Welcome Gayle!

Perhaps the group is so friendly because most of us are in a state of constant discovery of tunes, styles and all the wonderful "stuff" surrounding music. The joy of sharing seems strong because it is fun to share and learn.

Take time to explore the different groups and join any that interest you. And ask lots of questions. Be prepared for helpful advice.

Welcome to the group, Gayle! I, too, think that dulcimer players are pretty special people. Most of us are just chock full of enthusiasm for this instrument and the music we play--and we play all kinds! We come from a variety of backgrounds and music experience and live all over the world. But we're all part of the dulcimer "family". Glad to have you aboard!

Have to agree with Rob. We just aren't right and want everyone to feel at home, not being right.

R N Lackey said:

Gayle, welcome!!! I hope you find great friends and information about this incredible instrument. I agree with Rob...it's because we ain't right, LOL. I enjoyed your video. Like I said I'm still a newbie too. I have made wonderful friends and am learning lots of things about playing the dulcimer. You will be amazed at how versatile this instrument is. I'm sure you will enjoy the videos from the other members. I do

Hi Gayle and welcome aboard!

I agree that every website has its own "tone" and a lot of that is influenced by the approach taken by the moderator(s). Here on FOTMD there is a culture of welcoming everyone, regardless of identity or ability, and focusing on the thing we have in common, i.e. our love of and interest in the mountain dulcimer. So I really do find it to be the most friendly site I use on the whole World Wide Web!

Especially if you're playing on a possum board. hehehehee

Gayle, Robin is certainly right that different websites have different personalities, and Strumelia and the early members here certainly set a friendly and encouraging tone that is what has drawn so many of us to this little corner of the internet.

But I also think that something of the dulcimer's personality comes out in those who play the instrument. It is a humble folk instrument with no pretense at all. It can make very sophisticated music (not in my hands, of course) but is more at home on the porch being played by familiy and friends who care more about having fun than impressing anyone.

And no one can play something called a hogfiddle and take themselves too seriously.

Hogfiddle is one of the regional American names for the mountain or Appalachian Dulcimer; along with Indian Walking Stick, Dulcemore, Scantlin', and Tennessee Music Box. A Possum board is a detachable second back that gives your dulcimer more volume without electric amplification. Check out my article here in the Blog section called I Just Got A Dulcimer, Now What? It's an illustrated glossary of dulcimer terms, plus answers to many beginner questions about tuning, playing, music, care and feeding of our favorite instrument.

Yes, everyone is making sense - except maybe the "Hogfiddle" part. Ha ha! I'll have to remember that! OK As soon as I can play anything well enough, I will make a video and post it. I am working through the "You Can Teach Yourself Dulcimer" book. I have the CD and DVD. She plays so gracefully with her fingers dancing up and down the frets. Mine don't quite dance yet - just kind of fumble along...

On the other hand, where else can you mount you "Hogfiddle" on a possum board?

Carrie you summed that up beautifully! The dulcimer brings everyone together. I was amazed to find out there are doctors, pilot,nurses, accountants, ministers,mountain climber, people in exotic places all over the world and the one thing they have in common is they play the dulcimer and have fun and enjoy it. It's such a simple instrument that has so much potential and fits in everywhere. So many people like me had a wish to be able to play a musical instrument but thought it not possible because of no musical education. But the dulcimer proves anyone with the want and love of music can play whether the simpilest tune like Bile Cabbage to Starry Night(Vincent) to Classical music and everything inbetween,depending on how far they want to take it. And right here is the only place I know of were you have a loving, encouraging, helpful audiance. Your own spotlight.Hope that speil made since.

Actually what it is is that we're dotty. Or at least some of us are dotty and others are not and sometimes we're both.

Marking dots that is.

Hi Gayle! I'm not sure if its all dulcimer players or just all FOTMD dulcimer players....I think the later! It is a great site with wonderful group of people. I started posting videos from the very first week I had my dulcimer and received so much encouragement! It was very uplifting and I think I'm getting better because folks are so generous in the praise and also with information regarding the nuts and bolts of playing dulcimer. Can't say enough about these folks and so glad you have found the site!!

Cheryl

I'm just jealous Sam because my Koi won't let me skinny dip in there water hole. LOL

Sam said:

Dana I enjoy my small pleasures ....... he he ........

Gayle ... simple answer to your question, for me ... I keep hoping somebody will show up that I play better than .... so far ... sigh ... nope .................. but they let me stay anyway

Hi Gayle. Welcome to the family. I'm sort of with Dana. We're family and it's a family where everyone is welcome.

Your a good one to talk about getting your feet wet, resident skinny dipper

Hi Gayle ... posting videos here is kinder a 'you show me your's, I'll show you mine deal' ... they're gonna rag on ya till you do it, might as well get yer feet wet ... so to speak ........ welcome to FOTMD

I think the site is wonderful because we are all "SPECIAL" in our own little way. Get my drift? LOL Glad you are enjoying the site.And if you really want to see how "SPECIAL" we can be check in to chat some evening.Welcome to FOTMD. Dana

What a lot of good responses! I think the other group I mentioned just needs to lighten up. There's probably a lot of people, like me, who play for the fun of it but are afraid to post anything because they're not polished enough. Also, the mountain dulcimer has always been kind of a social instrument, hasn't it? Get the fiddle, banjo, guitar together (maybe the spoons or whatever else anyone plays) with the dulcimer and just have fun.

She probably already saw the skinny dipping picture, so John Henry's tuxedo shouldn't be too much of a shock.

Welcome Gayle!

Gayle ! I echo what Brian has said, particulary the bit about seeing some videos from you, from my experience they will be well received, those who post are very varied in ability and allow great learning potential !

JohnH

ps. I am afraid that there is at least one photo of me wearing a tuxedo posted here, please do not hold that against me

It's really 'cause we just ain't right

Welcome to our little corner of musical Paradise.

Why? Maybe because we're fans of an unusual instrument with an interesting history. Maybe it's because we like 'rooting for an underdog'. Maybe it's because we like being 'different'. Somehow the dulcimer just isn't as pretentious a classical guitar or violin. Not as set in its ways as a banjo or mandolin.

It's good to have you be a part of FOTMD, Gayle!

Websites tend to have, for lack of a better word, personalities. I have met many wonderful folks both here at FOTMD and at another site where I'm a member, Everything Dulcimer. I think there's an indescribable something about the mountain dulcimer that draws many folks to it who just happen to be friendly.

yup, sure are. Welcome to a neat little world. Help us make it grow.

Don....

Hi Gayle! I don't have an answer to your question, but just wanted to take a moment to say welcome to FOTMD. :) As you've noticed, it's a very friendly group here, so please make yourself at home, and enjoy. I hope to see some of your videos soon. :)

Kind regards,

Brian

I recently joined Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer but have made some friends here already. Everyone is so nice, friendly and helpful.

I also play another instrument and decided to join a group set up similar to this one. I was greeted with one welcome (I believe from the moderator), but none of the other members have said anything to me yet. I have looked at some of their videos and everyone seems very professional. Some were wearing tuxedos. I didn't see any videos from beginners or people just playing for the fun of it.

Needless to say, I probably won't be putting any videos on there of my playing. I would never think I was good enough.

So what is it about mountain dulcimer players that makes you so friendly - even to a beginner like me?