Geoff Black

Location:

Location: Ross-on-Wye
Country: GB

My Latest Followers:

Exukaden chris hornby Rock-wyre Magdalena DianeL Redmando Jane Syers Monica Lexie R Oakley Pete Answer filipinouker Sheila Bryant Lynn austin Duncan Gibbs Gordy Jerry Posner Amanda Boyd Wayne Jiang Patricia Delich John Rawlinson David E.Hall John Turner Marion Seaman john p Tom McDonald Martha E folkfan Ken Longfield Peter Corser John Henry John Shaw Ken Hulme Strumelia

Stats

youtube videos: 5
images: 38
videos: 2
audio tracks: 1

Latest Activity

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Latest Group Discussions

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Geoff Black

UK Tour by Stephen Seifert and Dan Landrum


Most of you will already know that Stephen and Dan are over in the UK...
@Geoff Black 7 years ago - Comments: 1
Geoff Black

Dulcimers Take Over Halsway Manor, May 2016


Dulcimer Week At Halsway Manor -(UK) Monday May 16 2016,...
@Geoff Black 7 years ago - Comments: 0
Geoff Black

Summer Festivals...starting this weekend!


2015 Festivals: Dulcimer Workshops Dulcimers will be to the...
@Geoff Black 8 years ago - Comments: 3
Geoff Black

Dulcimer Day at the American Museum, Claverton, Bath


A last call for all of you within striking distance of Bath. On...
@Geoff Black 9 years ago - Comments: 9
Geoff Black

Nonsuch Annual Dulcimer Weekend, Launde Abbey


Just a reminder to our UK and European MD players that early booking...
@Geoff Black 9 years ago - Comments: 1
Geoff Black

Old-Style "Picks" for Noter Playing


The attached "picks" came with a pair of Amburgey dulcimers from the...
@Geoff Black 9 years ago - Comments: 6
Geoff Black

Later Amburgey Dulcimers: Pegs and Picks Query


In a brochure that came with Jethro Amburgey dulcimers in the 60s, he...
@Geoff Black 9 years ago - Comments: 4
Geoff Black

Chestnut as Tonewood: Can you only tell by the holes?!


What is this 1981 Leonard Glenn top and back made from, all you...
@Geoff Black 9 years ago - Comments: 24
Geoff Black

"New" Epinette des Vosges


Some years ago I bought a rather sad epinette over the internet from...
@Geoff Black 11 years ago - Comments: 23
Geoff Black

"English" Folk Songs from the Southern Appalachians


Hi all.Just been reading two books about the song collecting trips of...
@Geoff Black 13 years ago - Comments: 5

Latest Audio

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Almain Arr Roger Nicholson

Almain Arr Roger Nicholson


@Geoff Black
13 years ago - Comments: 0

Latest Videos

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The King of Prussia's March

The King of Prussia's March


@Geoff Black
12 years ago - Comments: 2
Saltarello

Saltarello


@Geoff Black
12 years ago - Comments: 5
Almain

Almain


@Geoff Black
12 years ago - Comments: 3
Argeers

Argeers


@Geoff Black
13 years ago - Comments: 8

Latest Photos

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Latest Forum Discussions

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Wormy Chestnut for dulcimers - Clifford Glenn

Posted: Tuesday April 5 2022, 5:54 PM
By: @Alegre1

Death of John Shaw, UK mountain dulcimer...

Posted: Friday October 1 2021, 8:34 AM
By: @Robin Thompson

Comments

marg
06/28/17 11:59:19AM @marg:

Thanks for writing back, sorry no I do not have the teardrop but the fiddle-side hourglass.

I  would love to read any correspondence concerning Carrell's dulcimers. Do you know when in '84 he sold his business & moved to Fla?

(The weeping heart soundholes I'm pretty sure I've seen on other Carrells. )  I have seen the 'weeping heart' on an old tear drop add on e-bay but mostly I have seen have the 'f-hole' design. Want to take a guess as to why this soundhole design? 

Your info. on the tunings & care for the pegs, I know I will need to go over many times. Thanks for that information, it could be why I am having trouble with the bass peg, if it had more tension place on it from the heavier strings before. 

If I was to tune DAdd, I probably should put different size strings on for dd, I have 12's on now & tuned DAAA, such a wonderful sound. I took it to practice to see if I could just play in DAAA while everyone else was in DAdd. I don't have many tabs for DAA but the few I had like (Amazing Grace) worked well & I even did part of the song on the bass D, so was able to go back & forth between the two - interesting.

Yes; I had the bridge and where the dulcimer didn't look to have any where, the bridge was more like someone couldn't decide where to place the strings - many notches.

( customer's name inside ("Made for....") I had hear this but mine does not have a 'made for'

What about the head, mine is stretched out making the dulcimer even longer - close to 40".

Thank you again for your reply, I feel like I have a treasure with this Carrell dulcimer.

 marg.


marg
06/27/17 02:06:55AM @marg:

 9/16 post to Jennifer (Interested to know which model you have and how you find it.)

I checked inside my Carrell, he list the wood, the date August 1984 & signed it. It is also signed on the back. 

Did he usually give his dulcimers a model #?

Do you know how often he used the 'weeping hearts' design for the bottom soundholes?

 Since you said you had 2  ( I've found my two to have very good intonation,)  could you give me some info on Carrell & his dulcimers? Do you still have yours?

  Mine is very nice, took some cleaning & setting up & getting the bridge back in the right place. All good now except still having trouble with the bass peg not holding. If you are interested, I found mine in a pawn shop.

 


marg
06/22/17 05:46:25PM @marg:

In a post on Sam Carrell (9/13 - . Between 1975 and 1984 he made quite a number of high quality dulcimers,) I just saw last night you were asking Jennifer about her dulcimer. Looking at your photos, looks like you have a 'feddleside' dulcimer. I was able to pick up one of Sam Carrell's later dulcimers, August 1984 at a pawn shop yesterday. I have been learning a lot about him & my dulcimer. 

Anything you can tell me about wooden pegs or how to play equidistant courses with 5 strings. Since I am having trouble with the bass peg, I just have the dulcimer set up with 4 strings DAaa, it has such a wonderful tone.  

 


marg
09/08/16 12:10:37AM @marg:

Looking at the epinette post, you wrote (the melody strings tuned to d are too taut.)

Did you ever come up with a nice tuning? I just picked one up and yes, the d melody is very taut, I usually play DAd - what would be a good tuning for the epinette to sound like it should?

My epinette is 6 strings & 25" VSL


Sheila Bryant
04/11/16 01:20:14PM @sheila-bryant:

Fast???  Good grief, I will never get it close to that!  Thanks though, it helps


Sheila Bryant
04/11/16 10:18:46AM @sheila-bryant:

Ok Geoff, where do I find a recording of Branle de Marienbourg please


Sheila Bryant
11/06/15 08:47:10AM @sheila-bryant:

Ooow, not I am all worried.  I will wait to see what music you senddismay


Sheila Bryant
11/04/15 04:16:44PM @sheila-bryant:

Thanks Geoff.  I will come to Blackfriars to listen I think.  You have posted a list of thing that you are all going to play, I don't know any of them and don't have the music so I will come and listen and meet.

Thanks for info


Sheila Bryant
11/02/15 12:00:32PM @sheila-bryant:

You sound very busy, I am afraid I did not get to Malvern either.  I would love more info about Gloucester and Bristol please.  I really do need to meet up with some Dulcimer people.  thanks


Sheila Bryant
11/01/15 10:47:14AM @sheila-bryant:

Hi Geoff, was it you who has the info on the dulcy group at The Novia Scotia in Bristol.  I still havn't managed to meet up with anyone.  You would not believe what happened when I tried to get to the Bluegrass Fest


Sheila Bryant
08/25/15 06:31:26AM @sheila-bryant:

I am not put off about workshops but find the informal approach more to my taste.  I just want to get a feel what this dulcimer community is about.  See you at Didmarton, I'll look out for the wooden dulcimer shaped flower!!! wasntme


Sheila Bryant
08/22/15 12:51:31PM @sheila-bryant:

Thanks Geoff, I will try and find you, probably will be Sunday I come up, any tips on where to look for you? I might give the owrkshops a miss and just drift to see whats happening


Sheila Bryant
08/20/15 07:40:39AM @sheila-bryant:

Brilliant, I am not sure if you have my email address, its tonshei@tiscali.co.uk.  Could you add me to the list for information please.  When you say Didmarton, is that the Blue Grass Fest.  I have been once for a visit as a friend was playing there but can you get day tickets for that and which would be the best day.  I did not know there was dulcimer interaction there


Sheila Bryant
08/19/15 10:56:20AM @sheila-bryant:

Hi Geoff,

As you know I am in the Bristol area, well nearer to Wotton-under-Edge really.  Are there any meetings I might come to in the near future.  


G David Young
06/01/15 11:17:47PM @g-david-young:

Its been awhile since I built a dulcimer with the bitterroot dulcimer label. Ask your question via my email address : dave50kate@gmail.com

send me a picture of it if you can

Reguards,

David


David E.Hall
03/24/15 09:59:50AM @david-ehall:

Hi Geoff, No problems with the van this year ? What a great day the Saturday was at Allendale . I had a great time , I think I learned a lot this time round or it feels like I have . What a find that Sobell was , I don't think Helen knew what she had, until the vultures ( Guilty ) surrounded her. I am glad Mr Coe strung it up, It sounded gorgeous

See you next year perhaps Take Care


Alexander McKay
02/18/15 10:51:55AM @alexander-mckay:

FolkCRAFT not folkworks.Smile.gif


Alexander McKay
02/18/15 10:37:35AM @alexander-mckay:

Thanks Geoff. The Folkworks is going fine.A very nice instrument. Sounds good in spite of my efforts. I might post some recordings for comments when more confident ( or maybe not!) . I'll take a look at the facebook page as well Grin.gif


Wendy Hawkins
12/01/14 04:12:11PM @wendy-hawkins:

Thank you so much for the music and I have bookmarked your website. Thanks again.


Wendy Hawkins
12/01/14 03:05:44PM @wendy-hawkins:

Hi Geoff, Thanks for the welcome. I have a very basic mountain dulcimer, I only bought it on Friday and it is my first ever musical instrument. I have always painted as a hobby but love the sound of the dulcimer. I went to Eagle Music with my husband (he plays ukulele)and there was a dulcimer just hanging there ... I couldn't resist asking for a try and that was it, I had to have it.

I am interested in the old medieval type of musicand classical, I am trying to learn Greensleeves at the moment but rather than 'finger dancing' I seem to be finger knotting Grin.gif I understand the tab music but do not read music so need to know the tune in order to play.