Forum Activity for @dana-r-mccall

I got it helen and thank u! I need your mailing address again I have a package for u I have had for some time. Please send it to me and I'll get it in the mail. 

Tom, that's exciting! Let me know how you like them. My left hand set is minstrel style, from bone dry, made from teak wood. I like them a lot, although they are very different from my right hand set, made of unfinished walnut. But they both have a mellow sound, and do compliment each other. 

 This may sound weird, but try mixing them up; splitting up the pairs, and see how you likethe sound.

So cool to have both father and son here!

I see what you mean, Wout. Interesting observation.

I noticed today playing the bones and playing the bodhran is in a way the same technique.

Nice story, Robert. I'm sure it's gratifying to finally "free" your dulcimer and let her sing.

Your comment inspired me to learn Pretty Saro - people often mention it, but now I know why! Such a haunting tune! Sounds lovely on the just intonated butternut you made me, Robert. Or, as lovely as I can make it ;-) 

No, not mistakes (like when half the group starts playing "Soldiers' Joy" and the other half start on "Whiskey Before Breakfast")............I'm referring to mix-ups that are done on purpose.  Here are a few examples:

• Take a hymn or Christmas carol that everyone knows and pair the words with a folk tune.  People will listen more closely to the words and may get a new appreciation for the message.
• Take a poem or nursery rhyme and pair it will a well-known tune.  For instance, "Jack and Jill Went Up the Hill"  with "Pop Goes the Weasel"
• Take a simple well-known tune and write some new words for it.  These words might have special meaning for your club, family, church, etc.  I've done this with the "Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah" song.
• Take a short 4-line hymn or other song and write a new tune for it, following the AABA song structure where the third line is substantially different from lines 1,2, and 4.
• Many are familiar with a hymn like "Amazing Grace" being sung to a tune like "House of the Rising Sun" or "The Ballad of Gilligan's Isle".  Some people, however, feel this is irreverent.  So mix things up a little more and take the words to "House of the Rising Sun" and sing them to the tune of "The Ballad of Gilligan's Isle" or some other silly song.

Have fun!

Lovin' it!!!

Sending you big  Hugs Dana, Happy you are involved with life and music fun again. Your family continues to be in my prayers.  Sending you Love....

Very beautiful instrument, I am inspired along with you.

I have a chance to get a beginer Jenny Wiley Dulcimer by Jeffrey Lambert and wondered what anyone thought of his instruments.  Same price as one of David Lynch's Sweet Woods, but it is local (no shipping) and available today.

Went ahead and got it.  Walnut peghead, poplar fretboard, birch veneer soundboard and back and red oak sides.  Wife, son and daughter are all picking out a tune on it so I think it was a good investment.

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Very pretty dulcimer Robert. I can see why you were inspired...

Spent the evening playing Pretty Saro on this dulcimer. Often its the instrument that inspires the tune. Here's a picture... Robert...

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 Bluebird, go to v-picks.com , they have a multitude of picks! 

This is a V-pick "Memphis", It's con-vexed in profile to fit your thumb. I have a rather unorthodox grip so it suits me. 

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Is that the dulcimer in your avatar picture Robert?

That's not a drone it's a DRONE!

Wonderful!

Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Dana, Great News!!! 

 Thanks and welcome Paula to the world of dulcimers. I like turning a living room decoration into a fully functional instrument... Robert...

That sounds fantastic Robert.

It's beautiful Robert, thanks for sharing. 

Three years ago I built a Galax inspired dulcimer and set it up as a baritone. Spruce top and white oak back, 30" vsl. never liked the sound, the Champion tuners would not allow me to tune higher. Recently I modified the Champions and now they work great. So this was the first time I could try the dulcimer in different keys. I added the forth string and lowered the gauge. Wow I was really impressed, the dulcimer came to life. The long scale means the drones vibrate... like forever... I tried different strings but settled on .011 melody .014 and .026 bronze wound bass. Plays best in A bagpipe... Here is a sound clip... Robert

It was so nice to finally meet you Jeff!  (Glad I had my FotMD button on!)  I enjoyed talking dulcimers with you and meeting your Dad.  It was a fun festival and tagging up with fellow FotMD members made it even better!  

Great news, Dana!  Woohoo!  It's time for a happy dance! 

That is great news, Dana!  I am so happy for you.  I hope you have a great festival this weekend.  I would like to come, but am just not up to the trip after making the drive for KMW.  I know it will be great.

Dance a jig at the Ledford fest, Dana!  

Awesome news!

Big hugs to you Dana!   Great news!!

That is so good to hear Dana.  Wish I could be there this weekend, but I can't make it.  Hope to see you sometime, and I'm glad you got such a great report!

People I'm back with a BANG!  I haven't been on in a while because I've been very busy getting the Ledford festival going. 

Anyway just wanted to let everyone that doesn't know already that I had surgery finally on July 10 th. Not robotic old fashion full surgery. Came through it fine. Had a PET scan 3weeks ago. Went to dr. Monday she smiled and said I am cancer FREE! No after treatments of any kind. Follow up PeT scan in 6 months. I'm a happy camper!

Steven I am sorry that I did not thank you for your response earlier. Been a bit busy and had not loged on in a while. Thank you for the contact ,if Mr. Bloom is good enough for you I know he can handle my needs. Have a Blessed Day. By the way I love how you've mastered the Mountain Dulcimer. You give me more inspiration than you ever know to be the best I can be. Thanks.

Does anyone have experience using either one of these?  Picture attached. Made by Dave Lynch @ Sweet Woods.

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http://thedulcimerhymnal.com/resources/media/9._Come_Ye_Sinners.pdf ; this is the hymn you were looking for.

http://thedulcimerhymnal.com/resources/media/9._Come_Ye_Sinners.pdf ; this is a good hymn recource. 

Here is my version, I don't have it tabbed out:  Elk River Blues .  I kind of based this on this recording by the author:

Thank you all for the information, no wonder I love FOTMD so much, you guys are always eager to help, you are the greatest and thanks again...Vic..

The best changes are those who are reversable...!

Bob, I don't know what style of music you play on the guitar, but did you ever tried 'Silk and Steel' strings? It is a set with three nylon like wound bass strings and three steel treble strings.  They do a wonderful job when you play fingerpicking.

Ok, I worked on the dulcimer some. 

I changed the middle string to the same size as the melody and took off one of the bottom strings.

Put a bit of paper in the grove of the bridge for the middle string and fixed one of the tuner knobs on a peg for the bass so it would hold the tinning.

Little changes but it made a big difference. I'll have to decide if I will just leave the paper or drop a bit of glue in the grove or file the 6,7,& 8th fret but for now the paper works fine.

Thanks everyone

(Have fun and don't be afraid to try something new!)

    I love this and no I'm not afraid, I learn so much about the dulcimer by each of the member's post with all the many suggestions. The dulcimer has a nice response but my problem could be, I just like warmer more mellow tones. 

Thanks for all the feed back, I will continue to try & fine this dulcimer's voice or accept it has what I would think is an old timey sound. Some cords or notes are quite nice and some not so much.