What Are You Working On?

robert schuler
robert schuler
@robert-schuler
2 years ago
257 posts

Dusty, I tried Sally on my 1.5 8.5 fret model thinking the minor notes in dad tuning would be a breeze. No such luck. I switched to my pure diatonic model tuned cAD and it played well. I tried dAA with a capo and as you said it was wanting  for an 8.5 fret...Robert. 

Dusty Turtle
Dusty Turtle
@dusty
2 years ago
1,660 posts

Sally is a tough one to get on diatonic fretboard. It's a haunting melody, though.

Some years ago I learned a version arranged by Steve Eulberg.  He uses a DAA tuning with a capo at 1, but the 8+ fret is still necessary. I couldn't even tell you if that was aeolian or dorian.




--
Dusty T., Northern California
Site Moderator

As a musician, you have to keep one foot back in the past and one foot forward into the future.
-- Dizzy Gillespie
robert schuler
robert schuler
@robert-schuler
2 years ago
257 posts

Sally in the Garden, I wanted a tune to add to my list of tunes for playing on banjo in double C tuning. I've been playing Sally for the last week. It is a minor mode tune that plays nicely in clawhammer  style.

Ok so next was playing on dulcimer. At first I didn't think It could be played noter style but in  aeolian mode it worked well, only have to jump to the A string for an open A and first fret B.... Robert.

Dusty Turtle
Dusty Turtle
@dusty
2 years ago
1,660 posts

I am (very slowly) working on an arrangement of the Irish Gaelic air "Song of the Books" or " Amhrán na Leabha."  It's a haunting melody. I found some sheet music for the penny whistle, which provides the basic melody.  But I've been listening to this vocal version and altering the basic melody to capture a small fraction of the nuances of the singer's voice.  The big task will be deciding on the harmonic accompaniment. Lots of minor chords, obviously, but beyond that I've yet to figure it out.

Once I've tabbed out the melody and decided on the chording, then I'll have to actually sit down and play it a bunch to see how it all fits under the fingers. More revisions to follow then.

You can rest assured I'll be listening to this tune non-stop for many days to come.




--
Dusty T., Northern California
Site Moderator

As a musician, you have to keep one foot back in the past and one foot forward into the future.
-- Dizzy Gillespie
Dusty Turtle
Dusty Turtle
@dusty
2 years ago
1,660 posts

Tom, since I'm not a beekeeper, I can't help you if you want a whole tune on that topic. 

My approach would be different and treat beekeeping as a metaphor. Maybe have the first verse about looking forward to springtime only to see that half your bees are gone.  Then the other verses would be about other things or people that have left.  One verse on bees, one on age taking about your athletic ability, one on your fruit tree drying up, on one a woman leaving. You get the point.

OR . . . instead of the theme being loss, it could be lots of work with no reward, so you put in all this work to keep bees and end up with no honey.  You lavish love and presents on your woman, and she leaves you.  You spend weeks building a garden, and the plants bear no fruit.  You spend weeks crushing grapes but they go straight to vinegar and you get no wine.  You spend a year of weekends rebuilding that '68 Mustang and someone steels it before you ever take it for a ride. That sort of thing.  The bee hive would still be the first verse and give the tune it's title: "Big Hive, No Honey."




--
Dusty T., Northern California
Site Moderator

As a musician, you have to keep one foot back in the past and one foot forward into the future.
-- Dizzy Gillespie
Gordon Hardy
Gordon Hardy
@gordon-hardy
2 years ago
24 posts

"What's the buzz in the bee yard?"

Robin Thompson
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
2 years ago
1,373 posts

I can't help with song lyrics about bees & blues yet do know I love honey. sun

Strumelia
Strumelia
@strumelia
2 years ago
2,162 posts

Hmmm... how about something using "scrapin that propolis off bee metropolis"?




--
Site Owner

Those irritated by grain of sand best avoid beach.
-Strumelia proverb c.1990
Strumelia
Strumelia
@strumelia
2 years ago
2,162 posts

I can't help you much with the song writing Tom, but I feel your pain concerning pouring money into your hives!

I've kept bees for over 12 years now, and just recently I downsized from FIVE 10-frame double-deep hives, to TWO 8-frame double deep hives. As i got older those ten frame boxes were getting too darn heavy!  I also find that losses have slowly increased each winter for me. I never had to buy bees years ago. Now the past two winters I've lost both hives and had to order packages. Cleaning dead hives up before installing a new colony is a nasty chore but must be done if I don't want all the frames and boxes permanently 'glued' together.
This Spring's packages will arrive in about a month and I'll have some hive cleanup and scraping to do before then. sigh Truthfully, though I love having lots of honey and love having bees buzzing around my garden, each year I do feel closer to getting out of it altogether.




--
Site Owner

Those irritated by grain of sand best avoid beach.
-Strumelia proverb c.1990
Tom McDonald
Tom McDonald
@tom-mcdonald
2 years ago
26 posts

I'm working on a blues song about bees and beekeeping, and could use some help.

One of my tasks at this time of year is getting new bees to replace winter losses. Opening up the top of my hives and basically pouring money in the top to keep them going provided my inspiration. I'm down by half this year, an improvement over the 80% hit I took last year. And a lot of practical beekeeping seems to consist of stacking heavy boxes while trying to keep from getting stung. So there are things to be blue about.

That, and I need some new material.  Maybe "Hive Beetle Blues" or "Varrora Mite Blues." My bees done left me, I'm so sad... stuff like that.

I've got the idea, but nothing much beyond that and I'm stuck. If some of you could contribute a verse or even some phrases in the comments that I could work up I'd be grateful. Here is a song about one of the many times they fouled up my paycheck at work, just to give you an idea of what I've got in mind. Thanks so much for your help.


Ariane
Ariane
@ariane
2 years ago
50 posts

@Kusani - you have built very beautiful dulcimers!

A few days ago I have heard a Macedonian folk tune in 7/8 measure and am working on it - it is quite challenging since we "West Europeans" are not very familiar to uneven measures - but I can't get that tune out of my head ...a recording will come soon smile

Kusani
Kusani
@kusani
2 years ago
134 posts

Thank you Ken, I just wish I had thought of the other variable you brought up re the internal volume.  However even if I had, I don't have the math skills to calculate the volume of either of the two shapes.   Anyway, both do sound pretty good to an amateur's ears. :) 


updated by @kusani: 02/04/21 10:37:20AM
Ken Hulme
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme
2 years ago
2,055 posts

Beautiful job Kusani!

Susie
Susie
@susie
2 years ago
483 posts

Kusani:


0.jpg 01.jpg


Well, my experiment on body shape affecting sound went awry do to me forgetting one important variable.  However, I did end up with a couple decent dulcimers. Both made from the same poplar board. Ebony was used for the overlay on the fretboard. Other than shape, all components and dimensions are identical. 



Those are beautiful!

Venni aka Adrianne
Venni aka Adrianne
@venni
2 years ago
21 posts

Right now I'm working on a song that can be played along with a mountain dulcimer and maybe some drums.

~Adrianne

Kusani
Kusani
@kusani
2 years ago
134 posts

0.jpg 01.jpg

Well, my experiment on body shape affecting sound went awry do to me forgetting one important variable.  However, I did end up with a couple decent dulcimers. Both made from the same poplar board. Ebony was used for the overlay on the fretboard. Other than shape, all components and dimensions are identical. 


updated by @kusani: 02/01/21 08:38:21PM
Dusty Turtle
Dusty Turtle
@dusty
2 years ago
1,660 posts

John W. McKinstry: I like the idea of setting up such a thread but I am not sure how to go about it. Could you run me through the process? 


John, I just created a couple of screenshots to demonstrate the process.  There are only 5 easy steps.  Check out the discussion I just created in the Site Questions Forum .




--
Dusty T., Northern California
Site Moderator

As a musician, you have to keep one foot back in the past and one foot forward into the future.
-- Dizzy Gillespie
Dan
Dan
@dan
2 years ago
177 posts

IMG_20210128_170325800.jpg

Been carving on a peg head!

John W. McKinstry
John W. McKinstry
@john-w-mckinstry
2 years ago
43 posts

I like the idea of setting up such a thread but I am not sure how to go about it. Could you run me through the process?

Dusty Turtle
Dusty Turtle
@dusty
2 years ago
1,660 posts

Hey just an idea, people, but we have the Call the Tune Group which was intended for people to share different versions of the same tune.  Someone (John? Gordon?) could start a thread on music for Lent and have people contribute different tunes.  That way all those tunes could be found in one convenient place.




--
Dusty T., Northern California
Site Moderator

As a musician, you have to keep one foot back in the past and one foot forward into the future.
-- Dizzy Gillespie

updated by @dusty: 01/28/21 06:04:41PM
John W. McKinstry
John W. McKinstry
@john-w-mckinstry
2 years ago
43 posts

Great idea Gordon.  Look forward to hearing and seeing your video and others who may join the Lenten theme.

Gordon Hardy
Gordon Hardy
@gordon-hardy
2 years ago
24 posts

John W. McKinstry:

I noticed in the calendar that Ash Wednesday is February 17th, the beginning of Lent and so I have been looking at Lenten hymns. To mark the beginning of Lent I have chosen a  Spiritual: "I Want Jesus To Walk With Me". This video will be posted on February 15th.

Thanks for the Ash Wednesday reminder, John. If I may, I'm going to ride your coattails and post a Lenten Spiritual on February 15 as well. I think I'll try "Jesus Walked This Lonesome Valley".

John W. McKinstry
John W. McKinstry
@john-w-mckinstry
2 years ago
43 posts

I noticed in the calendar that Ash Wednesday is February 17th, the beginning of Lent and so I have been looking at Lenten hymns. To mark the beginning of Lent I have chosen a  Spiritual: "I Want Jesus To Walk With Me". This video will be posted on February 15th.

Ariane
Ariane
@ariane
2 years ago
50 posts

Robin Thompson:


@Ariane I am eager to hear what y'all have come up with!  Such a wonderful project!  



Thank you very much, my dear friend bighug

Kusani
Kusani
@kusani
2 years ago
134 posts

Opps, Ken you are exactly correct!  Oh well, it's been fun building them; especially since we were not able to go Florida this month. whistle

Richard Streib
Richard Streib
@richard-streib
2 years ago
215 posts

[quote="John W. McKinstry"]

Hi Jill,  Good to hear from you.  Yes, I have posted "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" in the video section of FOTMD.  I take comfort in playing the old hymns and often play them as a personal meditation time.

John, I too play some of the old hymns for my personal worship and meditation. Try to do that every time I play.

John W. McKinstry
John W. McKinstry
@john-w-mckinstry
2 years ago
43 posts

Hi Jill,  Good to hear from you.  Yes, I have posted "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" in the video section of FOTMD.  I take comfort in playing the old hymns and often play them as a personal meditation time. 

Ken Hulme
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme
2 years ago
2,055 posts

Kusani -- make sure that your two shapes have the same interior volume (cubic inches), even though that means they will be different sizes.  That's the only way to ensure that any tone differences you get will come from the shape not the volume. We KNOW that interior volume differences cause differences in tone -- large volumes = more bari-bass response

Jill Geary
Jill Geary
@jill-geary
2 years ago
34 posts

John W. McKinstry:

I am working on the hymn: "What a Friend We Have in Jesus". Hymnals have it in the key of F with one flat which puts it in a good singing range. I put my dulcimer into F by capo-ing on the 3rd fret while the strings are tuned C G C. I have worked out the three basic chords F, B, and C to accompany my singing of this hymn. I'll do the video of this hymn for FOTMD soon for you to hear and see what I have done.

Hi John, Have you posted the video yet? Thanks for the info! p.s. I too have arthritis - really difficult to do big stretches for chords - but the good news is that I really enjoy noter/drone playing!

Bob
Bob
@bob
2 years ago
86 posts

Robin Thompson:

@bob I believe I've seen where some other builders made that same move.  I imagine it will feel nice to build on your own timetable.    

I know of one other builder who is also currently taking time off from commission builds. It feels like 'play-time' now LOL. I have wanted to build a Pennsylvania-Dutch style Tall Clock (Grandfather Clock)  and am able to do that now.

Kusani
Kusani
@kusani
2 years ago
134 posts

I'm close to finishing an 'experiment'; building two identical dulcimers with the exception of the shape of the body.  They are even out of the same board. The reason is to see if I can hear a significant tone difference. I'll post results and pictures when finished. music dulcimer

Robin Thompson
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
2 years ago
1,373 posts

@bob I believe I've seen where some other builders made that same move.  I imagine it will feel nice to build on your own timetable.    

Bob
Bob
@bob
2 years ago
86 posts

I have hit the "Pause Button" on building commissioned dulcimers. Over two years without a break in building special orders is a long run. It's very fulfilling but also rather stressful.

I will however be building mountain dulcimers and scheitholts of my own specs for general sales for a while. It feels refreshing!

jost
@jost
2 years ago
72 posts

Ken Hulme:


Thing to watch out with Sniff.numachi is that most often their tab is listed "backwards" by modern standards -- they list DAA for example as AAD, which gets lots of new players in trouble...   Try www.Contemplator.com for those kinds of tunes.





Thanks Ken. I already wondered why their guesses for modes and tunings seemed quite odd. Luckily their dulcimer tabs have a function to enter your own tuning for "melody, middle and bass string". I'm sticking with that for now winky

Thanks for the hint to www.contemplator.com.

Robin Thompson
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
2 years ago
1,373 posts

@Ariane I am eager to hear what y'all have come up with!  Such a wonderful project!  

Ariane
Ariane
@ariane
2 years ago
50 posts

I am working on new online project called: "Good Wish Song 2021"

In the relevant dulcimer facebook groups I have posted the following beginning of January:


--------------------------

A new idea for our NEXT ONLINE PROJECT:

tuning in DAD / key in D / four-four time



1. I would like to receive from you a notation of a 2 bar "composition" with the fret numbers of the melody string and the note value (whole, half, quarter, eighth note, pauses etc.) - so to say in melody/drone style.



2. Everybody who would like to can think of a song text for his/her 2 bars expressing for example a good wish(es) for the new year and write it below the notes.



I will then write down a song with a suitable combination of all received 2-bar compositions and will send it to all participants for their recording (either only instrumental of the whole song or in addition with the singing/speaking of the own song text on the corresponding 2 bars).



The idea of this composition will be an encouraging and bolster (I hope that this is the right word) song for 2021 😊

----------------------------


Within a short time the participant's list has increased to 12 and after I had received all twelve 2 bar-compositions I started to puzzle them together so that a nice melody came out.


I have set up a project chat group and it was a delight to see the lively discussion and brain storming regarding the initial arrangement...some wanted to add chords, some an intro and outro, some to reduce the tempo.


Two days ago Ron Zuckerman has written down all agreed additional wishes/suggestions in a new sheet music and made an orientation recording so that the recording phase for the group could start.


Today I already could place 3 dulcimer recordings as well as 2 vocal recordings into my DAW where I will do the final mixing...and what can I say...it already sounds so beautiful!


I will post the final video here and would be happy if you are looking forward to it as I do sun








traildad
@traildad
2 years ago
88 posts

I’m working on getting two just intonation dulcimers. Unfortunately one of them had a major fret placement defect and was unplayable. Hopefully I can get it replaced and I’ll be able to change keys like I want without restringing. 

Ken Hulme
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme
2 years ago
2,055 posts

Thing to watch out with Sniff.numachi is that most often their tab is listed "backwards" by modern standards -- they list DAA for example as AAD, which gets lots of new players in trouble...   Try www.Contemplator.com for those kinds of tunes.

jost
@jost
2 years ago
72 posts

I try to play Cam Ye O'er Frae France on dulcimer. I discovered a site which has a kind of tab (although it's auto generated thus might be wrong): http://sniff.numachi.com/pages/tiCAMFRANC;ttCAMFRANC.html

Nontheless the tune sounds good, but I need practice, practice, pratice :)


updated by @jost: 01/26/21 05:05:41PM
nateprentice
@nateprentice
2 years ago
3 posts

I'm pretty much a beginner, although I do play other instruments, so I'm a relatively quick learner.  I'm learning the fretboard and some basic chords.

My big dulcimer project is working on a Christmas album to give to friends this year.  One song is already on my Audio list, "People look East", which includes DAD dulcimer, ADAD mandolin, acoustic steel string guitar, and an electronic pipe chanter.  More are forthcoming for this forum (as long as they include dulcimer, of course!).

John W. McKinstry
John W. McKinstry
@john-w-mckinstry
2 years ago
43 posts

Thanks Strumelia for seeing my cleverness. All joking aside, I wanted to share this with others for it took me a long time to discover how to do this. For those who may be interested in the three chords I use: F, Bb.& C my fingering for them is as follows:  Starting with the top string and with the  capo on the third fret:  F= 3 3 3 or 5.3 3  Bb= 6 4 3  C= 4 3 4.   btw I found that fingering the F chord on the dulcimer is a lot easier than on the guitar.  I am afraid arthritis is catching up on and that is one more reason I am thankful for the dulcimer.

Strumelia
Strumelia
@strumelia
2 years ago
2,162 posts

John, I look forward to hearing that from you!  It's clever how you figured to first tune to C and then capo on 3 to get into the key of F.  I think the key of F is probably the most problematic key to tune to on a typical diatonic dulcimer with 26-28" scale. Good for you!   btw I too find it way easier to sing in F or G than in D.




--
Site Owner

Those irritated by grain of sand best avoid beach.
-Strumelia proverb c.1990
John W. McKinstry
John W. McKinstry
@john-w-mckinstry
2 years ago
43 posts

I am working on the hymn: "What a Friend We Have in Jesus". Hymnals have it in the key of F with one flat which puts it in a good singing range. I put my dulcimer into F by capo-ing on the 3rd fret while the strings are tuned C G C. I have worked out the three basic chords F, B, and C to accompany my singing of this hymn. I'll do the video of this hymn for FOTMD soon for you to hear and see what I have done.

Jan Potts
Jan Potts
@jan-potts
3 years ago
411 posts

Yes. Thanks! happys




--
Jan Potts, Lexington, KY
Site Moderator

"Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best." Henry Van Dyke
Ariane
Ariane
@ariane
3 years ago
50 posts

Hi Jan - it would be good to get them until the end of November - will this be working for you?

Jan Potts
Jan Potts
@jan-potts
3 years ago
411 posts

Ariane, what's the deadline for getting our videos or audio clips to you?




--
Jan Potts, Lexington, KY
Site Moderator

"Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best." Henry Van Dyke
Ken Longfield
Ken Longfield
@ken-longfield
3 years ago
976 posts

Tune wise I work on the songs we choose for our weekly Zoom gathering over at The Traditional Mountain Dulcimore site. I currently have four mountain dulcimer builds in the works. Three are C.N. Prichard reproductions and one is a teardrop.  Prichard are walnut with butternut top, all curly maple, and all poplar. The teardrop is all poplar.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Ariane
Ariane
@ariane
3 years ago
50 posts

...and I can already "sing" that is sounds wonderfully! You will hear it in the Advent Calendar behind one of the little doors...! smile

Terry Wilson
Terry Wilson
@terry-wilson
3 years ago
297 posts
Thank you, Lisa.
Robin Thompson
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
3 years ago
1,373 posts

Mark and I have been working with classical guitar & bowed dulcimer music in recent weeks.  When Ariane put out the call for music for the Advent Calendar, we decided to participate and take a leap, going with the instruments on which we are much less practiced.  It has been a fun challenge!  

Strumelia
Strumelia
@strumelia
3 years ago
2,162 posts

I love hearing how everyone's doing and what your current interests/projects are.

Terry, a special hug to you- It's so good to see your post. I'm so glad to hear you are slowly recovering, that's sounds like a terrible ordeal.
Simply playing soothing notes for five minutes can be a true balm for our souls. 

John, I bet your son has no idea that his interest in learning classical guitar is lifting up and inspiring YOU as well.  nod

Dusty, one of the things i love most about Renaissance and medieval era music is how so many of the tunes go back and forth in using a sharp and a natural. It always tickles my senses when the note occurs one way and then the other. I find most often the sharp comes later on, after the natural in the first part.




--
Site Owner

Those irritated by grain of sand best avoid beach.
-Strumelia proverb c.1990
Terry Wilson
Terry Wilson
@terry-wilson
3 years ago
297 posts
Robin and Ariana, thank you.
It is a teardrop. I don’t know the wood, or the builder. No name anywhere. I believe it to be homemade, and if it is, I assume it wasn’t his/her first or last. Good job. Not crazy about the wooden pegs on the back that hold the string loops. But once I installed new strings to cgc, it TD stayed in tune beautifully. I like it.
John Gribble
John Gribble
@john-gribble
3 years ago
124 posts

Hi, Terry,

You've found a good therapist with the dulcimer. Enjoy.

I'm practicing classical guitar for the first time in many years. My adult son in California expressed an interest in learning and I offered to give him some Zoom lessons. I'm playing through the book I suggested he get, so that I don't embarrass myself too badly!

I'm also making friends with the new dulcimore I recently recieved from Dulcimore Dan. I'll be posting about that soon.

Ariane
Ariane
@ariane
3 years ago
50 posts

Hi Terry - I wish you further and speedy recovery and much fun with your new dulcimer.

(I have not been playing any instrument for some weeks now since I have kind of overstretched my left hand and hope that it will be possible again soon...I really miss it a lot.)

Take care!

Robin Thompson
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
3 years ago
1,373 posts

@terry-wilson So good to see you back!  My niece has been in a long period of recovery from COVID and it is difficult.  Take care and enjoy playing music again!  What size/shape/woods dulcimer did you find at the yard sale?  

Terry Wilson
Terry Wilson
@terry-wilson
3 years ago
297 posts
I am working on everything. Getting my hands & fingers used to playing again. From March until Oct didn’t play any instrument at all. Yes, I had a long recovery from COVID.

Two weeks ago I purchased a dulcimer at a yard sale for $50.00. Terrific purchase. With new strings, and a clean up, plays like new.

For now I just find myself fretting up and down the fretboard, making some , to my ears, wonderful sounds. Just making stuff up. The dulcimer is a wonderful instrument to have hold of during times like these.

Hello to all,
Terry
traildad
@traildad
3 years ago
88 posts

I started learning my first DAaa tune. Buffalo Gals. I like the way the notes slide into each other in this song. My new dulcimer sounds really nice in DAaa tuning. 

Dusty Turtle
Dusty Turtle
@dusty
3 years ago
1,660 posts

I just started working on the Irish jig "The Gander in the Pratie Hole."  It's an interesting tune because the A part is in D major but the B part is in D mixolydian. So the first part has C# and the second part has C natural.




--
Dusty T., Northern California
Site Moderator

As a musician, you have to keep one foot back in the past and one foot forward into the future.
-- Dizzy Gillespie
Robin Thompson
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
3 years ago
1,373 posts

Val, what a great gift!  There is something special about playing an instrument built by a relative or friend.  (I have several built by friends.) I'll keep my eyes open for photos!

MacAodha
MacAodha
@macaodha
3 years ago
31 posts

This one Robin is a Christmas present for my niece she wont know till Christmas day. Will get my son do to do some photos of my builds and will post.

Robin Thompson
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
3 years ago
1,373 posts

@macaodha Is the dulcimer for you to play or for someone else?  Feel free to post a photo of your build sometime!


updated by @robin-thompson: 10/03/20 04:06:46PM
MacAodha
MacAodha
@macaodha
3 years ago
31 posts

Getting close to finishing my 6th dulcimer, hour-glass mahogany back and sides spruce top. And loads of other stuff.

Robin Thompson
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
3 years ago
1,373 posts

@gary-major Such cool songs!  When you're ready to share them here, please post in the group Rockin' in the Free World.  (Copyrighted songs need to be posted in a group or forum discussion.)  

Gale A Barr
Gale A Barr
@gale-a-barr
3 years ago
36 posts

I have been working on Wendy Songe's version of "King of the Fairies". Fun tune! Also, I recently purchased the sheet music of "John Barleycorn" as performed by Steve Winwood of Traffic and working out chords, etc on my chromatic dulcimer. 

Jan,

   Someday I would like to learn how to write out a score on Tabledit also. Good luck and looking forward to hear about your progress!    

Jan Potts:

I'm working on learning how to make a score (TAB and standard notation) using Tabledit.  I'm using it with an original composition, trying to see how possible it is for me to get some of the music in my head into written form.  Of course, with my issues with reading tab, I probably won't be able to play my own tab once it's complete!

Gary Major
Gary Major
@gary-major
3 years ago
11 posts

I have copied a few tabs, Blowing in the Wind, There's Something about that Name and where have all the Flowers Gone. My goal is to share one with you all as soon as I can master it. I'm getting excited to get into the grove again and since winter is fast aproaching, what a better time to start. 

Take care my fellow Dulcimer Players

Jan Potts
Jan Potts
@jan-potts
3 years ago
411 posts

I'm working on learning how to make a score (TAB and standard notation) using Tabledit.  I'm using it with an original composition, trying to see how possible it is for me to get some of the music in my head into written form.  Of course, with my issues with reading tab, I probably won't be able to play my own tab once it's complete!




--
Jan Potts, Lexington, KY
Site Moderator

"Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best." Henry Van Dyke
traildad
@traildad
3 years ago
88 posts

I’m starting to learn my third song. Wildwood Flower, Old Joe Clark and now Wreck of the Old 97. I’ve been playing dulcimer for over 40 days, but I lost two weeks while on vacation. So I’m still working on the basics like strumming and keeping the noter from sliding off the string. 

Ariane
Ariane
@ariane
3 years ago
50 posts

Since I have written here that I will be working with my dulcimer on "Ue o Muite" I would like to let you know that I have just uploaded the video on youtube - if you like to listen to it please find the link to my youtube chanel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbtgN6BpTZTuAv0Ng8ndGYA?view_as=subscriber

John W. McKinstry
John W. McKinstry
@john-w-mckinstry
3 years ago
43 posts

"A Taste of Jam"

Recently I rediscovered the "Athens Dulcimers" website. They offer: "Beginner Tunes", and "Basic Jam Tunes".  They play by ear in these videos, but through research I came up with tabs to help me at first with these tunes.  My goal now is to play by ear like they do too. Now I have a taste jam before joining the real thing. 

Strumelia
Strumelia
@strumelia
3 years ago
2,162 posts

This reminds me of how singer Ariana Grande got a tattoo on her hand that was Japanese  characters meaning "seven rings" (a title of her newest song at the time).  Unfortunately the Japanese characters were not exactly correct, and the tattoo actually said: "small BBQ grill" in Japanese.  lolol... probably a better tattoo anyway.




--
Site Owner

Those irritated by grain of sand best avoid beach.
-Strumelia proverb c.1990
Robin Thompson
Robin Thompson
@robin-thompson
3 years ago
1,373 posts

@Ariane Oh, that's such a funny comparison-- Moon River issued in Japan as Beef Stew!  Thanks for the laugh this morning.  In these days, it is needed more than ever.    

Ariane
Ariane
@ariane
3 years ago
50 posts

I have found this - and think that the last sentence is very "fitting" jive

In  Anglophone countries , the song is best known under the alternative title " Sukiyaki ". In Japan it refers to a Japanese  hot-pot  dish with cooked beef, the word sukiyaki does not appear in the song's lyrics, nor does it have any connection to them; it was used only because it was short, catchy, recognizably Japanese, and more familiar to English speakers. A  Newsweek  columnist noted that the re-titling was like issuing " Moon River " in Japan under the title "Beef Stew". [4]

Ken Hulme
Ken Hulme
@ken-hulme
3 years ago
2,055 posts

Most Americans pronounce it "soo-key-ah-key".  The actual pronunciation my Japanese friends tell me is closer to "ski-yaki".

Dusty Turtle
Dusty Turtle
@dusty
3 years ago
1,660 posts

THe sherry would probably overwhelm flavors in a way the sake wouldn't.  But hey, my mother-in-law once substituted an apple for an onion in a soup thinking that since they were both round it would work. surprised   Can't say she didn't use logic!




--
Dusty T., Northern California
Site Moderator

As a musician, you have to keep one foot back in the past and one foot forward into the future.
-- Dizzy Gillespie
Jan Potts
Jan Potts
@jan-potts
3 years ago
411 posts

Yeah, John.  I can just picture my mom looking in her cabinet and knowing there was no sake, saying "Well...sherry starts with an 'S' so we'll try that."  giggle2




--
Jan Potts, Lexington, KY
Site Moderator

"Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best." Henry Van Dyke
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