FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
One of the funny songs i play and sing on the dulcimer is Harry Belafontes Banana boat song
Forum Activity for @blue-hand
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
One of the funny songs i play and sing on the dulcimer is Harry Belafontes Banana boat song
FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Oh and how about:The cat came back, we thought he was a gonerBut the cat came back; just couldn't stay away.Away, away, yea, yea, yeaI used to do this years ago with my youngest daughter's pre-school school and even the parents enjoyed it...That and have you see the ghost of John were our favorite funnys, especially for this time of year, time to dust off the cob webs on those...dulic-geek
FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Another one I forgot because I haven't played this one in a while: He Never Came Back, learned from an early 1960's Dave Van Ronk record.Paul
FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I guess my dulcimer hasn't found its sense of humor yet.I play "O'Brien is Tryin' to Learn to Talk Hawaiian" on a pink ukulele.When I play guitar for my daughter's kindergarten class I play Pete Seeger's story/song "The Frog" ("Oh way down south in the yankety yank, a bullfrog jumped from bank to bank") which involves singing like cows, chickens, a barnyard gate, grass, a babbling brook, etc.And another kids guitar favorite which could easily be adapted to dulcimer: "There Ain't No Bugs on Me."For the adult crowd I will sometimes play Loudon Wainwright's "I Wish I Was a Lesbian" but the mood has to be just right.Most of the funny songs I know I learned from Jim Kweskin albums. Where else do you get, "Washington at Valley Forge/Freezing cold but up spoke George/He said, vo do dee do, vo do deeo do do"?What a great topic for a discussion, Strumelia!
FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
A couple I forgot to mention before: You Ain't Talkin' To Me, Tying A Knot In The Devils Tail', and Starving To Death On My Government Claim. There's some others I haven't tried on dulcimer yet, only guitar: Stairway to Gilligan's Island, and Talkin' Grizzly Bear Blues. And one I'm just starting to work on, I'm My Own Grandpa.Paul
FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
My grandmother used to sing that song to me all the time. I love it. His fingers were as long a a cane in the break and he had no eyes for to see, and he had no teeth for to eat the hoe cake so he had to leave the hoe cake be. Is that the same song. Michael Vickey said:
Uncle Ned. Sometimes with "politically correct" lyrics.
FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Uncle Ned. Sometimes with "politically correct" lyrics.
FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Cholesterol - from SweetwaterThe Portree Kid - from the Corries (to the tune of Ghost Riders in the Sky)
FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
The Ballad of William Bloat. Funny in a dark wayI think I first heard it sung by the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem
FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
"The Ballad Of The Shapes Of Things"-Kingston Trio"The Scotsman" -I don't recall who first recorded it, I have it by Atwater-Donnelly -I'm as likely to play it on banjo as dulcimer"Einstein The Genius" -Cranberry Lake Jug Band. -I got this album as a part of a grab bag when Kicking Mule was unloading all of their old vinyl cheap. I don't know anything about the band other than this album."5 Pounds Of Possum"- Stolen from Sweetwater,not sure who wrote it. I play it more often on guitar, but occasionally on dulcimer."The Devil & The Farmers Wife"- An old song, possibly from England in Colonial days or earlier. Another I stole from Atwater-Donnelly. I probably play this more often on banjo, too.Paul
FUNNY songs you sing & play on your dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
What are some of your favorite funny, silly, or humorous songs that you play and sing on your dulcimer?
And where did you learn them from?
updated by @strumelia: 01/17/20 09:38:42PM
FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!
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It's party time... wow 1000 members... 3 cheers for Strumelia..CHEER, CHEER, CHEERwhat a site...glad I took a break from my work to see that me made this goal...
FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!
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Thank you, thank you, thank you, Strumelia! You know I was hoping one of your tasty JELL-O creations would be part of the prize package. And this is even better-- I don't even have to win to get a spoonful of, uh, the thing.
On second thought, it's toooo pretty to eat. 
(I think this is my first posting using the peace sign smiley.)
FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!
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I've been hand counting the members, since the main page count is not entirely accurate.Only one more member to go to reach 1000.Meanwhile, here's one of my 'famous' Jello Molds to enjoy as an appetizer:
FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!
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With newest member Amy, we now have 998 members.Only two more to go! ....spammers don't get counted because they aren't here very long.
FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!
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Hey Bobby, I think that I was wearing my pink pyjama's when I read that we had reached the 1000 mark! (send you a picture if you like...............!)John Bobby Ratliff said:
Sorry John Henry, but the 1000 members don't count just yet. It seems we have a pitiful SPAMMER that has registered several times. But we're still getting close.
John Henry said:1000 up !!! Congrats Strumelia, and thank you.
JohnH
FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!
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Who ever is counting certainly had me fooled ealier !!! LOLJohn
FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!
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I just hand counted all the members. We have 997 at this point in time.Somehow the 'show all' button on the members column is not accurate right now. Could have been because of the spammer issue this morning.Anyway, counting our latest members Ann and Bonnie, we now have 997.Three more to go after Bonnie!
FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!
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1000 up !!! Congrats Strumelia, and thank you.JohnH
FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!
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Yes, I noticed that too, Bill!there must be something in the water here on FOTMD.
FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!
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I thought i was better looking than i was a year ago.
FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!
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I've noticed that we all do seem better looking than we did a year ago when we first joined.
FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!
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How true, how true Robin... I agree 1000% Robin Thompson said:
Visitors, if you've not yet joined FOTMD, you're missing out! Join FOTMD! When you do, you'll immediately become better-looking, have whiter teeth, become ambidextrous, and gain hundreds of friends. Well, only one of these things is true but it's the best thing on the list! :-)
FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!
OFF TOPIC discussions
Visitors, if you've not yet joined FOTMD, you're missing out! Join FOTMD! When you do, you'll immediately become better-looking, have whiter teeth, become ambidextrous, and gain hundreds of friends. Well, only one of these things is true but it's the best thing on the list! :-)
FOTMD 1000 members almost here...!
OFF TOPIC discussions
Well only a few more members to go before we reach a THOUSAND members of Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer! Yikes! Who would ever have thought when we only had a couple dozen members one year ago?
If you haven't entered yet, be sure to post your lucky number guess in FOTMD first contest in celebration of reaching 1000 members...
enter the Guess the Pickled Dulcimers in the Jar Contest!
Look for it on the MAIN page. There will be not one but FIVE winners who will receive PRIZES in the mail, so your chances are good! The 5 winners will be announced when FOTMD reaches 1000 members...should be only a few days away!
updated by @strumelia: 10/28/20 03:12:33PM
Dulcimer Strings
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thanks David
David Lynch said:
How much the type of string will affect the tone depends a bit on the instrument itself. If the instrument is designed for a bright voice then changing from a nickel wound to a Phosphor Bronze may not make much of a difference. On the other hand, on a mid range or mellow dulcimer you will definitely hear a more mellow overall tone with the PB bass string. The nickel wound will brighten it up.
What gauge to use will be decided by several factors: The scale length, the tuning,the tone you want and the "feel" you like. There are several good string gauge calculators on line which will give you a kind of a "middle of the road" string set (note that the one on Tom Strothers website tends to yield a "light set") and they will give you a good starting point. Once you have that starting point go ahead and play around a bit with the gauges to fine tune it to what you like the best. A rough rule of thumb is that a heavier string will give a bit more volume and sustain but be harder to fret. Lighter strings will be just the opposite.
To give you some examples: My standard models are designed to produce a mid to mellow voice (I can make them bright but that is another story) and they all use the same scale of 25 7/8". My standard string set for that scale and a DAd tuning is a .24 PB bass, a .014 middle and .012 melodies. With that set several tunings are available DAd, DAA CGc, DF#Ad and others.
However, if I know the player is going to be playing in DAA all the time I will put .014s on the melodies in place of the .012s. Or maybe the player has asked for a very light action so I would drop each size down a step. Another example: if when stringing up a new dulcimer I decide I want to bump up the mid range a bit I will use a .015on the middle and a .026PBW on the bass.
The main thing is to remember is that string gauges are not set in stone. Use what works for you.
Dulcimer Strings
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
folkfan said:
I'm with Ken when it comes to buying strings in bulk. I get mine from "Just Strings" too. Since I tune in CGG with about a 26" VSL, I usually go 24-14-14. With these gauges I can easily go up to DAA if there is any need to. To go to DAd though I'd want a lighter gauge on my melody string.
As to the phosphorus bronze, I use them all the time. I don't hear any difference between Nickel wound or phosphorus bronze. The only difference that I can see is the color. Some people like to have their strings all the same silvery hue, but it doesn't matter to me.
Sue Simms said:Thankyou Ken for your input. I noticed mine are 12 and 22. I will check out the others also.
Ken Hulme said:I've not found the phosphor Bronze to be any different in my playing than any other strings. I usually go to www.juststrings.com and order a dozen sets of inexpensive strings at a time. I tune primarily DAA and prefer 12s for the melody string(s) , 14 for the middle drone, and 22wound or 24wound for the base.
Dulcimer Strings
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I'm with Ken when it comes to buying strings in bulk. I get mine from "Just Strings" too. Since I tune in CGG with about a 26" VSL, I usually go 24-14-14. With these gauges I can easily go up to DAA if there is any need to. To go to DAd though I'd want a lighter gauge on my melody string.As to the phosphorus bronze, I use them all the time. I don't hear any difference between Nickel wound or phosphorus bronze. The only difference that I can see is the color. Some people like to have their strings all the same silvery hue, but it doesn't matter to me. Sue Simms said:
Thankyou Ken for your input. I noticed mine are 12 and 22. I will check out the others also.
Ken Hulme said:I've not found the phosphor Bronze to be any different in my playing than any other strings. I usually go to www.juststrings.com and order a dozen sets of inexpensive strings at a time. I tune primarily DAA and prefer 12s for the melody string(s) , 14 for the middle drone, and 22wound or 24wound for the base.
Dulcimer Strings
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thankyou Ken for your input. I noticed mine are 12 and 22. I will check out the others also. Ken Hulme said:
I've not found the phosphor Bronze to be any different in my playing than any other strings. I usually go to www.juststrings.com and order a dozen sets of inexpensive strings at a time. I tune primarily DAA and prefer 12s for the melody string(s) , 14 for the middle drone, and 22wound or 24wound for the base.
Dulcimer Strings
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I've not found the phosphor Bronze to be any different in my playing than any other strings. I usually go to www.juststrings.com and order a dozen sets of inexpensive strings at a time. I tune primarily DAA and prefer 12s for the melody string(s) , 14 for the middle drone, and 22wound or 24wound for the base.
Dulcimer Strings
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thanks Tom, ' you are right and that I just try different strings and see what suits me. Thankyou for your input. To know I don't have to stick with just Dulcimer strings. Tom McDonald said:
I discovered pretty quickly that I don't care for the high D and the A strings being the same size. I like the tone that I get with a slightly larger A string. (If I played DAA, I would run both A stings a little on the fat side). I also removed the extra D string, since I am apt to use any of the strings to carry the melody line. Having that 4th string with my playing style just caused aggravation.
The good news is that strings are cheap enough to just cut off and throw away if you don't like them. Also, you don't need "dulcimer" strings. I've got banjo strings on one of mine so I can turn it lower. You can also use a pair of needle nose pliers to pop the little ball out the end of a guitar string, exposing the loop, and put it on your dulcimer. So, your string choices are only limited by what is a reasonable diameter for your scale length and the tuning that you want, and maybe some adjustment at the nut or bridge if you want to make a really large change.
I took a few lessons with Tom and Missy Strothers when I started playing, and like their string gauge calculator. I used this to decide on strings my G D g instrument.
http://strothers.com/string_choice.htm
They have a great chord finder, too:
http://strothers.com/chords.htm
Hope this helps.
Dulcimer Strings
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I discovered pretty quickly that I don't care for the high D and the A strings being the same size. I like the tone that I get with a slightly larger A string. (If I played DAA, I would run both A stings a little on the fat side). I also removed the extra D string, since I am apt to use any of the strings to carry the melody line. Having that 4th string with my playing style just caused aggravation.The good news is that strings are cheap enough to just cut off and throw away if you don't like them. Also, you don't need "dulcimer" strings. I've got banjo strings on one of mine so I can turn it lower. You can also use a pair of needle nose pliers to pop the little ball out the end of a guitar string, exposing the loop, and put it on your dulcimer. So, your string choices are only limited by what is a reasonable diameter for your scale length and the tuning that you want, and maybe some adjustment at the nut or bridge if you want to make a really large change.I took a few lessons with Tom and Missy Strothers when I started playing, and like their string gauge calculator. I used this to decide on strings my G D g instrument. http://strothers.com/string_choice.htm They have a great chord finder, too: http://strothers.com/chords.htm Hope this helps.
Dulcimer Strings
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Just wondering what type of 'Dulcimer Strings' should be used ?I now have on the Martin DulcimerSet. Nickel Alloy Wound- Standard Gauge *4 strings. Reads .012 which is Silvered Steel & then the last one is Nickel Alloy Wound .022. My question is I would like to try thePhospher Bronze ; has anyone tried these ? Would appreciate your input and advice.
updated by @sue-simms: 08/01/23 10:20:32AM
Thank you, Strumelia!!
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Yes, she sure can throw a good party (she will need a few extra baking sessions for the one that is coming soon tho'!)thanks again StumeliaJohn
Thank you, Strumelia!!
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I'm with you, Dulcerina!And the good news of mountain dulcimers has spread further thanks to FOTMD.
Thank you, Strumelia!!
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I just want to shout out a big 'ol thank you to Strumelia for starting this wonderful mountain dulcimer forum! It is so full of wonderful and friendly people who have so much to offer the dulcimer world. Thank you again, Strumelia, and everyone else too for sharing.Kendra (aka....Dulcerina)
updated by @kendra-ward: 01/13/19 05:09:18PM
Carry on baggage/dulcimer and ND related
OFF TOPIC discussions
This can be a very confusing issue. You never know what's going to change. Since airlines started charging for checked luggage, the # of carry-ons must have increased. Three weeks ago we flew to Hawai`i. On two flights over Mrs.Wanda's carry on had to be gate checked. But the guitar and ukulele we were carrying went as carry ons. The guitar went into a closet and the uke in the overhead bin. On the 3rd flight, the guitar even went into the overhead. And this was no gig bag, but a large heavy plywood case. I expected to gate check it, but they never asked me to do so.But most larger carr on bags ended up gate checked. It may not be long until the rules for carry on luggage are rewriten.Paul