Forum Activity for @ken-longfield

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
02/17/24 02:57:57PM
1,213 posts

Bodhran (Irish Drum)


Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Sounds like a lot of fun Marsha. I was going to say that you need a banjo player, but I see that behind the man on the right that person might be playing a banjo. And to the right of  man on the right that appears to by a banjo on the chair.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
02/13/24 11:13:45AM
1,213 posts

Ergonomics and Wrist Strain


Playing and jamming difficulties...HELP ME!

From your avatar photo you appear to be chording and your wrist is lower than the fret board. I find it much easier to chord if I raise my wrist and come down on the fret board with my fingers. I try to maintain contact with the strings using the tips of my fingers. I don't know if this will help you, but it works for me.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
02/03/24 10:37:01AM
1,213 posts

How precisely do you tune up?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I usually try to tune "dead on" when I'm playing alone or with a group. This means I have to adjust the tuning after playing a while as the temperature changes in the room where I play most often. If I can get the needle on my tuner in the center for all three strings I'm happy. An addition to your question Nate "is to what standard do you tune?" I use A440 which our group uses. I think most orchestras these days use a standard of A442 and I've been reading that some groups are going up to A448 or in that neighborhood to "sweeten" the sound. Now having said all that, often when playing alone I'll just tune the dulcimer to itself. 

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
02/01/24 04:57:53PM
1,213 posts

Intonation Problems


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

Strumelia:

Can you specify when placing the dimes or nickels- the coins should be placed on top of the fret, right? (not on the wood of the fretboard surface between or next to the frets).

 

Yes, I wasn't quite clear on that was I? The dime is place on the fret board. The nickel is placed on top of the fret.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song"

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
02/01/24 04:55:30PM
1,213 posts

Intonation Problems


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

[/quote]. A set of number drills (1-60) is great for this, since each drill is a very small variant of its neighboring drills' diameter. So remove the bridge and substitute a number drill. [quote="Dwain Wilder"]

[/quote] 

Thanks for reminding me of this Dwain. I think you either mentioned this to me some other time or you wrote it somewhere and I forgot all about it. I think this is a very sensible way to adjust string height. I appreciate your sharing it again.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."


updated by @ken-longfield: 02/01/24 08:29:28PM
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
02/01/24 01:15:22PM
1,213 posts

John Molineux box dulcimer


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

Yes, they are mirrored. Somewhere in my files I have some photos of early courting dulcimers. I'll try to see if I can find one, digitize it, and share it here. It may take me a while to do so.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
02/01/24 11:59:13AM
1,213 posts

Intonation Problems


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

The first thing I would do is check to see that, if the bridge is moveable, it is in the right place. If it isn't moveable, checking the action is a good start. A general rule of thumb is that the strings should just touch a dime when placed next to the first fret. I place the dime on the side toward the second fret. Then place a nickel on the seventh fret and the strings should just touch the nickel. If that adjustment doesn't work, then I would calculate the proper fret spacing for the vibrating string length of the dulcimer. Some programs let you print out a template. I would use this to check the fret spacing and re-fret if necessary.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."


updated by @ken-longfield: 02/01/24 12:00:41PM
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
02/01/24 11:46:37AM
1,213 posts

John Molineux box dulcimer


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

Strumelia, I'm glad that you wrote "in general" as there are courting dulcimers out there that do have two fret boards with the peg heads at the same end of the dulcimer but fretted for playing by two people sitting knee to knee. I think this design makes the dulcimer shorter and easier to carry because you don't have peg heads sticking out on both ends.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/30/24 09:38:32PM
1,213 posts

Vintage dulcimer information sought


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

Thank you for the additional information Art. We will all wait until you get the dulcimer and you have more of chance to examine it. It poses some interesting questions and I hope we will be able to find the answers. I'm sure you will be able to get it in to playing condition. I've seen thin pegs like that on other dulcimers.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/30/24 06:12:47PM
1,213 posts

Vintage dulcimer information sought


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

There isn't enough clarity in the photos to really give an informed opinion. I agree that there are four equidistant strings. I have no idea what the function of the bar in the front of the bridge. It appears to be wood and fitted to the width of the fret board.  It could be that what we are calling a bridge is just to space the strings apart and the bridge is that dark wood and may be moveable. I am interested in the pegs.Are they wood or metal? Is there no builder's label inside the dulcimer?

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/29/24 09:47:13AM
1,213 posts

John Molineux box dulcimer


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

Thanks for that link. Although I don't speak French, I found the video interesting. I'll search among my friends to see if anyone speaks French to do some translation for me.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/28/24 08:50:54PM
1,213 posts

New instruments that I have no clue about!


Site QUESTIONS ? How do I...?

It appears in the first photo that there are four strings over the fret board which would be tuned to any standard dulcimer tuning where the melody string is doubled, DAdd or DAAA. I can't see the strings that off the fret board very well, but they might be drones perhaps a bass version of the melody string an octave or two lower and the other a the same of the middle string. The second photo shows a doubled melody string which four equally distant placed drone strings. Again, you could use a standard dulcimer tuning with bass octaves on the other two strings if they are thick wound strings.

This is just my guess and others may provide better information.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/28/24 08:33:19PM
1,213 posts

John Stockard dulcimer questions


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

John is correct, and like him, I have no idea about the plexiglass strip.

Ken

"the dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/28/24 08:28:14PM
1,213 posts

John Molineux box dulcimer


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

If you read lines 27 through 31 in the patent description, it appears that the instrument is intended to be played by two people like a courting dulcimer. It appears to be nothing like the dulcichord (five string table dulcimer) the John Molineux is playing in the video. I did enjoy the video. Very nice playing.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/25/24 10:13:34PM
1,213 posts

Dulcimer Bag Lady Dulcimer Bags


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I have three of the double bags. Like Richard and Ken I highly recommend them. Well worth the price, although I did buy two of them used.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a great song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/24/24 07:33:00PM
1,213 posts

International Appalachian Dulcimer Day


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Which this year is March 30th, the fifth Saturday.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/24/24 12:12:43PM
1,213 posts

Looking for tabs/books devoted to old style drone & noter playing


Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs

Good find. Have fun with the book.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/23/24 09:38:50PM
1,213 posts

Looking for tabs/books devoted to old style drone & noter playing


Dulcimer Resources:TABS/Books/websites/DVDs

I looked after Strumelia mentioned checking Amazon and you can buy it new for $22.29, but as John says you can find used copies as well.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/23/24 09:26:06PM
1,213 posts

Betty Smith passed from this life


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Betty was a wonderful promoter of southern Appalachian culture and music. I was able to take several classes with her at Dulcimerville. She will be missed by all of her family and friends. Rest in peace, Betty.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/22/24 09:15:46PM
1,213 posts

Introduce Yourself!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Frank, you can't go wrong with a Warren May dulcimer. I have one, an all walnut. hourglass. Aren't kids something. My son came to me when he was about eleven or twelve and asked me I could teach him some chords on the guitar. By the end of that summer he was playing better than me. I became a roadie for his band when he was in high school. He went to Berklee College of Music in Boston and majored in film scoring and his primary instrument was guitar. He's a professional musician out in Los Angeles. Enjoy your new dulcimer. 

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/19/24 09:05:40PM
1,213 posts

Traditional role of the mountain dulcimer.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

And Steve also played it with "the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, the Montpelier Chamber Orchestra, the Knoxville Symphony, and many others" according to his website.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/19/24 06:06:38PM
1,213 posts

Traditional role of the mountain dulcimer.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Yes, we do tend to wander. I'm gad you found the rambling answers to your questions informative. 

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/17/24 02:58:18PM
1,213 posts

Traditional role of the mountain dulcimer.


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thank you Jost. I appreciate your posting those links to information about the langleik. That is interesting reading. I especially liked learning about the tuning of the langleik to the key of A. We have a state park not too far from me that is named after Ole Bull. That part of Pennsylvania had many Norwegian immigrants working in the lumber industry. I haven't discovered any references to the langleik among the lumbermen, but there are references to the dulcimer, but in this case it is the hammered dulcimer.

 Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/15/24 09:09:35AM
1,213 posts

Installing built-in pick up for 2004 dulcimer?


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

We are responding to a thread that is four years old. I'm not sure how popular the Cherub pickup is among mountain dulcimer players as I haven't been to any "live" festivals since the pandemic. Bear in mind that this is a pickup and not a microphone. It responds to vibrations created by the strings and any touch on the instruments surface. It clips on to the top of the dulcimer through a sound hole. It may not fit in narrow or small sound holes. I'd be interested in knowing how it works if anyone here uses one.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/10/24 07:02:47PM
1,213 posts

Oscar Schmidt OS21C my axe (autoharp)


Adventures with 'other' instruments...

Autoharp seem to find their way to me, although don't play. I usually either give them away or sell them. My sister has an autoharp which I completely repadded at one time. I've replaced pads on other autoharps as well. Also replaced string, repaired tuning pegs, etc. Partly, this is because I have friends who play and also having been friends with George Orthey and a friend of Greg Schreiber. I also hosted and emcee autoharp concerts for about 20 years, so I know a lot of professional players and builders. I enjoy listening to autoharp music.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/10/24 03:16:58PM
1,213 posts

I bought a Sunhearth!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I built my first three dulcimers under the tutelage of a violin maker, so I had good instruction on fitting pegs. While I can describe the process, watching it is probably better. There are some good videos on YouTube that deal with peg fitting. Anyone can check them out if they want to the job. For me the process was watch one, do one with my teacher watching over the process, and do another on my own.  Of course, like any task it gets easier with practice. You develop a feel for your tools and the process. It would have been easier for Curt if the original owner kept the original pegs. 

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/10/24 11:12:33AM
1,213 posts

I bought a Sunhearth!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Curt, you can buy the pegs and install them yourself. Bear in mind that the pegs are tapered and the hole into which they go must be tapered as well. A viola size hole reamer is the tool you will need to do this. Also, if the holes were enlarged for the banjo tuners, they will need to be plugged, drilled, and reamed. It depends upon how much time and money you want to spend. Pegs are inexpensive, reamers are not although since you are only doing this one job you can probably get away with an inexpensive one.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/09/24 06:31:23PM
1,213 posts

Dulcimer maker unknown


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

Hi, Nate, I'm the other Ken. Here is a link to an NPR segment on the Lego dulcimer made by Peter Alway: https://www.npr.org/2005/02/06/4487244/lego-my-dulcimer As far as I know Peter was the first person to build a mountain dulcimer out of Lego blocks.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.:

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/09/24 12:44:19PM
1,213 posts

I bought a Sunhearth!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Hi Dwain, I didn't say that the tuners were mechanical. They are, as you noted, Grover Stay-Tites which are friction tuners. I think they came in banjo and ukulele sizes. Those on Curt's dulcimer appear to be banjo size.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/09/24 12:29:30PM
1,213 posts

Dulcimer maker unknown


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

A slight correction, Ken, Backyard Instruments began selling cardboard dulcimers in 1980. I don't know if they were the first, but that's 44 years of cardboard dulcimers.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/09/24 08:37:04AM
1,213 posts

I bought a Sunhearth!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I'll need to check my files on Sunhearth later today to be certain, but I don't think Walt Martin was offering those Grover banjo pegs as an upgrade in 1975.  If you send me a private message with your email address I will send you pdfs of the 1974 Sunhearth flyer. I also have two magazine articles on Walt Martin and Sunhearth that I can send as well if you are interested.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/09/24 08:29:35AM
1,213 posts

Dulcimer maker unknown


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

Like my brother Ken, I have never heard of this maker. I agree with his assessment.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/06/24 09:58:23PM
1,213 posts

String suggestions


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

GreatLakes 73, the others have given you the advice I would have given. Unless you have a Folkcraft or McSpadden who market specific strings for their instruments, dulcimer players should buy individual strings and make up their own sets. I'm surprised how often in doing repairs and I need to restring someone's dulcimer they are surprised to find that I don't have specific sets but rather have tubes of individual strings in various gauges. Many times they come back to buy strings from me even though I tell them they get the strings from JustStrings.com or from other vendors. Of course, that also means that they want me to change the strings for them. I hope you find what you need.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
01/03/24 03:42:22PM
1,213 posts

Robert N. Lackey, rest in peace


OFF TOPIC discussions

Here is a link to the obituary for Rob Lackey. https://spicermullikin.com/robert-neil-lackey/ It is in the chat area, but I know some folks don't use that. Rob was one of our greeters here. He was a wonderful dulcimer player besides being an accomplished guitarist. He was very active in the mountain dulcimer and folk music communities around Fairmount, WV. He will be missed by family and friends.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
12/29/23 11:08:23PM
1,213 posts

Don Pedi & Bruce Greene (Loy McWhirter sings, also)


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

That was a delightful video. I enjoyed watching it. Thanks for directing us to it Robin.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
12/27/23 05:03:15PM
1,213 posts

The "I have small hands" idea


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

Wow, it was fun reading through this thread again. There is much good encouragement here for all dulcimer players. Thanks for calling it to our attention Strumelia. It caused me to look up the scale length (VSL) of various instruments from mandolins at 13-14 inches to electric bass guitars at 43 inches. Most modern acoustic guitars fall in the 24.5 to 25.4 inch range. Five string and four string plectrum banjos around 26.25 inches. Like John Keane, I find a 27 inch vsl comfortable but I have dulcimers with longer and shorter scales.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
12/24/23 11:07:37PM
1,213 posts

Introduce Yourself!


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Jeannie, welcome back to FOTMD. Yes, I remember you and have wondered what happened to you after the fire. I hope you will start playing again.Thank you for stopping by. I look forward to seeing you here from time-to-time. Best wishes.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
12/19/23 10:19:45AM
1,213 posts

What Are You Working On?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Marg there are a couple of things to consider. First is whether you want friction tuners or geared tuners. Since you mention the Stewmac choices the Grovers are friction and the Five Star are geared. The second is cost. You can see the difference in price. Both of those install easily although you may need to make an adjustment in the size of the holes. Since you mention not changing the head design, have you considered replacing the wood pegs with geared violin tuners like Wittners? Here is a link to them: Wittner-finetune-violin-peg They may give a better look to the dulcimer and are priced between the two offered by Stewmac. 

This is general information as I don't know the maker of your dulcimer and I am guessing it has a scroll peg head. If you have any questions, ask here or message me.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."


updated by @ken-longfield: 12/19/23 10:22:39AM
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
12/19/23 09:31:29AM
1,213 posts

What Are You Working On?


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Well I'm in to the organizing mode. I'm busy scanning all my notebooks of tab in to an iPad. I have 117 pages entered so far which is almost one notebook. I think I have six more notebooks to go, but there is some duplication of tabs. Getting rid of the notebooks will free up some space on my shelves.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
12/18/23 09:48:33PM
1,213 posts

Warped dulcimer body


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

I look forward to the photos. It sounds like an interesting project. It is amazing how a one little irregularity in a side can throw the whole instrument out of whack. It takes creative thinking to correct some of them.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

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