Mine is named "Island" named by the Builder but I'm sure it also thinks it's name is the same as Sam's...lol... 
Forum Activity for @diane-r
Ländler and Boarischer
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
Yes - I'm familiar with his playing via the old "Everything Dulcimer" site - I have a few of his books and tabs.
Ah, okay - don't think I've ever heard of it referred to by that term. I'll check out the link.
Thanks
Ländler and Boarischer
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
Kavik, the YouTube videos you posted in your message below are of @Mark-Gilston, who is an active member here. He is a professional musician who posts videos here regularly and also offers lessons, CDs, and books of tab.
Most of us refer to that style of playing the dulcimer as chord/melody. Many of us play in that style, or a related style that involves more single notes and fewer block chords that we might call flatpicking. In fact, there is a whole Group here devoted to Modern Chord Style Players .
Ländler and Boarischer
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
Here's a few examples of a MD being played in the style of a zither -
The first is called "Ruhpoldinger"; it's a type of dance known as a Schuhplattler (an Alpine dance where the men will slap their knees, legs, and bottom of the shoe).
Second is the Zillertaler Ländler - a well-known Ländler.
Hope the links work.
Here's an example of one I'm working on for MD - if you click anywhere on the notes, it should download a midi file with how it sounds on a piano.
https://volksmusik.cc/volkstanz/aberseerlandler.htm
If you search for Aberseer Landler on YouTube, you'll get several examples of how it's played. This song, as well as many Landler, is also a "Gstantzl" - a type of formulaic singing pattern that goes with a Landler with an accompanying "Platscher" - hand-clapping pattern.
Ländler and Boarischer
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
Hi Kavik, just to have a more concrete idea of it - could you perhaps give me a sound sample for in a style that is similar to zither ?
I am looking forward to the tabs.
Introduce Yourself!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Hey Jools, jump right in, the water's fine. 
Ländler and Boarischer
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
Oh - should have clarified - both are folk-music styles from southern Germany and Austria. A Boarisher is somewhat similar to a polka and a Ländler sort of like a fast waltz.
Introduce Yourself!
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Hi everyone, I'm Jools from Kent in the UK.
I'd been thinking about learning the dulcimer for a while & decided to go for it. I've just bought a lovely 30yr old 'Green River' walnut 3 string. It arrived on Saturday. It sounds beautiful & I'm really enjoying playing it.
I'm learning some slow ballads to start with, but when I get more fluid on it I'd like to learn some bluegrass tunes.
Thanks for the welcome messages I've received, I appreciate them, & I look forward to chatting with you guys & hopefully picking up some ideas.
Cheers
Jools
Ländler and Boarischer
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
Sounds interesting, although I had to go look up what ländler and boarischer were. Keep us posted!
Ländler and Boarischer
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
Hello,
Wondering if anyone here plays ländler and/or boarischer on MD in a style that is similar to zither? I've been kind of playing around with a few - I have a great resource, but the notation is essentially for melody and countermelody (two 'voices'). You kind of have to tab it out and then play around with it and develop a baseline. I'm trying to play these in a style reminiscent of the zither.
Just wondering if anyone has tried something similar? Once I have the few worked out, I'll try uploading the TABS.
Show Us Your Pets!
OFF TOPIC discussions
@strumelia
Yes, she is !! I made it for her, it is her St Louis Cardinals outfit -- i made the top out of an infant onesie- ha !
Remember Our Friend Oliver Ogden.
OFF TOPIC discussions
I think of Oliver often. My wife and enjoyed visiting with him and his wife Sharon. He was a man of many interests. I liked talking about hat making with him. He had a very nice collection of hat making tools and moulds. He had other musical interests as well. We shared a fondness for banjos. His turtles were interesting to see and hear him talk about them. Yes, I miss Oliver.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Remember Our Friend Oliver Ogden.
OFF TOPIC discussions
I'm sure Oliver lives on in the hearts of those who knew him. <3
Harvest Festival 9/15/18 in Costa Mesa, Ca
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
"I hope the move works out for you. You should be at home among the . . . uh . . . tumbleweeds"
U R 2 funny ;)
Sound Hole Placement
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Dulci Clan, welcome to the forum! We have all been where you are in terms of 'starting from scratch'. In fact, I only got into building dulcimers a bit less than 3 years ago. Fortunately, being retired which means I have a lot of time to devote to the craft; plus having a professional background in several trades, it has greatly shortened my learning curve. However, it has been with the tremendous help from members of this forum that I have reached the point I now do a few commissioned pieces as well as annually supporting 3 charities' fundraising auctions through the donations of my builds.
But, in the process of going through the learning curve, which I know will never be completed, I have had to ask what many might consider 'silly' or 'stupid' questions. Fortunately most of the members here were, are still, very patient and kind and want to assist.
In short, again, welcome and don't hold back with questions. Also, I spent hours and hours going through old threads on the multitude of topics already discussed or being discussed. They answered many questions before me having to post them here.
As suggested, relax, it's as much an art as science and many of us learn by what doesn't work as much as what does work; but we try to keep mistakes to a minimum. And, we can learn a lot from others mistakes. 
updated by @kusani: 09/20/18 11:16:29PM
Comprehensive List of Dulcimer Festivals
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Stephen Seifert:
Where is there a full list of dulcimer festivals? I see some on this site but I would very much like to see festivals for all of 2018 and perhaps past years. I've been searching. Any ideas? Thanks!
Hi Stephen! 
The Festivals you see listed in our Events/Festivals section are all the ones that have been input by site members, minus ones that are past and over with. I understand your frustration with not being able to peruse past years. I tried showing 'past' as well as upcoming Events, but it was very confusing to people when they were all showing... dozens and dozens of long past events. (more like FB... LOL) I try as best i can to keep things unconfusing here, and to keep things 'current' so folks don't get lost or overloaded. My goal is not to maintain and archive. People mostly want quick reference and current info.
Does not DulcimerPlayersNews (subscription magazine) put out a yearly festival list? I see a "Festivals List" mentioned at the bottom of their issue's Table of Contents . Is that list not comprehensive enough?
As far as this site (FOTMD) goes- since festivals are not static information, a list of dulcimer festivals is only as good as the person/people maintaining it and contributing to it. An accurate and comprehensive traditional 'list' would require someone tracking down and verifying information all over the country. I've got my hands full just maintaining this site, and I have no paid staff to build or maintain an official type list. FOTMD has no subscriptions to fund such projects.
As you know, we do offer a FREE Events/Festivals section here on FOTMD where folks can input their festivals with photos and any supportive materials they like, and their event will show on our site's Main page as it draws near, and disappear when it's finished. If people don't add their events into it, that's unfortunate since it's a free service. If they want additional exposure here, they can also advertise their festival on our main page Ad Slideshows, for as little as $10/month. I can't offer any cheaper than that. I think it's a good option for those who want to have their festival really stand out on this site. Of course they can also buy ads in DPN.
I suspect Facebook has gotten people used to simply instantly posting their events and promotions wherever/whenever, on dozens of music and dulcimer FB sites. 'Instant' has taken the place of plan-ahead maintained lists or spreadsheets.
To have a truly 'comprehensive' online Festival List, either: 1) most everyone must submit their festivals via software, OR 2) there'd need to be a person dedicating time and effort into manually creating and maintaining one. On FOTMD, we have option 1) already in place, but I suspect most folks just post their festivals on FB instead since they're on their phone on FB anyway all day. FB tends to suck energy away from more traditional websites.
updated by @strumelia: 10/03/18 05:40:46PM
Sound Hole Placement
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
@ken - What I should have said in response was I had seen the video some time ago and what had been going through my mind *at the time* was the things I was corrected on *since* I started this thread, i.e. the ignorant questions I asked being *completely new* to this instrument, like sound hole placements and shapes. I am reading and learning by everyone's response, I guess sometimes communicating words in text isn't the same as being in person. What I should have said about the video was I had hoped to see different kinds of dulcimers being compared like bass versus baritone vs stick etc. Thank you for sharing your experience and expertise, I do respect that.
Please don't take me the wrong way, it has been an extremely stressful week at home. I do respect everyone's experience and willingness to share information on this post , and appreciate you, Dulcimore Dan, Ron Gibson, Kusani, ButtercupVictoria, Matt, John, in responding.
This instrument is so beautiful, I can't wait to learn how to play it. Thank you to everyone for your responses.
Comprehensive List of Dulcimer Festivals
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I've never seen a comprehensive Festival list; not even on ED 'back in the day'.
Comprehensive List of Dulcimer Festivals
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Where is there a full list of dulcimer festivals? I see some on this site but I would very much like to see festivals for all of 2018 and perhaps past years. I've been searching. Any ideas? Thanks!
updated by @stephen-seifert: 02/18/20 04:32:56PM
Sound Hole Placement
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Dulci-Clan -- Once again you're getting lost in nearly meaningless details, and over-complicating things.
Overall shape (hourglass, teardrop, elliptical, trapezoid, etc.) has no discernable effect on dulcimer sound. I have a standing offer of $100 to anyone who can pass my blind listening test and tell which instruments are playing (I play some tunes on some dulcimers and send you an MP3 -- you tell me what shapes are playing what tunes).
There are well over a hundred factors that affect the sound of an instrument, and the kinds of woods used for sides/backs/tops are pretty far down that list -- not even in the top 10.
Soundboard placements? The dulcimer has one soundboard -- the top.
Do you mean fretboard placement? The dulcimer has its fretboard running down the centerline of the top, by definition (unless it's a courting dulcimer with two fretboards evenly spaced across the top. Fretboard overlays do not effect sound, but they do make it smoother to play.
Once again, soundhole placement does NOT effect sound quality. It can effect sound volume, but as a beginner you'll not notice anything.
People like Dulcimore Dan, Ron Gibson, myself, Kusani are giving you the benefit of our several decades of practical experience as builders and players, and you seem to be ignoring it.
I don't want to sound harsh or uncaring, but please -- take Matt Berg's advice: Go play a dozen different dulcimers for 10-20 minutes each; take plenty of notes about your experiences, and then get back to us.
Sound Hole Placement
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Dulci Clan:
@Buttercup - watched that video a couple of times, it's fantastic, but they're all the same shape and sound hole placement, the only differences she notes is the type of woods, tops and overlays. I was hoping for a video with different shapes and different sound board placements. Thanks for the post :)
@Ken - - I'm in NH. There is a folk festival coming soon in Portsmouth, but looking on their website I didn't see or mention a single dulcimer. Worth checking out though. Did find someone about an hour and half away that I could talk to, she mentions the Portsmouth festival, a Vermont one that just passed, and an Albany Society. Can't help but wonder if there are so many more around that I just don't see. Unfortunately I am unable to open the pdf, probably on my end here, I'll look into it later tonight. Thanks again for the input :)
Well keep looking, there's a lot out there on the internet! I also wonder if the sounds are different because of where the microphone is, the ones closer to us sound louder. I like the ones in the back as well as the Blue Lion but can't quite catch the name. John something... ?
Harvest Festival 9/15/18 in Costa Mesa, Ca
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I'm glad you had such a good time, @tumbleweed. I've gone in previous years but wasn't able to make it this year. I would have liked to meet Sarah Morgan. I've done a couple of workshops with Leo (one at the Harvest Festival and one at Redwood Dulcimer Day) and definitely learned something useful in both. Did you join the late afternoon jam? It's always a good time. Usually @Leo-Kretzner and/or @Gregg-Schneeman lead. They do a great job of including everyone and keeping the tunes moving along.
I hope the move works out for you. You should be at home among the . . . uh . . . tumbleweeds. 
updated by @dusty: 09/20/18 12:24:45AM
Harvest Festival 9/15/18 in Costa Mesa, Ca
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Hi everyone,
Haven't posted in a while due to other stuff going on.
I went to the Harvest Festival this past Saturday. It was awesome as usual. As usual I was late because nobody gets anywhere on time in So. Cal. unless you leave the day before. The first class that I went to was beginning Autoharp. I turned out to,be the only attendee so, even though I was 10m late I had ONE ON ONE attention. We covered a little more advanced iterms since I had a little knowledge. Thanks Dana
Next I went to Leo's simple chord class for dulcimer. Loved it. Had a great time.
Third class was the Irish bodhran. The instructor's wife played fiddle as back up. Dave the instructor was also awesome.
Last class was back with Leo and the harmonica. Another fun class.
Have to say this was one of the best festivals I have attended. Sadly it was my last as we are moving next year a few states away.
Hope they have festivals like this in my new home area. Oh and we are moving to North East Texas. If anyone knows of any please let me know.
updated by @tumbleweed: 09/22/18 12:42:54AM
Sound Hole Placement
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Try to open Ken's .pdf. It is very good.
Sound Hole Placement
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Appreciate that, Ron! You're absolutely right, it's already stressing me out trying to understand. The simplicity of it's design, seems to have a laid back easy vibe to play, and the mystery behind how this instrument came about is enough for me to relax and run with it.
Sound Hole Placement
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I did see Vintage Fret too. Only an hour away, yeah! And thank you for that other link. My search was "dulcimer nh".
Sound Hole Placement
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
They're around, you've just not learned to suss them out yet. Check acoustic music shops.
Check out this guy: He'll probably be able to help find players... and even build you a dulcimer maybe... http://pierce.state.nh.us/nharts/artsandartists/tradroster/tradartistinfo.asp?ArtistID=371
And other thing to check out. I did a simple google search on "dulcimer new hampshire" and found these two listings right off the bat. http://vintagefret.com/?post_type=product
You need Adobe PDF Reader (free) or some other PDF reader software or app to read my article.
updated by @ken-hulme: 09/19/18 04:08:58PM
Sound Hole Placement
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
@Buttercup - watched that video a couple of times, it's fantastic, but they're all the same shape and sound hole placement, the only differences she notes is the type of woods, tops and overlays. I was hoping for a video with different shapes and different sound board placements. Thanks for the post :)
@Ken - - I'm in NH. There is a folk festival coming soon in Portsmouth, but looking on their website I didn't see or mention a single dulcimer. Worth checking out though. Did find someone about an hour and half away that I could talk to, she mentions the Portsmouth festival, a Vermont one that just passed, and an Albany Society. Can't help but wonder if there are so many more around that I just don't see. Unfortunately I am unable to open the pdf, probably on my end here, I'll look into it later tonight. Thanks again for the input :)
Ron, I love that lighthouse/seabird design. Your soundholes have always been special and that new design is quite nice.
To post a picture you simply click that little icon that looks like a piece a piece of film (embed local media). It is the second-to-last icon in the toolbar, in between the eye (preview) and the happy face (smileys). You can also use the "attach file" function just below the text box on the right to attach rather than embed an image.
Sound Hole Placement
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Dulci-clan -- where are you that dulcimers and "not common"? We may know people nearby who are very knowledgeable and willing to help beginners.
Here's a link to an article I wrote several years back that gives you an illustrated glossary of dulcimer terms (so we all talk the same lingo) plus answers to many beginner questions about the tuning, playing care and feeding of a new dulcimer.
MOST people interested in dulcimers don't really care about how their dulcimers are built; I both applaud your effort and want to say that for the most part what really matters is the look and sound. There are many, many ways to design and build a dulcimer, from Lego to cardboard to plexiglass, to plywood to solid woods, in at least a dozen general -but-different body shapes and an infinity of sound hole shapes/placements. None of which means anything unless you, personally like the look and the sound of the instrument.
I Just Got A.pdf - 1MBSound Hole Placement
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
this is a great video (I think) comparing different dulcimers:
Sound Hole Placement
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Matt Berg:
One thought to add, before deciding whether or not an instrument sounds good, try a few instruments. If possible, listen to it in a jam. Unless you have a very well trained ear (or the instrument is very bad or very good) it is hard to judge an instrument's sound in isolation.
That's very interesting advice! Thanks.
Sound Hole Placement
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I am not interested in building, just buying. Understanding the construction seems important to know as a new player. Though it has some straightforward rules on sizes and constructions, finding there are so many different ways they're built, string numbers and types, it's hard to know generally where to start. @Dan, Kusani, Ken, Matt; appreciate you reaching out.
This instrument is not common where I live, so I figured I just have to dive in, get one, clean it up, see what happens! My friend told me yesterday she has a friend that plays so at some point I can pester her.