Forum Activity for @patricia-delich

Hearts of the Dulcimer Podcast - Episode 22
Richard Fariña and the Cambridge Folk Music Scene Part 1: A Conversation with Rick Turner

http://bit.ly/hotdpodcast

The well-known luthier Rick Turner shares personal stories about Richard and Mimi Fariña and how his luthier skills led him to become part of dulcimer history that was almost forgotten

For episode resources, go to:  http://dulcimuse.com/podcast/resource/022.html

In grades 4-6 I was in a brand new school (Claxton Elem. for those of you in Greensboro, NC!) and each classroom was equipped with a piano and there was a set of music books for each grade level.  Since we'd never had music classes in elem. school, I loved it when our teacher would say it was time to pass out the books and sing!  I already knew a lot of songs from Girl Scouts and all the songs I'd sung with my family, but I loved learning the ones in these books--Streets of Laredo, the Orchestra Song that someone else mentioned, lots of songs from other countries, as well as many rounds and duets...White Coral Bells, Tell Me Why, Scotland's Burning, Sing Your Way Home.

John, I would have loved being in your music class!  Those little kids are so lucky!

There are only a handful of mentions of Bert Berry dulcimers, here, of ED and on Facebook.   The last interaction I can find is 2013, when member Bill Mosely here, wrote about learning dulcimer building from him.   There is no website, and no Facebook page.

More ways to see it:

If you are tuning to DAd, it'd be from low to high :  D3, A3, d4.

https://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/2010/12/what-notes-do-i-tune-my-strings-to.html

On a standard 88 key piano, middle C is C4. Middle C has a frequency of 261.63 Hz. Yamaha uses C3 because that corresponds to MIDI note 60.When the note is pressed, you are actually playing a frequency of 261.63 Hz. If you set your tuner to A=440 Hz. As Dusty says, the D is below middle C, A below middle C, and d above middle C if you tune DAd.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Perhaps this page from Get Tuned will help.  Your low D is the D below middle C and your middle string is tuned to the A below middle C.

Rob, 4 strings with 6 notches makes a lot of sense to me. 

Jennifer, I don't have an Em from high spirits, but I think they are about the same size, I have one from Ancient territories, it's maple and the holes are smaller but the spacing is the same, Em is my favourite key..they're all great!!

As for Wood I have a condor bass Cm in walnut. really nice

We have "regular" Condor basses in various keys (even the smaller bore size).  Once you get used to the extra stretch beyond a smaller flute stretch it's really no big deal.  Have fun and enjoy the process!

I started with four independent strings.  Then I got a couple with doubled melody and started using them.  Folks told me I should take one off, so I did on a couple.  Then I saw videos of the late David Schnaufer and of Alan Freeman playing with a doubled melody, so I put them all back.  I don't know; maybe it's because I played guitar and mandolin before the dulcimer, but I have none of the problems with hammer-ons and pull-offs.  That being said, since this is my year of no extra frets and my trying to embrace Roger Nicholson's style more I am playing 2 instruments with 3 strings, as did he.  For playing with the band I do prefer 4 independent strings. So, I'd say do a four string with 6 notches on the bridge and nut, so it can be configured in many different ways.

Sometimes questions are posed at the wrong time and get covered up by other recent activity.  

I played with a double melody string for a few years, arrogantly assuming that because I also play the mandolin and 12-string guitar I could ignore all those people suggesting I remove the extra melody string. But now I see the error of my ways.  I only play with three strings now, and my favorite dulcimer is m Modern Mountain Dulcimer partly because it only has three strings and somehow seems more streamlined that way.  I find a single melody string just provides a much cleaner sound, and as others have pointed out, a single string is easier for hammer-ons and pull-offs.  Plus,it is impossible to accurately bend a double string.

It can't hurt to build dulcimers with four strings in case people want to play with 4 equidistant strings.

Thanks Monica!

Susie I bought mine here..considerably less, but you may have to wait a few weeks for them to order it.

http://www.grothmusic.com/c-497-native-american-flutes.aspx

Thanks Monica! And also to  Maria and John. Your insights really helped! Now I'll decide on timing. Gotta wait and see what's on sale in March. 

Hi Susie , its about 1 and 3/4..It's very easy and comfortable to hold.I really believe you will be able to play it with ease considering your musical experience and height

Thanks Monica and John. Very nice videos. 

John, I'm not considering the contra, just the condor bass Em. Just can't decide between the standard bore and the 1" bore. But, it sounds like the standard bore would be just fine for me. Do you guys have a standard bore condor (not contra) bass?

Monica, sounds like you are handling it without issue. Did you remeasure the outside diameter (1.2" didn't seem right to me)? Thanks.

Mostly I prefer a single melody string - for melody/drone style and for more "modern" styles (cross-picking, melody notes on lower strings etc).  I like the clarity of a single treble string, and the even-ness of tone compared to the other strings.

We have visited this topic before - it's one of those that comes up every so often and is always worth debating.

Thanks Jill!  We tend to have fun!

The only thing that I would caution about would be a Condor Contra Bass flute.  My wife (Karen) has been a professional flute player and teacher since the 1980s.  The holes are so large that her fingers go straight into them without stopping to seal the holes.  The spread between the holes can also be a challenge for people with smaller hands.  I haven't run into many folks who have this problem with the regular Condor Bass series, but I know that some like the smaller bore better for comfort reasons.  Here's a video that starts with me using the contra bass.  You'll probably be able to tell that I'm working pretty hard to manage the beast, but they have such a wonderful low voice. 

I say try the larger size, no squawking and fuller deeper tone..I am 5.3'..and have skinny fingers and have no problem at all..you can always return /exchange if it doesn't work for you. 

I am playing the condor bass C in this video..which if anything is slightly larger than the D

Thanks Monica. That outside measurement (1.2") seems like the same as the outside measurement of those with the 1" bore......1.25". I'm talking the outside of the wood. Is it really 1.2" for the standard condor bass?

Thanks for the pics and info. Now I can't decide between the standard bore (will have to confirm measurements) and the 1" bore like Maria's.

My new project is a 5 string dulcimer with double melody string. Its my first at this style. The body is 2 1/4" deep so it should be nice and full sounding.

Played with double melody strings for 4 years.  Changed recently to single string which I find considerably easier for finger picking, hammer ons and pull offs.  My wife changed to single string for the same reason especially because she is really into finger picking.

I build with 4 tuners, play using 3 strings. It allows double melody, 4 equidistant or single melody string setups.

That particular thread may have no responses but the subject matter is often mentioned/debated on these pages.  My own opinion is that it is a personal preference item.  I have and play both and notice very little difference.  If the dulcimer has mechanical tuners I tend to like the double melocy, wooden tuners, single melody.

Unless I'm doing a reproduction of an older dulcimer, I make them four string. My personal preference for playing is 3 string. It's easier to do hammer ons and pull offs on a single string.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

This question was asked a couple years ago without any responses.  I, being a new builder/player, would like to pose the same question.  I have looked and have found very little discussion on this topic and look forward to hearing from those with more experience.  Bottom line it may be simply a matter of 'personal preference' but I would like to hear others opinions: Single or double melody strings? 

http://fotmd.com/strumelia/group_discuss/1294/personal-preference-question-on-stringing

Good to know. Thanks Ken 

I buy their bulk Guitar (for ball end) or Loop End strings -- 12 in a sleeve IIRC, of a specified gauge and end type (ball or loop)  -- plenty  long

Susie the outside measures over 1.2.   I recommend the larger bore it has a fuller deeper sound . I am a small person and I have no problem. The condor bass D is aromatic Cedar and the Bass C is walnut. I also have a condor bass B that is spanish cedar ..it's a lot more challenging to play the holes are larger and further apart..but doable. I also recommend you check out Ancient Territories I have a couple of his flutes..beautiful craftsmanship and sound.in the photos starting from the left High spirits Condor bass B,C,D , Gm and Em 432 from atflutes.com

 IMG_0866.JPG.jpg - 157KB

Ken H, I'm about to buy bulk strings from JustStrings, and found you answered my question 2 yr's ago! I wasn't sure which instrument string length would be a crossover for the dulcimer, but Banjo it is. 

Monica, what is the outside diameter of your HS bass flutes? I know it's 1 1/4" for the 1" bore flutes. Was curious how they compare. I'm tall, have pretty good size hands and have 43 years experience playing stringed instruments. So I'm thinking I could handle the bass flute size (even the non-1" bore). Sounds like you have no problem with the size. What woods are yours?

I have the condor bass D and C, not the 1" bore however. I have no problems playing them, infact they play with ease and sound beautiful. The larger bore has no squawking but I do have squawking with the smaller bore flutes( Gm, F#) from high spirits.

Thanks Maria. I'm thinking seriously about the 1" bore Em flute (walnut). I love the low tones and this would fit nicely into my mix. 

[quote="Susie"]

Has anyone purchased a bass tone flute or more specifically, a HS 1" bore bass tone flute?

[/quote

Yup Suzie. I have their Dm and Em 1 inch bore flutes. I love both of them but the Dm took me much longer to be able to play without squawking. I was silly and it was only my 2nd flute after the Jonah Thompson Am that I learned on...but now after 10 months of playing the NA flute I can play it just like the others. Both of mine are in Walnut as they are much more durable (and I seem to always whack my instruments onto something lol)

Good luck

Maria

Has anyone purchased a bass tone flute or more specifically, a HS 1" bore bass tone flute?

Thanks, Jan. I knew the different airlines were talking about these changes but haven't flown lately.... Good to know. There are also new regulations (Federal? International?) regarding traveling between countries with rosewood (endangered). I had a luthier tell me to have a receipt with me for any instrument that I travel with, out of the country, that has rosewood or its cousins (fingerboard, bridge, etc). - the receipt proves I purchased it within the United States and I did not buy the instrument 'out of the country' and then am bringing it into the U.S. illegally (without paying the penalties). Sorry I don't have all the details on hand at the moment...but something to look into if you're going out of the country.

Cute, John! I don't think I knew that many songs at that age?? You seem to have control over the group LOL!

thanks, Ken, for your info and encouragement !! I will be sending Robert Force a note about other players .