Forum Activity for @ken-longfield

Jim, it looks very good. It certainly looks easy to assemble and looks great once assembled. You did a beautiful job with it.

I do wonder about some of the design components of the manufacturer. It looks like he/she choose to copy the fret board of cardboard dulcimer manufacturers rather than go the extra step of having the fretboard end at the body of the dulcimer which would require extending the body of the dulcimer and repositioning the string anchors. I would like to see the nut/zero fret over the body of the instrument. 

I agree with Ken regarding the tuners. You always want to have the strings pulling the shaft in to the gears. 

Thanks for sharing this. It is a wonderful alternative to a cardboard dulcimer.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Paula, I can't answer your question. I have heard many of Kurt's dulcimers played but have no idea when they were made. All as I can say is that I have never encountered on of his dulcimers that I did not like. All played well, were well made, and sang a sweet song.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thank you Jost. I enjoyed listening to the different performances of this folk song. I'm going to try to learn it on the dulcimer.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

The hitch pins on Folkcraft dulcimers can accept either ball or loop end strings. While I prefer the ball end strings on my Folkcraft, loop ends will do in an emergency (for me). Just make sure the hitch pin is thin enough for the ball to fit over it if you should use ball end strings. If you have a supply of loop end strings use them. I've found that for me the best gauges for the 27 inch VSL are: 0.011 melodies, 0.013 middle, and 0,024 bass.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I agree with everyone that this is sad news. He will be missed not only by his family, but by all his dulcimer friends as well. He was an excellent builder and musician. Rest in piece Bill.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I've built several Folkcraft kits, but not since the move to Indiana. It looks like the kits now come pre-fretted with a 6 1/2 fret. The vsl is probably 27 inches which was pretty much the standard vsl on Folkcraft dulcimers at one time. The hourglass kit should have about the same dimensions as an FSH model. They are very nice kits and make a good dulcimer depending upon the skill of the builder.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I missed this when it was first posted. It must have been when I was traveling out west. His wife's tribute to him gives us a wonderful picture of him. I know he is missed by family and friends. His music will live on and continue to inspire all who listen to it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I did a quick search on eBay of recently sold Warren May dulcimers. There were two hourglass dulcimers sold; of for $285 and the other for $315. The other May dulcimer was his hourdrop model and it sold for $629.95. This is just an indication of what the eBay market place is bringing at the present time.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Very nice Don. Have fun playing it. Welcome back.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Many of us know Don Pedi and his career as a dulcimer musician with an interest in the North Carolina dulcimer community. I came across this article today: https://www.bpr.org/post/spotlight-bpr-music-host-and-dulcimer-master-don-pedi#stream/0

Congratulations Don!

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I don't use fret markers. As Dusty said, "The diatonic fretboard IS your fret marker." I have never put them on any of the dulcimers I've built either. Doesn't seem to be a problem for anyone.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I would take Dusty, Susies, and Strumelia's advice. To play in DAd, you should have a larger middle string like Strumelia suggests. You can easily call or email the company and ask if they are ball or loop end. Since they sell single strings to might be able to make up your own set. Reactions to Curt Managan strings on guitar forums mostly seems positive. I have no personal experience with them. If I every get to Cortez, Colorado, I may stop in for a visit. I like visiting factories.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Probably the simplest way to play in G is to drop the middle string from A to G. Another easy way, which you say you don't want to do, is to capo at the 3rd fret. In the first method you will be playing in what is called "reverse ionian." The scale begins on the 3rd fret, not on the open as in DAd. Any DAA tab will work for playing in DGD.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Irene, you can see a video of me and five others playing in David Bennett's post below. The dulcimers I play in both posts are ones that I made.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I was busy in the morning and didn't have time to play. It started raining just as I was getting ready to go out on the porch so I stayed inside and watched the Little League World Series. After the games, we had a short respite from the rain, so I went back outside and played a couple of tunes. My wife took this photo of me. I played Lincoln and Liberty, Fishin' Hole, Old Joe Clark, Cripple Creek and, Liza Jane. I use one of my dulcimers I hadn't played on in quite some time. I has a double melody string which I am no longer comfortable playing. It was tuned to DAdd which I have not play in quite some time as I've been concentrating on 1 - 5 - 5 tunings to play noter/drone. I did have a good time playing though.

Ken 

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

 IMG_0337.jpg - 100KB

We are stilled barred from playing at nursing homes and our senior centers are still closed. One group I play with did play for an outdoor service of worship earlier in August, but I did not play with them as I was away camping that weekend.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Yes, it is tomorrow.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

This website is connected to the University of Sydney in Australia which may account for some errors like the author identifying  the waters off Big Sur as the the Atlantic.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Here is an interesting article that appeared in my inbox today. https://honisoit.com/2021/08/ladies-of-the-dulcimer/

Enjoy.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

No need to reinvent the dulcimer cello. It's been done. Now if only I could remember where is saw a photo of one. Try this link: http://www.boweddulcimer.org/pocket-cello.html

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Besides building dulcimers, Robert also made kazoos. He made them in various sizes. Often he used leftover wood from building dulcimers for his kazoos. One time I saw him at an arts festival and we sat down to play together. After a few tunes we looked up to see a crowd of about 20-30 people around his booth. We play a couple of more tunes and then he went to talk to some of the folks. He told me to come back later and we could play again. He said it was helping his sales.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Paula, I sent you a private message, but for those who may look at this thread, I think this a North Country Dulcimer made by Robert Hutchinson.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Marg, I'm glad to hear that it went well for you. A little high isn't too bad if it doesn't hurt your fingers. You can always sand it down a little more later if you need to. The biggest danger is string buzzing if you go too low. Then you would either have to make a new nut or shim the old one. Now that you have conquered set-up, the next thing is you will start building dulcimers.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I beg to differ Bob. Aesthetically, it makes a difference. It just looks better when the rounded portion of the top faces away from the fret board. Also, it makes it easier to gauge the depth of the string slots for the strings to ride on that zero fret.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

As far as I am concerned, there is no difference between a dulcimore and a dulcimer. They are different names for the same instrument. C.N. Prichard call the instruments he manufactured "The American Dulcimer." J. E. Thomas called the instrument he made a dulcimer. As to where the name originated, it is anybody's guess. One theory is that mountaineers familiar with the King James Bible new the list of instruments in Daniel. One instrument on that list was dulcimer. Since no one knew what a dulcimer was, they adopted the name for their instrument. (Biblical scholars think the instrument called "dulcimer" is really a reed instrument like a clarinet.) Strumelia already mention that the name may have derived from the Latin for sweet (dulce) and the Greek for sound or song (Melos). Who knows for sure? Pretty much all of the early scholarly literature and much of popular literature refers to the instrument as "dulcimer."

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

On that particular dulcimer, the nut is installed backwards. When it was built slots.should have been cut in the nut to space the strings. That would have eliminated the nails. I would sand down the bottom of the nut so that it is not so high and cut slots in the nut. You want the slots deep enough for the strings to ride on top of the zero fret.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Here is some more dulcimer good news: https://stonecountyleader.com/stories/dulcimer-reclaimed-after-50plus-years,4160

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks for introducing yourself, Steve. Here is a suggestion for installing your strap buttons. If you play with the dulcimer flat on you lap, put the strap button on the peg head end on the side of peg head on the side opposite your playing. This will put the head of the dulcimer in toward you and make it more stable when playing. If you play with the dulcimer tilted in front of you (from stomach to thighs), the strap button on the peg head end works better in the middle of the underside of the peg head near the body. Here is a photo of the first suggestion later this afternoon.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

 IMG_4563.JPG - 233KB

This is a delightful story: https://www.southbendtribune.com/story/lifestyle/2021/07/18/student-teacher-reunite-over-dulcimer-built-woodworking-class/7970945002/ I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Haha, John. I can only claim four bells in our choir, E flat 4, E4, F4, and F#4. I wouldn't ever try to play all 12 bells in an octave.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

That was fun. I learned quite a lot about mixolydian watching the video. Thanks for sharing it Dusty.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks, Dan. I'll contact Bobby.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks, Robin for letting me know about the link. I'm not sure how the site works regarding guests reading the various topics. I'll check in to it. I never log out, so I don't have to reenter my password six for seven times a day.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

For about a year now a group of folks have been getting together Tuesday evenings on Zoom to play mountain dulcimer together. We invite you join us. We play noter or finger dancing style mostly in DAA but also in DAC, DAG, and DAd. The format is one person leads a song/tune while everyone else is muted and plays along. While Dave Holeton usually leads, others have led as well. You are welcome to join us. We meet on Tuesday evenings at 8:30 p.m. (EDT), 7:30 p.m. (CDT), 6:30 p.m. (MDT), and 5:30 p.m. PDT. A link for each week's meeting is available on The Traditional Mountain Dulcimore website. Here is a link to the thread where meetings are posted: https://thetraditionalappalachiandulcimore.com/board/47/ttad-zoom-group

The meeting lasts for 40 minutes and we usually work on four songs.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Steven, if you are planning on using the bridge on I40 over the Mississippi, check to see if it is open. It has been closed due to a crack in a beam that supports one of the spans. Wouldn't want you to get wet.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I'll be there with my mask on as well. I'll have some dulcimores to exhibit and maybe some other stuff to show. I'll have a video projector with me if anyone has something they want to show that way.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I really don't think this a big issue. People along the Pacific coast have played stringed instruments for many years. People buy and play lots of acoustic guitars from inexpensive Asian models to high end Taylors and Martins. These instruments receive no extra treatment for humidity control. The outsides are finished and the insides are not. Build her a dulcimer. The general rule of thumb is that if you are comfortable, the dulcimer will be comfortable.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I think Dusty is correct. In 1982 Orthey dulcimers came tuned DAA if I remember correctly. The string gauges would be as Dusty mentioned. When people moved to DAd playing, the middle string probably changed to 0.014.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

This is an interesting question. I thought of the "The Ship that Never Returned" which is the basis for "The Wreck Old 97" which is the basis of "The Municipal Train Protest Song" (MTA), which is the basis of "Super Skier." Not quite as many as Rosin the Beau.

With regard to Rosin the Beau, the Limeliters did a parody called "Acres of Limeliters." Randy Sparks and the New Christy Minstrels did  a song entitled "Denver" to that tune. I believe it was also the basis for a campaign song,"The Hero of Tippecanoe," for William Henry Harrison. I'm sure there are others, but those are ones that come to mind.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

It sounds like you are really enjoying your new dulcimer. Have fun playing it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."