Forum Activity for @nate

Benefits of longer VSL?

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

Hey folks just wondering what reasons people might have for preferring a longer scale length. I started off building dulcimers around 28-30" VSL, having heard that longer dulcimers are louder. Over time I've gradually made them shorter to make long stretches more comfortable, the most recent one being 23.5"
To me the tone of a longer scale seems a little fuller, but maybe I'm just convincing myself of that one.
I also appreciate the ever so tiny bit of extra space that you get between the frets in the second octave. A big downside to long dulcimers that I've noticed is that the packs of strings designed for dulcimers will be at a much higher tension than typical when brought up to Dad tuning.
So anyway just wondering what some benefits are for long dulcimers compared to short ones. Whether it be in the sound characteristics, practical reasons, play-ability, just anything that you tend to prefer on longer dulcimers. More perspective would help me to figure out what VSL I want to build at going forward.
Thanks
Nate

Dave Lynch Harpmaker passing

OFF TOPIC discussions

@folkfan Keigh, my heart is with you and your dear ones.  Dave was, truly, a good guy!  I was fortunate to have had our paths cross a couple times.  Your brother's beautiful instruments sing now for so many and will sing for years to come!  Rest in peace, Harpmaker.    

Dave Lynch Harpmaker passing

OFF TOPIC discussions

I wanted to let Dave's friends here at FOTMD know that Dave passed away at our sister, Barbara's home.  He had been suffering from stage 4 lung cancer.  Now he is no longer in pain.  Keigh/folkfan

International Appalachian Dulcimer Day

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I would so love for folks to friend me on fb and flood my page with vids of you playing on that day!  --Sandi Lowery

Darcyhorse Dulcimers

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

John Crocker

OFF TOPIC discussions

That's good news Robin.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

John Crocker

OFF TOPIC discussions

It seems John Henry has stabilized and may get to go home before the week's over.

John Crocker

OFF TOPIC discussions

Done and done!   

John Crocker

OFF TOPIC discussions

Prayers and best wishes for Mr. John Henry.

John Crocker

OFF TOPIC discussions

Mark & I love John and our hearts are with him and all of his dear ones.  

John Crocker

OFF TOPIC discussions

John Henry is a truly wonderful and amazing person. He and his family are in my thoughts and loving wishes right now.

John Crocker

OFF TOPIC discussions

John's son Paul says that John is in hospital and is asking prayers for him at this time.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Darcyhorse Dulcimers

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

Thank you, Strumelia!  I will keep that in mind.  Gonna try to re-string it this weekend.

International Appalachian Dulcimer Day

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thank you Dusty for the kind words! Linda

International Appalachian Dulcimer Day

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

That is mighty kind, Nate, but I'd call myself like the person you describe rather than an ambassador. I had given up hope of ever being able to play an instrument until I found the dulcimer in my late fifties and then it was love at first sound.  I like that it will challenge me for the rest of my life but, as it does so, I still get to play songs!  Best regards, Linda

International Appalachian Dulcimer Day

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Aw shucks, thank you! I had fun making it with these friends and for the new Tn. club

International Appalachian Dulcimer Day

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Wonderful video, alegre1. Thank you for creating and sharing it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

International Appalachian Dulcimer Day

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

really terrific @alegre1 . One of my absolute favorite things about the dulcimer, that a couple people brought up in this video, is the low barrier of entry. So many people who don't consider themselves to be musically inclined find joy in making music with a dulcimer. Many times folks have expressed to me that they don't consider themselves musical and as soon as they learn to put enough pressure on the fret to get a clean note, they're enjoying playing music. It's cool to have an ambassador such as yourself for our lovely instrument. 
-Nate

International Appalachian Dulcimer Day

General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

That's a sweet video, @alegre1.  Thank you.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

I'm going to tune it to DAA.  Thanks.

Darcyhorse Dulcimers

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.