I went to a festival this past weekend and had strap buttons installed on both of my dulcimers. What a difference the strap makes! I always felt like the dulcimer was going to fall off of my lap, even using rubber fabric in my lap and a footstool for my feet. Now, I can just focus on the playing without subconsciously worrying about the darn thing falling off of my lap.

I'm glad that I paid someone else to install the buttons--I'm not a very precise or handy person.

I recently got a new strap and after using it for a few weeks one end of the strap kept slipping off the button, I went on line and found an easy solution. Get 2 rubber washers with 5/16 inner diameter put it on the end of the button over the strap and it works great. Only cost 60 cents each. Thought it might help someone else. Carolyn

Fortunately, my Folkcraft dulcimer came with strap buttons installed...I've installed them on a guitar once, and I might on an old Hughes dulcimer. I'm a former Jersey boy and Dusty, just so's you know, I lived close to the Meadowlands, and as everybody around there knows, it's just a peaceful bird sanctuary...you know what I mean?

Hi there Wout ! A while back someone asked me if I could change the camera angle I used when recording, so as they couild see what my noter was doing ? Easier for me, being a non techno, to change the angle that I played ! So I dropped the left knee, and away to go , no problem with noter drone, tho' as you say, almost a necessity to use a strap ?

best wishes

John

Looks like your husband did a good job Maryann. Usually at festivals when I work on someone's dulcimer I do it in private so they don't see me drilling holes or pounding on their precious instrument. These instruments are tougher than they appear. BTW, another former Jerseyite here.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

I love the position of the right foot normal placed, but my left foot under the chair, which lowers the left knee. I can play much faster that way than in horizontal position. It can only be performed using a strap.

Playing more than one dulcimer in a performance one can use more straps, or, as I mistakenly thought, use two carabiner (hooks), but the metal makes the dulcimer too noisy! I wanted to avoid the idea changing 'strapped' dulcimers reminds the audience of changing clothes on a crowdy beach...

I attached eyebolts on the instruments and shoe laces on the strap.

BTW the slope position of the dulcimer doesn't work well when playing drone&noter style.

I too had trouble keeping the dulcimer on what little lap I have. I recently installed strap buttons and starting looking around the web for a strap. I couldn't find one that suited me so I bought some latigo lace leather and am in the process of braiding an adjustable strap. When I finish it I will try and post a pic.

Having spent lots of time in Jersey (and more to come later this summer) I think it fair to say that there are a lot more guns than there are dulcimers.

Some of those guns might be for hunting in the Pine Barrens or Poconos, but those in the Meadowlands have less noble functions.

Maryann Lang said:

guns and dulcimers - yup I think this former Jersey family is thoroughly redneck now! (and lovin it!)

I guess I'm just not vigorous enough as I don't use a strap, and have never had a dulcimer fall off my lap or my possum board yet. Knock wood!!!!!! Of course, one of my favorite possum boards has an extra leg that gives me a sort of tripod placement on my lap.

Well you can imagine me installing strap buttons on my own on my very first dulcimer. I was drilling holes and covering my face in tears at the same time!

But that strap made all the difference in the world. The instrument "became mine" immediately. I can position it exactly the way I want regardless of how high my chair is or how far my legs are apart. And I can play more vigorously, not worrying about moving my precious instrument. I would have given up on the dulcimer had I not found the courage to install strap buttons.

Just you wait until you decide to have an extra fret installed. Now there's mental agony, not only do they cut into your baby with a saw, they hit it with a hammer as well. Shudder!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maryann Lang said:

I love using a strap on my dulcimer. I play pretty aggressively (I guess) because it would be almost impossible for me to play without one I think. LOL.

I'm a "pro strap" type though because even when I'm sitting down I like to be wearing my banjo strap, guitar, strap, and mandolin strap too. I can't imagine playing without it actually. I tend to like to go from sitting to standing a lot too though (not on dulcimer of course though).