Times like this, I'm glad to be a Luddite. I have a perfectly good flip phone to make calls with (and that's all); a superior digital camera to take photos with; and a laptop and tablet for accessing the Internet. I have no real desire to have everything crammed into one shell with a too-small screen to be comfortably read by my not-getting-any-younger eyes.
Wow Ken!.........I thought for sure being a Scott you would be a Presbyterian.
Apple and their products are always a good 'debate' topic. Yes they are pricy, and yes they upgrade too fast for my speed. However, on the flip side I appreciate their attempts at leading, or at least keeping up, with the technology. For me it's a matter of just how much speed to do I actually need? Right now, and for the foreseeable future, I don't need any more. Despite the obvious negatives, I am sticking with quality and reliability; for now at least. 
Times like this, I'm glad to be a Luddite. I have a perfectly good flip phone to make calls with (and that's all); a superior digital camera to take photos with; and a laptop and tablet for accessing the Internet. I have no real desire to have everything crammed into one shell with a too-small screen to be comfortably read by my not-getting-any-younger eyes.
Good to know you folks are still playing!! I have lot's of flutes, Native American by Michael Allen, a High Spirits, Ken Light's and Charlie Mont, Blue Bears. My Bansuri's and Shakuhachi's etc. have been boxed for a good while now, since I wrecked a Trigeminal Nerve and playing them can set it off. I really miss it, especially the Anasazi's and Japanese and Arabian flutes. But, Lord willing this thing will pass.......I still have a box of 10 I got from Erik the Flute Maker when he was helping a little girl from Nicarauga pay for some of her care while getting surgery done at Baptist Hospital in Miami.
Since I love that music and you folk are into it, can I get you to do some audio. In the mean time, dulcimer tunes it is for me.
Here is a different video from this French trio, Douce Merise :
I'm a fan of this group!
Thanks for those recommendations. @Ken-Hulme, I found the entire Chieftans album on YouTube and listened to most of it this morning. The Jackson Brown tune is pretty special indeed.
@Steve-Smith, thanks for reminding us about Cathy. Listening to her music is a nice way to honor her memory.
I play Native American style flutes also. Three of them are High Spirits flutes and are very well made. I have another made by Stellar flutes. I love the mellow, haunting sound.
Another HS flutes player here....I have 7. 
Not a new CD, but here's our favorite. Cathy Barton and Dave Para's "Twas On a Night Like This" recorded with lots of their friends. Also a wonderful way to remember Cathy, who passed away way too soon this past April...
http://bartonpara.com/bp/index.php/music/twas-on-a-night-like-this/
My all time favorite Christmas album is the Chieftains Bells of Dublin. It has those old English carols that John Henry loves too, plus others.
My favorite single is Jackson Brown's Rebel Jesus.
Several years ago I started this discussion hoping people would share their favorite holiday albums. May there are some new recommendations . . .
Good to have you folks here!
@vicki-moore There is a rich mountain dulcimer history in the Smokies. The last time I was in that neck of the woods was several years ago so I'm of no help on being able to offer specific suggestions. Perhaps you would like to post a thread in this section: https://fotmd.com/forums/forum/off-topic-discussions
@garyinwyoming How neat you were able to find a couple other players out your way! Happy strumming!
I play Native American style flutes also. Three of them are High Spirits flutes and are very well made. I have another made by Stellar flutes. I love the mellow, haunting sound.
I think when we make a big move from one operating system to another (or just apply a major update), it's inevitable that some programs will not function as we're used to, or not at all. Most programs have substitutes that will work nicely for what we need to do, and of course they run the gamut from totally free to shareware to subscription to one-time outright purchase. It's good to do some online searching and read reviews of programs one is thinking about trying out.
I have not yet retired and all my daily work is done on my home office computer. I recently moved most of my daily computing from my older 'workhorse' win7 desktop tower to a new win10 laptop. In the process I decided to leave behind certain 'old reliable' programs I depended on for years, and start fresh with different ones. Yes it meant days (weeks?) of methodical online reading and research, but by putting in that initial effort I've saved many hundreds of dollars. It forced me to update my knowledge about managing my computer setups better and how things actually function. A refresher course of sorts. I was also very happy to avoid today's overpriced software subscriptions, even if it meant a learning curve on new programs.
I hate spending so much time scouring the web for software and hardware info in advance, but now it's starting to pay off - I feel like I have a handle on things... at least for a few years until it needs doing all over again. I guess once i retire I can get a bit lazier about updating my system. 
I moved away from Windows a long time ago and run Linux Mint on a couple of my computers. I still have Windows 7 on one because, I have some music software that only runs under Windows. I'm hoping that Wine will develop to the point that I can run the Windows programs under it some day. I agree that The Gimp is just as good if not better than Photoshop and I use Libre Office to design my business cards and post cards as well as write songs. It's good to know that there is an alternative to Mac and Windows and as you said, it's free. It also runs faster than Windows. I can't comment about Mac because, I've never owned one but, it seems like Apple and Microsoft are traveling down the same road and turning people away.
Hi, my name is Gary and I just recently joined. I live in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Not exactly dulcimer country but, I did manage to find a couple of other people here that play mountain dulcimer. I'll post a picture of my mountain dulcimer when I get a chance. 
I love this!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=6knLaDmjhYk#dialog
I've been away down in Tyler, Texas with my brother that has also taking to making instruments. He's made several ukulele's and guitars and his intruments are awesome. So we finished 2 dulcimers and had sooooooo much fun working in his shop. He has a big shop and one shirt that says it all, "I'm one tool away from greatness". I missed going to this site daily like I do when I'm home. I've loved using a little hammer, Lois displayed the one that I use now. I'll see if I can get someone to film me playing THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY while using my striker. I LOVED seeing the videos of folks using the "fiddlesticks" I Use that expression ALL THE TIME........now I have a visual of how they are used and what they're called. OH TOOOOOOOOOOO FUN. aloha, irene
I found the Nature Coast Dulcimer Works site. That repair looks very similar to the one I did. That's cool having a Diamond dulcimer with f-holes. I don't think they made a lot of them like that. Enjoy your dulcimer. Lucky, Louise, and the crew were pioneers in the revival era of dulcimer building.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Hi Ken: I just looked at the picture you included, and that one looks very much like mine. Instead of the diamond sound holes, mine has the f scroll openings like a violin has, which I'm very pleased with, as I have an 1840s vintage French violin that was handed down in the family.
Hi Ken:
Sorry about that, google Lucky Diamond Dulcimers, and it will come up.
Mine is a 6 stringer also. My husband perused eBay and found this one--w/o my knowledge as it is supposed to be a Christmas present. But my husband liked the looks, and the fact that a long history of Diamond Dulcimers came with it. Lynn talked the seller down $100.00, and now I have it.
I have copied the pictures that were on the eBay site, before the page goes away. But, in my opinion, the pictures aren't very good because the wood looks very dark, and in real life, it is not. It is a mellow, golden brown color--to me anyway. I'll have to see if I can somehow capture some good pictures of it and post them.
Thank you
No, I'm not. I'm In central Pennsylvania. The Diamond I repaired was a six-string dulcimer. Talk about a long peg head. Here is a photo of the repaired dulcimer.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
@ken: Hi! Are you the fellow in Inverness, Florida, that repaired a peg head on a Diamond dulcimer built for a Mike in 1977? I found that website and found it VERY interesting.
I understand about lazy Sundays; my husband and I spent today as one of those also.
Thank you for the information.
I'm pretty sure that Lucky used a floating bridge. I just checked a photo of a Diamond dulcimer I repaired, the peg head was broken off, and it looks like a floating bridge. If I go into my shop records I could confirm that, but I'm too lazy this afternoon to head down to the basement.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Thank heavens this site offers a way to review as I'm in only intermittently lately. Saw this about strikers & wanted to show a simple one I was given (so they must be inexpensive). It was part of last year's Christmas dulcimer workshop at Elderly Instruments in Lansing, Michigan, so they may carry them. It's about an 1/8th of an inch thick & my husband thinks it may be oak. I'm adding a photo as many of you could make one. I'm using mine for the last verse of Good King Wenceslaus.
More than likely it is a floating bridge and that is, in my opinion a good thing because you can adjust it for some subtle tuning, not much but some anyway. If you are going to tune it DAA and replace the strings I would use 12-14-22 or so and see if you like that feel........I dislike having floppy strings when using DAA, which is a really good tuning, as is CGG. I have plenty of strings so don't worry about finding any in Palatka. I do have an extra tuner that you can have to start with, though if you are going to play by yourself you can learn to tune that old rascal just fine without one.
So far as your pegs slipping, that can probably be remedied easy enough. Warren May uses plain old chalk on his pegs to cut down on that issue. Just remember that you really have to turn the peg and push in on it until it grabs. Anyway, if you wish I'll do what I can to get you up and running ......I sent you a private message with a phone number, call when you will and I can meet you at Ollie's or somewhere like that and check that Lucky out.
In fact, I just got back from the teeming Palatka metropolis a bit ago.
Hi SS: The measurement between the nut and the bridge is a tad over 28", not quite a full half inch. If I measure from the nut to the tiny nails the string start on, it measures a full 30". Actually the bridge is loose. I have read about 'fixed' bridges and 'floating' bridges. Is it possible mine is a floating bridge? I can see the mark on the wood fretboard where itt is supposed to sit, but see no signs of old glue...
Thanks in advance.
The good news is that the Key of "D" major and its various chords are the same regardless of which tuning you choose as your primary tuning. If you play from tablature, the fret numbers will be different, but the musical notes won't be different. Two people, one tuned D-A-d and the other tuned D-A-A, can play together rather easily. However, if you play from tablature or chord diagrams, you are better off sticking to one tuning in your early stages of learning.
If you decide to play without tablature or chord diagrams, you won't even have to change your tuning to match those with whom you play. As long as you both are playing in the same key, you will sound just fine. After all, guitars, banjos, mandolins, dulcimers, etc. can and do play together without being tuned exactly the same. In each case, the musician is using his/her knowledge of their instrument to play in the specified key.
Just sit back and enjoy the tuning you have chosen. If you decide to explore different tunings at some point in the future, your skills will easily transfer.
You know how in school knowledge in third grade built on knowledge from first grade? That's how playing out of different tunings has been for me. Perhaps your experiences will prove to be similar to my own. Happy strumming!
Thank you all so much for your responses. It does settle my mind a bit. I think I'm going to primarily stay in DAd but I do noodle a bit with my noter on DAA. Thanks again!
Strumelia said in part to Melanie, "What you learn at first will not be set in stone."
I've found out that is true. Like Melanie when I started playing the dulcimer I struggled with should I learn DAA or DAD (at the time I didn't think I had the musical ability to learn more than one). The traditional part of me wanted DAA but I knew everyone where I live played DAD so I went DAD since I thought I'd get more help playing. I did the DAD thing for several years, but since then have added DAA and it was quite easy to do. For me there were many advantages to DAA that I won't go into now other than to say for me noodling out a song I've never played before is easier (again, for me) in DAA. So now with our dulcimer jam group I play DAD and for my own enjoyment at home mostly DAA/CGG. Point being is it really that hard to add some different tunings, just go slow if you need to.
What a marvelous discussion. It touches on my dilemma as well. With all types of learning it has always been more difficult for me to 'unlearn' something than learn it so I've been hesitant to stray from DAA. I want to, probably need to but don't have the required gray matter to cope with a bad decision. This discussion is very encouraging. By the way, my dulicmer and I have an understanding ... mutual respect and I continue to gather kindling from outdoors.
One other point Melanie- there's no law separating chord style completely from drone style playing. Lots of tunes that are played in DAd tuning utilize playing the melody almost all on the melody string, with an occasional chord thrown in. So while doing that you are also developing some of the skills and understanding needed for noter drone playing anyhow.
And when you strum in drone style you may not realize it but you are sometimes producing 'chords' without fretting them, on the open drones strings.
Like I said, there are many ways to build on your skillset... so no need to get too apprehensive about learning lots of different things. Much learning and understand just comes naturally as you play more, no matter what style you are currently playing in. :)
You do.........click on your name upper right corner............private messages, create new message , enter salt springs for recipient and then the text..............check and see if the one I just sent got to you by clicking on your name.
Thank you, Strumella for the good advice. I have to admit that chord melody is what I want to master but I also love the noter drone style too. I think I'll work on the DAd tuning and get that going and then experiment with DAA. I think that was my issue - that if I learn the notes and chords for one tuning - then I had to unlearn it to play the other. Thanks again!
WoW!
Thank you for such a nice welcome. This looks like a very nice community.
@saltsprings: Being a newbie to this forum, I'm not sure I have PM ability yet. I know from other forums I have been a member of (and one I am a Moderator of) it usually takes x number of posts before one is able to PM someone. I am very interested, though.
Thank!
If you want to meet up in Palatka One Day or even Salt Springs send me a private message...........strings are not a problem and I doubt the pegs are going to be much of an issue either. Most of mine have wooden pegs and they can be a bit tricky to get used to tuning. A Lucky Diamond Dulcimer is a nice gift. If you want include some contact info in your message and I'll drive over to Palatka and take a gander at it. I can probably find a tune for you and if it needs new strings get those to you, I'll just have to check and see what the distance is between the nut and bridge. In the mean time, you might just pull one of the tuners out a bit and put some chalk on it and see if that helps it hold. Measure the distance between the nut and bridge and I'll check and see what I have for strings in my box of goodies. Feel free to get in touch with me, I go to Palatka about 3 times a week anyway.
Angelina, Lucky made his dulcimers with a long vibrating string length making them perfect for noter/drone style playing. You can check, but I think the length is about 29 inches. I think he originally tuned them to CGG and later used DAA. Of course, with the proper strings you can tune to DAd.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Thank you Ken. I will follow up on this.
Interestingly enough I also have a historic violin that has come down in the family. I have had several lessons on that, but had to give up the lessons when my mother developed Alzheimer's. My step-daughter has it now as she is learning violin, but I wonder how similar/dissimilar those pegs are to these?
Plus, I think this instrument may need to be looked at by a professional, as it is vintage, and may have problems I can't see.
Thank you for your response.
Welcome to the wonderful world of dulcimer! It really is a very easy instrument to get started with.
Wooden pegs are great once you get used to them, but there can be a bit of a learning curve. Try the Music Lessons shop on Crill Ave in Palatka. There may be a good acoustic music shop in St Augustine, but these guys are closest for you. They aren't dulcimer people, but can probably come up with a bottle of Peg Dope for you, and show you how to apply a drop to each peg (only rarely) and then how tighten/loosen and tune the strings. Tell them you want to tune the dulcimer to DAd (D4, A4, D5). They will also have a electronic tuner to buy that you will use to tune the dulcimer.
Here's an article I wrote several years ago, for beginners such as yourself. It's an illustrated glossary of dulcimer terms, plus answers to many beginner questions about the tuning, playing, care and feeding of your new friend.
https://fotmd.com/forums/forum/dulcimer-resourcestabs-books-websites-dvds/17129/i-just-got-a-dulcimer-now-what-article
I'm down in Fort Myers, on the Gulf Coast. If there's anythng I can do to help, message me here or through Farcebook, and I'll do what I can to help you get going.
