That's a great list and I'm going to try to learn these. I know some of them. At Wartz, Sour Wood Mountain was popular. Turkey in the Straw if you need a "T" tune. I do believe the Wartz official theme song is Father Halpin's Topcoat, LOL. You do have a great list and I wish I lived close enough to join you all. I'll bet it's going to be fun!!!
Phil, it sure is pretty!!! I hope you can post a sound clip soon
Phil, sounds like things are in an upswing. It's good to hear you are doing better and have a place to stay
Phil, I hope you feel better soon! Praying that you'll get a great price on your property.
Phil, the most important thing is that you all are okay and no loss of life. Things can be replaced. We've had several fires in my neighborhood. One too many if you ask me. I hate to see it. The insurance did come through and each of the houses got rebuilt...better than what they were before. Red Cross came in to help and so did my neighbors. I have to say I have a great bunch of neighbors. You'll get through this. I'll be keeping you and your family in my prayers.
I know this can't be contra dancing but was always interested in this and the purpose of it when I saw it, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX99GBCtysI , Fort Apache starring John Wayne and Henry Fonda. Then Lt. Col. Thursday danced with Sgt. O'Rourke's wife, . Henry Fonda sure could cut a rug
I think I understand. I hope to have an opportunity to participate in these dances. Nothing like learning by doing. Thanks for the information. It sure looks like fun
This is probably a dumb question but here goes. What is the difference between contra dancing and square dancing? I remember doing square dancing in school. From the video it seems to be square dancing. Did I miss something along the way?
Merry Christmas Jerry
Well Mike, a big thank you to your wife and daughter. They did a great job!!!
Merry Christmas to you Mike and to your family and everyone at the shop!!! Thanks for posting a picture of Uncle Eddie all decorated for Christmas! By the way, that almost looks like a sock monkey Santa
John, Merry Christmas to you!!!
Hey Mike, you do need to dress up Uncle Eddie for Christmas and post a picture .
I just know Uncle Eddie is a world record .
John, sorry to hear that but I'm sure yours is the largest Cumberland style. He sure is a beautiful dulcimer too
I'll definitely have to do that John. Thanks for sharing Uncle Eddie with us! Please let us know when you hear from Guinness World Records
John C. Knopf said:
Patty,
All you need to do is jump on Interstate 66 west, to 81 south, to US 23 north, to KY 15 northwest. Nothing to it.
Shouldn't take you more than half a day!
Glad you are back home John!!! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family . Uncle Eddie has a home in Hindman. I've just got to find a way to get out there. Not only would I love to see Uncle Eddie but I would also love to see the shop and maybe Mike can teach me how to make a dulcimer.
Great pic Mike!!! I just finally realized that Uncle Eddie is bigger than the door
I do love this picture. Did you all compare weights and VSLs? LOL . Kevin, did you get to play John's Uncle Eddie? How does it sound? Did you get a sound file?
Wow! That sure has a full sound with those drones. It's pretty too!!!
Dalton, here is a video clip of me playing my Cabin Creek. I was experimenting with a goose quill so pardon the sour notes, lol, http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/video/quill-experiment
Dalton, I own one. It's the first dulcimer I bought. I've never had any trouble with it. Walter Messick is a really nice guy and spent some time with me on the phone. He even played the one I purchased over the phone for me to hear. I know it's not the same as in person but it has a good sound. It had a good sound when I played it the first day I received it and still does. Rob, one of the members here, has played it and thought it a good dulcimer.
Mike, I have the dulcimers I love. I will say one thing. If I had a dream dulcimer or maybe I should say a dulcimer I would love to have is one that I can make. I would love to learn how to make one. To play a dulcimer that I made myself would be a dream come true. If I'm not able to make one I suppose I would love to have a teardrop. I don't have one of those.
I suppose I'm in the beginning phases
I have:
1. Cabin Creek dulcimer made by Walter Messick, hourglass, curly maple, my first dulcimer and playable instrument.
2. Prichard Reproduction made by Kevin Messinger, poplar, I had to have it, it reminds me of home...I love noter drone
3. Backyard Music dulcimer, cardboard, assembled by me and yes it was fun to put together.
4. Penny Whistle
5. Two thumb pianos (Kalimbas), one is borrowed from my daughter
6. We do have a piano in the house but daughter plays that.
7. My husband owns a Classic guitar with a name I haven't heard, Kiso - Suzuki, Kiso Suzuki Violin Co., LTD.
8. My daughter has a ukulele which I might borrow too
Steven,
Everyone has made some great suggestions. I just want to add that a cardboard dulcimer is very good as Dusty said. Yes, it is cardboard but the sound is pretty amazing. I assembled a cardboard dulcimer from Backyard Music for our 4H project last year. I truly was surprised at the volume. I really didn't expect it. I've been very pleased with it. You may not want to go the cardboard route but I just want to let you know it's not a toy instrument, not at all. Also, one of these days I'll post a vid of me playing it. I've been wanting to do that but life has been very busy for me this summer. I'll just have to squeeze that in best I can. I'm sure you'll get a good dulcimer for your wife
James, I'm sorry. Can you start a new one? I know it wouldn't be finished in time for Christmas but you could make a drawing of it and stick it in a card for you daughter. You can tell her it's coming soon
James, please post pictures when you finish. We would love to hear a sound clip too
David, that's cool! I wish I could get one of those.
Kay, finger picking is not that easy so give yourself some time. I've had my dulcimer over a year and I still feel like a beginner. I do believe making progress is a result of spending more and consistent time playing the instrument. I have found that once I learn I song if I continue to practice it I can really improve on my technique. I also try do do at least three verses of a song and not do a one verse wonder. My daughter's piano teacher has my daughter to practice a piece until it becomes second nature. Repetition is the key. She does give my daughter a few songs to work on so that she doesn't get bored. Hang in there. If you are enjoying it then you are doing fine
I feel sorry for anyone who is having difficulties. I'm sure it is not their intention to put out a bad product. All I'm saying is that anyone who builds and sells dulcimers should be willing to back up the quality of their work. I would never buy a dulcimer from someone who has no refund policy. I looked up the web site you posted and it appears they are very near the goal of the money needed. I have friends who have owed money to the IRS and the IRS is more than willing to work out payment plans. They want the money because they don't want to be in the business of selling assets.
Elise, I know emotions can run high but Siggie wasn't the only one who had problems. Here is a link to someone else who had a problem, http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/group/beginnerplayers/forum/topics... .
I understand from other FOTMD members that Cripple Creek were great dulcimers. I also have a friend who built one from a kit. Having said that I personally have a problem with any builder who doesn't stand by their product. I purchased my dulcimer from a builder who would refund my money if I wasn't happy with the dulcimer. I understand Siggie did get his money back less a restocking fee but he shouldn't have had to go through a lot of trouble for that. Any builder who thinks their product is good should back that up with a return and refund.
I would be upset if I purchased a dulcimer that had flaws and the builder was unwilling to fix it or refund my money even if I bought the dulcimer from McSpadden or Folkcraft. While I understand some performance dulcimers can get quite pricey, $450.00 is a lot of money to spend on an instrument that has flaws.
