International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
That's a sweet video, @alegre1. Thank you.
Forum Activity for @dusty
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
@alegre1 I enjoyed your "Why Play the Dulcimer" very much! I imagine it will help attract new people to mountain dulcimer because of the joys of doing so expressed by the folks in the video.
How to Convert guitar tab to mt. dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
If you mean tabs for guitar chords, you can go to a website like ultimate-guitar.com then find a song you like. For example here is a link to 'Leaving on a Jet Plane by John Denver"
https://tabs.ultimate-guitar.com/tab/john-denver/leaving-on-a-jet-plane-chords-32979
at the bottom of the screen you will see a white box that reads
"FONT -1+1 CHORDS AUTOSCROLL TRANSPOSE -1 +1"
you can transpose the tabs to a key that is better suited to your dulcimer by clicking on the +1 to transpose it up a half step or the -1 to transpose it down a half step. For example if you found tabs in the key of E, but your dulcimer is tuned to D, you could click the '-1' button twice.
This chart might then help to translate the chords into dulcimer chords https://everythingdulcimer.com/tab/chord_chart_dad_major.pdf
I don't know of a way to directly convert the kind of tabs which show all 6 strings, other than to just convert those tabs into their notes, then convert those notes into dulcimer tabs. This can be quicker than you might think with a chart like this
As Lisa mentioned, your biggest obstacle at that point is the chromatic frets, which might not be a problem at all if your dulcimer has a lot of frets. Quite a lot of pop music is mostly diatonic so if you are willing to put in the time to translate the guitar tabs into their notes, then transpose those notes into a key you can play on your dulcimer, a lot of times its very rewarding, but sometimes it can be fruitless if you dont have the frets you need.
Hope this helps
-Nate
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Robin Thompson:
It will be a delight to see how you all celebrate the day! @dusty-turtle will be with a group and, perhaps, other friends will be, too. I'll be at my usual playing location (home) with my usual playing partner (Mark). 
Hi Robin and everyone who might be interested for International Dulcimer Day,
Hi Everyone, In case anyone might be interested in a "Why Play the Dulcimer" promo for your club, I've attached a link to a five minute video I made for a friend who is launching a new club in Middle Tennessee to help her attract new members. The file is too big to attach here, but here's a link from her library's Facebook page, and so I think you can save the video that way if you'd like to use it.
Happy Playing!
(Looks like you might have to cut and paste it into the URL space)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1iiSRd9TtCUnwz5y2AwnEGp5j7MiTWpv6/view?fbclid=IwAR2qO49okapHt1G_C8pq6foVvjKYUUByAgSpQ_Xaknm5SBwleXxbrJr3qQU
updated by @alegre1: 03/06/23 02:05:44PM
How to Convert guitar tab to mt. dulcimer
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I much prefer classic ukulele tab chords such as here: https://www.ukulele-tabs.com/ukulele-tabs-chords.html call be old fashioned but it just reads easier for me.
updated by @endaamelia: 03/06/23 10:27:07AM
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
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Those strings should work ok, but if the .012 strings for the melody course feel too stiff or are hard for you to press down, try using .010 melody strings, especially since your scale length is almost 28".
updated by @strumelia: 03/05/23 10:20:59AM
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
It will be a delight to see how you all celebrate the day! @dusty-turtle will be with a group and, perhaps, other friends will be, too. I'll be at my usual playing location (home) with my usual playing partner (Mark).
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
That's what I'll go with, then. You've been a great help and I really appreciate it. BTW, based on your recollections, I found a phone number and address for Terry Pattison. I just want to let him know how much I have appreciated the Darcyhorse over the years. Thanks so much and have a great weekend!
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
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Welcome..........I think you would be good with 12's-14-22 since some Darcyhorses had an action that was a bit high if I remember some other comments.
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
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I'm going to tune it to DAA. Thanks.
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
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Generally,
I use 12, 12, 14, 22 or if I use DAA tuning I like a firmer string so I use 14's and a 22 or 24 depending on what I can find that is handy.
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
You going to tune it to DAA or DAD?
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
As a follow up, I want to put new strings on my Darcyhorse, and I'm not sure what type and gauge to use. The string length from nut to bridge is 27.75 inches. Any thoughts on strings would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
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Thanks so much, @salt-springs! That gives me a starting point. I really appreciate it!
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I don't know how to contact him these days, however Terry Pattison I fairly sure lived in Union Township, Pa. on Wager Road.
Darcyhorse Dulcimers
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Good morning and Happy Saturday! Years ago, I bought a Darcyhorse Dulcimer from the builder off ebay. I'm well aware of the issues and objections many had with Darcyhorse, but truthfully, mine is one of my most favorite dulcimers. I lost the contact info on the builder and was wondering if anyone here would still have that information. I'd like to reach out to him if I can. Thanks in advance.
Michael
updated by @michael-willey: 03/10/23 10:50:16AM
Search for a tab of "Let There Be Peace On Earth"
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
Thanks for the responses. I don't have an issue paying for a tab & I'm going to order Glazner's packet.
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
My online dulcimer group meets the fourth Saturday of the month, so we'll be celebrating IADD together. Cant' wait! 
Search for a tab of "Let There Be Peace On Earth"
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
Dusty Turtle:
You might feel otherwise if you were trying to make a living as a songwriter.
You are probably right. I haven't ever experienced that side of it. I feel that knowledge should not be owned and the idea that a knowledgeable musician could easily replicate a piece of music that they hear, but cannot share the information of 'how' with others makes me sad.
One could go to a friend and have him show them note for note how to play the melody, but one couldn't pass that along to others online, and if one didn't have that friend, they'd have no such luck.
updated by @nate: 03/03/23 11:50:37PM
Search for a tab of "Let There Be Peace On Earth"
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
NateBuildsToys:
Dusty Turtle: The song is under copyright, so it is illegal to post free tab to the melody.
What a frustrating concept.
You might feel otherwise if you were trying to make a living as a songwriter.
Search for a tab of "Let There Be Peace On Earth"
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
Dusty Turtle:
The song is under copyright, so it is illegal to post free tab to the melody.
What a frustrating concept.
Search for a tab of "Let There Be Peace On Earth"
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
@jimws, the music to which @natebuildstoys links provides tab to play the chords, but not the melody, in the key of G. If you don't have a 1.5 you could just play that C chord as a 346 or 666. Another possibility would be to transpose everything to D and use the chords you are used to (D, Bm, G, etc.).
The song is under copyright, so it is illegal to post free tab to the melody. However, you can buy a "packet" from Tull Glazener that includes tab and a lesson on CD.
Search for a tab of "Let There Be Peace On Earth"
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
Hello Jim, I found this YouTube video showing one way to play it
which comes with a link to these tabs
here
The tabs are written unconventionally and use a 1.5 fret, but this might help.
-Nate
updated by @nate: 03/03/23 06:58:41PM
Search for a tab of "Let There Be Peace On Earth"
Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs
This is one of my wife's favorite songs & she has asked me to play it. I've been unable to locate a tab. I would appreciate if anyone knows who may have tabbed it out.
Liquid Electrical Tape
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I've used these for years...
Liquid Electrical Tape
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I have cut smallish pieces of 2000 or 4000 grit sandpaper and glued them on picks to help with keeping them where they belong.
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
[quote="Ariane"]
@Alegre1 - Hi Alegre, I have just seen that I did not sent you an answer to your kind post...I am very happy that you like my last year's Appalachian waltz and look forward to this year`s International Appalachian Dulcimer Day - it is just such a lovely initiative from Robin 
[/quote] [quote="Ariane"]
No worries, Ariane ... your music says everything! 
Liquid Electrical Tape
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I'm going to give this tip a good try out and pass on to others. Thanks for sharing.
Plasti-Dip is a similar product and might work too....
Liquid Electrical Tape
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
Thanks Wally. That's a good idea.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Liquid Electrical Tape
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
I have used "Liquid Electrical Tape" on a number of things to improve holding them or creating non-slip surfaces. The attached .PDF describes how I have used in to make picks harder to loose.
Liquid Tape.pdf - 153KBInternational Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
I cannot take credit for International Appalachian Dulcimer day-- it sprang out of a discussion of which I was just one of the voices here at FOTMD. 
updated by @robin-thompson: 03/02/23 08:54:22AM
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
@Alegre1 - Hi Alegre, I have just seen that I did not sent you an answer to your kind post...I am very happy that you like my last year's Appalachian waltz and look forward to this year`s International Appalachian Dulcimer Day - it is just such a lovely initiative from Robin
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Alegre1:
Robin Thompson:
Yes, the 'official' International Appalachian Dulcimer Day in 2023 is Saturday 25 March. In a thread here at FOTMD, we landed on choosing the last Saturday in March as the day.
Thank you so much for this reminder!
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
The last Saturday of this month!
updated by @robin-thompson: 03/01/23 07:13:57PM
Archive of original Everything Dulcimer??
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Ken, I assume you mean Richard Latker.
Richard is a member of FOTMD: @pristine2
Though he has not recently been active on this site, he might respond if you send him a private message here.
I seem to recall that Bruce Ford mentioned that he would not be saving or archiving the vast discussion forums of ED. I do recall reading Bruce's post about that and thinking Well that's a shame to lose all those years of discussion, but perhaps it's for the best anyway. I believe what was archived and made available were the Tab section, the Festivals section, and the Articles.
In any case, I think one would need a forum or php software framework and a hosted site in which to actually import/read/interpret an archived php forum. It's not like a text file that you can just open and read.
Dusty is right that you might try the internet Archive. However, it will be limited in terms of 'drilling down' into discussions from the past. You might not be able to get to all the replies or be able to search it the same way as a regular website. It won't function the same way as a real original forum.
Hope this helps.
Strings turned iridescent?
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You can test if it is sulfur based oxidation by doing this, (it works primarily on sterling but you can give it a try...........)
You need.......
a ceramic bowl lined with aluminum foil, shiny side up
a tablespoon of baking soda
a tablespoon of salt and some hot water.
Put just enough water in the bowl to dissolve the baking soda and salt and cover the item you want to clean up.
stick the silver thing in it and see if the sulfur flakes off after a few minutes and moves to the aluminum foil. Dry whatever you stuck in there with a towel and see what you have. I know some jewelry folk put the soda and salt on the item and then pour the water on it.......my sister used to add tiny bit of dish soap on her sterling Native American Jewelry at the shop she had years ago, then buffed it up. She said it takes a bit of practice to get the consistency correct but it works after about 5-15 minutes of soaking as I recall.
updated by @salt-springs: 03/01/23 12:23:19AM
Archive of original Everything Dulcimer??
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Ken, here is the FOTMD discusssion about ED shutting down . At least two people there mention downloading the entire content that Bruce made available at the time.
Strings turned iridescent?
Instruments- discuss specific features, luthiers, instrument problems & questions
This is interesting. Tried looking into this more but don't know nearly enough about chemistry or physics to really grasp much. I might have to throw on the safety glasses and see what they sound before they break at what I assume will be a very low tension. I wish I had an ornamental instrument to put them on; they look much more like decor than like actual strings.
Archive of original Everything Dulcimer??
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
Have you tried the Wayback Machine, Ken? I am not sure how to use it, but it is available through the Internet Archive and maintains copies of old websites going back many years.
Archive of original Everything Dulcimer??
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
HELP!! I just has someone asking me to help find a post by Richard Lattimer on Everything Dulcimer. . Of course the link she had didn't work because the discussion was on the original ED and the link was a dead end.
I know there were two or three folks who made copies of all if the contents of ED (not just the Tab files) as archives of all the wonderful discussions we had, but I remember who they were, and can't find where I put those links... Anybody??