Forum Activity for @mill-branch-dulcimores

I think he would like to take a break from worshiping and enjoy a few good Irish jigs and maybe do a little dancing.  He wants to have fun, too.

Gorgeous bowed psaltery, Susie.  Interesting sound hole.

Thank you Robin and Steven. I really appreciate you taking the time to take a look.

Good words and well spoken too!  Wayne.............I've seen so many people over the years taken from us by those, "widow makers."  In many cases they had no warning as you said, and no health issues that they could discern either save for assuming they were invincible and living lives that were, "typical."    

I would add that folks should not assume that this sort of problem does not affect women.   Too often women ignore symptoms and unfortunately suffer serious or fatal consequences.  Widow maker heart attacks are equal opportunity destroyers as are a host of other diseases that can be avoided.

For the younger of our lot who might be reading these posts...........now is the time to make the changes you need to make to live a long healthy life.   For the rest of us let's see if we can abstain kicking over the bucket by watching where we are going and turning on the lights in our 'noggins.  

What wondrous Love it this, oh my soul, oh my soul.....ends with the words, "and when from death I'm free, I'll sing on, I'll sing on................I'll sing and joyful be and through Eternity I'll sing on.......

There are other songs I'd sing, but I'd ask what tunes He knew....What psalms He and the Apostles sang and I'd ask Him to sing to me those songs.  aloha, irene

Back in April 2018 (April 5th to exact), I suffered a massive (Widow Maker) heart attack - NO WARNING WHAT-SO-EVER!!!. Two main arteries were blocked at 90% & 100%, I am truely blessed to be here today. The doctors didn't need to open my chest, stints were placed, I was kept on a ventilator for 3 1/2 days in order to heal/rest and spent 12 days in the hospital. After my discharge I had to wear a Zoll Life Vest (for those who are familiar with those) for 7 MONTHS!!!  The recovery/rehab was quite a journey but I was determined I was going to make it - which I have. Yes, I have heart disease and always will BUT the TOTAL LIFESTYLE CHANGE has been a literal God send. I'm now 60 pounds lighter (I wasn't even all that overweight anyway), I'm on a total heart healthy diet (Sharon as well), I work out at 5 days a week (treadmill, bike, weights), meds for life, and my entire outlook has changed. Ended up retiring last October at 64 so I have VERY LITTLE stress (I taught Middle School). Now i raise a good size garden, play my dulcimer (and Native American Flutes) and simply enjoy life. Thanks for letting me share part of my story. I would just add to all reading this post ..... PLEASE take care of yourself ..... eat healthy, get exercise, loose some weight AND eliminate as much stress from your life as you can. NEVER EVER SAY it can't happed to you! God Speed. Wayne

I suffered from chronic knee pain for 30 years. Got a bicycle 15 years ago, a hybrid type not one of those road bikes. Riding solved my knee pain, never suffered again! No pills no elastic braces. I wish everyone would ride and play music, it would really make us all healthier... 

A lot of pumpkin pies for sure!. I promised to give myself a day off and recoup, maybe learn a new old fiddle tune. But I'm only 65, still a kid yet. I recoup fast... Robert

I think I would play Just as I Am........

How fitting to humbly play my music for the King!

Congratulations, Susie! Have fun with it, and make some music!

Good for you, Andreas.  I'm sure somewhere between being a sports junkie and not moving for 15 years there is a happy medium and a healthy lifestyle.

Wow, that's stunningly beautiful, Susie!  Happy bowing! 

New bowed psaltery day! 

It's a Jerry Read Smith (Song of the Wood), 2 1/2 octave (33 string) psaltery.

The top is Bolivian Rosewood, with Ziricote binding. The back is Cherry, with my very own, unique worm hole.

I love it, is sounds as beautiful as it looks. Jerry does great work and Heather (in the office) is wonderful to work with. 

But Sandi, think instead of where you'd be now if had not started so many times!

SaltSprings, thanks for my laugh of the day. I can relate. 

Yikes.............I can't imagine doing that.........as it is I sound like a bowl of Rice Krispies when I start moving in the morning......

@Robert-Shuler I hope you're moving today!  Are they pumpkins good for pies?  :) Pumpkin pie is my favorite.  

Hugssandi...........check out Lynda Randle singing, "One Day at a Time" on YouTube..............and learn the second verse........she's the real thing and her music always lifts the spirit..........

Thank you for keeping up the conversation, Andreas!!!  I love reading your updates and am inspired by them. 

Salt Springs, you are the perfect encouragement!  Thank you!  I keep thinking about where I'd be now had I not quit so many times.  I'm not seeing that as a downer, but as a DON'T DO IT AGAIN!  That every little bit adds up, so if nothing else keep at least doing the little bit!  

Just transplanted 2 acres of pumpkin plants by hand. Countless deep knee bends lots of fresh air and sunshine. I'll be lucky if I'll be able to move tomorrow!... Robert.

If That Isn't Love -  Dottie Rambo

Second Choice

Mary Did You Know - Mark Lowry / Buddy Green

Good job, Andreas!!!  Wow, Hugssandi!  You are both well on your way to reaching your goals.    Sometimes the going seems really difficult, but if we set our minds to the task we can do it.   I remember having to pass a fitness test when I was in the Navy.  The weather was so hot and I felt absolutely terrible.  but, I had to do it anyway, 30 push-ups, 100 sit-ups and a mile and a half run in a total of 25 minutes with no breaks...........the last 3/4 of a mile was so difficult and the time limit was running out.........I made it only because of will power, stubbornness and lots of bad language along the way. ( I found out later that morning that I had pneumonia at the time, just to add to the drama).  

Sometimes we have to struggle and will ourselves to make it to the end of the race.  I've learned that struggle can become easier if we dare to think of ourselves as winners and never give up.  Press on and even if you feel like giving up resolve not to do so.  I know you can do it........we're all cheering for you and anyone else who dares to enter this race.

You'd be surprised where you'll find bamboo -- along streams, in weather protected areas, botanic gardens (ask permission).  It's all over the place down here in south Florida.  There's a stand of 6" diameter x 70 ft tall culms a couple blocks away that I didn't notice for over 5 years!  Finger diameter bamboo is everywhere, and most people will beg you to take a dozen culms!

Ken -- Chicago! Any bamboo growing around here is somebody's darling little houseplant :) 

Great idea, but those bamboo crochet hooks may be too small of diameter to make a good noter.  Worth the try anyway.  

Where do you live with no bamboo?  Alaska?  Almost every other state but Maine has some native or introduced bamboo.  Want some, I'll send it to you.  

Repurposed noters -- the malachite pestle of a mortar & pestle set that I picked up in Mexico many years ago;  ball point pens, of course; 1/4" Delrin dowel; glass swizzle stick; 3/8" brass tubing; a test tube; sea shell (worthless); shaft butt of a goose quill.  

Too bad you didn't make it to our Berea Traditional Dulcimer Gathering back in May.  Next year's Gathering will be in Berea, KY May 14-17, so mark your calendar.  LOTS of noter & drone players, no Festival fee, tons of hands-on, one-on-one playing, learning, and all around fun!!  Check out the flyer here from this year's Gathering.  To be put on our mailing list, send an email to:  berea.traditional.gathering@gmail.com  

I just had a thought - I have a handful of bamboo crochet hooks that I don't use anymore -- they can have a new life as noters!!

For those of us whose climate means no bamboo in the back yard, what have you repurposed to serve as a noter? 

Here's a link to the sheet music for The Ludlows - it is in D, so it would be very easy to tab, at least the melody line.   https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/en-US/se/ID_No/111153/Product.aspx

Once glue joints are clamped, wipe away squeezed out glue, with a soggy wet paper towel,  all along the joints while the glue is still soft.

Glue your "maker's label" under a rear sound hole before you glue the top on!

I did one many years ago. Check the fit of the tuner head and check the fretboard for straightness/flatness. Dry fit before gluing. Remember to install the frets before gluing the top on. Don't dent the frets when installing with a hammer [pressing them in is my preference], use a metal spacer after getting them started [I use a metal lathe square cutting bit].

Yes, Dave, I've made several of this very kit over the years.  They are very easy to put together if you take your time and follow directions.  The resulting dulcimer is a fine looking and sounding instrument.

My McSpadden Sweet Song kit arrived in the mail this week.

I've read through the directions for building the dulcimer from the kit, and I've found a couple of folks online who have posted photos and general info about building the kit.

The directions and the process seem straightforward enough.

Just wondering if anyone on here has experience with this particular kit and might be able to offer any advice before I get started.

Thanks for the link.  My lyre is not from Trossingen, but from a burial site called Oberflacht, grave #84.  Similar but not exactly the shape of the Trossingen.   I have also made a lyre from the Cologne site.

Thanks for the link to your website Riksgewijs. That is a very nice lyre. I enjoyed seeing how you made it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Many thanks for the warm welcome. 

Yes, this is the one. But the one on you're picture is not quite a trossinger. I has made a page about my lyre. This one i build to last on renaissance markts. So it can have a beating and handle some rain. but the shape and collrossing and looks ar spot on. 

I also made a view recordings. You can find them also on the site and my you-tube channel. 

Hope you will enjoy. 

Riks-Gewijs website, click here

Well, chances are Larry himself did NOT make that instrument.  You might drop him a note and ask the significance of the double circle.  None of the currently pictures flathead dulcimers have a double circle on he flathead.

@steven-berger, we are kindred spirits.  I love that song so much!  You'll hafta weigh in also on "A Man's A Man For A' That"....

"Hard Times, Come Again No More" by Stephen Foster, especially the last verse. This song means quite a lot to me.