Forum Activity for @john-tose

The Onion Flute - mother of the kazoo

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Just watched the video you put up - it sounds great, and also when you strum along on the dulcimer. You can hardly tell that you're not playing melody on the dulcimer as well. Is this why the crumhorn had such a short existence, because the onion flute could reproduce the sound with such little effort?

Presumably you could make up a wire `harmonica holder' type thing to have both hand free so you could play and kazoo at the same time?

The Onion Flute - mother of the kazoo

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Thank you, Phil.

for you and all others who are interested: here is a sound sample, a solo in the first part and accompanied by mountain dulcimer in the second part. Enjoy.

The Onion Flute - mother of the kazoo

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

wow never realized that the kazoo was that old? can't wait to hear it played. Might have to get one of my own.

The Onion Flute - mother of the kazoo

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Thank you, Frank.

Yes, it is beautiful - and it's a joy to hold it in one's hands...

Maybe I can make a recording this weekend.

The Onion Flute - mother of the kazoo

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Very interesting, Peter, and well researched. I had no idea that the kazoo had such a background. Your onion flute is easily the most beautiful kazoo I've ever seen.

The Onion Flute - mother of the kazoo

Adventures with 'other' instruments...

I always liked the kazoo as a "melody instrument" that allows you to have your hands free for playing guitar, ukulele - or MD or Kantele at the same time. As I did some research during the last time I found some information about the history of the instrument.

(One of) the oldest printed descriptions seems to be on p. 229f of the book "L'Harmonie universelle" by Marin Mersenne from 1637. In a row of 5 "chalumeaus" the 4th instrument is an "onion flute". It is mentioned and described on the next page:

Source: http://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k54710466/f432.image

There also appears the name Eunuque (Eunuch flute), but it seems that "Eunuch flute" has up to then never been the name for the instrument. It is more likely that this was a misinterpretation of a word Mersenne wasn't able to read in a hand written description of the instrument he had received in a letter about 1633.

The principle of the instrument is described correctly by Mersenne - it is really a kazoo. At that time the membrane must have been of organic material, e.g. onion skin (is that word right in English?).

In the 18th century the name "Mirliton" was used for the instrument, that was often just made of a tube, like bamboo kazoo is still today.

And then I found that there are still makers who build that "mother of the kazoo"! Mine is mady by Thomas Rezanka, a teacher and bagpipe builder from Austria. I just like to share some photos with you. I don't have a sound sample yet - it sounds like you expect to sound a kazoo. Rezanka uses Bamboo skin as a membran (so that's very close to onion skin) - but of course if it breaks you can also use a piece of a (PE) sandwich bag etc.

Ah - one thing: you need one hand to hold the onion flute. But you could still strum your MD as a drone instrument with the right hand and hold the onion flute with the other and play both instruments together.

Just a joke: "onion flute" - literally...

Onion flute - removed membrane cover:

t Onion flute by Thomas Rezanka and Mersenne's illustration:

updated by @peter-w: 06/11/15 07:40:28AM

she does some nice work.

I just looked at her website - I love what I see!

5,000! What I'm most grateful for. . .

OFF TOPIC discussions

I don't know whether I would've stuck with playing if not for FOTMD. Though I have fun with the lap dulcimer, learning new things and sharing music here helps keep things fresh.Oh, and the number of luthiers who are either building replicas of old instruments and/or drawing heavily from old ways of building is great to see. I don't own any that are new yet look old. . . Not yet, anyway. ;) I've gotten to see and hear some of these beauties here at FOTMD and I'm grateful for that, too!

5,000! What I'm most grateful for. . .

OFF TOPIC discussions

Wow, Geekling, what a wonderful tribute to FOTMD, thank you so much. Thank you all so much.

I do feel like we all have sooo many great dulcimer friends here, and the nature of the site is such that it really encourages everyone to share equally, learn from each other, and get to know each other as well.

5,000! What I'm most grateful for. . .

OFF TOPIC discussions

I'd more or less abandoned the Mountain Dulcimer until I found FOTMD which brought me back into the fold enough to make me start making them again - a TMB and a Swedish Humle so far.

I have to say that FOTMD is the best `social media' site I've ever come across to do with music, so well done Strumelia for starting it off, and of course everyone else who's kept it going by contributing to the site.

5,000! What I'm most grateful for. . .

OFF TOPIC discussions

Well Robin - while I haven't tried N/D yet, I sure have to be totally and whole-heartedly in agreement with you! Everyone here understands the passion and love for the dulcimer - in all its wonderful forms and varieties! I know for sure that FOTMD has certainly helped me and helped keep that passion alive!

5,000! What I'm most grateful for. . .

OFF TOPIC discussions

John, how glad I am you've been favoring us with your wonderful instruments and play! Your instruments are family heirlooms, treasures.Ken, our in- person meeting was far too brief. I hope our paths cross again and that we can share some tunes!

5,000! What I'm most grateful for. . .

OFF TOPIC discussions

Amen to that Robin.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

5,000! What I'm most grateful for. . .

OFF TOPIC discussions

Well said Robin ! If I had'nt 'joined' I doubt very much if I would be making or playing now, I knew of some outstanding MD players, none of whom played N/D, or used a quill ect ! Different now

John!

5,000! What I'm most grateful for. . .

OFF TOPIC discussions

It's a given, I think, for many of us that the "Friends" part of FOTMD is the "thing" for which we are most grateful. . .At this 5,000 milestone, though, it also occurs to me how grateful I am that this site has been instrumental (haha) in the re- surgance of the noter and drone style of play. I had seen precious little to help me with learning ND style before FOTMD popped onto the scene. The available recordings in the style were few and video demonstrations were scarce not oh-so-long-ago.So, thanks to Strumelia for her noter and drone blog-- it's how I stumbled onto FOTMD in its earliest days-- and for starting "Friends"! And a big thanks to you all for making this neighborhood a nice place to learn-- I've learned lots-- and spend some time.Happy strumming, y'all!
updated by @robin-thompson: 08/02/23 03:15:05PM

Loop vs. ball end strings

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Dusty;

The ball can be carefully crushed if necessary, been there, done it.

Loop vs. ball end strings

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

You are right, Jean. The only difference between the two is the way the string connects to the instrument. There is no difference in tone or functionality. In general ball end strings are easier to find because they fit guitars that use end pins. If ball end strings fit over the little brad nails on your dulcimer, or if you have a dulcimer with end pins, then go ahead and use them. If not, loop end strings are the only option.

Loop vs. ball end strings

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

From the comments so far, it appears thatthere really is no functional difference for tone or playability. I'm using ball end strings on instruments that have very slim metal pins to anchor the string. It always looks as though the pin is so slim that the ball (really a brass circle inserted in the loop) will save some stress that would occurif I were to put the "naked" loop on the pin. And I save the old brass circles, too, and re-use themon a plain loop if that is possible. About where strings break, most of the time mine break at the tuning peg, but the last time a string broke, it was at the pin below the bridge. Really. And I was able to save the brass circle since it was still on the pin.

Thanks to everyone who answered, and of course more input is welcome. I've played for about 20 years and never have had a good explanation of loop vs. ball end.

Loop vs. ball end strings

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Robert,

Please explain how you use them for bushings on loop end strings.

robert schuler said:

Whenever I change strings I save the ball ends. I always find uses for them. Keep some and use them as bushings when using loopend strings... Bob.

Loop vs. ball end strings

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I've saved lots of ball ends!

robert schuler said:

Whenever I change strings I save the ball ends. I always find uses for them. Keep some and use them as bushings when using loopend strings... Bob.

Loop vs. ball end strings

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Whenever I change strings I save the ball ends. I always find uses for them. Keep some and use them as bushings when using loopend strings... Bob.

Loop vs. ball end strings

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

Jean,On my instruments that will accommodate both types, I prefer to use ball end. However, I'll use whatever I have on hand when I need a string change. (I also re- tune a lot.)

Loop vs. ball end strings

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

No difference as far as I'm concerned. Strings break near the tuner whenever they break on me, that's the area that the metal is worked the most.

Loop vs. ball end strings

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

I never had a ballend string break at the ball. Loop end strings need a larger pin to support them. I use 1/8" brass as loop string anchors which has the same support as a ball. You should be able to tune to any of the common pitches without string breakage. Check for string pinching and binding... Bob

Loop vs. ball end strings

Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions

This may have some discussion threads already and if so I apologize for not finding it. My question concerns using loop or ball end strings. The two types seem to be interchangeable on my instruments, in that the little nails that hold the strings will anchor both types easily. Is there some preference based on performance, or functionality, or some other characteristic that would guide me? I like the look of ball ends better, go figure what that is all about. I'm not on good theoretical ground with this idea, but it seems to me that the ball end puts less strain on the string, thus lessening (delaying is more the case) the likelihood of a break. I find myself replacing just the melody string on my Folkcraft fairly often, but I retune that top string a lot to accommodate different tunings. Thanks for all the (anticipated) helpful comments.

updated by @jean-van-erem: 08/04/23 05:48:01AM

I looked at your dulcimer Kitty. I don't think the holes were enlarged as the shafts of the new tuners appear to be narrower than the holes. I can send you three rosewood violin pegs if you wan't to try them. If I lived closer to you, I'd do the work for you. You could remove on tuner and try the peg. It it works then you could remove the others. Email or PM me if you want to talk about this some more.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Tuners with bushings leave a 3/8" hole more or less... You might have to fill the holes with wood plugs and redrill and taper new holes. If holes are not to large you might get by with thick shaft viola pegs that are used in restoration work... Bob

Hi Kitty. The answer is: it depends. If the original holes were enlarged, the pegs would have to be specially made to fit. If they were not enlarged it would be no problem at all. I can't recall if the Pickows used commercially available wood pegs or if they made their own. If they made their own, then someone would have to make copies of them. Didn't you post a picture of your dulcimer here somewhere? If so, I'll see if I can find and give a bette informed opinion. I'll look for some other pictures of dulcimer made by the Pickows.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Dulcimer competitions

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Winfield rules apply at Coshocton because the winner then advances to KS. Particulars are available on the Dulcimer Days website. The Rust Belt's got just the right amount of oxidation. ;)

Ken Hulme said:

One of the biggie competitionsis Winfield, KS.

Get out of Rust Belt, Richard, and come down to the Sunshine State. We'll start that Old Fogies Dulcimer Championship and Grouper Eatin' Competition. Should be real successful, as most of the northeatern US and Canada migrates here between Thanksgiving and Easter. Literally 10% of the population of Canada comes to Florida annually....

Dulcimer competitions

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

One of the biggie competitionsis Winfield, KS.

Get out of Rust Belt, Richard, and come down to the Sunshine State. We'll start that Old Fogies Dulcimer Championship and Grouper Eatin' Competition. Should be real successful, as most of the northeatern US and Canada migrates here between Thanksgiving and Easter. Literally 10% of the population of Canada comes to Florida annually....

Dulcimer competitions

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Looks perfect, Robin .. thanks.

Dulcimer competitions

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Richard, there is a dulcimer competition at Roscoe Village (Coshocton OH) in eastern Ohio in June.
www.Coshoctondulcimerdays.com

Dulcimer competitions

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks Dusty. Sounds like someone needs to set up something for us seniors. You know, the first annual "over-the-hill mountain dulcimer and wheelchair shuffleboard jamboree."

Although I'm not in Hong Kong any more, I'm still in pretty isolated circumstances, at least when it comes to the dulcimer. No open mikes around here, just closed coal mines and factories mostly.

There are an enticing number of dulcimer festivals out there, and so far I've only been to one. But I haven't dug up much on competitions.

Dulcimer competitions

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Richard, I have no experience with competitions personally, so I can't give you the specific advice you seem to be after. I can tell you that there are no age limits, but the dulcimer national champions of the last several years seem to all be pretty young. I think that is probably due to a couple of factors. One might be that some young folks out there are playing pretty darn good dulcimer. Another might be that once you win you lose the drive to do so again, so many of the best dulcimer players simply aren't interested in competing or no longer feel the need for such accolades. Another might be that judges like to pretend the demographic data for dulcimer players does not skew pretty old, so they are consciously or unconsciously biased towards young folks.

If you are serious about the competitions, you should look into the specific rules and prepare yourself to work for a year or so gearing up for one. Some might mandate that you play a traditional song, for example, or there might be specific categories in which you can compete. I personally enjoy your playing a lot, but you have a very unique style of play. I seem to remember what feels like a lot of original material (and a lot of bending on the middle string!) in your playing. That might work for some competitions and not others.

But if your reason for seeking a competition is only to give your playing a little kick in the pants, I might ask why it has to be a competition. Do you ever play open mics? It might be that preparing for a performance is all you need to get back in the proverbial saddle. Additionally, although initially developing material for a competition might involve some creative playing, you will also spend a lot of time just playing over and over the same arrangements. Even if those arrangements are really good, you are likely to feel bored by them after the second or third month of playing them ad infinitum.

Lots of FOTMD members have been national dulcimer champions: Linda Brockinton, Sarah Morgan, Aaron O'Rourke, Erin Rogers, Nina Zanetti, Larry Conger, and some others whom I am forgetting right now. You might consider contacting them directly and asking for advice.

Dulcimer competitions

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Now that I'm back in the US for awhile, I find myself growing complacent with my dulcimer playing. Maybe its just because I'm getting older, but I haven't felt like I've made any progress in awhile, and I'm often disinclined to play.

The idea of participating in a dulcimer competition is appealing, not because I could possibly win anything, but I think it would sharpen up my focus and improve my playing.

Any suggestions on where I might throw my hat into the ring? I'm in Pa. Also, are there age limits? Are the contests only intended for young people?

updated by @pristine2: 06/11/15 07:40:26AM

What is a V-pick?

I've been experimenting with a V-pick and find that I am liking it more and more. It is a large ULP.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Good for you, Maryann. I have the V-Pick Bing Lite and make sure it's in my pick bag. Be careful, though, it's hard to find when you drop it. LOL

Just For Fun - sayings regarding the dulcimer or music

OFF TOPIC discussions

It is normal to get butterflies when performing.The trick is to get them all to fly in formation!