Thanks!

Good to know, thanks so much.  I think much of what I do is grounded in being entirely self taught (on dulcimer), at some distance from the mainstream dulcimer community.  It's great to have so many really knowledgeable people like you from whom to learn.

When my vocalist friend Victoria and I were planning to do a set of songs together, I shared some Jean Ritchie recordings with her.  I've thought we might do some of her songs together.  Victoria has an operatic voice, but she's done musical theater, too, and she has great diction, expression, and rhythm.  Not all classical singers have her diction and rhythm.

I'm glad I asked and appreciate your response lots!   A fan of drones here!   

Though Jean learned on a 3-string dulcimer, for her second instructional recording (Homespun), she played 4 equidistant strings and noted one string.  For accompanying her vocals, she often strummed with her thumb instead of a turkey quill or plectrum fashioned from a plastic coffee can lid.

I usually play with four equidistant strings these days and use many different tunings.  But I really enjoy tuning three or even all four strings to low D.  That's great for droning, obviously, but also great for bending, as the strings have different tensions.

I would say Jean Ritchie.  It's more obvious in other pieces.  

But I would say it's really the drone and not the noter that has been the influence, as I don't use a plectrum of any kind.  And, to be honest, I've been interested in drones forever.  My parents were progressives and brought me to see Ravi Shankar when I was quite young.  They (and my older brother) were folkies, so I'm pretty sure I heard Jean Ritchie even before I started guitar, about 1966.

I was also a fan of the one-chord jams that 60's rockers like Cream, the Dead, and Santana played, and still love the modal jazz of John Coltrane and others.  And I love medieval music, which only rarely has actual drones, but often has long held bass notes (which were called "tenor").

I'm a very left-handed lefty who plays right handed (was never given the opportunity to play left-handed, as I started on my brother's guitar), so no one should ever look at my right hand technique, especally young people.  I have a couple of noters, but I really struggled with them.

Thanks so much for asking.

Very nice of you to listen to my music! 

Ah, it's curious noter-drone style has been an influence on what you do!  I'm wondering whether a particular style(s) of play in the noter tradition influenced you to some greater degree (for example, was Jean Ritchie a big influence or field recordings of players in the Galax tradition, etc.)?  

I enjoy your work, too.  I really appreciate the noter-drone style.  It's been an influence.

Best,

That's so kind of you to say.  I really appreciate it.  I also appreciate the great contributions you make to this community.  This is not just a great place for music but for kindness and sharing.

Have a great weekend, Robin and all.

Oh, so uncommonly good, Alex!  I've ordered a couple of your cds and look forward to hearing them!  

Hi All,

I hope everyone is well and enjoying life.

This is,  A Farewell , a song I composed for my friend and colleague, mezzo soprano Victoria Vargas.  The poem is by Amy Levy, a Victoria era Anglo-Jewish writer, well known in her brief life (she died by suicide at 27) and admired by Oscar Wilde.

https://soundcloud.com/user-356765105/07-a-prayer-7

I'm on dulcimer, of course.  I'm unaware of any other dulcimer recordings or performances that feature an opera singer.  Please check it out if you have the time and inclination.

Have a great weekend and thanks.