Forum Activity for @strumelia

Though I've never actually owned a vintage or antique dulcimer myself, when I first saw one of these beautiful old single peg tail ends, I thought to myself:  

Wow, that's cool, but....it would be such a huge PAIN to change a string-  if you needed to change the string at the bottom of the stack there, you'd have to loosen and remove all the other strings on top of it first, to take it off the peg...then replace the string and pile them all back on again.

It didn't occur to me that I was being really, really dense.   

Suddenly the light went on in my head and I realized that if I had to change one of the strings that wasn't 'on top' of the loops stacked on the peg, all i'd need to do was take a little wire snipper and CUT that particular string loop where it looped around the peg, and then just pull it out to extract it from the pile without disturbing the other string loops on the peg.  Then I just put a new string on and its loop will then be on the top of the stack.

D U H .    

Yeah, seems like a no brainer in retrospect, but as a beginner it honestly didn't occur to me at first.  Who knows, maybe I'll save somebody from actually taking off all their strings in order to replace just one string!   

This may seem like an obvious tip to some folks, but honestly I had an "aha! moment" years ago when I figured it out.  So I thought I'd share it in case it saves someone else some effort some day.

You know how most modern dulcimers have a separate little pin or hole- one for each string to end on at their tail piece area?  Sort of like this or a similar arrangement:

Well, many older or vintage dulcimers ( and some of today's wonderful reproductions of old dulcimers) have instead a single peg, knob, or dowel at the tail end where all the strings loop over, one on top of the other, something like this arrangement:

Strumelia--I'll go ahead and buy a button because I could use one anyway...but just wondering if it might get here by this Friday?? I depart Saturday. 

Jan--thanks for stepping up with some ideas for coordinating etc.  I could certainly "do" lunch on Tuesday if that's what is suggested.  I depart for our 3 week trip this weekend but I will check back here for updates while I'm on the road.

I thought there were some open stage "events" at the lunch hour on some days...that I didn't see on the schedule; that's why I wasn't so sure about the schedule....but I think Tues is a great suggestion of connecting with FOTMD folks. 

Cindy and others, its clear there are lots of opinions on this.  The original question was whether to get a "possom board built on" the dulcimer.  That is usually called a Galax back or false back. I have one on my Modern Mountain Dulcimer.  The only "con" is that it makes the dulcimer a little bigger.  But it allows the back to vibrate and definitely provides greater volume. Mine is similar to the dulcimer Don Pedi is playing here .

But you don't necessarily need a possom board; you can just lay your dulcimer on any piece of wood.  Peter Tommerup just uses a piece of wooden shelving and places his dulcimer on it.  Check it out here .

There are basically two principles here. One is that when you place your dulcimer on your lap, the back cannot vibrate; lift it off your lap and it can, thus producing more volume.  The other principle is that the board the dulcimer sits on can vibrate as well (if it is not on your lap), which will increase sound. That is why putting the dulcimer on a table will increase volume so much.

I would also like to voice my vote against that tiny HoneyTone mini amp. Yes, it is inexpensive. Yes it runs on batteries and travels very well.  But it barely amplifies your sound at all and it is mainly intended for people who want to mimic electric guitar sounds, not those who want to amplify an acoustic sound. I bought one of them, played around with it, and sold it for the price of shipping to someone here at FOTMD. I was so disappointed with it that I would have felt guilty charging the next buyer for it, even at a discounted rate.

Kandee,  I'm the one with the buttons, here at home.  If anyone wants to order FOTMD pin buttons in time for Kentucky music week, they need to order them right NOW , via Paypal, in order for me to get them to you in time through the mail 1st class.   Order them HERE .   If you wait past June 15 to order them, they may not get to you by the weekend of June 24th in time for Kentucky music week.

Robert and Strumelia - I'll get my guitar buddy to try open tuning, and we'll see what happens. Maybe it was the guitar! ;-D

Paula, Enjoy!

Dusty, Yes!!! Thank you! Thank you!!! 

Perhaps this is it, Patty. It's Dulcimerica 194 "Getting the Bends."

 ( check the first fret and see if the length of the first fret is less than the length of the second fret.  The first fret is shorter than the 2nd fret distance and so it is a just intonation)

Wow, is this how we can tell Just intonation on all dulcimers? Is there also a way to tell equal temperament?

Dan, Thanks!!! Yes, I know how to do that with a noter. My friend prefers chord melody style so she would like to learn to bend strings with her fingers. Bing Futch did an excellent video on this but I can't seem to find it. 

Paula,

Haven't used a possum board for long but have made two, last one much better - lighter and can fit most any dulcimer but if I made another one and raised the part to hold the dulcimer and made it only pencil wide, I'm sure it would make the dulcimer sound different. Other members will have a better answer but below is what I have found out so far as I am learning about the possum board and what it brings to the dulcimer.

1.  What I have found, using only mine is it does raise the dulcimer up a bit on your lap so you will need to readjust your playing style some.

2.  Where the board would fit any dulcimer, not all dulcimers sound good on it. My McSpadden maybe doesn't need one, since I fell it bounces the sound around more than boosts the sound.

3.  If you add felt so the dulcimers doesn't get scratch or if any loose clothing overlaps the board and makes contact you will damper the sound.

I would bring the dulcimer you most want to put on a board or several dulcimers to Jm's and try it or them out. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Paula for DAA the melody and middle are the same, an octave above the the bass D.

Are you finger noting or using a noter? With the noter you simply key the fret board and touch the string in the accidental spot and it will ring that note. As per Robin Clark's advanced noter technique video.

I know Bing Futch posted a video on the old FOTMD site that gives instruction and demonstration on how to bend strings to get those accidentals, in between notes, of a song. I tried searching Youtube and he has lots and lots of videos. If anyone out there can remember the name of his video or provide a link I would be very grateful. I tried searching this site but apparently from what I can see that video did not migrate over to this site? I got a friend who is new to the dulcimer but she is picking up on things very quickly and I would like to send her a video (Bing's or anyone else's) on how to bend strings. I think my friend is going to end up a better dulcimer player than me. She has really taken to the instrument. It makes me happy

They are all the same 'A', the 4th fret on the bass [which is the same as 'D' below middle 'C' in DAdd].

Hi,  how do they feel on your lap?  Pro and cons?  Jim lives close to me so would be convenient to buy from

Thanks for all the great information  I did purchase the warren may, #657 which according to warren it is a 1979 or 1980 with just intonation.  He said to check the first fret and see if the length of the first fret is less than the length of the second fret.  The first fret is shorter than the 2nd fret distance and so it is a just intonation.  It is in perfect condition and a beautiful Birdseye maple dulcimer. It has old strings on it.  Extra strings are sized at 22 for bass and 12 for the other strings.  I am not sure on the tuning In terms of the octaves of the 155.  I think the bass should be the normal D bass as a DAD would be.  Is the AA on the middle and melody strings tuned to the normal A which would be on the middle string of DAD tuning or are the middle and melody different octaves?  I will post pictures.

 1465745880099-1735288457.jpg - 114KB

Kevin's comment reminds me to add that I'm playing dulcimer with D tuned guitar in noted drone style... Robert.

I fret all my noter drone specific Dulcimers in JI. Like Robert I have no trouble playing with others . No I wouldn't buy a JI dulcimer if I was a melody chord player, not what it is designed for. But if you are wanting to play noter drone style you can not have a better fret board layout,it just sounds far better than an ET instrument. So It all comes down to what you want to play. I play with groups of players that some are melody /chord , some noter/ drone and we all play well together. I don't look at the differences as limitations ,but, as special qualities that the different instruments have. 

I have no problem playing my ji dulcimers with guitar. They sound absolutely great togerter. The important thing is this... Say your playing in D... Tuned Daa...the guitar must be tuned in open D... That is DADF#AD... And tuned to the dulcimers D&a strings. Unfortunately most guitar players cannot play in open D... Shame shame shame.. Their loss... Thanks Anne !!!..... Robert.

Or you might view it as the guitar was what sounded 'off', not your dulcimer.   

I bought a JI dulcimer last summer, beforre I knew any of the above info. Thought it sounded "off" when a guitar player joined me....However, I hafta' say, it has the sweetest sound in the world when played on its own...thank you, Robert Schuler!

Have you seen some of Christine Shoemaker's videos, she has a dulciborn but just got a Gold Tone custom chromatic 5-string bartione dulciborn  

She is a member so you could search for her on FOTMD    

Frank Ledgerwood was a member but I do not see him now, can still see some of his videos on youtube, with these I just fell in love with the sound f the dulcimer

Marg,  I do have a dulciborn now , a gold tone and I do like it...  The action is pretty good on it...  I know others have had theirs adjusted too...

I am very sorry to hear of John's death.  When my wife Angela and myself were making our first visit to the USA (from the UK) in 2005, we met John at the JP Fraley Mountain Music Gatherin' in Carter Cave, Kentucky.  He was very friendly and welcoming and keen to talk about all things dulcimer.

 I think I'm going to try this with my bother on Sunday.  He's a percussionist by training...

Oh man, what a turn on!   

Val was playing her fiddle, and I tried this. She started swatting me with her bow!

I like your idea, Marg!  I looked through recordings to see if I have one to post here and I don't. I believe I jammed on Whiskey Before Breakfast with John.  He was a very fine player! 

Way cool, Dusty!  

I first became a fan of the play of fiddlesticks through the play of the band the Black Twig Pickers. 

Mark & I have experimented with my playing md while he's beating with chopsticks. . . We need to practice lots more before we'll sound any good. :)

That's our main place to eat in Bardstown!

I always thought Cajun music worked well on the dulcimer because so much of it was written for the diatonic accordion. But there was a droning tradition, too. Check out these fiddlesticks playing a rhythmic drone to one of the oldest Cajun tunes around.

For anyone eating suppers out, the Stephen Foster Restaurant  at 503 W. Stephen Foster Rd. (2 blocks from the school and just west of the Best Western--also called the "General Nelson Inn"...and kind of behind a gas station) is one of the places frequented by KMW attendees--just show up anytime between 5 and 6:30 and you'll find folks to sit with.  They have a buffet that's around $10 and it has a wide variety which changes slightly every day.  Not gourmet, but typical country home cookin'.  You can expect things like fried catfish, pork chops, chicken, ham, shrimp, pot roast, mashed potatoes, greens, corn, brown beans and cornbread, salad bar, chocolate cake, hot cobbler and a Make-your-own sundae station with soft serve ice cream (which is also good on top of the cobbler).

There are many really good restaurants in Bardstown...I just mention this one because it's easy to connect with other KMW folks--we just keep filling up the tables!

Can be found here  http://www.kentuckymusicweek.com/schedules.html

Kandee, I want to meet you and the other FOTMD attendees!  I'll ask Nancy (the director) if it's OK to connect in various ways.  Having lunch together--Tuesday?-- would be one way.  I was thinking of putting some helium balloons on a couple tables so we'd know where to sit.  Those of us not signed up for the lunch plan will either bring a lunch or will buy something to eat at the concession stand.  I was thinking about putting up a sign with FOTMD in large letters and lots of space around it to "sign in" that you're there...maybe add a photo, say where you're staying, put down what classes you're taking...any other suggestions?  It really is great to meet our fellow members in person, and early in the week is the way to do it.

    I'd also strongly urge members who are attending KMW or DulcimerU  or ANY of these other events to purchase the FOTMD button...pin it on (or near) your name tag so it will be easily noticed!  The ordering info is on our home page.

     Let me know if you have other suggestions.  And if you want your photo on the poster, send it to me or let me know it's OK to print off one from this site.

I hit the road on June 17 but will check in periodically to see if there are any coordinated efforts to meet up one day at lunch.  I'm flexible (I think).  Not fully aware of the daily schedule at KMW at this time.

     Well,  Lowe's only sells fan blades in a package of 4 but the lumber section had some nice wood about the size of a fan blade and less expensive. I followed the 1/4" measurements but I ended up not putting the inserted wood at the ends, I thought it sounded better placing it in more. Anyway very simple to make, very light and cost about $5. for the materials.

    Photo attached, remember it's a very simple P. board but works and doesn't change the tone. Not having sides I can slide the dulcimer up or back or use for all of the ones I have.

thanks everyone, again

 p. board.jpg - 48KB

Robin Clark made a great video comparing different scale temperaments.  Watch this and all will become clear: 

A JI dulcimer is a specialist.  Played alone, it sounds terrific in the scale it was built to play -- for Mr. May's instruments, this means the Ionian scale that begins on the 3rd fret.  Scales that start on other frets will sound off, some worse than others.  This is why you need an Ionian tuning like DAA and not DAD.

No matter what tuning you use, as Ken said, the JI dulcimer will not play well with standard modern dulcimers.  Nor will it work with guitars, keyboards, or other instruments that play defined notes.  Some of your notes will be flat and sound awful.  You can't play chords on it, either.  A really skilled player, paying rapt attention, might be able to bend strings to make the pitches blend, but I can't imagine anyone doing this in a dulcimer club.

This does not doom you to play alone: a fretless instrument or a vocalist with a good ear can play along with a JI dulcimer, and there's always percussion :)  Still, it's important to understand that a JI dulcimer will impose limitations you wouldn't have with a modern equal-temperament dulcimer.