Forum Activity for @dusty

Virtual Dulcimer Festival Site

Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs

Thanks for this important reminder, Lois. Quarantune is so big it has overshadowed the many smaller, intimate, regional dulcimer festivals that have also gone online.  I took a couple of workshops at the Dutchland DulciZoom festival last month and had a great time. I'm also teaching a couple workshops at the Redwood Dulcimer Day in a couple of weeks, and I'm sure I'll attend the Harvest Festival of Dulcimers and the North Georgia Foothills festival as well.

Obviously we all wish we could gather in person, but one nice aspect of being forced online is our ability to meet dulcimer players from all over the country. Since I have a job and a family, I could never attend dulcimer festivals further than a few hours drive way, but these online gatherings have enabled me to share music with people from all over.

Thanks to Ashley at DPN for making that festival directory available!

Virtual Dulcimer Festival Site

Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs

Dulcimer Player News https://www.dpnews.com/festival-directory lists festivals and with everything having to go online it's worth prowling to get some of those workshops you might have been unable to take because they were already taken at Quarantune or Quarantune 2.0.

Introduce Yourself!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Welcome back, @Wendell-G (artist formerly known as Geckostar).

Introduce Yourself!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hi everyone.  I am Wendell G. and was formerly a member here under the name Geckostar97.  An extremely busy work schedule, working from home due to Covid-19 pandemic, a couple of small other things and well...all of my instruments went unplayed for too long.  I am so happy to be back as a member of FOTMD.  I look forward to many discussions and getting my calluses back on my finger tips for guitar and mountain dulcimer playing!  Thank you for so many kind welcome messages.

Does anyone know anything about Jim Hamilton Dulcijos?

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Here's a banjomer to consider. Doug Thompson invented the banjomer & continues to make them. Here's his website:

http://banjomer.com

Another possibility: find a banjo-mandolin (or "banjolin") & simply change the strings around to emulate the string set-up on a dulcimer. You'll probably need a luthier or instrument repair person to help you with this changeover, unless you're familiar with repairing string instruments. This what I've done, & I have enjoyed the outcome. For one thing, the banjo head portion of my "banjolin-dulcimer" is much larger than you'll find on a purpose-made banjomer. It doesn't quite work (to my ear) to only strum it vigorously--as you might a regular dulcimer--but when flat picking, it works very well.

The Mountain Minor movie

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

The film was on our PBS station in KY this past weekend.  I saw it on Amazon Prime earlier.  The actors are professional musicians, not actors.  But it's filmed well and the music makes up for any other shortcomings.  You can watch clips on Youtube.  Nina

The Mountain Minor movie

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I haven't yet gotten to see the film yet really want to!  When the film came to uptown Athens OH earlier this year we had flooding type rains and didn't go.  The film was pretty low budget-- we kicked in a bit on their fundraising project.  Our internet isn't the best so we don't buy movies to stream.  Maybe someday I'll get to watch it.  They're coming out with a music project based on the film soon, I think.    

updated by @robin-thompson: 07/28/20 10:45:46AM

The Mountain Minor movie

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks for this heads up Dusty. We plan to watch the film tonight!

The Mountain Minor movie

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hey folks. Anyone interested in traditional fiddle tunes will love the movie The Mountain Minor (2019) written and directed by Dale Farmer.  It is available on Amazon Prime Video right now but will probably be around on PBS stations soon if it hasn't been already.

The film is the story of young Charlie, growing up on a farm in Kentucky and learning the fiddle from his grandfather.  But the Depression forces his family to move to new opportunities in Ohio.  He eventually retires to move back but also teaches his own grandson the old tunes.  So the film depicts the passing on of musical traditions over four generations.

As a film it is good, but not great.  The story is sometimes simplistic and predictable and the dialogue and acting a bit staid at times.  However, the MUSIC IS GREAT!  I'm sure the soundtrack will be out soon if it isn't already. According to my notes, here is a list of the tunes in the film:

Hickory Jack (which both begins and ends the film and is a kind of theme)

Young Emily

Fiddler a Dram

Crazy Kamlesh

Old Jimmy Sutton

Short Time Here, Long Time Gone

Darlin' Corey

Glory in the Meeting House

Sally in the Turnip Patch

Old Regular Melody

Shaking Down the Acorns

Cripple Creek

Ways of the World

Bushy Fork of John's Creek

Paddy on the Turnpike

The Day is Past and Gone

Across the Ohio

updated by @dusty: 07/28/20 12:11:43AM

Hughes Mountain Dulcimers

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

This is an old thread, but it's good to see that the revived Hughes Company has lasted at least 10 years -- @kfuller yours appears to be a 2019 model.

Hughes Mountain Dulcimers

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

My dulcimer

Hughes Mountain Dulcimers

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I have a beautiful hughes dulcimer. Plays so well and is very attractive

Show Us Your Pets!

OFF TOPIC discussions

Our little stray who showed up just shy of a year ago has us so well trained.  It's amazing how we cater to her.  She jumps on our laps for a short time, but it hs to be her decision.  And we are so honored.  Love that little critter.

Show Us Your Pets!

OFF TOPIC discussions

Bran the black rescue cat from Christmas 2016 has turned into snuggly little cuddle-bug, especially since the dog arrived in February. He will now come and sit on my lap for cuddles and a sleep - voluntarily! I think it has a lot to do with senior cat Pug keeping away, avoiding the dog, and leaving the lap free. He even comes looking for nighttime snoozing under the doona!

When the dog is outside Pug will come for his usual "leg spot", and Bran will hop up for the "lap spot"! Now all I have to do is get all three in the right places at the same time!

There is still a little friction, because Biddy wants to play with the cats, but the cat don't want to play with her! Bran smacked her the other night, but without claws - just a little warning 'don't you dare do that'!

Patience, patience, patience!

updated by @anne-maguire: 07/26/20 07:45:53PM

A Samuel F. Russell dulcimore replica

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

It's beautiful, nice job on it. How does it sound?

What Are You Working On?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

This reminds me of how singer Ariana Grande got a tattoo on her hand that was Japanese  characters meaning "seven rings" (a title of her newest song at the time).  Unfortunately the Japanese characters were not exactly correct, and the tattoo actually said: "small BBQ grill" in Japanese.  lolol... probably a better tattoo anyway.

What Are You Working On?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@Ariane Oh, that's such a funny comparison-- Moon River issued in Japan as Beef Stew!  Thanks for the laugh this morning.  In these days, it is needed more than ever.    

What Are You Working On?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I have found this - and think that the last sentence is very "fitting"

In  Anglophone countries , the song is best known under the alternative title " Sukiyaki ". In Japan it refers to a Japanese  hot-pot  dish with cooked beef, the word sukiyaki does not appear in the song's lyrics, nor does it have any connection to them; it was used only because it was short, catchy, recognizably Japanese, and more familiar to English speakers. A  Newsweek  columnist noted that the re-titling was like issuing " Moon River " in Japan under the title "Beef Stew". ^[4]

What Are You Working On?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Most Americans pronounce it "soo-key-ah-key".  The actual pronunciation my Japanese friends tell me is closer to "ski-yaki".

What Are You Working On?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

THe sherry would probably overwhelm flavors in a way the sake wouldn't.  But hey, my mother-in-law once substituted an apple for an onion in a soup thinking that since they were both round it would work.   Can't say she didn't use logic!

What Are You Working On?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Yeah, John.  I can just picture my mom looking in her cabinet and knowing there was no sake, saying "Well...sherry starts with an 'S' so we'll try that." 

What Are You Working On?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Sherry! Oh, my. Saké, rice wine, is the commonly-used ingredient here. I'm sensitive to alcohol, so we substitute vinegar or lemon juice for it. "Sukiyukky"--I love it.   Kids can be so inventive.

updated by @john-gribble: 07/22/20 10:50:56PM

What Are You Working On?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

In the early 60's, my dad brought home a recipe for sukiyaki from a friend who'd been working a while in Japan: fresh veggies sautéed with strips of steak put in at the last few minutes, served over rice.  Some liked it a lot, some hated it.  Of course, we had all eaten the vegetables and steak before.  I think the objection was more about the liquid that the veggies simmered in.  It contained both soy sauce and sherry--and I think it was the sherry which wasn't appreciated.  I'm not sure if sherry was even in the friend's recipe--it might have been a special Japanese alcoholic drink or some other fermented liquid--but it was interpreted by mom as "sherry"--which she didn't even like!  

People who didn't really like having this tasty dish served for supper referred to it as "sukiyukky".  It's still a favorite dish of mine! But I'd never heard of the song by the same name before now!

What Are You Working On?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks, @dusty-turtle!

What Are You Working On?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I have read that this song was released first in Japan in 1961 and became one of the world's best selling singles of all time, selling over 13 million copies worldwide. It was for example top in the Billboard Hot 100 in 1963.

It' so funny...as a child I tried to sing along...I wonder what I have sung in Japanese

What Are You Working On?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Here's a version of the song with the lyrics and English translation.  I didn't know this song either until @ariane and @john-gribble discussed it here.

updated by @dusty: 07/22/20 11:45:01AM

What Are You Working On?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Ah, thanks a million for the information, @john-gribble!  So tragic about the deaths in the plane crash which included the singer!  

What Are You Working On?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@robin-thompson, no, I don't think so. It is very typical of Japanese pop songs of the era (early '60s).

A little later--according to Wikipedeia, the lyrics were written after a protest rally and origionally had nothing to do with lost love.

Kyu Sakamoto, the singer, was killed with over 500 other people in 1985 in the worst single plane accident in history.

updated by @john-gribble: 07/22/20 09:49:51AM

What Are You Working On?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

@john-gribble Is the song based on an old myth or folktale and is the tune a traditional tune?  (A dear grad school friend from Japan translated some Japanese folk tales for her thesis and, while she was working on them, I'd read them for her for their "readability" in English.  This was several years ago.)   

updated by @robin-thompson: 07/22/20 10:51:44AM

What Are You Working On?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

That's a wonderful song, @Ariane and @@robin-thompson. It is still popular in Japan. According to my wife Miwako, it is a "lost love" song, with the singer walking at night and looking at the stars. He says if you look up, the tears won't stream down your face. 

I like to play it noter style in DAA. It is pentatonic, and that one flatted note can be had by "half-sticking," using the noter like a guitar slide.  

What Are You Working On?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I think I have never heard of that song, @Ariane.  It is sweet it gives you a happy remembrance from childhood.  We can all use those sorts of remembrances from time to time.  

What Are You Working On?

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Some days ago I heard a song from the early 1960's in the radio that reminds me of my wonderful childhood and makes me feel "nostalgic" - it is "Ue o Muite Arukou" (also known as "Sukiyaki") sung by Kyu Sakamoto.

Yesterday, while sitting on the terrace noodling around on my MAX (and because this tune has become an "earworm" again - Dean (@Elvensong) will be laughing when he will read this word) I have tried to play this tune on the dulcimer - and (except one half note) it will work.

So I guess that my next recording will be this (for me) very special song...

How is the COVID-19 coronavirus affecting you?

OFF TOPIC discussions

Welcome back, @B-Ross-Ashley.  You might find that this time of quarantine is an opportunity to hunker down and play more music.  We have also found that the initial shortage of toilet paper and some basic food items is over and other than disinfectant wipes and sprays, nearly everything can be found in the markets again.  I guess I didn't need that 96-roll box of industrial toilet paper that I ordered when I panicked seeing the empty store shelves back in March and April!

updated by @dusty: 07/20/20 11:36:00AM

Healthy Living- healthy eating, exercise, weight loss, veggie gardening, etc.

OFF TOPIC discussions

Thanx, Lisa.  I figured after all these years I needed a change!

We're doing Zoom yoga with our teacher, and I do T'ai-chi in a local park with a couple friends; plus walking when it's not 90F+ and 90% humidity!

I made a vegetarian Picnic Pie for Sunday Brunch today -- roasted veggies and some cheese encased in puff pastry, baked in a springform pan.  When it's done you have a free-standing 'pie' that is 3" tall and 9" in diameter that you slice and serve in wedges.  A little decadent with the puff pastry, but once in awhile you've got to splurge.  It being Mango season we had chilled mango halves for dessert.

Healthy Living- healthy eating, exercise, weight loss, veggie gardening, etc.

OFF TOPIC discussions

We had a nice salad for dinner today, with lettuce, carrots, scallions, peppers, and cucumber- all of that fresh from the garden. I added a few other items we like: cheese, croutons, and pumpkin seeds. I am sure looking forward our first tomatoes, we have lots of big green ones. I'm dreaming about tomato mayonnaise sandwiches.

Hey KenH- very nifty new avatar!

I've been doing my bounce fitness sessions on my rebounder/trampoline for the past ten days now, usually twice a day. I'm am now able to do 8 minute sessions. The first few days, 5 minutes would completely wipe me out. I'm definitely feeling stronger- my legs are stronger already, and I don't get quite as winded even though I'm jumping more. I've lost a couple pounds but that could be water weight so I'll have to wait and see on that. One knee got a little sore when I did some twisting bounces, so I'm avoiding that particular move now and it's helping.
It's really encouraging that I'm seeing obvious progress after only ten days. I'm actually looking forward to it each day.   It's nice to feel energized again!
I got some long resistance bands and having fun experimenting with tying them to the frame to add some arm stretching.

How is the COVID-19 coronavirus affecting you?

OFF TOPIC discussions

Hey, @b-ross-ashley Ross-- good to see you again!  It's nice to hear you are going to pick up the dulcimer again.  I have found playing mountain dulcimer to be a balm to my spirit.  Take care.  

How is the COVID-19 coronavirus affecting you?

OFF TOPIC discussions

Hi, all, it has been a while since I poked my head in here ... Sandie and I are still alive, and living in the middle of the 4th largest city north of Mexico. I have not played much at all in the last while. Our community chorus scrubbed its season in March and we have only done the occasional online singing since. The COVID-19 pandemic has not hit us anywhere near as bad as it has our neighbours across the Lakes, but it has hit our elders in Long Term Care really hard, plus the personal care workers who look after them.
But I am back, and hope to pick up the dulcimer again! Glad to see the rest of you too.

Sandie and I mask up when venturing out, and I get out a lot more than she does. She is asthmatic. Masks are now required in indoors public spaces like malls, stores, etc. Bars and restaurants are now open only for outside service, patios etc. Pro sports are still on hold, and the federal government have decided not to allow our baseball team to play their home games here ... keeping cross-border travel to the essential minimum. Hockey may resume, with all games played in two Canadian cities, Edmonton and Toronto, no cross-border travel involved. I am wondering whether the same will happen with the Canadian Football League.

There were some shortages for a while, particularly TP and bakers' yeast! Since I use a bread machine that got to be a hassle for a while but it is coming back now. The Province is opening up gradually, much more slowly than some of your states are (I hope that is not too political, LOL).

Travel is difficult. I have an annual conference later this summer that is going to be online instead of in person because it is just not going to be possible to get to Ottawa safely. So it goes.

Stay safe, all!

updated by @b-ross-ashley: 07/19/20 07:50:31PM

video Mr. Wilson at Mountain Dulcimer Museum in Hindman

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

John & Ken, it was a great pleasure to be in Hindman for the opening of the museum in November of '15 (I think).  Glad you fellows enjoyed the movie!  

video Mr. Wilson at Mountain Dulcimer Museum in Hindman

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks Robin. Randy is a very patient teacher whether with children or adults.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

video Mr. Wilson at Mountain Dulcimer Museum in Hindman

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

This is so great!  Thanks for posting it here!