Forum Activity for @ken-longfield

Hi Sherrie. There is no really definitive answer. Some dulcimers in the late or mid-1800s had a 6 1/2 fret, but no seventh fret. Regular use of the 6 1/2 fret probably began in the mid-to-late 1960s. The 1 1/2 fret has been around for quite a while as well. It has gained more popularity in recent years. I think we have discussed this in the History of the Dulcimer forum. You can look in that forum or do a search.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Although not dulcimer specific, County Sales is having a sale on all of their 3500 series of old-time music CDs. The CDs are just $7.00 each. For fans of old-time music there are some great gems here.

http://www.countysales.com/categories.php?category=SPECIAL-SALE-ON-COUNTY-3500-SERIES-CDs

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Monica, sorry. I forgot that Gary's website was hacked and down at the present time. I have never had any problem with Just Strings. Good prices and good service.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Not to confuse things even more, have you checked the price at Prussia Valley. Contact Gary Sager and see what he sells strings for. I buy bulk strings from Just Strings.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I build both hourglass and teardrops. I prefer the hourglass just because I like the look of that shape.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

William, those pegs are just pushed in when assembling. They are what is known as mechanical friction pegs. I see that the peg box is also three pieces. It looks to me like the center is cut out before gluing it up.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Skip's suggestion is what I would go with. Just be careful with a heat gun as the surface of the wood can heat rapidly and burn. Another option is to heat a palette knife and work that in to the space between the end block and back. It will be difficult to match up the sides and back when you re-glue, but if you take your time and are very patient you can do it. Best wishes for the successful completion of your project.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

You are correct Kristi. I have quite a few places bookmarked for researching tunes, people, instruments, etc. It is worthwhile having a place where all of these are available saving people time in searching for them.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

This is a place to post general folk music resources for folks interested in more than just the mountain dulcimer. The first one I share came from a post over at Banjo Hangout. It is a site called Folk Music Worldwide: http://folkmusicworldwide.com . This is posting of radio interviews with people primarily from the great folk scare of the 1950s and 60s. There is some interesting conversation here. Have fun listening.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Charley, I am glad to hear that you took the plunge in to mountain dulcimer. I hope you enjoy it and I trust you will get well soon.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I'd didn't know Judy, but that was a fitting tribute.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

That's really nice work Mandy. You made a beautiful instrument which I am sure you will enjoy forever. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Pat, I have not had any instruments repaired at HMT, but I have visited the store many times over the years and purchased things from them. The folks have always been friendly and helpful. Reading about their repair people on the HMT website, I would not hesitate to let them work on one of my instruments. Take your dulcimer over there and see what they say.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Terry Duggins posted this photo on Facebook. I thought maybe Patty and some other folks here on FOTMD would enjoy it. I am leaving tomorrow for a dulcimer festival and will delete this on Sunday when I get home.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Hi, Joe. When the melody string is tuned to "d" and the melody string is tuned to "A" and the bass string is tuned to "D," you have the dulcimer tuned to the key of D. This key has two sharps in the scale, A# and F#. On a diatonic fret board those sharps will occur at the proper place in the scale. If the book was written for the CGG, there would be no sharps or flats because then you are tuned to the key of C. A diatonic fret board is defined by the spacing of the frets: long, long, short, long, long, long, short. When the 6 1/2 fret is added you are beginning to move toward a chromatic scale which is all short giving a full twelve not scale while the diatonic is only 7 notes. I think part of the confusing comes from trying to explain that the dulcimer is a simple instrument to play. I hope this helps.

Ken

"the dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Lynn gave you good advice. I am familiar with June Apple and Carl Gotzmer's craftsmanship. They are excellent instruments. I would not hesitate to purchase one if I had the opportunity to do so. I find June Apples to be delicate and very responsive. Just to let you know where I come from on this, I own quite a few dulcimers some of which I made. My "go to" dulcimer is a Folkcraft and I also play a Blue Lion frequently. If you can each one of those dulcimers, you will know which one is for you.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I think this is a great idea. I'm not sure I'll learn how to make a video by then though.

Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ruth, you have been given good advice. I have no experience building the Folkcraft kit, but have made or helped make dozens of Backyard Instruments cardboard dulcimers. I am sticking my neck out here, but I think Folkcraft would appreciate knowing what problems people have with instructions. I know I would like to know. That way they can improve the instructions. For example, the instructions should say the shorter piece (5/16 ths) is the nut and the taller piece (7/16 ths) is the bridge and the side with the two slots closer together should be toward the player. On your comment on winding the strings, I was not clear on what you meant by "excess." That should be the slack in the string and not the part of the string that does not wind around the post which is what I would call the excess. That part gets cut off.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.

You folks are welcome. I need to make one correction, It is Mitchell Grogg, not Michael. I was thinking of Mike Slone when I did the first post. I really enjoyed seeing the folks from Hindman again.

Ken,

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

While at the Hindman Dulcimer Festival I met Michael Grogg, an anchor and reporter for WYMT television in Hazard, KY. He produced a series of videos on this topic. They can be found here: http://www.wkyt.com/searchresults?searchKeywords=dulcimer&group1=phrase&time=30&sort=score&sType=video

Our own, Mike Slone, appears in these videos.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

These videos are great. Jim did a good job of recording the action on video and in still photos. Rob is too shy to mention it, but Maddie MacNeil opened for him at the Friday night concert. Rob did himself and all of his FOTMD friends proud with a wonderful performance. I trust all of you will enjoy the videos.

I had a great time although I only managed to get to one workshop. I hope to return next year.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

David, thanks for sharing this dulcimentary about Archie Lee. It was interesting.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I don't have a problem with scratches from a pick and I play over the fret board all the time. I think it is a matter of learning. Some people pick their guitars to death. Look at Willie Nelson's Trigger. Others never get a scratch on them. It is all a matter of technique.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I never met Rod in person. We met online over at EveryThing Dulcimer.com. He was a welcoming presence and very encouraging of the new players. His death diminished our fellowship, but remembering him enriches us. Thanks for initiating this discussion CD.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Since it was written in 1675/76, I would say that it is not under copyright. I don't have tab for it. If I find the music written out, I will see what I can do. Don't hold your breath.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

With all the cut backs in school funding our children are no longer exposed to classes that teach woodworking, sewing, cooking, etc. I am thankful that my 33 year old son had those classes. Today he is an excellent cook, is able to do simple home repairs including installing all the cabinets in his pantry and can replace a button on his shirt. He is a professional musician. We worked side-by-side to build his 16/15 hammered dulcimer.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Joy To The World is fun on mountain dulcimer. Good King Wenceslas is another one played around Christmas. The Friendly Beasts is another one.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Thanks Ken. Looks like a good resource.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Just sharing that the contest is over at the Walnut Valley Festival and the 2014 mountain dulcimer champions are:

First Place - Duane Porterfield, Mountain View, AR

Second Place -Jonoathon Schultes, Tulsa, OK

Third Place - Jonathan Dowell, Los Alamos, NM

Congratulations to this years winners!

Ken
"The dulcimer sings a new song."

Steph and Keith were looking forward to this event when I was out there this summer. Maybe next year I can plan a visit to my son's around this time. Glad you had a good time Kristi; and all of the others who attended I am sure had a good time as well.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I haven't done any recording lately. When I was recording I used a Sony mini-disc recorder. I like Sony products also. They make excellent video cameras. When I was looking for a camera about six or seven years ago I went to a Best Buy. The guy showing me cameras tried to steer me away from Sony because they made audio products. I told him that when I worked in TV the only cameras we used were Sony and they were excellent. Kind of quieted him down.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I, too, enjoyed the video on the "Birth of a Kantele." Thanks for alerting us to Orange Kantele.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

A photo would help Dan.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Hi Wayne. There are many book/CD combinations available from Mel Bay. Cripple Creek dulcimer has many good songs for playing at the park. Check them out at Mel Bay's website: http://www.melbay.com/Products/CategoryCenter/D09/dulcimer-mountain.aspx

While I have been depleting my stock of Mel Bay books, if you see any you like, you can PM me to see if I have it still in stock and I can make you a good deal on the price. Or you can email me at: longfieldsfolkmusicshop at embarqmail dot com. I hope you find some things you like. Enjoy your dulcimer journey.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

John, it would be helpful to know specific songs you would like to play. Rocky Top and Foggy Mountain Breakdown are songs that you will not find in most dulcimer tab books. I play Rocky Top but in DAd tuning. There are several places on the Internet where one can find free dulcimer tab. Here is one place: http://everythingdulcimer.com/tab/index.php#R

Ken

The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Looks like you are reading this correctly Jan. As usual, buyer beware! It pays to know with whom you are dealing in these transactions. One of the reasons I have stopped buying off of eBay.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Great news Kristi. Enjoy your new dulcimer.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Kristi, I feel for you. It is frustrating and disappointing. I hope you Blue Lion turns up soon at your home. The IIR is a wonderful instrument. I have one.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Julian, like the others above, I am sorry for your loss of two fingers. I do hope you will find a way to continue with the mountain dulcimer. Best wishes as your recover from your injuries.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to Strumelia and everyone who participated for making this a fun contest. Happy Birthday FOTMD! We are fortunate to have this website and virtual community.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."