Forum Activity for @marg

It seems besides trying to learn as much as I can about the dulcimer, it looks like I could learn how to post on here better. Sorry, not sure why half my post is colored.

Where thers is many mnay tabs for DAA & DAD, I did find a few last night for other tunings. I will print them out and start a collection and begin to try them out. If anyone can tell me if any of the tunings can use the same tabs as DAA or DAD besides DGD, that would be great. Otherwise, one step at a time - no worries, I am enjoying my journey in all things dulcimer.

Thank you again for all the decussions on here and all your help to me and many other members.

Somebody sells a pick tethered to a ring you wear.  Same concept as the baby's pacifier on a ribbon pinned to their onesy....You might drop it, but it won't go far!

In the Sale Forum, there are very durable tamarind noters for sale.  People use all different kinds of materials for noters...different woods, glass, metal, etc.  In a pinch, a clothespin, fat pencil (like the kindergarteners use) or anything with that sort of shape will work.  Some people just buy a dowel and cut it into 4 or 5 inch sections--whatever's the most comfortable size for their hand.

I just read through this entire discussion and found it interesting to see what everyone is doing.  I really don't think there is any one "right way" to play the dulcimer.  I think it's good to see what's out there, see what you like, experiment a bit, and try to be open-minded as far as what tuning(s) you use and how you choose to play your instrument.  Maybe you like the sound of the drones; maybe you don't.  Maybe you want to play with a quill; maybe you want to fingerpick.  Maybe you want to use tab; maybe you want to play by ear or use standard music notation.  Maybe you want to learn one tuning and stay with that one because that's where you're comfortable; maybe you want to retune between every song.  Maybe what is "boring" to one person brings much joy and excitement to somebody else.  Maybe you're content to keep things simple because that's why you started playing this instrument in the first place--and that should be OK with everyone, too.

To each his own, and all that. I don't think someone should be viewed as a heretic because what seems to be right and good for them is not what others choose to do. 

My first instrument was a piano, so my thinking tends to be more chromatic.  So I tune DAd most of the time, don't usually use drones, and if I want to make a change  because I'm going to be singing with my dulcimer and need an adjustment to accommodate my fairly narrow vocal range, then I just usually play the song in a different key, like G or C or A instead of D--without changing the DAd tuning.  And if I don't NEED to retune to play songs like Pretty Saro, Scarborough Fair, Cluck Old Hen, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, Shady Grove, City of New Orleans, etc., then I DON'T. 

Yes, most of my instruments have both a 1.5 fret and a 6.5 fret.  Personally, I like the freedom of going from song to song without retuning or trading instruments.  Every now and then I put on a capo for Reuben's Train or a few other songs, but those are the few exceptions. 

This is what works for me.  It's what I like and what I choose to do to express my love of music.  Arthritis has made it too painful to play instruments like the guitar where you have to wrap your left hand around the neck.  The piano is too heavy and cumbersome to lug around.  I really LIKE playing the dulcimer--but I want to do it in a way that works best for me.

So, whatever tunings you're using and however you're choosing to play this wonderful instrument, ENJOY it!  Have fun!  Let it be the voice for your soul, your "howl" at the moon, the comforting lullaby for your loved ones.....

Gale, this is one of the most creative uses for an old chest of drawers that I have ever seen!  Love it!

ken,

    I did read your Uncontrite Modal Folker,  twice so far. It's maybe a beginner's guide but many parts are still more advance than my understanding. No worries, I will take it in sections and work on it. I see you posted something alone these lines back in '02 for everythingdulcimer. There is a list of songs there also, but like above it's the name and I can't click on it for the tab. When I tried googling 'City of New Orleans (Arlo Guthrie)' that's when your other post popped up. So how do I get the tabs for the songs? 

    It's a wonderful collection of work you have, great instructions and  suggestions but will take me awhile to understand the in's and out's of the dulcimer. If I have the songs in either DAdd or DAA can I change a number up or down for DAC & DAG. Or is DAG like DGD where we can use the same tab as DAA? Or, any of the other modes can be played on either DAdd or DAA tabs?

    Maybe all this is just more advance than I am. If I had the tab, I could retune and play the song and begin to hear the difference in the different modes. I will be taking a class in the fall but I have only been learning on my own so far. Jam's and practice in groups just play, they don't explain anything. So for now, I am where I am, when I can find some tabs I will try it's tuning. Otherwise I will stay with DAdd & DAA and now some DGD.

Thanks, as always

How about Demitrius  Bones, Or Dem Bones for short.

Ken, I think it was sold.

This discussion was so delightful that I went ahead and bought the JT by Robert Schuler.  Even in the audio over the web I could hear the difference.  Bach owned different harpsichords - tuned to JT and ET - never thought I would be in a position to own a bespoke JT instrument so I'm really excited to be adding 155 tuning to my skill set.  I'll let you know how it goes.

Scott

Well if you like traditional dulcimers (which it seems you do since you don't want a 6+ or other 'extra' frets)  IMHO the steal of the day is the Robert Schuler just intonated dulcimer that Lynn is selling here:

http://fotmd.com/forums/forum/new_posts/14867/robert-schuler-just-intonated-hourglass-dulcimer-for-sale

I forgot to mention that if you still have trouble dropping the pick you might try some "gorilla snot" sold at some music stores. Also, your local bowling alley might have some resin like stuff they use to keep from dropping a bowling ball and comes in a small bottle. You rub it on the fingers you use to hold your pick.  I have used both over the years when I had slippery fingers.

Herdim makes the 3 numbered pick that several dulcimer builders furnish with their dulcimer.  I use a herdim too, but a longer one that they make. Some vendors have this longer version available in different thicknesses, but you might have to order it from an online vendor. I like Herdim, because they are made out of nylon and last for years.  The one I use has been with me for over 6 or 7 years and I carry it in my small change purse all the time, along with a couple of extra picks, just in case.

Marg -- there is dulcimer tab all over the internet. The only tab you can change from Mode to Mode is Mixolydian (DAd) to Ionian (DAA) and back.  Fingerings for chords in each Mode are different and are given in the tab. 

Here are a handful of tunes in Aeolian and Dorian Modes.

DAC Aeolian Mode

• Lord Lovel
• Morning Song
• Wayfaring Stranger
• Black Is The Color Of My True Love's Hair
• Sally In The Garden
• Border Widow's Lament
• Shady Grove
• Nottamun Town (Jean Ritchie)
• The Foggy Dew (Irish)
• Star of County Down
• The Parting Glass
• When Johnny Comes Marching Home -- a really eerie and mournful version

DAG Dorian Mode

• What'll We Do With A Drunken Sailor
• Scarborough Fair
• Clinch Mountain Backstep
• Star of County Down
• Eleanor Rigby - the Beatles
• Oye Como Va
• Shady Grove/Mattie Groves
• Cluck Old Hen
• Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald
• City of New Orleans (Arlo Guthrie)

You may want to read the essay I wrote called Uncontrite Modal Folker , which is a sort of beginner's guide to Modes and Modal tunings.  You can find it here: http://fotmd.com/forums/forum/dulcimer-resourcestabs-books-websites-dvds/15050/the-uncontrite-modal-folker

 Thanks lexie, I do have that site but most of the tabs are in either DAd or DAA. If I could as you say - (change a tab from DAD to Daa just add 3 frets) what would I need to do for any of the other tunings listed in this discussion. 

I have my old John Naylor dulcimer tune to DAdd, this one I take to practice, jams and preformances (as in senior homes and children's schools) since we almost always play in DAd

My old Hondo red stain dulcimer (everyone helped me set up) I have tune to DAA and working on songs with that tunning. So glad to hear I can also use DGD tabs with the DAA ones. I like the sound of this tuning on this dulcimer and will keep it so for now.

A student dulcimer, today I went and tune it to DGD and played a few songs. This is the one I am thinking of trying all the tunings mention in the post on. Can't say I liked the DGD tone but will give it and me sometime but do want to try all the others mention.

My dulciborn, I have tune DAdd. (Again with the help of many members I was able to set this one up with a better action.) The tones of the dulciborn are great, nice highs and good bass lows. Having it DAdd I am always ready to play something since that is the tunings from practice. I play it outside, over the pond sometimes for neighbors but mostly for the ducks, birds and Heaven.

http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/  Marge, have you seen this site, there are many tabs and information.

To change a tab from DAD to Daa just add 3 frets.

There are lots of tab sites out there, I have filled two binders by printing them off.

There is also much information on modes and tunings by Ken hulm, Robin Clark and others on our site, they are all accomplished musicians who can help you better than I, I have very little music experience.

Have Fun with your Dulci Journey! 

Can you play DGD or DAA tabs as same if you chord or only if you play on the melody string. I noticed on the few tabs I have in DAG & DAA the middle or base string tab could be different.

I would like to try the different tunes but where do we find tabs for them all or which ones can we play DAA or DAd tabs with since they are the ones that are mostly out? Reading everyone's above post makes me want to try each and every tuning but stuck without a tab to go with it. Does anyone have a listing of which tunings can go with which tabs? Or how could we change a tab to a different tuning? Like in James post (you can play DGd tab, just use an Ionian mode tab for DAA. Same tab numbers, just will sound in G other then D) 

This would be a big learning adventure for me, so thank you in advance if as you give your favorite tunings you could also give members like me an idea on how to try it ourselves. Sorry, I don't play by ear, I need the tab.

Robert, you are chock-a-block full of creative homemade, money saving ideas. Made any instruments out of reclaimed wood yet? 

Gotta love the bones playing hamster! We should name him. Izzy Bones? Bubba Bones? Hamsta Bones? Bones being his surname, of course.  

 50 pound test nylon fishing line makes a very good high D string. I use this size on my banjos. The high E B G D off a nylon guitar set will work. You will need loop end string posts to tie them onto. I think when all is done, you will be disappointed with the sound. I found nylon to be dull and un impressive on a dulcimer... Robert...

I'm glad you got that private bones lesson from Dom, Lisa!  I'd like to get to play in a duo of Appalachian dulcimer with a bones player someday.  (Hint, hint) And also with fotmd member Abby Spoon Lady who is a master of the spoons.  :)

not sure what "standard dulcimer sizes" would be.  you will have to experiment i suppose if you are determined to try nylon or "gut" strings

For me it was "Muddy "Mississippi" Waters Live" 1979 ,I wore that record out! Now when I do play my harmonica I'll play along with anything- Abba to Zappa !

Sheryl that's so cool-  be sure to keep us posted here as you progress.   Brian still has a set of four walnut bones he carved when he was in college, several decades ago!   He can play a little, but chooses not to (a true gentleman? lol).   That set is bigger than average, and is too big for my hands, so I can't really play his nice vintage set.  I now keep a round can, like a 'vase' of bones, on my desk.  

I like to think this hamster is playing tiny bones: 

Lisa, you got me going. I ordered a classic style set made of walnut; I was looking for a mellow sound. I'll keep y'all posted on my progress.

Dom Flemons is one of our own, Durham, NC based member of the Carolina Chocolate Drops. I was hoping they were going to be at this year's Wide Open Bluegrass Festival in Raleigh, but no. I'll have to settle for Alison Krauss & Union Station!  

A great trio of instructors!  I'm sure it was a lot of fun with those three!

The use of gut strings comes up at least a couple times a year.  As John Knopf says, I wouldn't use them on a modern built dulcimer.  Gut strings are ony marginally useful on a dulcimer.  They are generally too quiet, as most modern made dulcimers are built too heavy to poduce good sound.  You pretty much need a new nut and bridge as the gut strings are much larger in diameter. 

I doubt if nylon or gut strings are readily available for dulcimers, but tenor or baritone ukulele strings might work. This would be a trial and error excersize, because mass is so much different than with steel. As mass of string goes up, the note at the same tension goes lower. Given the limited top movement on a dulcimer, I'm not sure they would produce much volume. Volume with steel strings can often be limited on a dulcimer. That's the nature of a fretboard glued tightly to the full length of the instruments top. Nylon & gut strings do have a softer, more mellow sound. They also have less tension, making it easier to play with tender fingers. I may experiment with a set of ukulele strings and see how it works out. Limited sizes may be a problem, though, making it hard to get the tunings we want.. Violin & guitar family instruments used gut for a long time before steel became available, and friction tuners were fine with them. Because of the gear ratio of geared pegs, they work particularly well with steel strings. Violins with steel strings almost always have some type of fine tuner to allow the small adjustments needed for steel strings. It isn't really the slippage that causes issues, it's the fact that nylon/ gut stretch so much when tuning. The tuner has to move more length of string to adjust the note up or down. Geared tuners for nylon string guitars usually have  very large diameter shafts or fast gear ratios to deal with the stretch factor of non metalic strings. Smaller diameter friction pegs would work better than larger ones when used with steel strings. But then you are back to dealing with the hole sizes the instrument was built with. 

I wouldn't use nylon or gut strings on a modern dulcimer.  They were made to use steel strings.

If a friction peg slips, the screw on the end needs to be tightened, that's all.

Paul,

(friction pegs work best with nylon or gut strings)

Are these strings easy to find at any guitar music store in standard dulcimer sizes? Would the nylon or gut strings have a more mellow sound?

Thank you for all you info  on the fiction pegs. I too am minimizing the tunings and keeping it tuned to DAA less tension than DAdd. The pegs seem to be holding the tune so far, good since the only work I want to be doing now on this dulcimer is to play it.

Met David Pedersen on my trip hope to Oklahoma.  Played for 2 or 3 hours together.  Then, as has been said several times, Ken Backer and his wife, Lin, at Jim Fawcett's last night.  Great time on Jim and Bev's porch.

It sure was great to meet Ken and Lin Backer and my old friend Rob at Cracker Barrel last night and the good time jammin on "The Porch"

That pie wasn't too bad at all.  Yinz guys can come back anytime. 

Wonderful Ken, it is great you all met and got to play music on Jim's porch.

Hey, Ken, you met some of my FOTMD/in-person friends!  And I can attest to Bev's skill in the kitchen. 

Last night Lin and I had the best time with Rob Lackey, and Jim and Bev Fawcett.  After supper we sat on the porch at the Fawcett's lovely home in the country and played music.  And I have to mention Bev's delicious zuccini pie!

I was at a Renaissance faire years ago and saw people parading playing the bones along with bodhran players  It was cool but I didn't think I would ever play either. It looked way too complicated.  Several years to the future, I have both now and play ok.  I saw Dom's videos on the bones and bought two pairs of rosewood bones. I carry them with me everywhere, kind of like a talisman. When I walk my kids (canine versions) I play. They hate it and howl at me.  I think because I am scaring the jack rabbits away they like to chase.   I too, like Jan, have castanets. I bought a small pair from the locate nation brand name music store.  I also carry them everywhere.  I don't play them like traditional Mariachi.  I play them slower. They make a great companion to bllue grass traditional music.  I tried the spoons but because I need two hands where I don't with the bones and castanets I don't use them as much.  Anyone wanting to learn to play the bones should watch Dom's videos.  They are very helpful.

Glad to hear you just needed to tighten the screws on the tuner knobs. My knobs came in and I was able to get my tuner problems all fixed also.

Marg, tightening the screws on the end of the tuner knobs increased the friction and fixed " the problem."

Charles, back in June of 1967 I got my first radio with FM. No kid back then listened to FM. It was the domain of dull old people's music. So I hit the FM button and out came the Paul Butterfield Blue's band. They played the entire East West album. I was totally blow away. By 1969 I learned every harmonica solo on that record. Today I rarely play harmonica much. I'm totally immersed in Appalachian fiddle tunes... Robert.

If you use a capo, it may not fit on an extra wide fretboard. A wide fretboard, and a long scale length, may mean some long stretches if you play chords. Some things to think about before having a custom fret board made.