Forum Activity for @sheryl-st-clare

Happy for you Charles! 

Are you replacing tuners? The holes that were drilled for the original pegs may not fit all replacement tuners, as shaft size may vary. If possible, measure the original so you can buy some of the same size. If you are changing from tapered violin pegs to another style of tuner or friction pegs, you may have to plug and redrill the holes. Banjo and ukulele friction pegs require straight holes, while violin pegs, Pegheds, and Perfection pegs require tapered holes. Geared tuners use straight holes, but not all shafts are the same size, so you may need to widen, or plug and re drill the holes. You will also need pilot holes for the screws that hold geared pegs in place. Filling tapered holes, or tapering straight holes would be the trickiest jobs of these. Particularly if the holes have worn over time and are no longer round. Some players like the esthetic of traditional violin pegs, some don't care what is there as long as it works. All friction pegs work best with nylon or gut strings, the high tension of steel strings tries to loosen the strings, and makes them tricky to tune. I got very tired of the constant messing with the friction 5th string peg on my first banjo and had it replaced with a geared peg. I have one ukulele with friction pegs, but the nylon strings work a lot better than the steel did on the banjo. I do have to keep a small screwdriver in the case to tighten the pegs, over time banjo & ukulele friction pegs work loose and won't hold tune. At least every 2-4 weeks one or more need to be tightened.  My prefference is geared tuners, I only want to play it, not do surgery. Particularly at a gig.  I don't use multiple tunings on my ukulele, so I minimize the tuning there. My other instruments are all subject to multiple tunings, but they all have steel strings. 

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://carts.badgerie.com/images/handtrucks/convertible.jpg&imgrefurl=http://carts.badgerie.com/handtrucks.html&h=283&w=233&tbnid=RIz19LxPAKQMkM:&docid=EGaJDgLbqsUwdM&ei=Bn7KVfm9McPCggSJpb3oCg&tbm=isch&ved=0CFcQMygbMBtqFQoTCPnYjcyQoscCFUOhgAodiVIPrQ

As long as it fits in an overhead bin or under your seat they can't make you check it. If you are among the last to board, and bins are full, you have to put it under your seat. If it won't fit there, it gets gate checked in the cargo hold. I have one very large bass dulcimer that won't go under the seats. I don't take it on airplanes because I only have a fabric case and had to make that myself. No way will I chance them throwing a set of golf clubs on top of it in the cargo hold. But if there is no space in the cabin, they do have the legal right to make you check your instrument. You can read the rule on the TSA web site. That is why I mentioned the smaller size dulcimers in my earlier post. Most normal Mt. Dulcimers will fit under the seat. A pair in a double case probably will not fit under the seat. A jumbo monster like my bass dulcy will not fit under the seat. Heck, it doesn't really fit in my lap! I have to angle it so the top faces kinda forward. But it may be because my stomach leaves too little room!

Well, I pulled the trigger and purchased a Seydel Blues Session Steel. What sold me was the stainless steel reeds, they claim to last 5 times longer than brass. I have blown out quite a few reeds over the years - I do love to WAIL on my harps!!

There are many USB microphones available for under $100, many for $50 and under. I use a Blue "Snowball", It's priced in the mid 50's, They also make one called the "Snowflake" that's in the mid 40's ( Amazon prices).

Ken, so happy you are down to meet Patty, Jim and Rob, hope you have a good time jamming n eating guys!

I'm with Paul -- I trust FedX/UPS hardle more than airline baggage handlers.  With the new ruling, they cannot force you to check your dulcimer.

Lots of people seem confused about how to create a new forum discussion.  It is easy.

First, within the Forum you want to take part in, click on the "+" button to "create" a new discussion.

Second, choose a descriptive title for your discussion. The title should have enough information that others can tell what the topic is.  Titles such as "Two quick questions" or "friendly advice" are not very informative. Instead, "questions about noter technique" or "how do I use a capo" are much more helpful.  

Third, describe your question or comments in the text box, where you can embed pictures, or link to other sites or other pages on this one, insert smilies, and more.  

Fourth, click "Create New Topic."

Fifth, don't forget to "follow" your own discussion to receive notifications when others reply.

Not sure I trust Fed Ex any more than Airline Baggage handlers. I saw that video where they threw the TV over the fence.

I've never had a problem flying with a dulcimer. Just about any mountain dulcimer should fit in the overheads. If it doesn't fit in the overhead, it still may fit under the seat, or the flight attendants may have space in a closet. The one I took on aircraft is a pretty much "standard" sized dulcimer. But if you are concerned, you might want to buy a small model such as Ron Eweing's Dulcimette, or McSpadden's Ginger. I'm sure there are other makers building small models, just can't think of names offhand. Mine has flown on about a dozen airplanes with no issues. I would never check it, though. Baggage handlers are less than careful. If you think it may end up checked, make sure you have a sturdy case, not a fabric case.

Have fun Ken!!!

Oh, and Patty.... Thanks for giving me the designation of "gentleman".  Sure beats my usual title of " old geezer" 

Patty, you were the first FOTMD member I ever met in person and it was a pleasure.  Tomorrow Lin and I are having supper with Jim Fawcett and Rob Lackey, followed by a jam session.  Looking forward to it!

I use the Herco Flex 75 picks. They're fairly stiff, but with some flex, they have "grips" on both sides so they don't slip, they're made out of nylon and don't seem to wearout, and I don't get anything like the pick noise I get from other picks I've used (including one I made from an old credit card).

Sandra, to post an instrument for sale, start a new discussion in the For Sale Forum by clicking the "+" button.

Then you need to add the relevent information. The title should include the type of dulcimer and the words "For Sale."  Then describe the dulcimer, including details such as your asking price, and include a picture or two if you can. Click "create new topic" when you're done.

Would love to post a dulcimer for sale but don't seem to be able to figure out how to do so

I have really enjoyed meeting the Wartz attendees. Too many names to remember but good souls all of them.

I'm listening to it now.  Great job!

I recently met Ken Backer who is a very nice gentleman. I'm honored to have met him and to hear him sing to us. That was a treat. Ken, if you are reading this, you come back. We'll be waiting for you. 

I like to keep things as simple as possible.  :)

You could record with the microphone on your computer, save the file to convert to mp3, then attach the file to an email to your daughter. 

D, I don't worry about asking too many questions on FOTMD. If there ever was a place where you can put yourself out there, and get opinions and advice from seasoned players, this is it. 

I'm coming in to this discussion a little late. I have a MacBookPro and use GarageBand to do audio recordings with the built-in microphone. In GB I choose the acoustic guitar setting and then adjust it by turning down the treble setting and turning up the bass setting. If you listen to the second scheitholt podcast at dulcimuse.com, I recorded the piece I played on my Mac.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

There are lots of folks that I've known from here as well as other events I've attended....it gets hard to keep it all straight after awhile.  But several great friends I definitly knew first as FOTMD people and then sought them out in the "real" world: Dana McCall (love ya, Dana!) who, it turns out, lives only 15 miles away!; Gail Webber who I first welcomed on this site and has since been my roommate at several workshops, retreats, and events; Rob Lackey, an interesting poster here and a really fun guy to jam with (met him at Dana's "Just Ain't Right" Jam a few years ago); and Mark Runge whose progress as a luthier I really admire and who, with his lovely wife Val, I have had fun exchanging visits with as we travel or attend events.  I had also read posts by Kristi Keller on here long before I met her and she became my "big sister" in Tucson, Arizona. 

There are many more who I know I am going to meet someday!  Marg, bless her heart, offered me a place to stay when my brother was dying in a hospital near her home.  Although it didn't work out for me to do that, I'll never forget the offered gift of a room to a sad visitor to Texas!  Dulcimer friends are really the best!

Fantastic Debbie, so glad you got to go to the festival and come home with lots of tips to practice.

Jan, I've never tried spoons, but thye seem to be a whole different dynamic than bones, in terms of playing technique.  Though in the end, it's all a clacking/clicking rhythm result.  

You silly!   See the big drum on the right get going at 2:00.  

Thanks for the cool responses guys!

Brian went out today for an hour, and because my bones practice is a bit irritating to hear, I did my practice while I was alone in the house.  Rattling away all carefree-like.... I then heard a voice calling up to my window...saying  YooooHoooooo!-I hear them Bones rattling!!!
I was rather mortified to realize that my nieghbor who brought us some maple syrup  had not been able to get a response to his door knocking and so he walked round the house and was listening to my bones practice through my second story window...       D'oh!!!  lol

He said it sounded fine but I was kind of embarrassed, since I am definitely not sounding good yet.   ;)

Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones

Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones

Dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones

Oh hear the word of the Lord

Its true you don't need garage band for mac, but the mac mic is very tinny.. thats i why i bought one.

Robert, good idea. 

I don't think you need Garage Band.  I would think that your built-in camera should do the trick.  The built-in camera on your Mac should let you record yourself in video with passable sound in a quiet setting.  Won't be the greatest, but I've tried it on my PC and the concept works fine.  I would expect Mac to do better than a PC in this regard.

Tell your husband that I said the only dumb questiuons are the ones that never get asked or answered.  So far your questions here have been pretty on point.  There does come a time, however, when 'question overload' can occur, especially when some folks want instant gratification without doing any work themselves.  IMHO people learn better if they work to solve a problem rather than being given answers which were more than obvious.

I make my own. Don't cost a penny. Robert...

 IMG_20150809_104841_040.jpg - 68KB

I went all out and bought a blue yeti, they are a little pricey but worth it in the long term. 

Ken, I'm going to follow you,get get the details. Thanks!

Sheryl, if you need a red herdim, let me know. I've been selling out my inventory and I think I still have some red ones left. They are a dollar each.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

 My husband thinks I ask too many questions. I have no doubt I drove my Mama half crazy. 

Charles, I got my Bing picks yesterday. So far, I like the Ultra Lite best. Hoping to pick up a red Herdim at a workshop I'm attending at the end of August.

D, you ask such good questions. I can't wait to see some answers to this one. 

What is the best way to record a song on a mac? I have heard the app garage band is good but don't I need a mic? And where should this mic be placed....how close? And...is there a particular inexpensive one you would suggest? 

I just want to record a song or two and share with my daughter who lives abroad. The recording app on my iphone barely picks up the sound at all. Thank you!