Forum Activity for @strumelia

Lillie’s Lullaby

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Kendra, it'd work better for you if you posted this info and link to the tab etc right in the Comments section of your Lillies video.

That way, your info about the tab and the video will all be in one place, right on the actual video page.  If you start a forum thread in the Forums about your video in the video section, the two will not stay connected and people's comments here about your video will sink out of sight as the forum thread gets older.  That's the trouble with having two different comment areas about one item (the video, where comments are left... and this thread about the video, in a forum that is not part of the video.)

I know you are having some confusions about using this site, so I'm trying to help you. It's best not to start a forum discussion about your own video- each videos has its own comment area where you can post thoughts and info and hold discussions about the video right there, on the video's own page.  It gets quite confusing after a while to have comments on the video page and also comments about the video in a separate forum thread like this one.  Go to your "Lillies" video's page (find your video by going to the main link for Videos at top banner, OR by going to your own profile page and clicking the Videos Tab to see your VIDEOS there) and post your info and tab link there in the video comments instead of starting forum discussions about each of your videos.  That way everyone will find all the comments, discussion, and info on the video right there, on the video's page.  I hope I've explained this without confusing things!

updated by @strumelia: 10/01/19 11:33:17PM

Lillie’s Lullaby

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Kendra, thank you for sharing the tab of "Lillie's Lullaby" and for sharing your family's connection to dulcimer history.  Most of us came to the dulcimer later in our lives, and it is nice to hear from someone who lived the tradition within their own family.  I've printed off your arrangement of "Lillie's Lullaby" and will give it a whirl tomorrow when I'm more awake.  All the best.

Lillie’s Lullaby

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hello all...I posted a video playing my grandmothers dulcimer which was made in 1892! The tune is called “Lillie’s Lullaby” which I wrote in her honor around 30 years ago...

Heres a link to the tab and music...I hope you will think of my grandmother Lillie when you play it...

https://dulcimertimes.com/freebies/LilliesLullaby.DAA.pdf

Thanks...

Kendra...aka Dulcerina

updated by @kendra-ward: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM

I only see original post in a discussion, not replies..?

Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?

Kendra, please tell me an actual example of 'something you posted' that you cannot see the comments on. I need that.

I only see original post in a discussion, not replies..?

Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?

Kendra it's hard to know exactly what comments you are talking about- can you please post here an URL where there is a comment you cannot read?  or tell me what the comment says so i can find it?  that would enable me to help guide you better. I'm understanding only that you somehow know there has been a comment or message to you, but are not using the correct link that takes to the comment or message so that you can see and respond to it.  I'm not knowing how/where you are being presented with these links or notifications so that I can advise you where you are going wrong.

My best guess right now without getting further clarifications from you:

Is it in an email that you find out about a new comment? This would a site notification, which typically has two or three links in it (to unsubscribe, to go see a comment, to turn off notifications altogether).  If so, please copy/paste the text of what the email says here... that will help me determine whether these 'comments' you are referring to are comments on your videos, private messages, comments on your profile page, etc.  Or, it will help me guess which incorrect link you are clicking on in the notification. Knowing that will help me tell you how you are perhaps going to the wrong place, resulting in your not seeing the items.

updated by @strumelia: 10/01/19 11:17:57AM

I only see original post in a discussion, not replies..?

Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?

Are you logged in? I think you also need to be logged in to access some things?

I only see original post in a discussion, not replies..?

Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?

I don’t know what group it’s in? I’ve joined several in the past but the comments are not within those groups. I can’t find comments or read them on something I posted...

I only see original post in a discussion, not replies..?

Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?

Not quite clear on what comments you are referring to, (this thread here is about what to do if you can't see the entire discussion in a group because you;ve not joined it yet) but....if you are referring maybe to email site notifications you get when people have commented on your items, then follow the LINK provided in the notification, which leads you to the comment itself, on your item.

Maybe you are clicking on the wrong link in the notification.  Please look carefully at the notification- the link to follow should be near the top, above the comment.

updated by @strumelia: 09/30/19 10:34:44PM

I only see original post in a discussion, not replies..?

Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?

Kendra, have you tried reading this thread?

It explains how you need to join a group in order to be able to read the complete discussions in the group. It also shows pictures on how to join a group.  Try that.

updated by @strumelia: 09/30/19 10:21:51PM

I only see original post in a discussion, not replies..?

Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?

I’m pretty frustrated. I cannot see any replies. I’ve tried everything. Please help. 

Saw this discussion a little late. Was looking around after posting a fret calculator I designed for my own dulcimer making. You can find it at https://bearmeadow.com/calculators/fret-calculator.html

I just posted an article on this forum discussing some of the problems it helps dulcimer makers solve.

Bear Meadow Fret Calculator lives again

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

The fret calculator on the Bear Meadow website is live again, thanks to Google! You can find it under the "Calculators" menu. I haven't gotten the others converted yet.

This calculator has a few features of special interest to mountain dulcimer builders:

1.You can change the scale length (of course! duh...)

2. You can get an idea of what kind of error (in cents) is being introduced by your cutting method. This is particularly helpful for those who hand-cut fret slots. To get that estimated error, enter a number for "Saw Error." A good beginning estimate is the width of your saw.

3. Positions of every "extra fret" is shown, and its distance from the previous diatonic fret. Very useful for knowing where extra frets go on your scale

4. In addition to "Nut to Fret" distance, "Fret-to-fret" distance is shown. This is helpful if you don't have an accurate ruler long enough to range all the way to the highest fret position. Though measuring fret-to-fret will accumulate errors, at least you have a better chance at getting it right if you have an accurate distance (these are shown in the closest 5 ten-thousandths of an inch, the upper limit of digital calipers on the market.

5. "Fret-to-Saddle" distance is also shown, giving you a way to double-check your fret-to-fret measurements at the high frets (but that depends on how accurately you can mark your nominal saddle position). CAUTION: Don't use this on existing fretboards, as it will not account for any intonation or compensation offset!

My next chore will be to add a choice of measurement units. Right now, the display and "rounding-off" is appropriate for English units (inches). I hope to get to proper display and rounding for milimeters, and a selectable user's choice for that.

Another thing I'd like to add is the math for the calculations of fret positions and error. Haven't figured out how to present math symbols on Google Drive yet!

updated by @dwain-wilder: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM

Dulcimer Project (Reasonably) Complete!

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

@cbrown, you might want to contact @bob-stephens. He is a luthier who had been making steel-string dulcimers for a while but recently developed a nylon-string model.  I think he tried unsuccessfully to simply put nylon strings on his older models so he designed a new model specifically for nylon strings. I don't know enough about instrument construction to understand the differences, but I think his nylon-string dulcimers have many different design elements, from bracing inside the box to the way the fretboard connects to the rest of the instrument.

Dulcimer Project (Reasonably) Complete!

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

Hm.  This one is built ultra light, so gut might be an interesting experiment.  

 

I ought to measure and compare it with my other dulcimer.

PLEASE Click to READ THIS before posting items for sale here. New requested small fee for sellers.

FOR SALE:instruments/music items/CDs/Wanted to Buy...

Hi Sharon, an Admin needs to remove the threads from the For Sale forum.  I have deleted it for you.  Thanks!

Conversation with Kendra Ward

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hi everyone! Thank you so much for the kind words...wow! 

 

It was quite an honor to be included in the conversations series...I’m humbled. ☺️

 

Give us a date and we will head to the UK...it’s been too long since we were last there  It’s so awesome to be able to connect better with dulcimer players across the pond. 

 

Kendra...aka Dulcerina

 

 

 

Dulcimer Project (Reasonably) Complete!

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

Two kinds of metal strings -- loop end and ball end.  Which you use depends on how your dulcimer is set up.  There are plain steel strings and wound strings.  Type of string is irrelevant, brand of string doesn't matter -- the gauge is the most important factor.

Some people have used gut or nylon strings.  Unless the dulcimer is built ultra-light, they tend to make too soft of sound.

PLEASE Click to READ THIS before posting items for sale here. New requested small fee for sellers.

FOR SALE:instruments/music items/CDs/Wanted to Buy...

How do I remove an item for sale? 

Dulcimer Project (Reasonably) Complete!

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

I buy metal loop or ball end strings, depending on the design of the tail of the dulcimer.  Just get an appropriate gauge and you're good to go!  

Some have experimented with gut/nylon strings with mixed results.  

Dulcimer Project (Reasonably) Complete!

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

Main question remaining for me, then, and if this doesn't open a whole nother can of worms!, is the one of strings.  Are there "dulcimer strings" per se?  I just used what was handy, and that was guitar strings.

 

Does anyone use gut or nylon, or only metal?  (I've only seen dulcimers with metal strings!)

Dulcimer Project (Reasonably) Complete!

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

How about we drop the debating and get back to simply discussing cbrown's instrument fixing project, which is the subject of this thread?  Thanks.

Introduce Yourself!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hi folks, I'd like to keep this discussion focused more simply on 'introducing ourselves'- so feel free to start new discussions in either the Music Theory Group or the Traditional NoterDrone Group if you would like to continue in depth discussions on modes, ballad resources, etc.

Thank you!

Dulcimer Project (Reasonably) Complete!

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

I won't enter into the fray about the origin of the scheitholt, but at least we know the epinette des Vosges is from, well, the Vosges. 

Introduce Yourself!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Send me a PM here, as I said before, and I will give the file to you directly.  You need a free PDF Reader app on your Android or regular computer to open and read the file.  

If your Android won't download it there is something wrong, but not with the PDF.  Get a highschool kid/grandchild to help you  

TTAD is the best site on the Internet for Traditional dulcimer builders and players to exchange information.

updated by @ken-hulme: 09/29/19 11:27:43AM

Introduce Yourself!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Ken, searched for Uncontrite Modal Folker. Had to join the TTAD forum. The resource is a PDF. My Android will not download it. Error msg stated it requires storage permission but I can't figure out how to do that. I have been all over Settings,but don't see it. I'm an old guy and not very tech savvy. Sure would like to have that OFF

Introduce Yourself!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Greg, thanks so much for the modal tuning info. I will save that info. It will be very helpful.

Conversation with Paul Crocker

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Cheers Robin!

Dulcimer Project (Reasonably) Complete!

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

Dulcimer Project (Reasonably) Complete!

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

@cbrown said "...of course early on the name [scheitholt] was widespread enough in Germany..."  

This is simply not true.  The name was NOT widespread in Germany.  This is the "great mis-information" which has been accepted and promoted over and over again by dulcimer players who aren't interested in checking facts. 

The term scheitholt is specific to the Tyrol, a small part of Austria, not Germany, even in 1619 when Pretorious wrote about it.  Tyrol is analogous to Appalachia -- a large area of barely accessible mountains with a small and widely scattered population, whose inhabitants made and played an obscure musical instrument for self entertainment.  

Tyrol has an area of about 4800 square miles -- about the size of Connecticut -- and back in the 17th century it had a population of 30-40,000.  And of course, the scheitholt was not played by everyone; perhaps less than one in one hundred.

Pretorious' De Organagraphia was not a best seller in Germany or anywhere.  It was an esoteric scholarly treatise really only read by musical scholars.  Perhaps only a few thousand copies were originally printed in 1619.  

Even today Tyrol only has a population of about 700,000 -- about the same as Bucks County, Pennsylvania scattered over an area nearly 8 times the size of that county.  

Dulcimer Project (Reasonably) Complete!

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

Thanks for the clarification!

 

That's shift in language (and terminology) across two continents and half a millennium for you! 

 

Whatever name we want to apply to it, I've got it in my mind to make one now...

Dulcimer Project (Reasonably) Complete!

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

My objection is that "scheitholt" refers only to a very small group of instruments in a rather narrow geographical region. Henry Mercer, it seems, discovered the illustration of the scheitholt in the Syntagma and applied the label to the instrument he had in front of him without further research. Within the Pennsylvania German communities where the instrument was found, the term "scheitholt" is unknown. People referred to instrument as a "zitter" or in modern language "zither." In Germany today most of these instruments are called hummels or hommels. When I speak of these instruments, I call them Pennsylvania German zitters. I think this is a more accurate label/description of what we find in the US.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Dulcimer Project (Reasonably) Complete!

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

Oh, yeah!  I know what a scheitholt is and about the regional use of the name, though of course early on the name was widespread enough in Germany, as it has a section in the Syntagma. As far as this dulcimer goes, I'm just going on the information I've seen!  But now I'm curious: why are you (Ken & Ken) trying to "get away" from the scheitholt terminology?  Would you mind discussing the issue?

 

But thanks, Ken, for alerting me to the term "arched fretboard".  New word of the day!

Introduce Yourself!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Pretty much what Greg said -- the Modes are built into the diatonic fretboard (as long as you don't go adding any extra frets).  One of the pieces I want to give you is called The Uncontrite Modal Folker.  It's a discussion of Modes and Modal tunings on the dulcimer (not guitar or anything else).  Modes are scales on a single string.  It's that simple.   Different Modes start at different locations on a diatonic fretboard. Some of those scales are more minor than others.  

Introduce Yourself!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Each mode consists of notes found in a major scale, but only the Ionian mode is a major scale.  Using only the notes of the D major scale for example, you get the D Ionian mode if your start and end your mode with the D.  You get an E Dorian mode if your start and end your mode with the E. . .

It is really more complicated to explain in writing than it is in practice.  You can play music your whole life without understanding the theory behind the modes.  For all practical purposes, you need only learn the corresponding dulcimer tunings.  Most tablature indicates the appropriate tuning.  The rest is simply a matter of following the numbers.

D-A-A = D Ionian Tuning (The familiar major scale Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Ti ,Do)

D-A-d = D Mixolydian Tuning (Identical to the Ionian mode with the exception of the 7th note.  Frequently used to play a D major scale by adding the 6 1/2 fret.)

D-A-G = D Dorian Tuning

D-A-C = D Aeolian tuning (The familiar minor sale)

Since you've indicated a desire to play the old ballads, you will need to become comfortable with the modal tunings summarized above.  There is no need to understand everything about modes.  The beauty of the instrument is that the modes are built right into the design of the fretboard.  Simply retune the melody string(s) to match one of the modal tunings above and you're ready to go.

The majority of ballads are written in the Ionian mode, so it makes sense to begin there.  That's why D-A-A is the preferred base tuning for traditional mountain dulcimer players.

 

Conversation with Paul Crocker

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

What a great interview with Paul!  It is hard to imagine he could not have Dulcimer Acquisition Disorder given the genetics on his father's side.  haha (Paul's dad has had a musical influence on me though I'll never be able to do half of what John Henry does!) 

Thanks for sharing the interview-- a delight to see! 

Conversation with Paul Crocker

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

In the last of my current series of conversations, we have Paul Crocker talking Pink Floyd, Folk-Rock and Dulcimer Acquisition Disorder:

https://mdconversations.blogspot.com/2019/09/8-paul-crocker-from-bath-uk.html

updated by @redmando: 10/27/19 12:02:25PM

Introduce Yourself!

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

My thanks to Greg for the book recommendations. They will be very helpful. I guess I may need to learn to read music. Everything I have found online about modes seems to be incorrect and has each mode as a particular major scale, but I'm hearing something different with my ears. Looks like I need some resources regarding modes. I will check out the audio recordings. Thanks also for the info on the three string Ken
Yes, I will get around to sending you a PM. Very interested in your beginner resources.

My first dulcimer arrangement

Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs

Thank you very much, Robin and Kusani, for your very kind feedback.

My first dulcimer arrangement

Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs

Please find an updated arrangement where I replaced the signs for rests for better legibility and playability.

 

 

 

Dulcimer Project (Reasonably) Complete!

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

Truthfully, I would like to get away from the "scheitholt" terminology all together, but I realize I am fighting a losing battle there.

You and me both, brother! 

Most folks have no idea of what defines a scheitholt or how little used that word is/was outside of very narrow geographic areas.  They seem to think it's a European-wide generic term when it wasn't.

The term Scheitholt for a fretted zither was almost more geographically limited than the phrase Indian Walking Cane for a dulcimer  Scheitholt only in the Austrian Tyrol and Bucks County PA; and Indian Walking Cane in the Ozark region of Missouri/Arkansas