Forum Activity for @dusty

Once again, Ocean Daughter, I want to commend you for thinking about this issue rather than just posting somewhere arbitrary.

You are right that FOTMD works very differently than Facebook, which often centers on a constantly scrolling stream of recent posts.  We do indeed try to organize things here so that people can find material (hopefully) rather easily.

There is in fact a listing for the DAA virtual dulcimer festival in the Festivals/Gatherings area. You can find it here .  However, you'll notice that other than a few comments I made, little discussion is found there, and that listing will disappear a few days after the festival ends.

If you want to start a a general discussion about the good and bad of online festivals or something like that, I would suggest using the General Mountain Dulcimer or Music area in the Forums. But if your question is really specific, like what kind of equipment you need to be able to take part, you might consider joining the Technology/Software/Amplifying Group and starting a discussion there.  Note in general that we have lots of groups on specific interests, but you can only see the full discussions there if you join the group.

And just to warn you, I have taught at a few online festivals and attended a few as well, so I will likely join your conversation wherever you post it.

Okay, thanks, Dusty!  I'll have a quick look at the previous pick discussions, and see which would be a good fit. 

Hi Ocean Daughter.  Many people--especially those new to the site--would just start a new thread, not bothering to look to see what people have already discussed, so I applaud you for even noticing that there are many older discussions that are still relevant to our concerns today.

My suggestion would be to tag onto an older thread if that discussion is really close to your own. We don't need a dozen discussions all about how to avoid pick clack, for example; one will do.  And one advantage to adding to an older discussion is that everyone who took part in that original discussion will be notified about your comment, so you are likely to get responses pretty fast.  And don't worry about how long ago a thread was active. You can rejuvenate it!

But if your topic is is just loosely on the same general subject as an older thread, then you might start a new one.  Too many discussions start on one topic, a topic clearly identified in the subject line, but then people tag on semi-related comments, and the discussion meanders too far from the original idea.

Either way, once you post your comment will show up on the main Activity Feed so people who log on will see it.

(Another question!)  This weekend I'm attending my fourth virtual festival (the one hosted by the Dulcimer Association of Albany), and I was wondering about chatting about virtual festivals on here.  I haven't seen any discussions of festivals.  Is that something that would be okay to post about, and where? 

Is there a place on FOTMD that I just haven't found yet, or do people mostly do their chatting on the Facebook page of the particular festival?  Or in the other Facebook dulcimer groups?  I feel like a forum gives a place for more "focused" chat, in that the threads "stay put," whereas Facebook posts are sometimes harder to track down (and sometimes I don't have the mental energy for Facebook!). 

Hope to see some of you "in" Albany! 

I have been doing a rather extensive project of trying out picks on my dulcimers to see what sounds I liked, and wanted to chat with forum members about their pick preferences.  I know there are some older discussions about this.  Do you prefer that I tag onto one of the older ones, or should I start a new one? 

I personally feel that if it's been a couple of years since a thread was updated, I'd just as soon start a new one rather than add onto an old discussion.  But I know that different forums have different feelings about this. 

Wayne's a lefty! Patricia, I've been looking at the picture of your McSpadden "courting" dulcimer and trying to figure out why you don't just call it a double dulcimer since both fretboards go in the same direction.  Then I remembered: Wayne's a lefty!

That looks like a beautiful dulcimer, by the way.

And I've really enjoyed the last couple of episodes. Each one is a gem.

Actually, my daughter worked in the honeybee dept during her studies at Cornell before I kept bees. But... it's true I kept a couple pet tarantulas at home before she went off to college. 
I think it's super cool that your daughter is cultivating a plant collection in her room during the pandemic.

No surprise that the daughter of a beekeeper became an entomologist.

When i was a kid I wanted to be a naturalist when I grew up, but life got in the way. I guess that makes me a nerd. My older daughter does have a degree in entomology.. I suspect in part because i taught my kids to look under rocks and logs in the woods for bugs and spiders.  :)

I was able to pick up a super cheap plastic spray misting bottle today while buying bread at our farm store. I misted my big split leaf philodendron 'Monstera'. 

I like the gnarly roots of the Ginseng ficus, too, but I wasn't sure my daughter would. And yes, that was Bubbles's favorite gift this past holiday season, although she thinks that makes her a nerd.

Yes that's the same company (in tennessee) that my bonsai will be coming from Dusty. In fact, I had a hard time deciding between the ginseng ficus and the Golden Gate ficus they offer... they both look appealing. I decided i really liked the weird bulbous roots of the Ginseng one, though the Golden Gate definitely looked more like a real miniature tree. I like that they have a section on their website specifically for easy care/beginner bonsai trees, since no hobbyist wants to waste a chunk of money on plants that need expert care. Wow, your daughter must have been thrilled to get that gift from you!

The one I got my daughter is also a ficus, specifically a Golden Gate ficus, which is a variety that does well indoors.  It came in a ceramic pot and was packaged in a remarkably careful manner such that not only were the plant and the pot protected, but the soil was held in place as well.  I got it from an outfit called Brussel's Bonsai.  I see they sell a Ginseng grafted ficus as well.

That's interesting that both of you mention bonsai... because last week I ordered a little bonsai tree online, and they are supposed to ship it out today. This is the first time I've ordered a live pant online and of course I worry about the cold but apparently they pack and insulate it very well and hopefully it will arrive without damage.
Do you two know what kind/species of bonsai trees you got?
The one i ordered is a ginseng ficus bonsai. Technically, the gnarly root is a ginseng ficus, with branches of a smaller-leaved ficus species grafted to the top of the roots. So, the best of two different ficus species together. I find that fascinating. Apparently, "ficus" is Latin for the fig tree family, which i didn't know.

I've had one cactus-like succulent for 14 years now, and it has slowly grown huge. It's a Euphoria Ingens/candelabra cactus (really a succulent). I repotted it only once when i first got it, and my plan is to finally repot it once the weather gets warmer. It'll be a monumental job, because the thing weighs about 35 lbs now and is about 4 feet tall. It's pretty impressive now. I'll need my husband's help in repotting that one!

If you look at Dusty's response, he suggested that maybe the noise is coming from the movement of the strap end against the dulcimer. I just looked at the Legacy Strap end tabs where they connect to the strap buttons. On the Legacy Straps, they have a soft layer (felt-like) on the inside of the tab. I think this might  solve any noise issue, if that's where the noise is coming from, for you. Here are a couple pictures that might help. 

My teenage daughter has filled her bedroom with plants during the pandemic.  She currently has over a dozen in there. And its a small room.  Some are on the floor.  Some hang from the ceiling.  Some are on her desk.  Some just sit on top of books.  Since she attends school via Zoom from her room, I think they offer some comfort to her and liven things up. 

Although we complain about going stir crazy, it's nothing compared to what folks have to deal with in places that get a real winter. We still go outside nearly every day to do yardwork, walk the dog, or just go jogging.  But still, the houseplants help brighten up the space where we all go to work and also enjoy our life.  One of the plants is a small bonsai I got her over the holidays.  It seems to be doing well so far.

Thank you for the update, Dewey. Don't forget to change it's position from time-to-time so it darkens all over and not just on the top and one side.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

The mystery of wood has been solved.  Cherry  doesn't darken if it's not exposed to light.   This was in a case in a closet when it wasn't being played.   Bob Lazenby contacted me and it is cherry.  Upon doing some follow up reading, you accelerate the color change by exposing it to natural light, so....it is definitely darker today than it was yesterday.  I'm going to hang it on the wall when it's not being played and let it age and darken.

We're a year into this pandemic quarantine and it's really cold and dreary outside. Going a bit stir crazy waiting for Spring.

I've always had a few indoor plants- mostly cactus and succulents mainly because our cats leave them alone.
Some of the ones I have now have thrived and grown for years, while others eventually went to the Big Greenhouse in the Sky.

It seems many folks have now discovered or rediscovered the joys of caring for indoor house plants.
Lately I've been repotting and pruning a couple of my older plants, and purchasing a few new ones as well. It's rewarding and peaceful to take care of some living green things while waiting out the pandemic!

Tell us about your favorite houseplants. Add photos if you like too! 

The noise from straps might be as much a function of the instrument's finish as it is the strap itself.  My main dulcimer strap makes no noise on most of my dulcimers, but the one I'm playing right now has all kinds of squeaking from both ends.  If I want to record something I have to shove a piece of cloth in between the leather strap and the dulcimer to quiet the noise.

I don't notice any noise from these straps, but then again, I've never noticed a noise from any of my straps. Once I get situated to play, my dulcimer doesn't move much. I think it comes down to technique. Being these straps are 1" wide vs 2", I'm guessing a narrower strap might help, if you get noise when you play.

My stake make a lot of noise while I play.  Are these straps quiet?

I had one of his dulcimers for a while. Nicely made, great intonation, beautiful tone. You have a gem, enjoy!

You've got a beauty!  

Wow. That cleaned up really nice. The wood is beautiful whatever species it is.

All - Thanks for the information.  Here's a few more pictures for your enjoyment - taken after I clean it up a little.

@ken-hulme - thanks for all the information. I joined the beginners group.  I'm always up for a new adventure, so this should be fun.

@john-c-knopf - It doesn't show up in the photos well, but the fret board and the sides have some streaks of brown that have a red hue when the light reflects off it.

The blessings of cats.

I agree with John that the wood looks like cherry which is one of the woods Lazenby used. However, this dulcimer was made in 1980 according to label and I think I might have darkened up by now. At any rate it is a beautiful instrument. Enjoy.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

That is a beautiful dulcimer @deweylandrum . What a wonderful gift from your father. Best wishes as you learn to play. You have come to the right place to get your questions answered.

Our cat Sheba (aka BooBoo) carefully wrapped herself up in the top sheet like a burrito this morning, while I had the comforter and bedspread off being washed...

Of course the whole reason I had to take off the blankets to wash them was because 'someone' hurled up a big hairball on the bed when we weren't watching. Cats. This is why we can't have nice things.

BooBoo hiding her shame...

Dewey, the wood looks like cherry to me.  It's an orangy color like cherry, and if it IS cherry, it'll slowly turn a beautiful rich red over the years.

Dewey -- If you join  the Beginners Group as Strumelia suggests  (you have to join the Group to see more than a question or two, and to create posts), one of the first things you'll see there is an essay I wrote years ago for beginners like yourself called I Just Got A Dulcimer, Now What?  which is an illustrated glossary of terms -- so we all speak the same jargon -- like nut versus upper bridge and fretboard versus neck (dulcimers don't have a neck).  It also has answers to many beginner questions about the tuning, playing, care and feeding of your new acquisition. 

With your 28-5/16" VSL compared to the Roosebeck's 25.5", you should be alright in using them.  The String Choice Calculator suggests .009, .012 and .019 wound for strings where the Roosebeck set has .012, .014 and .022 strings.  The calculator usually presents "light" gauges and we often suggest going up one or two gauges from the calculation.     

However, I recommend buying at least one more complete set of strings (just to have extras around should you break one during tuning).  You can probably find single strings at a local acoustic music shop.  I would suggest buying .011. .014 and .021 wound strings.  While you're at the store, I also suggest picking up a tube of Peg Dope, a liquid used to help wooden tuning pegs hold their tuning.  Not something you use very often, but worth having should you need it; and head-and-shoulders better than any home remedy.

When you get strings and are ready to tune, start a new post over in the Beginners Group, and we'll talk you through the process.

Great photos of the label!  Sure looks like Lazenby's name to me.

Dewey you have a beautiful dulcimer that looks to be in perfect condition. How wonderful that it was your father's dulcimer. If I were you I would not hesitate to try and contact Bob Lazenby with questions about your particular dulcimer- I'm sure he'd be tickled pink!

Do join our Beginner's Group which is the perfect place to ask all your questions in figuring out how to tune, how to play, etc. 

It's difficult to get everything into a single photo, but here are cropped pieces to try to give the best views.

From inside nut (I had to look up what the "nut" was, I was thinking it was probably the thing between the instrument and the chair, but then figured out it was the upper bridge)...any way, inside nut to inside bridge is 28 5/16 inches.  Seems like a fairly odd size compared to what I've read about.

 Bob.jpg - 98KB

Beautiful instrument.  I'll let others speak to the wood.
The 5 strings are arranged as two pairs and a single.  The pair closest to you are the Melody strings.  The outer pair are the Bass drones, and the single is the Middle Drone.

Since the dulcimer is a vintage design without the 6+ fret common these days, I would suggest you learn to play either Melody-Drone or Noter & Drone style, where you pick out the tune on the Melody strings, and the others drone along as accompaniment.  Trying to play chords without the 6+ fret you may find challenging.

Tuning
Those Roosebeck strings have 1 wound bass string and 4 plain steel strings.  The two thinnest -- .012s will go on the melody string pair.  The wound bass string will go on the outer side of the Bass string pair.  The other two will go 1 as the Middle Drone, the other as the inner Bass string.   

However, those strings may not be appropriate for your dulcimer.  The gauge of the string depends on both the open note you want to tune to and the VSL -- the distance between the nut and the bridge.    The Roosebeck 5-string dulcimer has a 25.5" VSL, if your dulcimer's VSL is much longer -- say 27+ inches, the Roosebeck strings may break if you try to use them.

If you tell us the distance from the inside edge of the nut to the inside edge of the bridge, we can use a string calculator to see if they will work.  If not, you'll have to buy five single strings or a dulciemr set of 4 strings plus a single to make up your own set.

All that aside.  Two good tunings would be DdAAA  or DdAdd, where d is an octave higher in pitch than D and the As are 5 notes higher in pitch than the D  ---  D..E..G..G..A   If you want to tune a bit lower, then  CcGGG or CcGcc would be good choices.  

Dewey, if you could get a clear photo of that label, someone on here might be able to tell you for sure if it was made by @bob-lazenby .
It sure is a beautiful dulcimer!

Welcome to FOTMD, @deweylandrum! 

I'm completely new to dulcimers and am attempting to learn to play this instrument.

I'm sure Mr. Lazenby get's tired of people asking him questions, so I won't ask it directly.  Maybe somebody else knows.  This dulcimer was given to my by my dad.  He didn't know much about it other than he got it on a trip to Tennessee and enjoyed it over the years.  He said he watched a guy making instruments through a window and he bought this one.  There is a music store tag inside it from Pigeon River Music with an address of 101 Marshall Street, Pigeon Forge, TN and a phone number that is no longer in service.  There is also a sticker that is coming lose and is smudged that looks like it says "Bob Anne Lazely" in cursive blue ink with a date that says 1/(not decernable)/80 in the same blue ink.  The instrument is made completely of a blond type wood, had 5 wooden tuning pegs, three nails for the string loops, lower "F" style holes at the bottom, and two round holes at the top of the body.  After a little research, I concluded that it was probably Bob Lazenby that made the instrument based on the Pigeon River Music store.  After finding his profile on this site, the "Anne" makes more since to me.

The questions: 1. What kind of wood is this probably made from?  2. I ordered a set of Roosebeck 5 string dulcimer strings.  What do I tune them to?  I can find what you tune 3 string dulcimers to.  Any other info about this dulcimer (model, tuning, etc) would be greatly appreciated.

Best Regards,

Dewey Landrum

 20210226_163352.jpg - 245KB

Hi. My name is Dewey.  I found this site doing some research on a dulcimer my dad gave me.  He's in his late 80s and doesn't hear well anymore, so he gave it up.

Here's a link to one of my blog posts that might be helpful in figuring out how to tune your dulcimer:
https://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/2010/12/what-notes-do-i-tune-my-strings-to.html

In the blog post there's a link to a real online keyboard where you can HEAR the notes D3 and D4 for example. You'll want to e sure to tune to the notes in the correct octave so you don't break your string.