Robin Clark and Nick Reece made a CD (The Cadair Idris Sessions) where Robin plays dulcimer (noter/drone) and Nick plays clawhammer. I have a copy and listen all the time. Here is a link http://fotmd.com/robin-clark/uploaded_audio/385/the-cadair-idris-sessions-track-samples to samples on the FOTMD site. I don't know if he has any more for sale, but if he does, I recommend it. Highly.
On both the original and the new FOTMD, John's was one of the first profiles that I followed. He was a very kind and helpful man--I enjoyed his comments and the music that he shared. I, too, wish to express my condolences to his family and friends.
T.K. O'Brien from Wood 'N Strings about 5 years ago. Made for modern playing--didn't yet know that I was meant for noter/drone! I still play it in 1-5-4 mostly because it plays that sad/spooky mode more loudly (and clearly) than my others.
Seamus--It isn't tabbed out, but Robin Clark did a couple of versions of the tune, including a version with a young lady on vocals. I don't know if they made it over during the FOTMD transfer (I downloaded them some time ago). I began to learn the song with the aforementioned tabbed version provided by Strumelia on the noter/drone blog and hear Robin's versions and a version by a duo from Michigan called Red Tail Ring easily found on YouTube (because it is quite slow and makes internalized the melody easier) when I am playing.
Very nice, Phil. As a native hoosier myself, I sure appreciate that hickory.
I like what Kevin said--I'd love to be sniffing around an auction and find a 19th-century, playable Prichard or Thomas or even a handmade, for-the-purpose,Tennessee music box from around the mid-to-Eastern parts of Tennessee. I'd string it up, move to the edge of the Smokies, and play each day in one of the many old cabins/churches.
Very enjoyable, Robin
--kind of smooth and mellow...
No problem, there, Dave. I did and will give again. Just referring to the "Call to Arms" a few months back.
Second those Kudos!
Great post, Lisa. To your point 4, specifically, I am grateful for FOTMD (when is that next pledge drive ?) because it provides a non-club outlet for noter/drone players. 2 years ago, I picked up the MD with a mind toward DAd/chording but quickly abandoned that pursuit to play by ear with a noter and drones (although I do understand TAB and can read crows on a wire to a degree and am trying to understand modes). Not only has the site provided the opportunity to see a number of great "amateurs"--in the classical sense of "one who loves" as in "loves" and is totally dedicated to the instrument--but I have learned and have been inspired by the history of the instrument. To hear folks like John Henry and Robin Clark (is there such a person as a classically amateur professional?) play tunes that we associate with early America when, in fact, they are "transatlantic" tunes hundreds of years old is inspiring, to say the very least. This, I think, is helping to swell the "unreported?" ranks of traditional players. (and so ends my love letter to FOTMD)
Sounds like you are having fun, Robin--I mean, I think that I can hear it in your playing even though you are getting used to the instrument. Watching/listening to old Bill Monroe clips on YouTube is always fun for me, so I hope to hear some more from you on the instrument.
Photos? Love to see you holding a different instrument. Kind of wonder if the two instruments (MD and mandolin) are complimentary... You continue to surprise!
I'll give it a try--and dream of the sand and surf...
Interesting topic. I've become rather a Christmas scrooge over the last few years, but I do enjoy Haley Westenra's Winter Magic. As an operatic "pop" singer (as opposed to an opera singer, I suppose) from NZ (although I think she lives in London), her voice, while pure of note, is a bit big for traditional tunes (although not as big as mezzo soprano Katherine Jenkins--though Westenra is, quite simply, gifted while Jenkins, though also gifted, has to work a bit harder and is more of a traditional opera-style singer). Plus, Westenra is quite pleasing to contemplate while listening to her music. Then, again, Katherine Jenkins makes me wish that I were in Wales. Anyhoo, Westenra is the only thing that can tame my inner Christmas scrooge.
Marion--The EXACT same thing happened to me at the same time in my learning (and I have not been playing long)--I,too, posted the question (but not as well). Nina Zanetti has explained above exactly what I was doing wrong. Also, I found that I was extra choppy because I hit "record" and became nervous.
On a completely unrelated note (generally-speaking), after I improved my fingering so that the notes were ringing properly, I switched to noter/drone almost exclusively in my learning. I found that I really liked the traditional sound and to have a drone along with the melody more to my liking. Not to say that is what you would experience, but since one of my favorite players responded above, I thought that I would throw that in there. Happy Playing!
Head over to Strumelia's other site dedicated to traditional playing (link on the Main Page)--in addition to all of the great info found throughout, there are additional links about playing techniques ("Useful Traditional Dulcimer Links"). Read Ken Hulmes "Get Noter-ized" article--several pages of helpful (to say the least) info regarding different ways to hold the noter, different materials, etc.
