Forum Activity for @wilfried-ulrich

The Dulcimer is a nice instrument. I began my instrument making with this instrument ! In 1976 there was a book by John Pearse how to make a fretboard-dulcimer. Just a fretboard to clamp on the table. The table should give the resonnance. But on the cover of the booklet there was a nice hourglass dulcimer. How to make those curved sides ??? With this a great adventure came to me which ended in my master proof as instrument maker in Markneukirchen in 2005. I am still busy!

The first Dulcimers were built in USA around 1830. The history of the Hummel goes back to the 1500s. The sound of the drones was very impressive for people of the lower classes. It was easy to beginn with one finger on the fretboard witout confusing halftones ! The drones gave the nessecary ground for the melody. The luthe was an instrument for the noble man. As there were many people at the lower classes there were also many instruments like the hummel. In the small town Neukirch in Saxonie it is said that there was a Hummel nearly in each house and they had built the instruments by themselves.  That´s what they did in the valleys of Appalachian Mountains with the Dulcimer. Building a simple instrument by themselves. They had the accompaniment with the drones too.

Next instrument should be a Hummel !!!

best regards

Wilfried

btw.: My book "The Story of the Hummel" is still available !

More specifically, the term "lute" can refer to an instrument from the family of European lutes . The term also refers generally to any string instrument having the strings running in a plane parallel to the sound table (in the Hornbostel–Sachs system)." ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lute )


Actually I talked about  the  baroque lutes like in this video of Focus guitarist Jan Akkerman playing Dowlands Fantasia on it It look's a lot like the one on the album cover of Ronn McFarlane.

It was developed from the arabian oud,  youtube has a video of a player doing a cover of a russian folk tune on an oud , also covered by Pete Seeger on banjo.

You can see in both videos, that these instruments used double courses instead of single strings. I freak out every time I see Akkerman doing his delicate picking on the double courses.

Thanks for  your post @jost. Again welcome to the forum. We'll help you along all we can.

Nice Dulcimer. The rosette on the lute is lovely. I guess when you are talking about being a simpler to play lute you are comparing it to the Irish lute?

 Screen Shot 2020-12-05 at 5.50.38 PM.png - 618KB

Hello everybody,

in this post I will talk how I got to learn my main instrument, what's special about it and how doing it actually led to purchasing my mountain dulcimer too.
It's a kind of a long read so I can't blame you if you are dropping out right now or later
As you can see in my profile I'm from Germany so English isn't my first language. I'm not very good in it, so I'm happy about any feedback If something sounds odd or just incomprehensible.

I used to learn guitar during my teenhood years. I had a quite good Ibanez classical guitar (used from my mother during her times as volunteer for church youth work) and good teacher, but lacked practice. I think I never practiced more than one hour a week and as soon I know a song I would take another one, forgetting the old one. I'm  feeling sorry for my teacher now to be honest and appreciate that he was always a kind, nice and patient man.

When I moved out to go to college the guitar stayed at my parents  home and I never bothered to continue. That was more than ten years ago.

This year during the first lockdown I got kind of bored so I thought about learning guitar again, this time with a instruction book and an own instrument. Thus I went to a local store, got a student classical guitar and started. Since this time I actually practiced (comparing my play to the CD/DVD from the book) it worked somehow. I'm still not a very good player, but my neighbours are not complaining so I think it's bearable

However somehow I encountered a strange instrument, the so called  lute guitar (also called German Lute or Bastard lute) in some youtube videos.  It looks like a lute, but it's played like a guitar. And it has a quite unique sound, as can be heard t his medley a youtuber uploaded some years ago.

I quickly learned (some nice guy from Germanys musiker-board.de forum with nom de guerre "El lute" wrote a whole essay about it's history, how to get one and how to repair old ones) that it's actually not very old but a quite modern instrument, bending elements of guitar and mandora. The first lute-guitars first were actually built in the 1850's.

It was quite popular in the German youth movement Wandervogel at the beginning of the 20th century for it's look (just like a old lute) and sound (not quite lute, not quite guitar, something between).

It's easier to play than a real lute (since it lacks double courses),  much cheaper and louder than classical lutes (they were mainly for chamber or court music). Since the Wandervögel did a kind of early medivial reenactment (like todays Renaissance fairs)  they actually didn't realy recreate the medival age but their own version of) and thought of themselves as traveling scholars (like medivial students) for their love of camping, wandering around and collecting and singing old German folklore, this combination greatly appealed to them. A part of their song collections also included a lot of soldier songs, thus when world war one started they saw it just another kind of adventure, volunteered,  taking their guitars, lute-guitars and songbook Zupfgeigenhansel with them ( called "Der Zupfgeigenhansl" ). Many fell, including the editor of the Zupfgeigenhansel.

Although I have no interest in going to war any time soon I also got hooked by the look and sound of the instrument. However according to el lutes essay getting an used instrument via ebay can end with  a lot of trouble or loss of money, since it propably needs some work. Either by the buyer (if he is good in woodworking or from a luthier).  
This was out of question, I was never good in woodwork and I didn't wanted to buy a used instrument and pay even more money to get it working.
In the essay el lute recommended to go to an luthier for getting a playable used (the ones from the former GDR are surprising cheap since they are not so antique, but often actually more playable then the older from Wandervogel times) or commission a custom built.
Again: Out of question for lack of money and patience (you need to wait until some affordable appears in the online offers of luthiers)..
However: As a kind of compromise there are also new ones from companys, although el lute thought of them not so high "They are ok  for beginners, but if you want a good instrument you will need to go to a luthier" (roughly translated by myself)
I can  unterstand his point of view (he repaired  around 10 of older instruments including a beautiful ones with additional bass strings for drone sounds, these Basslauten used to be quite common but were never so popular like normal lute guitars. Some spanish (?) guy did  a nice video featuring one ). but since actually I'm still a starter in playing  I decided that one of these "beginner instruments"  should to.

In the end I bought  one from the German music store Folkfriends and I'm quite happy with it. The wooden head in my avatar is actually a part of the instrument. Here a full view:

I love the sound and look of it. And it's true: If you can play guitar, you can play lute guitar too after getting used to the lute corpus. I'm still struggling with holding it so I got myself a leather strap which fit's well with the pseudohistorical look of it

So I think I will have a lot of fun with it, as long as I don't do two things:
1. Using picks since (like classical guitars), it lacks a pickboard
2. Using steelstrings (again same like classical guitar). I kind of cringed when I read a review of my model at the store before buying it. A  LARP-roleplayer replaced the strings with steel strings and wrote something like "It's a great instrument, but has some damages. But that's ok I'm quite rough"  Poor little thing

Since I mostly try to learn folk tunes (mainly Irish and british folk but some american too) I look a lot of youtube videos. Somehow I encountered Jean Ritchies version of Nottamun Town and loved the drone sounds. I learnt, that she played a so called mountain dulcimer. I also learnt, that this instrument had it's origin in older ones, even one used to played in Northern Germany (Hummel). I was hooked by the drone sounds , even more when I saw more videos ( my favourite so far is a rendition of a poem by German poet Johann Wolfgang Goethe on a hummel ).
Now the question was how to get one? I didn't wanted one cheap for 80 Euro (since I guessed that it propably woudn't be good in a long term).
I found a  forum thread, where somebody  recommended building one in a building workshop of Bavarian luthier André Schuberth. It turned out, that Schuberts workshops are on hiatus due to Corona, but that he offers prebuild versions of his workshop kits. So I commisioned one, he said it would propably take to new year. Fine with me, a nice late christmas present.
So I was kind of thrilled, when this monday  I got a mail from Mr Schuberths wife, that my instrument is ready and she just sent out the delivery package.

You can understand how happy I was when it arrived yesterday and I opened the package:

So now the hardest (but most fun) part begins: Learning how to play the dulcimer in noter/drone style. The instrument came tuned to DAAA tuning, I changed it to CGGG according to Jean Ritchies Dulcimer book.  

I'm happy to be part of this community (got some welcomes on my profile already, thanks guys!) and looking forward to learn from.

Thanks for bearing my babbling, have a nice day

Nathina, it's really hard to comment on dulcimers without seeing and hearing them.  And what one person thinks of as bright or mellow might not be what your ears here.  I would suggest listening to dulcimer music posted here and on YouTube and Soundcloud.  Most of us indicate the dulcimer we are playing and the tuning we use, and if we don't, ask.  Then you can hear for yourself which luthiers make instruments that appeal to you. 

For what it's worth, I have never played or even seen a Gardener, but I own two Ewing dulcimers.  However, neither is a full-size instrument. One is an octave dulcimer and one a 3/4-size instrument that Ron calls a "baritone dulcimette."  I love both of them for their balanced and clear tone and the responsiveness of the fretboard.  Ron's dulcimers are of very high quality and his baritones in particular enjoy a fine reputation.

Hey Dusty,

I was able to track down a version of "Squirrel Hunters" that Jim Miller tabbed out in tabledit. It's DAD capo'd to A. The B part sounds right on, if it helps you. I'm unsure whether it is permissible to share it here, so I will just tell you it is on dulcimertabs.com. Thanks again for sharing your version and knowledge. I've about got it down!

Yes, all potato chips have differences!  There are lots of small chip makers across the country who have their devotees.  :) However, what might be, say,  too greasy to one isn't too greasy to another's taste.  

The only way to compare tones between two/among several dulcimers is to hear them.  Though I play with a noter all the time, all my instruments were not made specifically for noter play-- some were just built for unknown players who wound up owning them.    

I was hoping for a comparison in tones etc. Some are better for strumming, others are louder as Dusty says, some are more mellow even with the same woods. Some are specifically designed for noters having flatter frets. Even potato chips can have differences. Lays original, light not too greasy, Ruffles, more solid not very light etc.

I agree with Robin, Nathina, that these kinds of comparisons are hard to make.  Not only is there something subjective about one's preference for a particular builder or another, but with older instruments so much depends on the condition of the specific instrument.

To illustrate how subjective this can be, I bought a used Blue Lion at a very reasonable price because the person who owned it didn't like the sound. She played mainly in a drone fingerdancing style and found the bass string was too loud and drowned out the melody.  But that loud, bassy sound is exactly what so many of us love about Blue Lion instruments.  (And now I have three dulcimers even louder than that one!)

Nathina, the this versus that comparisons are very hard because it is all so subjective.  Mountain dulcimers are like potato chips. . . And comparing them is like comparing all the types of potato chips made by all the potato chip companies big and small.  Very hard.  

@marg That double dulcimer has such a great, powerful sound-- I like it lots! 

I happened to catch the film on YouTube, @ken-longfield , and thought others may like seeing like I did.  :)

Thanks for sharing this Robin.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Is this a Tie or is one more recommended than the other? Both are good but which of the older instruments were better?

Here is a comparison I haven't seen between Ewing hourglass and a Gardener tear drop.Both are set for 4 stings. The older Gardener is probably Cherry top and I need to see the back pics yet,  the Ewing is Walnut. Both are older instruments. Both are good builders. The Ewing in old enough to come with a wooden case. There are no "abalone" inserts on ewing, the gardener has them. The ewing fret board is undercut at the strum hollow. The gardener is has no signature scallops under the fret board, probably dating it maybe it is 1991. 

@paulpossinger You are welcome!  That is a lovely mountain dulcimer.  Another thought: if you'd like to address a particular person, note how I began this posting.  It is a way you can respond directly to another member.  

Dusty, you explained it better than I did.  (i didn't see your post until after i posted mine)

Hi Paul... that "comment Back" link is only available for comments left on someone's profile page comment wall .

What you are referring to are comments left on your Keith Young photo , here .

You should simply respond to Robin's comment right above it in the text box, as another comment on your photo. Think of it sort of like it's a little discussion going on about your photo. Robin will see your post.  :)

@paulpossinger, to reply to a post someone left in a discussion, such as that regarding your beautiful Keith Young dulcimer, you do not want to comment on their profile page.  Instead you want to click the link in the email that takes you to that discussion.  It should say something like "To see and respond to the new post, click ...."

That link will take you to the discussion itself, such as your Keith K. Young Concert Model .  Once in the discussion you can post in the comment box or, if you want to respond to something specific someone said, you can click the little speech bubble icon in the upper-right hand tools in their comment, and that will quote their comment in the new comment box, where you can add your commentary.

I hope that helps. It's easier to do than to explain.

I tried to reply to Robin-Thompson's comment on my Keith Young dulcimer.

Below the New Comment email I received it says:  "To respond to someone who has left a comment on your profile page, please go to their comment and click "Comment Back" link underneath it."   

I did not find the "Comment Back" link underneath anyone's comment.  I was on my page, -- Photos, Keith K. Young - Concert Model

Instead there was a box I found to make a comment to Robin-Thompson.  I wrote a reply in that box.  I cannot see it anywhere.  Don't know if it reached her.  

Thanks for your help.  

PS:  Thank you for your comment on my Keith Young dulcimer.  

That was a cool little movie, Strumelia!  It's inspiring!

Currently still investigating, working with the seller, to try to figure out what he really has or if he even has it. Still have reached no conclusion. May be a simple mistake on his part. Asking for more pics, and will continue to speak with him. He is finally coming out of his shell. Don't want to not help a vet, if he needs the help, but obviously don't want to buy a copy. Thanks everyone.

Update, the has gone missing. How strange. Oh well.

Some interesting information on HA Fleming. If correct he died in 1981. So I came across a sale on an HA Fleming according to the owner dated (H. A. Fleming 08-18-90). It is a beautiful instrument that is pictured, but although he said he would show the signature and build inside the instrument. He hasn't. It definitely looks like a Fleming, but unless he came back from the grave, or someone is building under his name it is interesting. It is a 5 string, currently rigged for 3, and I think two hitch pins have been pulled. Now unless I am missing a tuning knob, there are 4 shown in one pic and 5 in another. The back does not come up high enough to cover a tuner. Would have loved to see pics of the sides and the foot.

 Screen Shot 2020-12-01 at 7.04.35 PM.png - 343KB

I always found outgoing strum easier than a back strum. 

Shouldn't be a problem on such a long scale. If they feel loose to you then put on a slightly heavier string, say a .012 instead of .010.

Yeah the Murphy book is a winner as well, Robin! 
I have a vague memory- I forget who is was here, a member, who bought the actual old Will Singleton dulcimer pictured in the Murphy book. Anyone?..

I also recommend The Appalachian Dulcimer Book (Folksay Press) by Michael Murphy.  Used copies may not be hard to come by fairly inexpensively.   

Ordered thanks.

I second getting Jean Ritchie's Dulcimer People!  There's lots to be learned there which can't be gleaned from searching online, I think.  

I highly recommend getting a copy of Jean Ritchie's paperback book Dulcimer People, used or new.
It's hugely helpful for learning about post-revival dulcimer makers and their instruments. Vintage dulcimers pop up so frequently on used auction sites, and they can run the gamut of value, quality, and expense. Jean's book can really help in making informed decisions before one clicks the Buy button. It's fascinating reading! ...and amazingly, a few of the people in it are also members of FOTMD so it's nice to read a little about these talented people.

ahhhhhhhh, well now, if it's a kit, anything can go....especially if it's an unexperienced wood worker.  If your money is involved in buying a dulcimer from ebay, look for EVERYTHING you can see.  and then trust your gut feeling.  If it turns out to be something that doesn't play very good, then use it as a loaner to someone that wants to try it for a while.   If it turns out that you can make it play IN TUNE, more better.  It's all a learning game and exciting to say the least.  aloha, irene

If it were made from a Capritaurus kit, that would explain the label not including a signature or date. Maybe there was a special label included with kits. It would also explain the plywood back and inexpensive tuners.

Browsing old dulcimers on Ebay can be fun and addictive, but it's often frustrating and is never without risk, especially if one is unfamiliar with mountain dulcimer history and makers. With older instruments of any kind there are often more questions than answers, and on Ebay you only get what info the seller has to offer, and they sometimes know little about dulcimers as well.