Forum Activity for @strumelia

Keep safe and warm everyone, and play a favorite tune today if you can... 

Happy Winter Solstice  (December 21 2016) to all our wonderful and cherished FOTMD friends!!!  

Ouch Terry - not a good thing to happen. Please take care and I agree with another post to stay hydrated. Hope you are up to doing that gig next week!

Aww Terry so sorry you got so sick, food poisoning is scary, oysters got me and I am amazed that I can tell the story.

I hope you do what Lisa, your wife and daughter tell you "Drink Water" and me....feel better soon.

Can you reschedule your gig, aww gee sure am thinking of you and your family.  

Guys and ladies

Thank you for your kind comments.  This is one of the many reasons FOTMD is such a wonderful community.  Kind of like an extended family.  I love it.

Gail, my wife, and my daughter, a 25+ years RN, are constantly reminding me of how important additional fluids are to speed up recovery.   Like mother hens.☺😊😊

Terry, much of that weight loss may be fluids and dehydration- so be sure to drink lots of water for a while now!

I was at a music party just last night and an older gentleman collapsed and was unresponsive for a couple minutes- quite a scare.  We all thought he had a heart attack but apparently he was just severely dehydrated and it was made worse when he had a glass of wine and his blood pressure suddenly dropped- thank goodness one of the guests was a nurse who monitored him til the ambulance got there.  At midnight his wife emailed us all to let us know he was ok and they were home from the hospital, and about dehydration being the cause.

So Terry, just saying that you surely must be partly still dehydrated after your ordeal-  so take that seriously and 'drink like a fish' for a few days...water, that is!

I'm so sorry you got so sick, Terry.  Most of that weight loss is water weight, and you will gain some back after you are completely stable.  There is nothing more distressing than food poisoning.  I'm so glad to hear you are out of the hospital and back home. That is good news.  Feel better fast, and have a very merry Christmas!

Terry, I can believe it. I knew someone who got bad spinach a few years ago. She dropped a lot of weight. She did say it was a blessing in disguise as she said she needed to lose some weight. Well, she did, unexpectedly, but she did. She said she would have preferred to drop the weight another way but she was happy that she did. I hope you feel better soon. I'll say a prayer for you. :)

Thank y'all for commiserating with me.  Feeling better but still having trouble keeping food down.  My weight is a consistent 155, but now down to 145.  

Can you believe that?  10 lbs in 5 days.  I need to go on TV and sell a new weight loss program.  "The Chittlins Less Diet".😅

Ken, I think I gained a couple pounds just reading your post!  Seriously, it sounds yummy!

We get the real "Figgy Pudding"  a.k.a.  Christmas Pud.  Lady Sally's Mum started it this time last year, and it has been "maturing" for the best part of 12 months.  This year we're having our English Christmas Dinner on Christmas Day rather than Boxing Day.  That day I'll simmer the Pud in its container for 3 hours or so before unmolding and pouring brandy over it to be lit.  Mum's version is very dense like a fruit cake, but without the big chunks of fruit, and we serve it with Custard and whipped cream.   

Our dinner is traditional roasted beef stabbed with garlic cloves (this year a 6 lb Rib Roast) with roasted potatoes, parsnips and carrots, and green beans.  Sally also makes her family's moulded Yorkshire Puddings, made in cast iron open top molds.

Oh no!  I'm so glad you're feeling better.  Good on ya for knowing enough to go to the hospital when you needed it.  I know people who were too stubborn and almost missed the boat.  Now I'm wishing you good luck and a great time on Tuesday!

That looks identical to Randy's tab arrangement 

Terry, having had food poisoning many times in my life (including many bouts with "holiday food" that makes me deathly ill but doesn't seem to make anyone else sick), so I can really sympathize.  My system will even selectively choose certain ingredients to reject, having no problem with the rest, or will reject the food I ate at dinner, but not the snacks I had at the party several hours later.  I can't for the life of me figure out how my body does that, but it has, for sure made for some unpleasant holiday memories!  On the other hand, isn't holiday food lovely?!  Merry Christmas, everyone, and may we all have our version of "figgy pudding" to eat in good health! 

If that's the case, It could be a "Fredsel Martin", sorry, couldn't resist!!

I had also read that early on, Fred and Edsel worked together, then started doing their own, Maybe?? A joint venture? (Being in Colorado,) "joint" venture doesn't have a double meaning.

Thanks for all the input, very interesting piece, and like some earlier input, intonation is good until you get up to the higher frets, than seems a bit off.

 But also played a lot, no grooves in the wood in all the usual lower frets, but can see, and had to do a good deal of clean up at frets all the way up and down the board. Also on various strings. Can see dirt and finger oil; impregnated into the wood all over the scale. So indicates it's been around a long time, well played, but taken care of.

 Either way, not disappointed,  always looking for the unique, historical, and different. This is a nice one. Also came with the vinyl, gave me a reason to pull the turntable out. Now I really am dating myself.

Edsel also used the paper label inside. I did look a little closer at the carving. It does appear to look a bit morr like Edsels carving. The only thing that dosent look right is the way thr martin is written, just a lot different than the signature on the label in mine. Maybe a closer look inside will tell.

I don't believe it's a Fred.  Fred told me he always used the "Egyptian" head on the peghead.  The pegs look very similar to Fred's tho'.  Fred also used a paper label inside the instrument; no "signature" on the back of the peghead.  I do not believe it's a Fred. That being said, I think it could be an Edsel.

Hog chitterlings.  I've always liked chittlins, but never ever again.

The hospital actually reported this to the HD.

As far as I know, I'm the only one.  I have a very very sensitive stomach.  About every 90 days I have an episode.   But this was different.  Thought I was going to die.   Scared me and my wife.

Not out of the woods yet, but at least I am home.

George. I have one of Edsels very first dulcimers a coffin shape. Later he and his brother seemed to use the same style. Looking at the signature on the peg head , it is different than the way Edsel signed. I would tend to say it is a Fred Martin. Rob Lackey here on fotmd has a Fred Martin , he may be able to compare the writing on the signature.  Nice find, Kevin.

Too bad you got sick, Terry.  I had food poisoning a few months ago and was surprised how long I suffered from it.  Your case must have been worse if you ended in the hospital.  I hope you're back on your feet and strumming happily soon.

Well, an Edsel had all that funny chrome work on the front grill.....

Terry!      Gee i am glad you are here to tell the tale!  That must have been very bad to put you in the hospital for two days .  Did anyone else get sick?  Did you need to report it to the health dept?-  I once did after getting sick on frozen turkey burgers...wanted to be sure others didn't have to suffer, especially seniors or children.

Poor Terry!  Big hug to you.  I sincerely hope you are all better by next week.

Unfortunately,  I had to cancel my "gig" scheduled for tomorrow morning.   I just returned from a two nights at the hospital.   Severe case of food poisoning. 

Feeling netter, bit still weak.Rescheduled for next Tuesday. 

Blondie,  that was a great idea.   I am sure you were much appreciated. 

My friends and I just recently played at a nursing home and decided to just go up and down the halls caroling instead of having the director and aides bring the seniors to us... It worked out quite nicely. We paused where people were in their rooms and sang a couple tunes and moved on. Our set is about the same as has been mentioned previously, but we added Go Tell It On the Mountain and they clearly know that one and will/did sing along!

Cat, I hope your fingers and hands feel better so you can play your music. I know you can find your way to make it more comfortable and lots more satisfying to be able to play your dulcimers.

Keep strumming those sweet strings, even if it is just for a little while it sure brings peace for me.....

You all are my angels.  You have given me so much hope to what felt like an impossible situation..  Thank you and bless each of you.

I sang in 2 semi-professional choirs for 10 years each until a vocal cord was nicked and I could no longer sing.  I couldn't

 play my clarinet or flute.  I loved my dulcimers and then the finger problem.  Now I have hope and music again.

Recently picked this up after doing as much research as I could. Has the same look/design as either Edsel or Fred. There was another brother, Wade, but from what I'm finding he didn't build many dulcimers, it was Fred and Edsel. 

 They both used the same design as far as the dulcimer body, the biggest difference being the carvings on the "scroll". 

 Fred's carvings were, from what I've seen, were a bit more "rustic", where it seemed Edsel's were more refined. I looked at some of Edsel's figure carvings and the style seems to be consistent with what I'm seeing on the dulcimer itself.

 I can see no label or signature inside, although looks like there may have been at one point, but really can't tell for sure.

 The seller included 2 sweet old vinyl LP's. The Mill Run Dulcimer Band, and Edsel Martins Appalachian Dulcimer Music. Both in great condition and play great with no skipping.

 The Edsel one has Photos on the back of him holding his dulcimer, It looks liek this one, although the photo is grainy and you can't see the figure carved clearly at all, the style is definitely the same. 

 I have posted pictures of the dulcimer, The album cover, a couple of photos of Fred Martin to compare the carving styles.

 Let me know what you think!!

 And I'm only guessing here, so am curious what you all think.

 111.jpg - 166KB

That's cool Sam! I wouldn't be surprised if his dulcimer comes down from that wall and becomes a well-prized musical instrument, as it was born to be 

(BTW, what net site do you have?)

Bob, I did tell him about this site and how it's grown and that it is the friendliest site on the net (besides mine :) ). He sounded very interested. I was telling him about Strumelia's wonderful tutorials, which actually gave me my start at playing, and it sounded like he still has an interest in learning. I'm hoping to meet Jim and his son soon.

It's great that you're dedicated to this 'investigation'. a veritable history sleuth    I wonder if the owner knows how interested people are of the 'decoration' hanging on his wall!!

Thanks Sam, it will be fun to hear from these two men about the instruments. Great that you are sharing this story with us.

I'm also thinking that with better photos, someone here might have some input.

Tony, I agree in essence with everything you've said, but I think the drum machines are more versatile than you give them credit for.  With those that you control with foot pedals, you can tap the machine on and off, of course, but you can also tap to different beats, tap to pause while you play something out of sequence, and more.  In other words, you are not as "locked in" as you might imagine but can learn to control the machine very well, even spontaneously.

But still, I find it more impressive when a musician can creat the rock groove or the blues groove or the Latin groove or whatever without using electroni gadgets and only playing their instrument.

Thanks for sharing this fascinating adventure with us Sam!

Sounds like a good deal; dinner and researching an interesting dulcimer. Looking forward to what you find out about this dulcimer.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Welp ... just got off the phone with Jim. He's the gentleman that purchased the dulcimer I saw in the restaurant. Jim doesn't have any info other than he purchased the instrument in North Carolina some years back. He actually bought two with plans of taking lessons being offered near his home at the time in North Carolina. He didn't take the lessons and hasn't pursued the dulcimer. He thinks the one I saw may have been made in the 70's but isn't sure. He does not know who built it or where for sure. I asked if he'd looked inside through the sound holes, he has not but will and agreed to let me know if he finds a builder label in either of the instruments. 

The owner of the restaurant will gladly let me look closer at the one there and photograph it as long as he is present. His father owns them both and lives next door. If the father is home, I will be able to look at the second dulcimer as well. I think it will be well worth the price of a GREAT dinner to get a chance to look at the instruments, so, that's my plan, to call ahead and get a time that both men can be present and that I can see and photograph both dulcimers. 

 The best article I've seen on chord playing in DAA was written by Merv Rowley (RI.P) several years back  Really comprehensive chord charts and much more  You can read it here:

http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/files/articles/31/Learning_Chord_Melody_Style.pdf

Diana, the Roman numerals that we use to refer to chords have nothing to do with fret numbers. We use those Roman numerals no matter what instrument you are playing.  Referring to Roman numberals for chords allows us to transpose from one key to another.  In the key of D, D major is I, G major is IV, and A is V.  In the key of C, C major is I, F major is IV, and G major is V.  That is the case whether you are playing the dulcimer or the piano or just talking about music and describing the chord changes of a song.  Again, it has nothing to do with frets. Instead, it has to do with the chord associated with each scale position. If the first note of our scale is D, then the fourth note of the scale is G, and the G major chord will be referred to as IV. If we wanted a minor chord associated with a scale position, it would be written in lower case Roman numerals, as in ii, or iv.

And remember that even in a DAd tuning, we might not play in the key of D. I just arranged a simple version of "WIll Ye No Come Back Again" in the key of G but tuned DAd.  The G chord will be the I and the C the IV and the D the V.  Note how those Roman numerals are determined by the key of the song and not the fret position.

I have to admit that I mostly play in 1-5-8 tunings. But I usually tune DAd or CGc on my standard dulcimer, occasionally going up to EBe. And I tune AEa or GDg on my baritone.  When I play chords i don't think "now I'm moving from G to C." . Rather, assuming I'm on my baritone tuned to G, I think "now I'm moving from I to IV."  That way I don't have to think about how my dulcimer is tuned and don't have to do any fancy transpositions.  I just play the same on any instrument in any 1-5-8 tuning.

There are plenty of chord charts floating around the internet for the more common dulcimer tunings, so you can easily find chords to play when you are tuned DAA. Check out the attached file by Stephen Seifert, for example.

Stephen Seifert DAA chord chart.pdf - 156KB