Forum Activity for @shirinsam

Hello.

I was searching information on Angell dulcimers and trying to work out the simplest way to clean one up. It looks as if I now own your sister's dulcimer after purchasing it on eBay recently!

My daughter is studying music therapy and is gaining a small collection of appropriate instruments. She has been asking for a dulcimer for some time, so I purchased one from eBay for her Christmas present. I'll be uploading new pictures as I clean her up. 

Just wanted to let you know that your sister's instrument has found a safe landing. 

Shirin 

Exploring the world of plectra is almost a hobby all by itself! I love my collection of picks, and I'm sure I am not alone in this. So many different materials, shapes, colors and thicknesses.  I sort them into different little Altoid tins.  There's even a tin in my desk drawer at work to fidget with while I'm on the phone or in a Zoom meeting.  Brings me calm comfort and joy. I have hand-made ones from buttons and coconut shell and coins.  I have an off-brand green cellulose pick that sounds the best on my dulcimer, but awful on my other instruments. I may never get used to thumb picks, but I have a few. Experiment and find the sound you want!

My dream dulcimer would be the one that I build. I have all the wood, all the luthier tools and all the supplies, fret wire, machine tuners, etc. Have all the saws, drills, sanders and all the woodworking machinery and hand tools to make all types of instruments. When I do make it I’ll send a pic. or two. Steve

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Correction. Sorry, I meant the trigger finger was on my LEFT hand.Steve.

Had “trigger finger” three weeks ago.Right hand, ring finger. Don’t shoot with that hand. Dr. gave me three options, splint w/ an ointment (antiflammatory cream), steroid shot into the tendon sheath or surgery. Splint it for 20 days. Having a hard time bending it now. Can’t play guitar, banjo and ukulele . Don’t have to bend fingers as far for guitar playing to play Mountain dulcimer. So I guess I’m meant to play the dulcimer more. Recently bought a Songbird hammered dulcimer. Have finally got the books and DVD’s I wanted. Built my own adjustable stand and made a pair of a little larger hammers. If my finger doesn’t recover to where I can play my guitar I will be playing both the Mountain and Hammered dulcimers. Steve.

 IMG_5368.jpeg - 210KB

Thanks Ken. This chart is what I was looking for. Now if I can learn to play both dulcimers at the same time. Steve.

Basically everyone writes tab in their own way.  So, if guitar-like notation works for you, that's great.  Realize of course that Jean did not play chords in the guitar sense.  She played Noter & Drone style, where the middle and bass strings drone open notes and the melody note is fingered only on the melody string...  Mostly, noter & drone tablature is just written as a single string of numbers representing the melody string, one note for each note sung.   

I did find this for you, from the Ultimate Guitar site -- the chords for Jean's unique version of Barbry Allen:
BARBRY ELLEN CHORDS by Jean Ritchie @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com  

Well there's a YouTube vid that teaches DGD chords:   Dulcimer chords in DGD tuning #5 Am #mountaindulcimer with FREE chord chart (youtube.com)

There's this too:

I have two dulcimers. I want to be able to play more songs at my jam sessions. Where can I get a chord chart for the DGD tuning? I have the chart for the DAD tuning. I will bring both dulcimers in the two different tunings so I can play in more songs. Steve.

I'm glad to hear the it went well for you Ken.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Milton came ashore about 85 miles north of us, at Siesta Key in Sarsota.  Nothing here but winds, not much rain.  Lost power for about 15 minutes is all..

I purchased a dulcimer last week after wanting one for a very long time. I have been listening to Jean Ritchie's instructional record, and learning her major version of Barbry Ellen. It seemed to me like the easiest way to write out the melody she is playing on the dulcimer was to do it similar to the way guitar chords are written out, the chord written on top of the lyric that is sung. The number refers to the fret on the melody string that is pressed, the other two strings are always a drone. The slides are written the same way that they would be in guitar tab, for example 3/5 being a slide up from the 3rd to 5th fret, and 6\5 being a slide down from the 6th to 5th.

Here are the recordings I got the music from. She has a bit more variation in her melody in different verses but I decided to keep it simple for now and do the same thing for each verse. She explains her strumming variations as well which I may try and find a better way to write out another time.

I will try to get a video of me playing/singing soon :) Let me know what you think. I'm sure I'm not the first person to write out dulcimer music this way so I would be curious if there are similar methods out there as well.

Barbry Ellen Dulcimer.pdf - 18KB

The same goes for pipe organs, and probably everything else, too. There are purist enthusiasts of all instruments.  For me, there’s a line of integrity between forward-thinking and honest development of the instrument, and wandering into the territory of appropriation, turning the instrument into something it was not intended to be. I’m all for development and evolution, but not bastardization. The difference between “folk” and “legit” is the same as the difference between “jazz” and “legit.” It has to do with what may be considered “mainstream.” Jazz has become mainstream. So has a lot of folk. For ME, folk should be accessible to all who want to play, without regard to “acceptable credentials.” One’s talent and dedication will out, in the end. 

I’m not familiar with nylon tape wound, but I am familiar with metal tape wound — and with nylon wrapped flats for bass, as well as classical guitar strings. I don’t care for nylon strings. They stretch too much and require fiddling with the tuning.  I also don’t care for the sound — they’re too mellow; YMMV. If I had an issue with string squeak, I’d probably look at either nickel flats or tapes. For me, they produce a livelier tone.  

Martin uses bone on its guitars; Gibson and Taylor use a synthetic (Tusq) that they insist is better tuned to conduct the frequencies particular to guitars. Gibson also uses Micarta and Corian. Most of us would likely never really hear the difference. I bet these materials are harder than at least most woods, and likely conduct better. However, I suggest that, like all other musical instruments, it’s not really a concern of the material of one component, but the synthesis of all build factors. A bone nut will still sound bad if the total build is suspect. 

Those are good. But if you want less pick noise, you might try the Dunlop Jazz III. They’re small, so not much point. They’re a thick, mellow pick.

you can decrease the bad noises using a Dunlop nylon pick (they are grey).
They are less noisy than plastic picks (and they never brake !).
I use 0,73 for dulcimer and 0,88 for guitar.

We're in the Cone Of Uncertainty:

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The news media have heavily reported on the storm damage in the NC mountains, but other southeastern states have suffered as well.

Keep these folks in prayer as well as all of the those who assisting and aiding, paid or volunteers.

Our church has had several members go to the NC mountains. Their first hand reports tell us the damage is 10 times worse when seen in person than any of the images can show on the news. Our church has sent two trucks of commodity items so far and another one is going this coming Tuesday. The mountain people are so resilient and in spite of the damages, losses, and their personal situations generally have an attitude of "we'll get through this together."  

If  you can afford to give I suggest donations to one of the faith based organizations as they have a positive track record of getting goods to those who need it the most.

This is going to be a years long recovery and rebuild, maybe 10 years or more. May we not forget them when the news tires of reporting on this event.

@john-w-mckinstry , that is something I can really relate to-  I have not planted morning glories by the side of our sunny garage door in about five years. Have not seen hide nor hair of them in that time.  Then, just three mornings ago, Brian and I were surprised to see two giant Heavenly Blue blooms there near the ground, looking much like your picture. It surprised us as well!  Seems like an omen of some sort?  We could all use some good omens these days i think. If i see more blooms before the frost puts an end to our brave little survivor plant, i will think of you John.  

No, at 15 you're having fun!

The destruction from Helene and the subsequent flooding has been horrific. So many of the effected communities are completely isolated because of roads destroyed and all communications and power down. It's a challenge to get the massive amounts of aid needed to people under such devastating conditions- shelter, water, food, power, medical help... my heart goes out to all the families suffering. I read today that some folks are using pack mules to get help to some isolated places.
To now hear of a new hurricane forming and churning its way towards Florida, that's so awful. Is this going to be a hurricane season worse than any other in US history? Let us hope not.

:"Heavenly Blue Moment"

The other day I walked up the upper deck stairs in search of small tomatoes. When I turned the corner, I was given a "Heavenly Blue Moment".  Just ahead of me was a beautiful six inch blossom of this morning glory.  We have been waiting for two years to see one.  One year there was too much shade. This year I chose a sunny location. All my others morning glories have been in blossom for over a couple of months now. I had just about given up when, in this first week of October, I was given this "Heavenly Blue Moment"!  I was worth the waiting.

!

Hi, just beginning on dulcimer, but I have years and years of professional experience with fine guitars, boutique electric basses, and minor violin repair. I appreciate fine instruments, and grow quickly frustrated with poor intonation, poor quality build, poor action, and mediocre tone. I’m looking for a less expensive instrument to begin with. Looking at either a McSpadden or an interesting “beginner” instrument by Bill Berg.  What do you think of Bill’s quality?

Yes, it's been a great resource. I still use WFRET on an old PC laptop. It's the only program I use on that computer. There is a wealth of information for instrument builders on that site.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Have been using MIMF for twenty years I think...  They have(or had) the best fret spacing calculator on the planet -- WFRET; The older version (which I still have) is best.  LOTS of interesting ideas and articles there.

Just stumbled across this web site.  I thought it may be of some interest to some of you out there.

The Musical Instrument Makers Forum   mimf.com

Yes, High Spirits continues to sell, and their online store is well stocked. I still get their monthly newsletter....all appears normal. My last purchase from them was in February of this year.

Is High Spirit Flutes still making flutes?  Odell's stock has been either low or sold out for sometime now and no returned phone calls.  Holding him in consciousness for continued health, prosperity and well-being.

Hello everyone!

This message is to find the sound and vibration of music inside and all around you.

I'm interested in a High Spirits Nova Double Bass D flute.  If anyone has one they'd like to sell, or know of someone who has a new or used NDBD please reach out and say hello and connect.

Much love!

Soundsoflove

Although I already saw this sad news on Facebook I appreciate your sharing it here Lisa. I did not know Judith but as Dusty notes she was a caring person and, of course, she was a member of the mountain dulcimer community. My sympathy goes out to her family and friends.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks for sharing that sad news with us, Lisa.  The obituary makes it clear what a caring person Judith was.

Thank you for letting us know, Lisa.  I wish for comfort for all her friends and family. 

Judith passed away September 25. The wetzlerfuneralhome.com has her obituary.

Please consider sharing special memories of her either at the Wetzler site or here. 

Is there an instrument that doesn’t infect with “acquisition disorder?” I have a friend who has 27 guitars. I try to keep my condition to a minimum to placate She Who Must be Obeyed. I only own 2 guitars: a cheap, short scale Squire and a new Gibson L-00. I own two electric basses, 7 Irish whistles and 14 Native American flutes. No dulcimers yet; I’m currently refurbishing a kit model owned by my church, but I expect to break out in acquisition pustules at any moment… Pray for me; these things are not cheap!

Bass amps are tuned and equalized to efficiently reproduce and amplify lower tones. If using a bass amp, I expect you’ll have to roll off the bass and boost the treble. If you have access to an acoustic guitar amp, that would be better. 

If the word Dulcimer means sweet sounding instrument, then maybe the instrument is called a dulcimer for its sound and not the number of strings or how it is fretted.  There are a few cases of pre-revival chromatic instruments and many Virginia dulcimers had four equidistant strings.  There is also the case that, what we refer to as Scheitholts were called dulcimers as early as 1758 and in Ohio these fretted zithers were still being called dulcimers in the 19th century. And then of course we have the hammered dulcimer…now if you want to make a distinction between the Kentucky or Virginia or even the Pre-revival as opposed to post revival or even between traditional and modern dulcimers, then that is definitely legitimate.  But for me the dulcimer is a dulcimer because of its sweet sound.  I love the sound of the instrument and that’s why I play it.  I play guitar, banjo, Irish harp, a little mandolin and a few others, I play diatonic and semi-chromatic, but don’t enjoy fully chromatic dulcimers and that is because the limited scale forces me to be more creative and I love trying to get everything I can from a limited scale.  As was mentioned by Ken you can used the Virginia tuning and get to a lot of places on that scale..it’s just plain fun.  But it’s all dulcimer to me…just listen to that sound.

Sibelius's Finlandia , beautifully sung. 

https://youtu.be/NC-NK21d2tg?si=AeTaJiu1Fvuh7kZj

NC mountains hard hit. Well over 400K people without power, Many are isolated with no means of getting any help due to roads and bridges washed out, no phone or cell or internet service. There are literally thousands of volunteers on the ground and sending needed supplies. 3 churches that I know of in our area in central NC are sending trucks and trailers loaded with needed supplies. Keep these folks and the many helpers lifted in prayer.