@robin-thompson Yup. I'd say you folks got the ball rolling, and now it's gathering some momentum. I tell everybody that the dulcimer is a more logical first stringed instrument than the guitar, so it makes good sense.
@ken-longfield Thanks ... and you're very welcome!
Sam, thanks for the information about Brandi's song and for the link to Tim Hanseroth-- I'd watched that some time ago yet hadn't looked at it lately.
Participation in IADD came from different countries-- Ireland, England, Australia, US, and, perhaps, other countries of which I'm unaware. So glad to see many places represented!
Sam, that was a delightful video segment. You and the reporter did a fine job. Thanks for your help in promoting IADD.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Hi, friends - Thanks for bringing up my TV appearance Friday! I'll admit that I'm normally not a big fan of "Hallmark holidays," but dulcimers are a cause that deserves the publicity. I didn't realize its origin was so closely tied to this thread and these people!
@robin-thompson Brandi and the twins are listed as the three writers of the song. It came out of the pandemic and is about Brandi's relationship with her wife and daughters. (I also see the song as her version of Big Yellow Taxi, except that the relationship is a strong, positive one.) They decided not to use the dulcimer on the record, feeling it would be "too Joni, so she plays the riff on guitar, but I had to see video to convince myself it wasn't really a dulcimer.
Here's an IG video of Tim playing a bit.https://www.instagram.com/timhanseroth/reel/CkM6mWlsjMj/
@dusty Thanks - I got a kick out of their "Dulcimer expert" label, too!
By the way, the reporter in the news segment was very good. Before we went on, she asked me the pronunciations of Appalachian, dulcimer, and my name.
Happy day after IADD, y'all!
@dusty Thanks for the kind words! We made our usual put-someone-to-sleep type of tune only recorded with a camera. (We hadn't made a video in a year or two because our uploads took many hours. Our cable internet is better now.) I love your Freddy Fender cover! In my mind's eye, I see him with his thick dark hair and wearing a purple suit. So cool you covered one of his songs!
@sam-edelston Such a great spot, Sam, and I'm glad you got to promote your album (it's a very cool album)! I'm guessing one of the Hanseroth twins was the composer of the Brandi Carlile song. It was a nice one to end the spot.
@steve-c Many thanks for sharing the link for Sam's interview!
@sam-edelston is a rock star, for sure!
I like the title they give him on TV: "musician and dulcimer expert." I want that on my business card.
Sam Edelston on tv for International Appalachian Dulcimer Day! : https://www.wtnh.com/video/celebrating-international-appalachian-dulcimer-day/10580088/
That's beautiful playing, Robin. Your sensitive approach to the noter is second to none. Peace and goodwill to you, too. 
Well I was able to make a video using Clipchamp for the first time, but YouTube only let me upload it as a short. If it ain't one thing . . .
https://youtube.com/shorts/rKRztEXOx8E?feature=share
Many thanks, @katiewaller! I hope you've had a chance to join in on the celebration of IADD!
@dusty That's just cool you were the mystery guest for Send in the Music! I'm sure your play was wonderful and enjoyed by all your audience!
Happy IADD, everyone. I tried to record a video last night using OBS studio, but the audio came out distorted. I'll try again using different software a bit later.
However, I was the mystery guest at Pat Clark's Send in the Music today. She will post the video soon, if it's not already up. Today is also the 5th anniversary of Send in the Music, so lots to celebrate. I was kind of nervous and my playing was pretty spotty, but here was my set: Reel de l'Oiseau Bleu, Cheticamp, Linstead Market, All in a Garden Green, Lady Gethin, Fishin' Blues, and an original, Safe Haven.
How lovely!!!
Way cool, @nate! I'll keep my eyes open for your video!
So far, I've seen music shared from England, Ireland, and TN in the US. The more places represented, the merrier! Music does, indeed, make the world a better place.
Indeed it is Robin! I just got my first three aquavina dulcimers back! At various times I have given them away to people, but today, after offering various people newer and better dulcimers in exchange to get the old ones back, I now have the prototype, the beta test, and the alpha test, and im looking forward making a quick video of the three!
This Saturday, 29 March, 2025-- the more countries which participate, the merrier! Love of the Appalachian dulcimer has spread around the world. 
https://youtu.be/xwGMhADMxoA?si=FvP8tD3bYFeVdReO
A little reminder of the day. :)
That's funny how the AI bot referenced you to tell you about you, @nate .
I've been hashtagging International Appalachian Dulcimer Day on fb for a few years now and think somebodies got "it" in the hashtag game. 
That's hilarious, @nate. It certainly demonstrates the limitations of information from AI. On the one hand, it found your information here. On the other hand, it fails to recognize how unique your builds are, implying lots of "enthusiasts" are experimenting the way you do.
We made it into the AI algorithms! That constitutes success in my book, even if the information being spewed by the bots is factually incorrect.
Dusty,
That is hilarious. But you're right, somehow IADD is becoming a thing. I'm trying to promote on Mountain Dulcimer Lore. Maybe, if we keep posting and talking about it the dulcimer world and maybe beyond will take notice...now let us lobby for a dulcimer postage stamp.
We made it into the AI algorithms! That constitutes success in my book, even if the information being spewed by the bots is factually incorrect.
I feel like Steve Martin in The Jerk when he saw his name in the phonebook:
Indeed, we did-- what a bunch of troublemakers we are! 
@steve-c Just goes to show the power of a #!
Boy does AI exaggerate much? I search “mountain dulcimer first festival” and this came up. “The first recorded mountain dulcimer festival was the International Appalachian Dulcimer Day (IADD), which is always the last Saturday in March, and this year it falls on March 29, 2025.“
Both days are permanently on my calendar.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
@janis-lewman Hope you'll be able to participate! 
That event is a new one to me. Glad I noticed. I was only aware of the International Play Music On the Porch day which is always last Saturday in August each year. Thanks for the nudge.
Indeed, it is, @dusty !
I hope to see folks from many countries celebrating an instrument we all love!
How could we ever forget? It's the best day of the year! 
Just a little reminder about International Appalachian Dulcimer Day.
Friends,
International Appalachian Dulcimer Day is coming-- always the last Saturday in March. This year's date is 29 March 2025. Let's all celebrate the spread of the Appalachian dulcimer around the world!
Thanks, @phil-myers, but I can't take credit for the tune. I found a short fiddle demo of the tune online, with an indication that it was written by Susan Reid. I found a few videos online of the Vermont Fiddle Orchestra playing songs by her, so I wrote a letter to her c/o the Vermont Fiddle Orchestra, and included the dulcimer tab I had created. I heard back about a month later. She gave me permission to teach the song to my dulcimer group and also to post it online. It's a cute tune indeed, and fits perfectly on the dulcimer from the open middle string to the seventh fret of the melody string in a 1-5-8 tuning.
Dusty, I'm a little late for IADD but that tune of yours works for any day! Love it!
KenL, if you didn't have time to make a recording, you should've taken a picture of your workbench to post for IADD! I believe you worked on the dulcimers yet photographic proof may be needed. 
From observing and listening to the IADD posts on Facebook, I say that the movement to celebrate our beloved instrument is gaining ground. Thank you to all who posted offerings for this day. I celebrated by working on a few dulcimers I have in my shop for repairs. I did play a few tunes.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
I think I've listened to music from 4 countries on this International Appalachian Dulcimer Day. 
In addition to friends who shared audio or video here, there was more participation on Facebook than I might've imagined. The spread of the love of the Appalachian dulcimer around the world is, truly, a beautiful thing.
I hope y'all have nice weather for your 20 April music circle, Leo!
Yay Dusty for so nicely imagining a sunny day today in California!! If only.
So many involved in a potential jam today were going to be busy - and maybe they were prescient as things have turned out. The delayed music event will be on Sat April 20, noon-3, in Shelton Park, Claremont, with Doug Thomson leading the songs-and-tunes circle. Bring chair and instruments! All instruments welcomed of course, even hammered dulcimers, lol.
Happy Mountain Dulcimer Days!!
Happy International Appalachian Dulcimer Day If We Never Meet Again This Side Of Heaven played on a 3 string baritone mountain dulcimer (youtube.com)
Happy IADD, everyone! Here is a short rendition of "Tune for a Sunny Day" written by Susan Reid of the Vermont Fiddle Orchestra. I found a simple demo of the tune on the fiddle and wrote a letter to Susan at the asking permission to share it on the dulcimer. I was delighted about a month later to hear from her.
Happy International Appalachian Dulcimer Day, friends!
I just listened to the first offering to celebrate from @macaodha and it's a jewel. I haven't uploaded a tune yet, yet will soon.
Yay, @dusty! I hope lots of folks do the same, too!
We have an audio recorded and uploaded and will make it "Public" on IADD.
I just recorded a video. I'll be sharing it with y'all this Saturday. I hope lots of you do the same. Happy IADD! 
1 week from today is International Appalachian Dulcimer Day!
Feel free to share any work you create (music, photography, embroidery, jewelry, poetry, etc.) which celebrates the Appalachian dulcimer and its spread around the world!
Today, it's the first Saturday in March. The last Saturday in March will be International Appalachian Dulcimer Day.
Indeed! Including Christ the Lord Is Risen Tomorrow...! (tada-bump)
Actually that would make a beautiful chord melody piece. : - )
Indeed, the last Saturday is 30 March and Easter is the following day. Perhaps some may wish to celebrate the Appalachian dulcimer on IADD with a hymn or two.
It also happens to be Easter weekend this year, but since it's Saturday vs Sunday one hopes that doesn't affect too many people. Anyone hosting may be a bit too busy to make it to the park, but jellybeans for those who do!
You're welcome, @wildcat ! Hope you'll enjoy the day strumming your Warren May mountain dulcimer!
@ken-longfield , Yes, it falls late in the month this year. Happy strumming!
Which this year is March 30th, the fifth Saturday.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
@robin-thompson 😀 thanks for the info!
Hey, friends-- our special holiday is approaching! Always the last Saturday in March.
There were several folks who participated in International Appalachian Dulcimer Day on Facebook.
Thanks for your supportive comments, @robin-thompson and @ariane. I just love the fact that we are making IADD a way to celebrate our love for this humble instrument.
@nate, there is no doubt that dulcimer has a very bright, clear tone. Perhaps extra volume, too, although that's hard to gauge through the internet. I look forward to hearing a full test run.
@dusty What a great online gathering y'all had on IADD! And your play of "La Promeneuse" is wonderful!
@nate The strums you gave on that conceptual instrument sure sounded good-- lots of punch. I'm guessing with your dowels, footed bridge, and false bottom the instrument will project nicely on whatever tune you choose to put up to demonstrate its sound.
Happy IADD, y'all!
@Dusty - this is a lovely song and you played it so laid-back and formidable - I would love to learn "La Promeneuse"
@Nate - the dulcimer you have built looks great and very interesting and the sound is wonderful - I am looking forward to hearing you playing it when it is finished (and to hearing your wonderful deep voice again 
)
It was so cool to wake up on the west coast and catch up on the photos and videos already posted celebrating IADD. My monthly online dulcimer club met today and I want to thank @Lisa-C for catching a screen shot before everyone left.
We played the American fiddle tune "Hollow Poplar," the Irish air "Bright Quiet Eily O'Carroll," and the Jimmy Rodgers tune "Waiting for a Train."
Then I also posted a tune on my own: "La Promeneuse," by the Québécois accordionist Réjean Lizotte.
@lisa-c I love your photo! As you wrote, we celebrate the sweet music and the community of caring players-- truly, a wonderful community.
@ariane Your music & your friendship bring joy to us! I'll keep my eyes open for postings from around the world for IADD!
This Saturday-- the last one in March-- is International Appalachian Dulcimer Day for 2023!
Mark & I have a video uploaded to YouTube (it took hours!!!) and it will publish at 12:00AM, 25 March in celebration of #internationalappalachiandulcimerday .
I look forward to seeing how you all mark the day to celebrate the mountain dulcimer and its spread around the world!
@hugssandi , so good to see you post again here on fotmd! 
@hugssandi I'll be looking for a video from you on International Appalachian Dulcimer Day!
I would so love for folks to friend me on fb and flood my page with vids of you playing on that day! --Sandi Lowery
really terrific @alegre1 . One of my absolute favorite things about the dulcimer, that a couple people brought up in this video, is the low barrier of entry. So many people who don't consider themselves to be musically inclined find joy in making music with a dulcimer. Many times folks have expressed to me that they don't consider themselves musical and as soon as they learn to put enough pressure on the fret to get a clean note, they're enjoying playing music. It's cool to have an ambassador such as yourself for our lovely instrument.
-Nate
That is mighty kind, Nate, but I'd call myself like the person you describe rather than an ambassador. I had given up hope of ever being able to play an instrument until I found the dulcimer in my late fifties and then it was love at first sound. I like that it will challenge me for the rest of my life but, as it does so, I still get to play songs! Best regards, Linda
Wonderful video, alegre1. Thank you for creating and sharing it.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
really terrific @alegre1 . One of my absolute favorite things about the dulcimer, that a couple people brought up in this video, is the low barrier of entry. So many people who don't consider themselves to be musically inclined find joy in making music with a dulcimer. Many times folks have expressed to me that they don't consider themselves musical and as soon as they learn to put enough pressure on the fret to get a clean note, they're enjoying playing music. It's cool to have an ambassador such as yourself for our lovely instrument.
-Nate
That's a sweet video, @alegre1. Thank you.
@alegre1 I enjoyed your "Why Play the Dulcimer" very much! I imagine it will help attract new people to mountain dulcimer because of the joys of doing so expressed by the folks in the video.
