Forum Activity for @sleepingangel

Hey Everyone, 
I got my Roosebeck Cutaway on Thursday afternoon. I have to agree with John Stephens. I was SHOCKED at how well it is made. My dad is 90 and has made me beautiful wooden items and he looked at it and said it looked "hand rubbed" I've had some instruments that were made overseas that had visible glue and just shotty workmanship...but honestly this thing is rock solid and very pretty. Also the tuners are very beefy and I've been playing it for probably a total of 10 hours and it's already staying in tune. I bought two sets of D'adarrio strings to change when these get worn. I hear that once you change the strings it will sound even better. ALso the frets are not sharp (i've owned guitars and mandolins where you rub your hand across the neck and it gets stuck on the frets ) but this is NOT the case with this instrument. Now as far as the sound. I think it's pretty loud when you want it to be. I personally think I would eventually like a "deeper" sounding dulcimer or even the dulciborn as I like that sound a bit more...but I'm actually getting used to it and finding ways to play it that emphasize the low d string!

Just thought I would let you know.

Take care

Maria

Thanks everyone for your input. In the end I went with the Ron Ewing. I called him up and spoke with him and he was very nice to speak with. I told him that maybe someday I would be buying one of his custom ones!! I mailed him the check on Thursday and I hope to be getting the capo by the end of next week! 

I'll let you all know how it is etc.

Take care

Maria

Thanks Rob!!! I'll search for the other one.

Thanks, Jim, I appreciate it. 

Thanks Robin!

I dont live in that neck of the woods but if I did I would surely check it out thank ya all !!!

                                                                                                        Jeff

Thanks for them both Rob. Didn't comment on the first one you posted, but I'll comment here  for them both.  

Here's another shorty I've been working on for a little while.  Donald MacPherson's Lament is a Scottish Slow Air for the pipes.  The tab is in DAA, played from 0 to 7.  I'm hoping to add a DAd version in the higher octave.  Enjoy.  There may be more coming in book form if I can keep up this pace  LOL

Donald MacPherson's Lament.pdf - 25KB

Then there is the poor mans capo. I personality don't use them. But if I need one, This works for me.

Daa capo second fret gives a deadly pritty Polly... Robert... 

 IMG_20151112_095536_346.jpg - 98KB

Robin.... I prefer to re-tune, but sometimes those durn fiddlers want to jump right into a tune in a different key.  A capo is the quick way to get there (unless they're going to C lol.)

Here's a mournful little Russian song, requested by Oliver Ogden.  It's 2 pages: the first just the melody playing using a capo on 1 in DAd tuning; the 2nd is still in DAd tuning but using chords without a capo, still in E minor.  It was a fun song to tab out and will be a great addition to the repertoire.

Katyusha.pdf - 58KB

I understand it very well, believe me  I play a lot with other instruments, special the violin. The violin is a chromatic instrument and transposing, or just shift your fingers, is rather easy, where on the dulcimer the diatonic fret board is a hazard. Violin players won't give up playing open strings , unless they are more secure about there playing. (When a singer better sings in Eb rather than in D, the violin player is against plying a different key, not the guitar nor the bass player. I will not mention the percussionist.  To use a capo the best way is on a chromatic dulcimer, so playing a lot together with other instruments, leave the diatonic ones behind.

BTW to make the sound of the guitar more flamenco, flamanco players use another guitar made of different wood. Using a capo is a trick, but doesn't make it sound gypsy like. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flamenco_guitar

Lexie, I hope you'll be able to travel southeast someday and visit, play some tunes and share in fellowship at a mountain dulcimer gathering! 

Wout, I don't think you understood the first part of my response.  Fiddlers (especially) play songs in certain keys, they won't play a tune written in the key of A in D.  That's where the capo comes in.  When you play with other instruments, they are not going to play everything in D.  A capo is quick way to get to G or A (with a 6 1/2 fret) on the dulcimer.

Actually, it was given to Jean when she won an award (the name escapes me), and donated to HSS by Jon & Peter upon her passing. Four of those "award chairs" are in the Great Hall - James Still, Albert Stewart, and (I think) Loyal Jones.

That's what I said: a different quality in sound, but a flamenco guitar is a chromatic instrument, the dulcimer isn't...

Transposing to D (Dm) allow same chords. Once you know these in these two keys, you can play everything without learning new grips.

Anyway, I have a capo

And the rocking chair in Ken's picture is the one Jean used when she came to the school.  Quite the tableau there!

Wout, use of a capo can be handy when playing with other instruments.  Fiddle tunes are played in certain keys.  If you ask a fiddler to play Old Joe Clark or June Apple he'll immediately start playing it in the key of A, not D.  A capo on 4 is the easy way to get to A, particularly if you're in DAd.  Old Black Cat and No Corn on Tygart are in G, so capo on 3 and off you go.  Then again, sometimes you just want a different "sound."  I took a flamenco guitar master class with Chucales once and we were using a capo.  I asked him why, since we weren't accompanying a singer.  He said, "so it will sound more flamenco."  There you go!

Thanks Patty, that was an old post, so I deleted it just now.  

Sounds like a great time! I've got to try to make it out there.

Here is a photo of the Ritchie family dulcimer that Ron Pen shared with folks at the Homecoming.

 DSCN1963.jpg - 203KB

Strumelia, looks like you linked to the old FOTMD Ning site. 

And then, there are folks like me who have no idea how to transpose anything--for us musically challenged folks, it is indeed easier to slap a capo on.  :)

I don't understand the use of a capo that much, unless you are playing on a chromatic dulcimer. To me transposing a song to D or Dm is easier than using a capo. I can use the same chords grips. Surely, there are songs which need a high register sound, like German Zweifager, but that's an exception to me

okay cool I like learning about different dulcimer makers as maybe one day I will get a hand made one..

thanks

Maria

I use  one of Mike Clemmer's Capos  got it for 25.00 works and looks great Mikes shop is Wood and Strings in Townsend TN.

 Hmmmmm Maybe I should have found this post before I ordered my Roosebeck. Well I hope when I get it that I'm as happy as John Stephen's was with his first dulcimer. I had some credits on Amazon and it's what I could afford right now. (especially that I haven't ever played one before) I will let you all know.

I know the seller on Amazon does have a return policy and I think after watching a gazillion videos I will know right away if it's garbage. I hope I get a good one! To be honest I have some pretty high end guitars (Taylor, Martin) and then some inexpensive ones whichwere fine to learn on and aspire to nicer ones. Hopefully the Roosebeck cut away will do the same!! (I figured since I'm a guitar player maybe I would experiment with holding it both ways!) There is one Video on Youtube and I tell you I think it sounds pretty good!!

Take care

Maria

Roose beck Cut A way

cut a way played like a guitar

Yes, I think I'll go with the Ewing. Funny thing is if I follow the link above they seem to be 17 but don't know what the shipping is. I guess I will go direct to the Ewing site where the price of 21 includes the shipping!

thanks again

Maria

I have one of those quick release brass capos that look real fancy. It costs three times as much as the Ron Ewing capos and works almost as well. 

Seriously, Ron Ewing's capos are the simplest and also the best. They are also affordable. What more do you want?

Sounds like a blast!

Great write up, Rob--I could picture it all, you described it so well!

Now I'll have to see Ken's photos....

Ewing capos are great. 

http://www.ronewingdulcimers.com/Capos.htm

I have to get a new capo myself.  I've lost my Ewing and my "Hewn from the Mt."  I've noticed the Koch ones and I think they look pretty good.  I have to measure a couple of fingerboards to see how many it will fit. 

Yep, it was a fun time, and the weather was great.  Lots of music, history, friends, and good times. 

Things in Hindman seem to be progressing well now.  And the new dulcimer museum is fantastic!

Yes, I had a great roommate for the Homecoming.  I had a great one last year, too, but this year's didn't snore!  Dusty, Lexie, I hope y'all can make it East some time.  Hindman is a great place to be.  Robin was telling about her room, Ron had Jean Ritchie's Thomas dulcimer with him.  So we saw some special history (as if the museum didn't have enough history for you.)

Happy birthday, Susie! 

cool thanks so much to both of you!!
Maria

This is what I use.  https://www.mcspaddendulcimers.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=561

Aw, man, you made us blush.