Forum Activity for @john-henry

Forgor the pluked psaltry!!!JohnH folkfan said:

Does it count that I used to play the bodhran but do to hand problems I don't pick it up anymore. I do have a plucked psaltery with a lovely wire strung harp sound to it as it's a big instrument. At the moment though it's living in down in Warrensburg, MO with my brother. I know one of these days I'll get it back. And other than things that make noise when shaken, the MD and HD are the only two instruments I play. Well the HD, I fool around with on occasion. I'll be honest.

Does it count that I used to play the bodhran but do to hand problems I don't pick it up anymore. I do have a plucked psaltery with a lovely wire strung harp sound to it as it's a big instrument. At the moment though it's living in down in Warrensburg, MO with my brother. I know one of these days I'll get it back. And other than things that make noise when shaken, the MD and HD are the only two instruments I play. Well the HD, I fool around with on occasion. I'll be honest.

Hunter! I got more than one string on my dulc., does that count?............... Sorry, straight face now, honest. Mountain dulcimer, Hammered dulcimer,Bowed Psaltry,Bodhran(with a very sympathetic touch, check it out with Butch Ross,it got him dancing one time!)) and if I have had enough liquid refreshment to throw caution to the wind, I have been known to play the spoons. Right, thats got the joker in the pack out of the way, now lets hear from some real multi-instrumentalists!regards, JohnH
updated by @john-henry: 02/17/16 12:43:25PM

I like a 3 string set-up for chord/melody and generally playing with my fingers and a 4 string set-up for noter/drone. I have used two different 4 string set-ups - the standard close paired melody course and the Galax style wider spaced melody course. I'm not too sure which I prefer. A close pair feels slightly easier to play and the wider spaced pair (Galax) seems more balanced - I'm still experimenting with this.Robin

I'm with Lisa. I've been playing noter & drone on a doubled melody course for over 35 years. It's all a matter of getting accustomed to it. Pick the noter up and put it down vertically, not at any angle, and you eliminate 99% of the fubars. It might take a couple weeks longer to become comfortable playing a double melody course with noter or even fingers, but IMHO it's worth the effort. The balance of the melody to the drones is much better with the double course compared to a single string. Heck even after 35 years I'll still tangle 'em up once in awhile. Just ease off and start again.

For what it's worth, I am a passionate noter player and I use double melody strings and I like them very much. Once in a great while the noter might get tripped up by having the pair, but I'm usually moving fast enough for it not to matter. ;D

I'm only a very occasional noter player, but a fair bit of what I do is melody/drone using finger(s). I use just 3 strings on nearly all my dulcimers, however many strings the maker intended them for! I love the clarity of sound of one melody string, and I don't find that two strings are significantly louder than one. As someone who slides the index finger a lot up and down the melody string I sometimes have a distressing habit of pushing the two strings of a double course into each other. Having said that, I have one dulcimer that sounds just wonderful with a double course on the treble, so I use that one if that's the sound I want.I think you are right, Dave, that 3-string instruments were the norm in the folk revival 40 or 50 years ago, and 4-string dulcimers have become something of a standard since that time. Of course there always was a 4-string tradition in Virginia, as borne out by many historic dulcimers; and in south-west Virginia Galax instruments have 4 strings. But the folk revival norm established by Jean Ritchie was initially for 3 strings, as was standard in her part of eastern Kentucky.

As a finger dancer which is a melody drone style as is the noter/drone, I play only 3 strings. It's just simpler to work with for me. I even had my last dulcimer made for just 3 strings. If I went 4 strings on an instrument it would be on the middle or bass line for an added drone tone as a CcGG or CGgG.

I, too, have only three strings on my dulcimers built to accommodate four. Play just seems to come easier for me with this set-up and the sound, to my ears, is fine.

Hello Dave, I own a number of dulcimers and like you I play a lot using a noter(have enjoyed the stuff you have posted so far). I made my dulcimers, and they were set up to accommodate four strings but they all have just three strings at this time. I too have found to a certain degree that the extra melody string seemed to 'get in the way', could be my technique of course, but I am happier without! I know players who use chording as their main style who have also discarded that extra string. It may be argued that some volume is lost; I have increased the guage of my single melody string and in my opinion this seems to compensate for that supposed loss, and the extra stiffness of the thicker string is not a big problem if one is using a noter. I know that you have a wide experience of other instruments and will almost certainly know that if you are not using one of your tuners it may be required that you 'damp' it down in some fashion in order to prevent unwanted buzzes and rattlesregards,JohnH,Bristol

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Paul Rappell said:

By the way, I hope our 800 revelers don't get out of hand! Is FotMD a "dry" site?

Anything goes. What happens at FOTMD parties.... stays at FOTMD parties. (hey, why are we still yakkin' on this old 700 member thread? - there's a new thread already for 800!)

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Paul, regarding FOTMD and its status relating to 'drink'. You need to talk to Rod Westerfield on this subject, but be careful, he managed to get me into real trouble at a previous party, DO NOT offer to look after the 'Dew'Thanks for the info on TorontoJohnH Paul Rappell said:

John Henry said:

Good morning Paul, read your notes on Swansea. Wondered if there is direct historical link with ours?
my regards, JohnH

Ontario is full of British place names - London, Perth, Brighton, Inverary, Windsor, Scarborough, York, to name but a few. Sawnsea was originally called the village of Windermere. I have no idea why they changed it (maybe someone came from there). In the early 1900s the rowdy railroad workers would have too much alcohol and get into fights, so they made it a "dry" town. Swansea includes High Park, a huge park in the which had coyotes (in the middle of Toronto!) when I was there. Swansea/West Toronto ("The Junction" - a former railroad town) was the last neighbourhood in Toronto to be dry. It went wet after a referendum in the early nineties. I suppose it wouldn't have made a such good place for a "party for 800" before the vote.

By the way, I hope our 800 revelers don't get out of hand! Is FotMD a "dry" site?

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John Henry said:

Good morning Paul, read your notes on Swansea. Wondered if there is direct historical link with ours?
my regards, JohnH

Ontario is full of British place names - London, Perth, Brighton, Inverary, Windsor, Scarborough, York, to name but a few. Sawnsea was originally called the village of Windermere. I have no idea why they changed it (maybe someone came from there). In the early 1900s the rowdy railroad workers would have too much alcohol and get into fights, so they made it a "dry" town. Swansea includes High Park, a huge park in the which had coyotes (in the middle of Toronto!) when I was there. Swansea/West Toronto ("The Junction" - a former railroad town) was the last neighbourhood in Toronto to be dry. It went wet after a referendum in the early nineties. I suppose it wouldn't have made a such good place for a "party for 800" before the vote.By the way, I hope our 800 revelers don't get out of hand! Is FotMD a "dry" site?

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Good morning Paul, read your notes on Swansea. Wondered if there is direct historical link with ours?my regards, JohnH Paul Rappell said:

John Henry said:

So, party time again soon, looks as if I will have to take a trip over to Swansea.

JohnH

I suppose I could make a trip to Swansea, too - Swansea, former village, now a part of central Toronto, and my old neighbourhood!

With good timing, we'll be able to celebrate 800 by the FIRST of July, Canada's birthday! We can raise a glass to Sir John A. MacDonald, Canada's first Prime Minister, who raised many (very, very many) a glass himself during his lifetime. Here in Kingston, you can see all the places Sir John A. lived, slept, ate, practised law, and got drunk.

Although it seems as though we may reach the number earlier. Maybe we need to check other countries' birthdays.

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When y'all plan a party, Y'all do it UP!Paul

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yep John H.. I have 2 - 55 gallons drums reserved.. cause like ya say the numbers getting larger means more supplies..p.s. I have a guard all ready arrange to watch the other dew this time John

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John Henry said:

So, party time again soon, looks as if I will have to take a trip over to Swansea.

JohnH

I suppose I could make a trip to Swansea, too - Swansea, former village, now a part of central Toronto, and my old neighbourhood!With good timing, we'll be able to celebrate 800 by the FIRST of July, Canada's birthday! We can raise a glass to Sir John A. MacDonald, Canada's first Prime Minister, who raised many (very, very many) a glass himself during his lifetime. Here in Kingston, you can see all the places Sir John A. lived, slept, ate, practised law, and got drunk.Although it seems as though we may reach the number earlier. Maybe we need to check other countries' birthdays.

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Wakes can be fun. Well, in a way they can be. ;) razyn said:

I was afraid we were going to have to have a wake, for the 40.

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Sory Dana, I got it wrong, did'nt I!John

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So, party time again soon, looks as if I will have to take a trip over to Swansea to purchase enough Laver bread, Cockles, and Welsh cakes for 800! The increase in FOTMD membership is beginning to make catering for parties a bit expensive!!! I am hoping that Dana MaCall can provide enough bacon fat to fry the Laver bread in? You ordered that 'dew' yet Rod?JohnH Strumelia said:

Michael, there is a glitch right now in the member numbers.
We actually have 791 current members. The "see All Members" link only shows 744. I imagine this will be fixed soon by Ning. It's happened before for a day or two.When I go to the Administrator view it shows all 791 members.Somebody should start a new 800 member party thread I suppose...

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I was afraid we were going to have to have a wake, for the 40.

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Michael, there is a glitch right now in the member numbers.We actually have 791 current members. The "see All Members" link only shows 744.I imagine this will be fixed soon by Ning. It's happened before for a day or two.When I go to the Administrator view it shows all 791 members.Somebody should start a new 800 member party thread I suppose...

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razyn said:

It is conceivable that FOTMD will have to squeeze in an 800 Member party before grocery shopping for the big 4th of July cookout. I just peeked, and the number this AM was 784.

That's odd. Today the number is 744. Where did 40 members go?Michael

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I'm glad to hear that, since I musta missed the 700 shindig.Paul

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It is conceivable that FOTMD will have to squeeze in an 800 Member party before grocery shopping for the big 4th of July cookout. I just peeked, and the number this AM was 784.

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No problem, Just hit the delete button. The magic of cyberspace. Strumelia said:

OK, so who's gonna help with the after-party mess ...??

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I,ll give a hand to repair some of the chairs that got damaged, but there is no way that I am going to try to repolish the top of the table that Rod parked that mountain dew on; the burn marks are right down to the wood!!!JohnH Strumelia said:

OK, so who's gonna help with the after-party mess ...??

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OK, so who's gonna help with the after-party mess ...??

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Sounds yummy. Good luck with the cucumbers. I never seem to have any luck with veggies, so haven't ordered any seeds for anything really interesting like your "White Wonder". Tomatoes don't even do well for me. Strumelia said:

Folkfan, I ordered some 'White Wonder' type cucumbers seeds for my garden, very mild and a white color. The seed catalog suggested the following recipe, but I haven't tried it yet! It sounds really good, and I might add a touch of lemon juice:
{{{Lebanese style: slice two small White Wonders paper thin. Add 1 cup yogurt, a pinch of salt and chopped mint leaves to taste. Chill for one hour but serve at room temperature.}}}
I googled 'Lebanese cucumber yogurt', and here are many other variations:
http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=Lebanese+cucumber+...

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Folkfan, I ordered some 'White Wonder' type cucumbers seeds for my garden, very mild and a white color. The seed catalog suggested the following recipe, but I haven't tried it yet! It sounds really good, and I might add a touch of lemon juice:{{{Lebanese style: slice two small White Wonders paper thin. Add 1 cup yogurt, a pinch of salt and chopped mint leaves to taste. Chill for one hour but serve at room temperature.}}}I googled 'Lebanese cucumber yogurt', and here are many other variations: http://www.google.com/#hl=en&source=hp&q=Lebanese+cucumber+yogurt&aq=f&aqi=g2&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&fp=caec63d5ff72707a

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Strumelia, If you don't mind sharing, I would love to get your cucumber/yogurt salad recipe. You could post it over on the Kitchen Sink Discussion that Ken's started. Eat more yogurt, Yah, Yah, Yah!!! Thanks Strumelia said:

Dick, that video is too funny! She's a good dancer, for sure!
Rod, I'm making my healthy non-fat cucumber and yogurt salad right now- gotta balance those cookies and mountain dew somehow. This suggests we actually have a chance to hit 1000 by our first year FOTMD anniversary at the end of July. Wow

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Dick, that video is too funny! She's a good dancer, for sure!Rod, I'm making my healthy non-fat cucumber and yogurt salad right now- gotta balance those cookies and mountain dew somehow. This suggests we actually have a chance to hit 1000 by our first year FOTMD anniversary at the end of July. Wow

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WoW 700 members. They say build it and they will come. Congrats to Lisa and everybody else for making this one of the best places on the net. Glad to be a part of it.

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Congrats on 700.... We're not even a year old yet!!!

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way to go.. I like party time... I brought some no bake cookies, peanut butter cookies and some Mountain Dew.. don't worry John got this one covered...

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Strumelia said:

I would LOVE to be able to dance like those teenage clog dancers in that video

I didn't bring any party food, so I guess I'll just bring Leah (my first cousin, once removed); there won't be a better time to run one of the video ads for her business, Grumpy's Bail Bonds. She was Miss Tennessee, some years ago, and her talent in the Miss America pageant was clogging. I'd guess she's around 42, now -- but she's still right limber. I couldn't do this when I was 22. (And I do love that Middle Tennessee accent.) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_ZfAI8L9RQ&feature=player_embedded If any of you have read the Stephanie Plum detective series, they are kind of alike: two young women in the same unusual line of work, but with substantial ethnic and regional differences. Oh, and Leah is a real person. Stephanie is a figment of the imagination of Janet Evanovich.

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I would LOVE to be able to dance like those teenage clog dancers in that video- they are so great !I've been going to a contra dance here in town once a month, sort of like square dancing. But hey those teens are just fabulous.

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Congratulations! Great accomplishment!

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Woo-HOOOOO !!!! SEVEN HUNDRED MEMBERS!!!! .....Who'd of ever thunk it?????? ...And congratulations to Kontrapunkt- our 700th member!!!

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Only one more to go.....