I Got to Spread the Word of the Dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Glad to hear about your experience sharing the mountain dulcimer at Grey Fox. Keep up the good work!
Forum Activity for @ken-longfield
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I Got to Spread the Word of the Dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
That is a a shame Jeni. There were some great acts and I may have a new favorite or two. My wife and I have loved the Carolina Chocolate Drops since we first heard them a few years ago. They stole the show at Grey Fox. New ones we really liked were Jim Gaudet, Betsie Ellis, and Della Mae. Of course, there were a lot of old favorites there too. Over 40 bands in all!
I Got to Spread the Word of the Dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Thanks guys. John it really was pretty neat. We sat down and started playing like we had been playing together for years and the songs seemed to roll out quite nicely. It was kinda like Zen......
I Got to Spread the Word of the Dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
That's neat when stuff like that happens!
I Got to Spread the Word of the Dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
That's really great, Scott.
I Got to Spread the Word of the Dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Just returned late Sunday night from the "Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival" up in the Catskills of New York. I had a ball and there were thousands attending and camping there. I think I was the only dulcimer player there! If there were others they didn't show themselves.... Anyhow, my wife and I camped beside a Canadian Bluegrass/Gospel group and they had never had any experience with a mountain dulcimer. Long story short, they asked me to sit in with them and we played several songs together. I even taught them a couple of Canadian fiddle tunes they didn't know about! 
They became very enamored with my dulcimer and several of them expressed interest in maybe acquiring one and using it in their music. Anyway, I had fun spreading the word and maybe made a few converts.
The official festival photographer took stills and videos of us playing and I'm hoping they post it on the festival website soon.
Scott
updated by @scott-allen: 04/13/18 12:32:40PM
The 'Other' Dulcimer......the beaten kind
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
I'll definitely check that out when I get home today!!
The 'Other' Dulcimer......the beaten kind
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
Since the uke was brought up in this thread, and since I just saw Jake Shimabukuro again for the millionth time last night, I just wanted to mention that if you like uke, you need to hear Jake. He's done for uke what Bela Fleck did for banjo. He also happens to be a very nice guy. You can see a free documentary here:
Jake Shimabukuro: Life on Four Strings
Enjoy!
The 'Other' Dulcimer......the beaten kind
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
Lauri, I hope to have a JRS one day....he lives close to where I do and I frequent their shop. Really beautiful sounding dulcimer! JH....lately everything in my house is dusty....hasn't slowed me much :) Ukelele.....there has been a banjo uke calling my name for some time now....trying to resist!
I have figured out that looking at the bridges helps with accuracy. For some reason my eyes just want to look at the strings...so I have to kind of keep reminding my self to look at the bridges.
I'm really enjoying the HD....It remains set up in my music room and I have to walk past it to get to my other instruments so I stop and hammer often!
The 'Other' Dulcimer......the beaten kind
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
I was led to the fretted dulcimer from the hammered dulcimer, which I learned to play first. I still have my beautiful old custom Dusty Strings D25, and still love the thing even though I haven't seriously played it in a while. To David I just wanted to mention - don't look at the strings; look at your bridges instead. Much easier that way. :)
The 'Other' Dulcimer......the beaten kind
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
I made my first HD in the late 1980's, and a great number since then ! I truely believe it to be relatively easy to play, I could'nt read SMN then (nor can I now 
) but once I had mastered the 'geography' of the instrument's layout (using a specific 'tuning' pattern every time helps ) I seemed to be able to 'jus play the durned thing', and although attending some workshops, I have never really been tied by the constraints of 'doing it the right way' I always played 'seated', using a monopole leg, and found that I fitted into our UK pub sessions (where just about any type of music is played, on just about every sort of instrument) very well, so long as I observed timing, rhythm , and patterns (see Susanne's comment). For me, the HD fitted into such sessions well , it worked great to be able to lay down backup sound to tunes I did'nt know. I always preferred playing the HD over MD in such situations, 'cos without doubt it carries a lot more punch. The downside being that this enables all the 'bum' notes one might play to be clearly heard !!! Of course, the MD is easier to lug around......................... !
Go for it Cheryl, just don't spend too much time looking down at the strings, 'cos then you might notice all the dust on the soundboard, which may put you off playing ???
best wishes
JohnH
The 'Other' Dulcimer......the beaten kind
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
Robin...great idea!!! Connie....I had no idea it was the dark side...push over I'm going to join you!! I was considering the D550 for a chromatic. I wish I could hear one in person, but I have heard Dan Landrum's via recording. I'm starting to get the layout pretty well, just hitting those darn strings accurately has been tough!
The 'Other' Dulcimer......the beaten kind
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
Go for it! Then get together with Phil M to play a Irish jig duet. :)
The 'Other' Dulcimer......the beaten kind
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
Phil....its calling me....its those darn irish jigs.
The 'Other' Dulcimer......the beaten kind
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
CJ, don't go over tothe dark side!!!! 
The 'Other' Dulcimer......the beaten kind
Adventures with 'other' instruments...
Just wondering how many folks who play mountain dulcimer also play hammered dulcimer. I've owned a pretty Masterworks hammered dulcimer for years and just now I'm thinking I just may learn to play the durn thing. It has a nice sound and diatonic string layout with a couple chromatic notes on the side. Shouldn't be too hard to learn....right?? :)
updated by @cheryl-johnson: 03/06/19 11:19:37PM
What has music done for yor?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Linda, that makes so much sense about teaching the returned military members. I live not too far from the Walter Reed Medical facility in Bethesda, MD. I'm not as experienced on the dulcimer as some, but I have taught a couple of friends how to play. That would be such a worthwhile thing to do. I'd be interested in how he started his program, where he gets his guitars, does he rent them, give them away, loan them, etc. Think of the wonderful opportunities to serve those who have served.
What has music done for yor?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
My classical music station this past week talked about a study showing that choir members had synchronized blood pressure when singing. It was comparable to the way yoga breathing could lower blood pressure. So sing with those dulcimers and your other instruments...especially the soothing songs.
What has music done for yor?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Sorry bout your mom but I know music helps. If you just look at David in the bible and the psalms. The musicians were held in very high esteem.I just saw a program where a guy is teaching guitar to our military now that have come home from war. Some had physical in jury's but the majority seemed to be suffering from PTS syndrome. All they interviewed were astounded at how much it had helped their mental outlook. It really is powerful.
What has music done for yor?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Hi Bill, that's wonderful!! I took mine one time and was helping the lady do bingo. Not much interest but on women looked either very ill or very over medicated .afterward I started to play and noticed movement. That lady was up and inching her way down the table. I just kept playing and when sh got to me she pulled the chair as close up as she could get. And she too was smiling. I asked if she liked music and she nodded. I really was surprised and very moved at the power of music.
What has music done for yor?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Thanks folkfan and Carrie!I just did a seminar with some senior med students on music and medicine. I did some extensive research again , as not to look dumb, lol) and found that in the last 10 yrs they have made huge strides with music as medicine. When they were able to see on scans for a fact how beneficial it is the drs have started to come on board. All current studies show that with music patients from infant to elderly healed faster, had less pain, had more reg heart beats and blood pressure, and left sooner. One dr said they had to face the fact that music is free, that there is no drug that will instantly lower the blood pressure and hold it like music, patients use less drugs and hospital stats are shorter all of which effects the bottom line. So nice to hear from someone who has tried it. The new studies on stroke and Parkinson's victims are amazing. Gabby Gifford chose to use all music therapy and has far surpassed what they thought possible. She recovered her speech very rapidly using singing and rhythmic patterns and regained the ability to walk much faster with music. It lightens the step like you said. I find this so fascinating and if I were younger id finish my degree and go into this field in second. But we can all help others by visiting hospitals, nursing homes and hospice. Playing fir sick or stressed friends. Even just singing with a stroke victim does wonders.Such power we all hold as musicians . We all hold a key to open someone's door.
What has music done for yor?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Well, I won't wax philosophical here on the question of "What music has done for me?", but simply get to the practical. Music has gotten me through more medical and surgical hospital stays than I can shake a stick at. Since TV has never been something I watch with any regularity, music and books are what have gotten me through endless hours flat on my back. I never go into a hospital without my tape recorder or now iPod.
Music quite simply helps ease pain and speeds the recovery process if a patient keeps his or her feet and legs moving while bedridden. It also can add a bounce to the step as a person finally gets to walk the halls. At least, I've found it so.
What has music done for yor?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Carrie, you play beautifully by the way!
What has music done for yor?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Listening to music has become more important than ever before. I have been playing music since I was very little. I think over the years my ability to think from the point of view of a listener rather than that of a performer has developed and uplifts me much more than it did years ago. Plus, in University we were always "listening" to music. But that type of listening, although very educational, trained me to listen critically. I think that all that training has done me a lot of good, but it has taken years to be able to put my critical ears on the shelf and just "be" with a piece of music. It's a good thing!
What has music done for yor?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
That is so very true. I hear from students all the time now playing at church, nursing hms, hospice for personal healing. I so appreciate tha God has allowed me to be a part of spreading music. The emails I get far out way the applause at a concert or a pat on the back. I love to teach!!
What has music done for yor?
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Music
Music feeds my soul
and it truly melts my heart.
I knew music would be my life
From the very start.
I have played and taught for years,
All kinds of music in many of places
But the best part of my life
Is the smiles on my students faces.
I have a key in my possession
It opens up a door
To the wonderful world of music,
Where some have never been before.
I have a key in my possession
It opens the door to peace
Calms the sick and soothes the soul,
May music never cease!!
updated by @linda-jo-brockinton: 08/03/23 07:01:04AM
Cindi, I've been playing at Bluegrass jams for a few years now and am actually in a BG band with my dulcimer. I usually use the capo and if I have to play a song in a different key than I'm used to, say from D to A, I try to just move the tab up the keyboard so to speak. I noodle around until it's right in that key. If you know the song well, it's not so hard to do. Good luck!
Scott
Cindi -- don't let they fact that they have to read tab bother you. There's nmo law sez you hafta read tab! Memorize the songs, if that works for you, and blow them away. i don't read tab or SMN. I learn by ear and play from memory - couple of hundred songs at last count. IMHO a club is not the place to learn new music. It's a place to practice music, and practice playing, together, which should be fun.
For a nursing home "concert" you only need maybe a dozen songs total -- 3-4 that everybody plays together; 2-3 some by this duet, 2-3 by that trio and at least one solo each. BTDT many times over the years.
Here is a bit of a radical idea for your 3rd old dulcimer Cindi. How about stringing it up with 4 melody strings (4 x 0.010) and tuning them all to 'd' so you have a dulcimer in d,d,dd like a Galax dulcimer is tuned. It may sound crazy but for sessions you won't miss the bass strings as the other instruments (like guitar) will over power your bass string anyway. In d,d,dd your dulcimer will 'froth' along at the top of mix providing a very audible rhythm. If you listen to some of the tunes played by Phyllis Gaskins with her string band you'll hear how this tuning works when played with others.
The tuning d,d,dd means that you can play in the key of D with a noter or by fingerdancing starting the scale at the nut or play in the key of G starting at the 3rd fret (over d,d drones) - without retuning. If you put a capo on the first fret you can play in the key of A, both major and minor depending on your use or not of the 6+, starting the scale at the 4th fret and playing over e,e drones.
When I go to sessions (quite regularly!) I always carry a Galax tuned dulcimer, and it is the tuning I use the most as the sound carries really well because your dulcimer is sitting in a unique part of the sound spectrum. You need a quick right hand to whip up a rhythm - my preference is to use a quill and whip it across the strings.
It is just an idea - but if you do have an old dulcimer doing nothing at present then it could be fun to set it up in Galax tuning and have a go with noter and quill.
Robin
Having one dulcimer in DAd and one in DAA won't really help cover themultitude of key used at a bluegrass jam. Robin's link above to his discussion of tuning and playing in the various session keys will give you lots of good ideas for tuning two dulcimers to cover the common keys used in bluegrass.
You've run into the problem I have with most dulcimer clubs -- they seldom play tunes up to speed, feeling that they should "play down" for beginners/slower/older players not play up to speed and stretch those players to improve. The result is that no one improves, everyone becomes equally mediocre, and everything from Amazing Grace to Camptown Races is played at the same glacial pace....
Hi Cindy,
I tend to use noter drone for bluegrass and old time sessions. It would take a while to get the hang of it if noter drone is not your style of playing at present but it does givesome significant advantages -tuning flexibility andmore volume being two. There's a fair bit of evidence of pre-revival dulcimer players in some communities playing is string bands using noter drone, and the style fits nicely with old time and bluegrass.
Instrument set-up . You can do a couple of things to make life easier for yourself. I tend to go a little lighter on the bass string so it will tune up to E (a 0.022w works fine on a 28.5" McSpadden) and run the middle and melody strings at the same gauge - normally 0.012 on a 28.5" scale. Also, I only use a single melody string at sessions as this speeds up re-tuning and gives a nice clarity to the melody line. Go a little stiffer on your pick to add volume too. A strap and possum board is a good idea.
Tunings . There's a page on how to get into the standard session keys here:
http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/group/oldstyledronenoterplayers/page/tunings-for-noter-drone-beginner-intermediate
If you usually play out of DAd in chord melody style it is quite a mental shift to move to noter drone, and perhaps not as easy as it sounds. But with a bit of practice you'll soon be whistling along with a noter at sessions. Personally, I play both styles and enjoy chord melody from DAd as much as anyone. All I'm saying is that I've found noter drone a better playing style for me when sitting in at bluegrass and old time jams.
You can play a fair number of A songs on the middle string, particularly if you have the 6+ fret. You will want to either raise the D strings to E, or avoid playing them when they clash. A reverse capo is probably a good thing to use for raising them for an occasional song to avoid a lot of extra tuning. Some players keep a second dulcimer in a second tuning.Seems like a double fretboard model would work well, too. You can't have too many toys!
Paul
Still, placing a set of heavier strings on an already built dulcimer is a cheap way to experiment. Much cheaper and quicker than building another dulcimer. That is always an option if the thicker strings don't work out. That's why I suggested not modifying the nut & bridge until playing the heavier strings to hear them. It won't play it's best until the slots are fitted to the string gauges, but it will show how much deeper the sound is.
Paul
Mmm...
With a 24" scale I'd be inclined to go the other way and tune the instrument UP to Gdg. The problem with thick strings on a short scale tuned down is that the strings tend to 'thud' rather than 'ring' - there is just not enough string length compared to itsthickness to get the string vibrating and sustaining well. It is no accident that the early dulcimers tuned to DAA/CGG etc were around 28" scale and those tuned d,d,d,d were 26" and the McSpadden Ginger tuned G,d,g is 23.5". Note also that bass guitars and bass fiddles have longer scale lengths as well as thicker strings. You can't really go against the laws of physics (which instrument builders have been using for centuries) and expect it all to work fine. So my advice would be to re-think your 24" scale dulcimer and give up on DAd (or DAd down an octave) and re-work it as a nice bright short scale instrument in G,d,g. That way you can get the correct match between scale length, string thickness and string tension for the strings to work at their very best on an instrument of that size. And you would also be matching the playing pitch to the internal body volume you have available so the whole thing will sound much sweeter.
Robin
If you string it with .039, .029, and .022, you can tune it to DAd, an octave below standard Dad tuning. You will have what is usually called a bass dulcimer. You may find the sound somewhat muddy, if the "cubic inches" Ken mentioned aren't there. You need to move a large volume of air to produce those low notes. A bigger body is the answer to moving a lot of air, the body must contain a lot of air before it can move it. Strings are relatively cheap, try a set and see what happens. If it does the job, widen the notches in your nut and bridge to accept these larger strings. If it doesn't do what you want, you can go back to the previous gauges and tuning. I suspect most bass dulcimers have a longer scale length than 24", but you can use this. My bass dulcy is 27.5", but my hands regularly wish it was shorter. 24" sounds like it would allow me to reach some things that are tricky right now. And be sure to report back what you find, we like to hear of experiments.
Paul
I don't think you're going to get much change no matter what you try. I have a McSpadden kit which is about 1 1/4" deep and it sounds just like the 2 1/4" ones I have. Try this; play the note at fretat 7 on the bass then the open melody string [DAd], they are the same note frequency, different tones. That is caused by the different size strings at different lengths/tension. The bass string cannot replace the melody string and be tightened up to produce the same note as the melody string since it will break first. Just going up a few sizes will not change the tone significantly. Also, reducing thetensionon a smaller string will not work either because it will get 'floppy' or 'buzzy' at some point.
To get an idea of what a tune sounds like at the octave lower sound [DAd], play it first on the regular melody string [the .012] then on the bass string.
I personally prefer the bass sound, the higher dulcimer sound is too shrill for my taste. I have a 4-5 of them and a banjimer but generally use the bass more often. Besides, it really sounds good and adds alot when played with the regular sounding ones.
Strothers calculator suggests 39, 29, 22 [24" vsl] I have ~42, 32, 23 on my bass [26.5 vsl].These are at the bottom portion of their calculator.The 'lower' sound you're after may actually be an octave lower. This is the 2nd D below middle C, then the A above it and the D which is presently on the bass string [the D below middle C]. These should get the frequency down but the sound may not be what you're looking for
Randy -- long time no see! String gauge won't help a lot in getting *deeper* sound. That's more a factor of the overall cubic inches "under the hood". All else being equal, more internal body volume will give you more bass/baritone response. If you haven't cut the sides yet, you'll probably want 2.5" or even 3" deep sides rather than 2" or 2.25'.
Use the Strothers String Gauge Calculator:
www.strothers.com/string_choice.htm
to figure out a good gauge for a given string. And then, since that calculator is noticeably "light" in its recommendations, go at least one if not two or more gauges larger.