas (painted black) by John Knopf

Black walnut/butternut top Boar by Bobby Ratliff

Various woods kit by Bobby Ratliff

All wormy poplar Betty by Dan Cox (came with wormy poplar coffin case)

All cherry custom by Johnny Pledger

All black walnut by Johnny Pledger

All hickory teardrop by Folkcraft

All sycamore 5-string by Bill Berg

Padauk/spruce/maple Strumstick by Bob McNally

I also have:  SJ100+  Jumbo guitar by Gibson,  WL-250 banjo by Gold Tone, Tackhead banjo by Eric Prust, Mountain banjo by Jon Peterson, Mountain banjo by Nate Calkins, Gourd banjo by Barry Sholder, Nickel-plated brass resophonic guitar by OMI, Copper-plated/engraved Tricone resophonic guitar by Republic, Boxcar resophonic guitar by Gretsch, Weathered steel Style-O resophonic guitar by National Resophonic, Swan concertina by McNeela, a couple of harmonicas, a kalimba, 3 Civil War era fifes, and a Civil War era tin whistle.

Whew! L think that's it!