One of the things I like to do is find the tab and play other's favorite songs. Do you have a tab for Beija flor? I did find out this is Portuguese for Hummingbird Flower. And found a YouTube of someone singing it. Sounds like a great tune to play on a dulcimer.
A word of caution: Do be careful about leaving those stickers on for a long time- very often longtime stickers on musical instruments and fretboards will leave the wood underneath them permanently discolored, or there may be paler marks where the stickers were, as the wood around them remains exposed to air.
Thank you for the reminder! The stickers were on longer than I meant to but luckily no discoloration.
A word of caution: Do be careful about leaving those stickers on for a long time- very often longtime stickers on musical instruments and fretboards will leave the wood underneath them permanently discolored, or there may be paler marks where the stickers were, as the wood around them remains exposed to air.
Thanks for sharing! Even from the short clip it sounds great--I love that deep, rich sound! Though I've never heard a blue lion I didn't like. :)
As for buzz, I've been troubleshooting that on one of my melody strings and read that strumming heavily can contribute (if the string starts vibrating up and down rather than side to side) so perhaps a lighter strum will help. I also sometimes get a buzz if I try tuning down too many steps (e.g. CGA# rather than DAC on my standard dulcimer). So if a lighter strum doesn't help you could try tuning up a step (B F# B instead of A E A) and see if you like the sound--as long as you aren't playing along with others who are in AEA. :)
Blue Lion dulcimers are wonderful instruments. I have one, a style II. I just returned a Blue Lion bass dulcimer to a friend who had lent it to me to see if I would like playing bass. I tried it for a while, but it wasn't for me. Enjoy your baritone. Did you put those pink and yellow dots on it? What are they for?
Beautiful! I've been thinking of ordering a chromatic baritone from them myself. Would love to hear how it sounds if you're ever up for posting a clip. :)
@Meganelanor My beginner status can't do the instrument justice, so here's what it sounded like straight out of the box (but still in its chipboard case) on the day I received it. I haven't figured out yet why the middle string (E) has a little buzz. But overall I'm very happy with it! Also I got it with an extra wide fretboard (1 5/8") to accomodate my "fat" fingers. Not sure if that would have any effect on the sound. When I make a better video I'll share it here too. Hope this helps!
Beautiful! I've been thinking of ordering a chromatic baritone from them myself. Would love to hear how it sounds if you're ever up for posting a clip. :)
Also, do you still sell those FOTMD buttons?
Hi Gail, yes you can get FOTMD pinback buttons HERE .
One of the things I like to do is find the tab and play other's favorite songs. Do you have a tab for Beija flor? I did find out this is Portuguese for Hummingbird Flower. And found a YouTube of someone singing it. Sounds like a great tune to play on a dulcimer.
Thanks.
Lovely Blue Lion instrument!
A word of caution: Do be careful about leaving those stickers on for a long time- very often longtime stickers on musical instruments and fretboards will leave the wood underneath them permanently discolored, or there may be paler marks where the stickers were, as the wood around them remains exposed to air.
Thank you for the reminder! The stickers were on longer than I meant to but luckily no discoloration.
Also, do you still sell those FOTMD buttons?
Lovely Blue Lion instrument!
A word of caution: Do be careful about leaving those stickers on for a long time- very often longtime stickers on musical instruments and fretboards will leave the wood underneath them permanently discolored, or there may be paler marks where the stickers were, as the wood around them remains exposed to air.
Thanks for sharing! Even from the short clip it sounds great--I love that deep, rich sound! Though I've never heard a blue lion I didn't like. :)
As for buzz, I've been troubleshooting that on one of my melody strings and read that strumming heavily can contribute (if the string starts vibrating up and down rather than side to side) so perhaps a lighter strum will help. I also sometimes get a buzz if I try tuning down too many steps (e.g. CGA# rather than DAC on my standard dulcimer). So if a lighter strum doesn't help you could try tuning up a step (B F# B instead of A E A) and see if you like the sound--as long as you aren't playing along with others who are in AEA. :)
thanks Ken! yes I put the dots there in the attempt to learn the notes associated with each fret (in AEA).
Blue Lion dulcimers are wonderful instruments. I have one, a style II. I just returned a Blue Lion bass dulcimer to a friend who had lent it to me to see if I would like playing bass. I tried it for a while, but it wasn't for me. Enjoy your baritone. Did you put those pink and yellow dots on it? What are they for?
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Beautiful! I've been thinking of ordering a chromatic baritone from them myself. Would love to hear how it sounds if you're ever up for posting a clip. :)
@Meganelanor My beginner status can't do the instrument justice, so here's what it sounded like straight out of the box (but still in its chipboard case) on the day I received it. I haven't figured out yet why the middle string (E) has a little buzz. But overall I'm very happy with it! Also I got it with an extra wide fretboard (1 5/8") to accomodate my "fat" fingers. Not sure if that would have any effect on the sound. When I make a better video I'll share it here too. Hope this helps!
And thank you @robin-thompson!
Beautiful! I've been thinking of ordering a chromatic baritone from them myself. Would love to hear how it sounds if you're ever up for posting a clip. :)
Enjoy your pretty Blue Lion!