Welcome truethomas!  I've been specializing in the Child Ballads and Scots/English traditional music on the dulcimer for most of 40 years.

Can't say I've heard of Thunderclap Drones dulcimers, and can't seem to find anything about them on-line, except a few sales blurbs on ebay and such; and one video that mostly should a lady struggling to open a shipping box.  What little I could find says made in the USA.  Not even a website for Thunderclap Drones, which in this day and age is not a particularly good sign.

For a first instrument, IMHO, you'd be better off with a Student model dulcimer from a known builder rather than an Ebay or Piccclik sales pitch from an unknown.  If price is an issue, a cardboard dulcimer is about $75, and they sound really good because the important part is how well the fretboard is made.  I recommend the Student model from Dave Lynch of Sweetwoods Dulcimers:  www.sweetwoodsinstruments.com  I've owned and played one for a number of years and find them perfect for those just starting out.

Thanks to everyone who's welcomed me here! To Irene (whom I tried to reply to earlier but apparently forgot to hit the post button), I just hold it on my lap when I'm sitting. I love the drone sound too, to me it's a big part of the specialness of the mountain dulcimer, but I also want to play chords. I love lots of kinds of music, including jazz, and want to play it all! To Terry, I will keep in mind about the bar stool, but not without a seat belt!

I do have another question—is anyone familiar with Harris & Young dulcimers? I'm guessing that they are no longer (or not much anyway) active? Nothing shows up on Googlemaps except a house when I search for their address.

Mary i loved your story.  How great that you are forging ahead, enjoying the journey, and not letting anything get in your way this time!

Some friends and I get together every Christmas Eve and a few of them have started leading us in new songs (mostly Yiddish Christmas carols and some Swiss-German songs) and doing little performances. This past Christmas it was so much fun, and so goofy, really, that I challenged everyone to come up with a new talent for Christmas 2020 and perform it. You've got a year:  go!

I think I'm the only one who actually took that seriously. I tried Tuvan throat singing for a couple of weeks (YouTube is amazing...I finally realized that if I could master Tuvan throat singing, which would take years, even I would not want to hear myself), the harmonica, the nose flute. Then I remembered the 44-year-old D50 CapriTaurus dulcimer in the garage, which I have carefully carried around in its original cardboard box all these years. I took a few lessons after I bought it in 1975 but the teacher was unimpressed with me and I shuffled off in discouragement. (Crushed.)

I can't play any instrument, don't read music, was overwhelmed by trying to tune by ear, didn't know how to change strings, have never made any headway trying to learn to play the dulcimer by reading the books. I'm kind of shy; I was never going to be able to seek out someone who could help me. But everywhere I went, I carried that dulcimer box full of hopes and dreams.

At the end of January this year, it suddenly hit me:  Could there be videos online now that could help me learn to play this...?

Since then, of course, I've bought two more dulcimers from Howard Rugg. I'm beginning to understand that's part of the journey:  Learn a tune, buy a new instrument.

With trepidation I even went to Redwood Dulcimer Day this past month. That was totally out of my comfort zone; I kind of expected buzzers and flashing lights when I signed in that would spell out "Fraud! Fraud!" I was afraid the whole day would basically be a replay of the angst of walking into the high school cafeteria. But guess what, people were friendly and encouraging and SO enthusiastic about dulcimer music that it was a real high. And I wasn't even the least capable person in two out of three workshops I took, which was a surprise to me. (In the third, I muted my strings and concentrated really hard.)

I think Bosco the comfort dog, who came with Kevin Roth, was a valuable addition. Every festival should have a Bosco.

I'm really grateful for this community, the interwebs, and the folks way back when who came up with this marvelous music-maker.

Yeah Patty.....you were surely inspired to get that dulcimer.   JUST BEAUTIFUL.  and to use the cheap piano stand.  Can you lower it to a height that you can sit down and play too?   I use those cheap black Walmart adjustable stands and put it at the lowest level and have several of these parked at my kid's houses in Utah when I go there often to be with them and play music.  I love the noter/drone style and the sound.  There are many tunings for modes that will be useful to learn...but stick to Daa or Cgg and then branch out.  Oh joy to learn that lovely dulcimer you just got.  Congratulations on your recovery and living in Oregon, you'll find many others to play music with.  A beautiful state to live in. aloha, irene

Hi, I'm Patty, I live in Beavercreek Oregon, and about 10 days ago a little voice in my head said 'you need to find a dulcimer.' Coincidentally, there was a like-new Folkcraft on CraigsList and when I saw it I happily got it, and have been picking up accessories and books and as much info as I have time to read right now. I joined Fotmd so I could look at how people had made cheap guitar stands work for dulcimers. Heartened, I ordered a likely looking stand from Amazon and it got here today, and I didn't have to do a thing to it except to lower the top extender a couple or 3 inches so it cradles the upper headstock. If anyone's looking for a cheap stand right now, it was $11.98, and it's called the 'Chromacast Upright Guitar Stand Two Tier Adjustable-Extended Height'. The supports on the bottom are about 5.75" across, plenty narrow enough to hold a lady with curves, without me having to tweak it. it clears the floor as it is by a good half inch. A couple pieces of pipe insulation on the supports would move it up farther. (Yes, I am lazy.)

Yahoo! One less thing to worry about. I also need to thank the person who posted a photo of their dulcimer on top of a cheap keyboard stand--I set mine up in my living room with the music stand behind it and it's the perfect height for me to stand up and play.

Looks like I joined the right Mountain Dulcimer group!! Lotsa smart people here!

ps. for instrument junkies, it's a 2007 D Series, made by S. J. Ash of 100% black walnut.

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Welcome back! Glad you are beginning to play music again. Keep at the dulcimer.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

It's like a bicycle, once you fall off, you never forget how

@magictime, welcome 'back' !   Music skills can be a little like riding a bicycle, in that when you restart playing music after a long hiatus, you're not really starting from Square One all over again... you do retain some of the skills, maybe even as 'weird reptilian brain memories'.   

I'm not a new member, but it's been several years since I visited so I thought I'd re-introduce myself.

I originally stopped visiting FotMD because I started learning clawhammer banjo and my dulcimer playing fell by the wayside. Then two years ago I had a brain haemorrhage from which I recovered very well, very fast - but which did leave me permanently a bit uncoordinated in my right hand. I found I had trouble getting a strum going on guitar, and even more trouble with the 'bum-diddy' banjo strum. So my instruments were left gathering dust.

Maybe I should have practised harder as part of my recovery, but I was so glad just to be alive and in good health, not being able to play an instrument just seemed 'no big deal'. I didn't feel I had the motivation to try to re-learn skills I might never get back. Plus I had other, family stuff to focus on. But just recently I've felt I wanted to get back to playing music again. So a couple of days ago I picked up my dulcimer and noter and started picking out some of the tunes I used to play and trying to get a decent strum going. I'm very happy to report that so far it's coming back to me pretty well.

@fiddle, you can always feel free to start a violin thread in our "Adventures with Other Instruments forum, here:

https://fotmd.com/forums/forum/adventures-with-other-instruments

Welcome Lisa @fiddle!   Well, we can certainly help you with dulcimer related things, but not many here play violin that I know of.  Fiddle and dulcimer do go together well; many of the 20th century changes to the structure and playing styles of the dulcimer came about because folks wanted to play those fast Celtic fiddle tunes...

Hi  My name is Lisa. I have played the dulcimer for about 10 years. on and off. I recently  purchased a violin. Now the problem is trying to get the violin to sound right.. I played the violin in H.S. .... I am just frustrated at my progress. I did play the violin last night in my Dulcimer Group... I will have to learn some more songs... 

Welcome Cornfield, I hope you'll enjoy the site and your new dulcimer!

I'm new here. I have experience with several fretted and key board instruments. I picked up a mountain dulcimer at a charity auction last weekend. It appeared to be a 3 string instrument that had a bad rattle. Once I figured out that it was a 4 string, the extra tuner stopped rattling. Some previous owner had two extra frets added, 1/2 and 1 1/2. I started checking you tube and other sites for information and tabs and stumbled across this forum.

I have tuned this to DAdd and am starting by playing the dd as melody with the others droning. I'll work out D, A and G chords soon. Looking forward to having some relaxing fun.

Welcome Marcel!  Sound like you're off to a good start with the dulcimer!  It is, of course, the American cousin of the Dutch Hommel/Hommeltje, and can be played in that traditional manner as well as the modern "Bing Futch" style.  Enjoy your journey.

Hi all,

Marcel, 47 years old, from the Netherlands, married, 5 children, ages: from 14 to 26, senior java software engineer by profession.
Playing, collecting and listening to music are my main hobbies. I play bass guitar for 12 years, a little double bass and acoustic guitar (campfire level) and synths.

I found, by randomly watching movies on you tube; Bing Futch and like his work. So I bought an beginner dulcimer to see if it is something that I would enjoy. I have a Roosebeck Grace 4 string. It looks good, sounds nice and the string height and intonation is ok. I think it's a great instrument to start with and already enjoying learning the first songs from Jeffrey A. Lambert's books. For theory I've bought Bing Futch 's Method For Beginning Mountain Dulcimer.

Marcel

Thanks for the link.  My lyre is not from Trossingen, but from a burial site called Oberflacht, grave #84.  Similar but not exactly the shape of the Trossingen.   I have also made a lyre from the Cologne site.

Thanks for the link to your website Riksgewijs. That is a very nice lyre. I enjoyed seeing how you made it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Many thanks for the warm welcome. 

Yes, this is the one. But the one on you're picture is not quite a trossinger. I has made a page about my lyre. This one i build to last on renaissance markts. So it can have a beating and handle some rain. but the shape and collrossing and looks ar spot on. 

I also made a view recordings. You can find them also on the site and my you-tube channel. 

Hope you will enjoy. 

Riks-Gewijs website, click here

Riksgewijs  --  Welcome to the group!!!

A Trossingen Lyre?  Congratulations!  Did you include all that wonderful kolrose carving found on the original?  Here's a photo of an Oberflacht 84 replica that I made, with kolrose carvings of a pair of Pictish Beasts.

@eaglenest61 ,  I love your story about your whole family now learning to play dulcimer together.. all due to you!

I hope you will enjoy this site and find support and inspiration when you see others learning as well in their home music journeys. 

@riksgewijs ...I'm impressed that you have made a Trossinger lyre replica.  Did you use Michael King's plans? Or did you just design it on your own?  The kolrosing is so complex and beautiful, would love to see a picture.

Hello, my name is Bill, though I have used Eaglenest61 as my username for years in everything I do. I am new to the world of mountain Dulcimers...or any Dulcimers for that matter. I have always wanted to play the guitar; but was unable to teach myself due to my big fat fingers. Just could not wrap my fingers around the neck properly. My mom suggested the Dulcimer and then informed me that my grandmother on my dad's side played the Dulcimer. Do here I am! I bought a Dulcimer for my mom and I to give her something to do during the day. After my dad passed away 2 years ago; she just seemed so lonely and board. I figured we could learn to play and that would give us more 'us' time. Little did I know my wife would fall in love with the Dulcimer as well. So now, my mom, my wife, and I are all learning to play and having a blast doing it. So now you know a little more about me. I look forward to meeting new friends and learning all that I can about Dulcimers and playing the Dulcimer.

Let's introduce myself. 

My name is Rik and married. And I live in Holland and no, not in Amsterdam. Just a regular guy. I am a bike repair specialist and self employed. So I don't have a lot of free time. But the time of my business is my own. So I like to build instruments and model ships. I love to work with my hands and create things. So I am not very musical. I did played the guitar once a tiny bit. Blues and a little bleusrock. 

Now I am playing my own handbuild Lyre. It's a replica of the trossinger lyre. Found in a German Celtic Warrior grave. 

And that's how I met the Dulcimer. Found a view on pinterest when I was surging for more information on a French Lire I would build. Curios I wanted to hear the Dulcimer and on YouTube I found a lot examples. Do you know the feeling "I am home?" Think you know Jessica Comeau, I hear her on the dulcimer. Well that was that. Bought a cheap one. And started to fiddleling around. And really liked to play. The home feeling got only stronger. 

I do try to play almost every evening for a bit. And in the weekends. It's the joy to play what counts for me. I am not trying to be good. 

Now i have an account on Patreon and follow the lessons from Brett Ridgeway and Bing Futch. And yes I do donate for there work. I think it's important to contribute there effords. 

So I hope you know me a little better now. And I try to correspond on this way and to find other players just like me. 

I like to play the old traditional tunes in flatpicking style. 

With many greetings from Holland, 

Rik

LisavB.  I'm glad you decided to join us.  You will find this forum to be warm and friendly.  We are united by our love for the dulcimer, and we are glad you decided to join us.  If you have any questions or wish to share more of your journey with the dulcimer, we'd love to hear more from you.

Hi, I'm Lisa.  I fell into the dulcimer completely by accident, and fairly recently.  I like making things and my BF keeps teasing me about making a harpsichord for him when I/he retire.  Last November, I thought it wise to start with something smaller, and looked on the Internet.  Hah, I could make a cardboard dulcimer! Not costly, and I could paint it with my own design.  If something terrible happened, not a lot lost.  Oh, and they said it was easy to play, so maybe I could try playing it. 

So I made one from Backyard Music.  Sounds pretty good for a basic cardboard guy.  Painted it with an art deco motif, forest green and peach.  And I started to play.  And it was fun...and...

Then I wanted to try building a solid wood one.  Finally gave in and ordered a black walnut kit from Cedar Creek Dulcimers.  I was terrified--such nice wood to screw up!  But I did it, and I love it!  And wow, the sustain with solid walnut.

I love the dulcimer because there are so many ways to play it (noter, pick, fingers, melody string only, strum only, pick individual notes, chords), seems like you can keep learning and trying new things nearly endlessly.  Took the cardboard one on vacation to Canada recently.  Got to sit by the side of a lake we had all to ourselves (camping) and just improvise.  Wonderful!  (Cardboard one is good to take where there is a chance of getting a ding...)

Hi Fatcat, we're happy you found us too!! 

I hope your health improves to allow you to enjoy playing your music at home. 

Hi again Andreas, and welcome 'back' to the site again!  It's good to see you check in here.  I hope your health improves and that you continue to enjoy playing music on whatever instruments inspire you. 

I do need to mention that the email address you have set in your account settings here does not function and you need to go into your account settings and change it to a different, working email address, and then hit the 'save' button.  As it stands now with that nonworking email, you will not be receiving any emails or notifications from fotmd that would normally let you know about any private messages, comments on your profile page, friend requests, likes, or replies to your posts.  It'd be great if you can change to a working email address in your fotmd account- thanks!

A good job on a beautiful dulcimer!  Here's to many more!

Very nice instrument, Jack. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Love the rosy blonde color of that dulcimer, Jack!

Welcome to the site. 

Hi Barlow45, I suggest you go to our Beginners Group and read a few of the threads there that have great advice about buying a 'first dulcimer' that's within your price range.  You have to JOIN that group in order to fully read the discussions in it (you can UNjoin any time just as easily).  You'll probably find all the help you need by reading those threads, plus other great tips for your purchase!

p.s. loved your post about your cardboard dulcimer, Lisa!

I have the dulcimers pictured in my avatar.  The one I play daily, often for a couple of hours, is the cardboard one.  I’m not worried if my three small dogs knock it out of my lap while I sit my my recliner.  While I don’t want it to hit the floor, it’s happened a few times with no damage.  It’s always next to my chair, ready to play.  It sounds fantastic, and as Ken noted, the frets are placed accurately.  I love it so much as is, I no longer have no plans to upgrade the box to wood.  Don’t be put off by cardboard.    You can buy one all put together, or buy a kit and paint and decorate it just the way she likes, too.

There’s a saying about musical instruments ...  someone asks, What is the best make and model?  The answer should be, the one I play the most.

Lisa

Welcome Barlow45 to our happy little corner of Musical Paradise!  We'll gladly give you lots of advice on getting your wife started on this musical journey.  I might suggest that you start a new topic here in the General Mountain Dulcimer forum as more folks will see your query there than in this Introduction thread, and later folks will find our answers to your questions more readily.  

There are literally more than a hundred possibility solutions to your basic question.   In general we recommend avoiding "mass manufacturers" who in other countries, who sell "deals" on Ebay and such.  Brands like First Act come to mind.  

Most of us recommend you start with "Student" model -- dulcimers made specifically to play well and sound good, but which don't have some of the 'bells and whistles' of more expensive dulcimers.  You can find two or three builders of Student models who sell their works for $100 to $175. 

Another option is a cardboard dulcimer.  Yep -- cardboard.  The body anyway.  The critical part of any dulcimer is the fretboard and the accuracy with which the frets are spaced and installed.  Without a good fretboard all you have is what we call a Dulcimer Shaped Object -- suitable only for wall-hanging.  There are, I think, 3 makers of cardboard dulcimers, all of whom make really good fretboards, which can -- after she really loves the instrument -- be installed on a wooden body.  

We can, and will certainly help her learn to play as well.  There are thousands of written and video lessons, song books, audio files and much much more.

Several years ago I wrote an article for beginners called I Just Got A Dulcimer, Now What? which is an illustrated glossary of dulcimer terms (so we all talk the same jargon) plus answers to many beginner questions about tuning, playing, care and feeding of their new instrument.  You can find an electronic copy here:

https://fotmd.com/strumelia/group_discuss/2316/ken-hulmes-i-just-got-a-dulcimer-now-what-article

Strings are strings -- as long as the gauge is right.

LOL!  Ken, the secret to not breaking strings is not trying to tune it up five notes higher then it should be!  Unfortunately, I got the last pack of strings from the music store, so if I keep experimenting, I’m going to have to resort to banjo strings until they get some real dulcimer strings back in stock.   

Lisa

Hi @dtortorich ,

Since this is a discussion called "Introduce Yourself", most members don't think to read it in order to answer questions.  If you have specific questions about music and/or dulcimers, you'll greatly improve your chances of getting helpful answers if you create a new discussion in the General forum that has a title related to your question , such as maybe "Good medleys of Christmas Carols?", "Pickling Pickled Peppers song?", etc.  When members see a new discussion like that, they'll often go read it and respond in that discussion if they know answers.
When you click the top link to "Forums", you can then click on the General dulcimer/music forum.... once there, click the "+" Plus button to create a NEW discussion with your question and your own thread title. 

Thanks and welcome to FOTMD!  

Lisa -- secret to not breaking strings when tuning is to always tune a "singing" string.  Hold the tuner knob you think is the right one.  Pluck the string and turn it 1/4 turn.  If the singing string does not change pitch -- STOP -- you have the wrong tuner.  

Thanks for all the kind words!

Susie, I would love to go the Evart, but someone else already requested that weekend off.  I’ll have to ask, since generally, only one of us are allowed vacation at a time.  

I’ve read your pdf’s Ken, every helpful to a newbie like me, thanks!

It’s going to be a while before I play any events, though I could see how dulcimer music would be really nice during our tree lighting/rememberance ceremony.

On another note, I got my second-hand cardboard dulcimer today, three days earlier then expected!  I’m going to have fun with it this weekend.  I already managed to break one string trying different tunings, lucky I bought a pack on my way home.  DAc sounds pretty cool, I really dig it, though I better stick with DAa for now.  

Anyhooo, it’s an ugly cuss, painted brown cardboard, the neck is pretty rough cut with no strum area scooped out, but the fretting is pretty good according to my tuner, so that’s all that matters right now.  There is no fretboard, it’s just a plank with frets pressed into it.  I guess I’ll name it Plank.  It’s a lot of fun, and my dogs enjoy it a lot more than my penny whistles.  Probably the best 27 bucks I spent in a long time.

 I don’t know if I’d bother putting this neck on a better body, but who knows, I’ve got cigar boxes laying around, and a huge exotic wood warehouse is a few blocks from where I work, Bell Forest Products.  They have instrument quality fretboard wood and neck wood all ready to go.  They also got this huge pile of the coolest scrap wood they sell by the pound, so I might go crazy and try to make a proper box body for Plank and shoot some roofing staples under the melody string to get some of the frets it’s missing (no 6.5 fret).  I certainly can’t make a worse box than the cardboard box it’s currently made from.  

I’m already very fond of Plank, I think a box upgrade is in the future.

Enjoy your weekend, Lisa

Hello, Lisa. And, again, welcome to FOTMD. Looks like we have something else in common besides Marquette; I was a hospice chaplain for 28 years. I played my dulcimer for patients and for staff/volunteers. I played for our annual volunteer banquet, for our annual memorial service, and our annual tree lighting. The dulcimer is a good instrument for help in decompressing. Enjoy it.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Hi Lisa, I'm in Gaylord. If you ever have the time, you should consider attending the Evart Dulcimer Fest (ODPC Funfest) in July. It is full of workshops for all levels and all instruments. I offered to meet another new player there many years ago, to help her along, and now we are great friends. If you choose to go, my sister and I will be there this year. BTW, I'm about your age, I'm 55. I play many instruments, including the Native American Flute. There are usually several workshops for NAF at Evart too. If you have questions, feel free to PM me.

http://evartdulcimerfest.org

Hi Lisa;  Welcome to the wacky world of dulcimers.  I think you're going to fit right in!  A Cardboard dulcimer is a good, inexpensive place to start -- the frets are accurately place which means the notes are true.  Later, if you like, you can have a wooden body made (or make it yourself) and put the fretboard from your cardboard dulcimer on new body.  I did that recently for a student of mine, and it was pretty inexpensive to do.  

Here's a link to an article I wrote several years ago, called I Just Got A Dulcimer, Now What?   It's an illustrated glossary of dulcimer terms (so we all speak the same jargon) plus answers to many beginner questions about the tuning, playing, care and feeding of your new friend.  Good reading while you wait for your dulcimer to arrive...
https://fotmd.com/strumelia/group_discuss/2316/ken-hulmes-i-just-got-a-dulcimer-now-what-article  

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Check your messages. [Hover over your name, upper right]

Hi Jamie. Welcome to the wonderful world of FOTMD. If you stick around a while, you will make many new friends here.

Don't let anyone tell you your first dulcimer purchase was a mistake no matter the brand. I played the first seven years on a $100 kit with friction pegs. I wrote many of my tunes on that dulcimer and I performed with it at the World's Fair in 1986 and the Seattle Folklife festival.

If you play a little bit everyday you will get better regardless of the instrument. Can you find a better instrument? Absolutely! You can spend $4000 on a dulcimer but you will not learn any faster.

You are about to discover that every dulcimer you purchase or build from here on will never be enough. 

Welcome StringHopper and TwoGunBob!

(..I'm a secret HP Lovecraft fan myself)

Well heck... Firstly I'm not a Bob but a Jamie. TGB was my internet handle from way back that came from being a Robert E. Howard fan (creator of Conan) as H.P. Lovecraft called him Two Gun Bob and I adopted the moniker and all. Literally just got my dulcimer yesterday and then read the decidedly lukewarm opine of Roosebeck instruments but what's done is done. Anyone want to donate a dulcimer to someone that made a mistake? All said I sat down learning The Water is Wide and muddled through. If anything the challenge is getting those hand positions which are different from bass AND different from the balalaika. At least the balalaika prepped me for using my thumb so there's that.

I've played electric bass guitar for around 31 years. Rolling the clock back to being young and rebellious...

And then there was this stint doing cow punk...

And at the same time STILL playing angry music...

All that folded up about ten years ago and I pretty much just tinkered on the bass and got bored so picked up the balalaika last year to try my hand at Russian folk music. After a year I decided to branch out again and ordered the dulcimer and joined here as I really miss being a part of a musical community. I appreciate the warm welcomes so far and look forward to getting stuck in with yet another new instrument.

Let's see... In the last ten years I spend a lot of my time when not working painting figures for wargaming. The gaming is mostly to justify painting as that relaxes me even more than playing music. Honestly, when I'm not in a band playing live I kind of get depressed about the music thing. right now I'm working on an American Civil War project, probably what ignited the interest in the dulcimer.

Also done a plethora of fantasy/sci fi stuff over the years.

And that's about it for the moment. Look forward to getting to know this community and learning about yet another instrument.

Hi everyone! I am finally getting the time to get on to this forum, I am coming in from the old Everything Dulcimer forum (Asterhunter). My wife Sharon and I play and practice a lot together, and play in public every once in a while. We have a fairly active YouTube channel, one of our latest is here:

I'm sure I'll find some old friends here!

David Elosser

Welcome Lisa!

For determining whether your instrument is playable or needs work, I'd suggest you create a new discussion in the following Forum:

https://fotmd.com/forums/forum/instruments-discuss-specific-features-luthiers-instrument-problems-questions

-use the Plus (+) button to create a new discussion.

I also suggest you look over our site Groups and join any that interest you- that makes it even more FUN to be on the site!   :)

https://fotmd.com/group

Be sure to explore the various links along the TOP navigation bar to get familiar with the site layout.

And here's a forum for asking questions when you can't figure out the site settings or how to post something: 

https://fotmd.com/forums/forum/site-questions-how-do-i

Welcome, Pondoro.  Sounds like you may play several folk instruments in depth before adding to your Instrument Zoo.  I  think you will enjoy the  dulcimer. 

As Strumelia mentioned, there are so many instruments I yearn to play well but it would take several lifetimes.  I haven't been able to restrain myself  enough to fit that playing well requirement.  Fortunately the dulcimer is forgiving of my dabbling.   I sometimes say this is what happens when you give a Girl Scout the Dabbler badge.  I still am one.  Several of us here are.  I think you will feel right at home, there's even a forum about Adventures with 'Other's Instruments.  Enjoy!

Welcome Pondoro!   I've been playing old time American and Anglo-Scottish folk tunes on the dulcimer for forty years (one of these days I'll get it right!)

Here's an article I wrote a number of years back called I Just Got A Dulcimer, Now What?  It's an illustrated glossary of dulcimer terms (so we all speak the same lingo); plus answers to many beginner questions about tuning, playing, care and feeding of your new acquisition.

I Just Got A.pdf  •  1MB

Hi Pondoro!  What a wonderful Christmas present!  The dulcimer (in my book) is the best instrument in the world for Christmas songs and folk music!  Enjoy

Welcome Pondoro. You will find many new friends here. While this is a dulcimer forum, there are many who play ukulele and harmonica. Bodhran? Now you lost me. I'll have to Google it.

5 min later:  Now I know.  A one sided shallow drum.  Interesting. 

Hi Pondoro. I envy your years of bodhran lessons!  There are several instruments I yearn to play well... but alas I'd need three lifetimes to do so. 

How sweet that your wife is encouraging your music adventures!  I hope you enjoy it here on FOTMD.

Hi, I've played the harmonica for 45 years or so, the ukulele for twelve, and the bodhrán for three. I've actually taken lessons for three years on the bodhrán. Anyway I want to play an old time American instrument and my wife is funding a mountain dulcimer for Christmas. So I'll soon be trying my hand on that. I like pretty much all music, but I'm looking forward to old time folk tunes and Christmas songs on my dulcimer. 

Welcome to FOTMD @fredr

There are a lot of great people here that will help you!

You are beginning a wonderful journey!  Have fun!

@fredr Welcome!  There's lots to see and hear-- enjoy exploring FOTMD! 

Hi Everyone I am new to the group and also to the Mountain Dulcimer. Saw and heard my first one in July last year, the memory stuck. So a year later I Found a new to me McSpadden and here we go! I have never played an instrament before and there isn't a Dulcimer teacher near me.

That being said, I am thankful to join your group and look forward to learning from you all.

Thank you again

Welcome Atilwi!  Glad you found us.  You're in for a fabulous experience!  Always ask questions -- we're here to help.  There are no stupid or inappropriate questions, just ones that don't get answered.  

I've attached an article I wrote a few years back called I Just Got A Dulcimer, Now What?.  It's an illustrated glossary of dulcimer terms, so we all speak the same lingo when asking and answering questions.  Plus it has answers to many beginner questions about tuning, playing, care and feeding of your new friend.

I Just Got A.pdf  •  1MB

Hello!

I teach elementary music in Kansas and just ordered my first Dulcimer. Found this place when I was researching what to look for so I could choose a good one!