Jan Potts

Location:

Location: Lexington, KY
Country: US

My Latest Followers:

Jeff Curtis joyfulmountainSonia Calvin Swiers Lisa C Wendell G Diane Mayfield DulcimerBill Mark granto jp Elvensong Ariane Don Grundy NH Girl Laurel K Scott JenniferC Kevin R. TLKelly hugssandi DulcimerJones IRENE sleepingangel dulcinina Salt Springs Kandee DulciCat Mill Branch Dulcimores whocindylou Charles Thomas D. chitwood Annie Deeley Monica Cat Brown David Pedersen Bob Reinsel Oliver Ogden Lexie R Oakley janjan Cynthia Wigington Karen Gillespie Stephen Addison Colleen Hailey lora Don Kemper jeffrey charles foster John W. McKinstry John Gribble Mark Runge ejpwest Estes George

Stats

Playlists: 1
images: 32
videos: 1
audio tracks: 4

I started playing the piano by ear while in kindergarten and have since then had a few years of piano instruction, Flutofone in 4th grade, 5 years of clarinet, took up folk guitar in college, and have owned a dulcimer since I made a cardboard one in 1991.  About 6.5 years ago, I finally had some sort of mental breakthrough (helped along, I'm convinced, by some choice nuggets of info in a music theory class I had with Steve Eulburg at KY Music Week (KMW) and I can now play the dulcimer by ear, as well.  Other instruments I play with varying degrees of success include the pennywhistle, recorder, ukulele, harmonica, djembe, steel drum, and hammered dulcimer.  The instrument I would most like to play, however, is the cello--but I think that involves the use of a magic wand!  smile  

One of the things I struggle with is playing from tab, because that involves lines and numbers and my brain doesn't process that very well (hence the problem with piano instruction!)  I'm more of a spatial learner, so hearing and seeing intervals in music makes a lot of sense to me.  And I'm better with linear instruments (piano, whistle) than ones that have you moving in a circular manner (steel drum) to produce the music.  I think of low notes as being either left or "down" and higher notes being to the right or "up".  Tone progressions that move in circles or boxes on an instrument require a lot of extra brain power.

I love informal jams with others, especially with folks who enjoy rounds, playing in parts, and adding harmonies and counter-melodies. 

Some of my recent challenges include songwriting and composing for the dulcimer, performance, learning the technology involved in making and posting audio and video clips, and being a mentor and providing instruction in mountain dulcimer to others.

Latest Activity

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Jan Potts
@jan-potts • one month ago • comments: 0
Created a new Group discussion "Call the Tune "Songs for Lent"":
"Dusty suggested a few years ago that we share our various takes on songs for Lent.  I haven't recorded anything in a long time, but I think I could do a..."

Latest Group Discussions

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Jan Potts

Call the Tune "Songs for Lent"


Dusty suggested a few years ago that we share our various takes on songs...
@Jan Potts one month ago - Comments: 0
Jan Potts

Any groups in KY accepting beginning players?


One of our members who lives in south central Kentucky (between...
@Jan Potts 6 years ago - Comments: 1
Jan Potts

Make a video challenge! This is My Father's World!


Here's the challenge: learn to play--or SING and play--the public...
@Jan Potts 8 years ago - Comments: 9
Jan Potts

Funeral music


Don't need this, yet, but I was wondering if anyone in here has played...
@Jan Potts 10 years ago - Comments: 43
Jan Potts

A WEEK of the Songs of Jean Ritchie at John Campbell Folk School


I just want to make sure that the Fans of Jean Ritchie are informed...
@Jan Potts 10 years ago - Comments: 5
Jan Potts

Illustrated guide: How to Change Your Strings


Joe Collins' excellent guide shows step-by-step how to change the...
@Jan Potts 10 years ago - Comments: 1
Jan Potts

What's up with the 3.5 fret?!


So....I'm getting a new-to-me dulcimer and it has a 3.5 fret. I'm not...
@Jan Potts 12 years ago - Comments: 0

Latest Audio

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O Come, O Come, Emmanuel

O Come, O Come, Emmanuel


@Jan Potts
7 years ago - Comments: 17
Loch Lomond, played on a Dulciborn

Loch Lomond, played on a...


@Jan Potts
7 years ago - Comments: 12
Pretty Saro

Pretty Saro


@Jan Potts
8 years ago - Comments: 12
Comin' Through the Rye

Comin' Through the Rye


@Jan Potts
8 years ago - Comments: 5

Latest Videos

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Oh Susannah

Oh Susannah


@Jan Potts
10 years ago - Comments: 97

Latest Photos

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McCafferty, Terry  purchased 10 26-18 at Black Mtn. Music Festival all curly cherry 25 inch vsl.jpg
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Injured hand after about a month of healing.JPG.jpg
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Latest Forum Discussions

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Untabbed songs/tunes you'd like to learn

Posted: Friday April 21 2017, 2:04 AM
By: @marg

Rest in peace, Brian Beach

Posted: Friday April 14 2017, 8:28 PM
By: @Jim Fawcett

New Airlines' Rules Affect Those Traveling...

Posted: Monday February 20 2017, 1:54 AM
By: @Jill Geary

Favorite picks made from unusual materials

Posted: Monday January 16 2017, 8:46 AM
By: @Jan Potts

Has anyone used a string cleaner product...

Posted: Sunday January 8 2017, 7:53 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

John E. Wood 1930-2015

Posted: Friday June 10 2016, 12:58 PM
By: @John Shaw

Creative song mix-ups (NOT mistakes!)

Posted: Sunday October 4 2015, 8:13 PM
By: @Jan Potts

Positive game-changers in your progress

Posted: Monday September 14 2015, 3:32 AM
By: @Jan Potts

Edsel Martin dulcimer on eBay -questions

Posted: Friday August 21 2015, 6:41 AM
By: @Rob N Lackey

Carts for hauling your stuff around at a...

Posted: Tuesday August 11 2015, 7:09 PM
By: @Paul Certo

"Appalachian Journey" with Alan Lomax (1991)

Posted: Wednesday December 10 2014, 1:19 AM
By: @Dusty Turtle

eBay shipping gone wrong? Too bad! NOT...

Posted: Tuesday August 19 2014, 5:43 PM
By: @Jan Potts

Comments

pmundy
07/03/18 08:05:46PM @pmundy:

I made it to the Mid-winter Dulcimer Festival in NC and thoroughly enjoyed it. I learned a lot and left with a lot of things to practice. I am loving this music more and more and trying to pace myself on learning new songs so I don't forget what I have been working on. I have a couple good friends (who got me started) who live nearby and we all try to get together at least once a month to practice different songs. Still have a lot to learn and I am currently working on strum patterns and more efficient fingering of chords. I got bit with DAD (Dulcimer Acquisition Disease) and just placed an order for a "Fancy Gap" model dulcimer that has walnut sides and back, ebony fingerboard and American Chestnut top. Jeff Sebens makes these. I saw one at a store in Meadows of Dan, VA (near Mabry's Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway) and just couldn't stop looking at the beautiful wood grain patterns. It sounds wonderful too. If you are ever in the area of Meadows of Dan stop by the Concord Corner Store. Jeff has 3 instruments there including a smaller one tuned to the key of G. Thank you for asking and hope this finds you doing well.

With kind regards, Phil


Gary Warnock
05/24/18 11:46:53PM @gary-warnock:

Jan, I am so sorry it has taken so long to get back to you....I mainly used Everything Dulcimer for my dulcimer needs and now that it is shutting down I will come back to here.  Yes, that was my dulcimer.  We have since moved from Ohio to So. Carolina...Do you still have the BC dulcimer?  Would be interested if you do sell it. 

My best, Gary


Kat Vallish
03/19/18 06:45:00PM @kat-vallish:

Hi Jan, I hope you are doing well.  I am trying to figure out what dates I want to reserve a room for Kentucky music week.  I am thinking about arriving the day before and leaving the day after.   What do you usually do?  

 

 


Jan Potts
02/09/18 11:34:57PM @jan-potts:

I'm not sure what class that was for.  Maybe a workshop I did: "From head to hands (and paper)" on figuring out how to play a tune you know well, but for which you have no tab.


Lois Sprengnether Keel
02/09/18 07:11:10PM @lois-sprengnether-keel:

Rats, was trying to start a new paragraph on my tablet and it posted!

As I was saying I want to add more music.  This seems like a perfect song for starting the audience remembering.  Fortunately I have lots of old-time music anthologies.  It's in The Nostalgia Collection from Hal Leonard, so I will see how hard it is for dulcimer. 

Your class probably is ended.  Any suggestions from it?


Lois Sprengnether Keel
02/09/18 07:04:40PM @lois-sprengnether-keel:

Hi Jan, I was looking for whatever discussion came the closest to asking for tab.  Found your old discussion you started for a class, trying to find something not tabbed.  I found one.  School Days, School Days was written in 1907, so I was surprised that the closest I could find was ukelele sheet music for sale.  I am looking ahead to my one-room school program and wanted to a


HEWalker
06/19/17 05:26:13AM @hewalker:

Thank you for the welcome-yes that is slate wall!  We use the same for our guitars and assorted woodwinds as well!  We will be installing another section for more dulcimers soon-my addiction has grown!


Strumelia
01/10/17 10:47:06AM @strumelia:

Hi Jan, I sent you a PM...  howdy


Estes George
12/13/16 08:53:17PM @george-desjardins:

Sorry it's been awhile about the Edsel Martin and brothers dulcimers. Will be putting up some pictures and what I've found out, Very nice piece.Finally got some time. In forums? 


Estes George
12/05/16 03:36:49PM @george-desjardins:

Hi Jan, I had sent you a follow request, because I stumbled upon an old post of yours from about a year ago regarding Edsel Martin Dulcimers. I actually just purchased one myself, off Ebay a few days back, supposed to arrive Thursday, but had done a fair amount of research on how to tell if it's the real deal, and the way it was signed as genuine Martin, and whether it was built by Edsel, Fred or Wade.

 Was just going to share what I found out.


Estes George
10/13/16 09:12:40PM @george-desjardins:

i also play dulcimer when watching TV, Never get much TV in,,


Erin Mae
09/01/16 02:33:12PM @erin-mae:

Hi Jan, 
This will be my first year at Unicoi as well.  I'm also very excited to finally experience it!  I'm sure we're going to have a jolly good time, and I look forward to seeing you then!

-Erin Mae


marg
01/21/16 06:59:28PM @marg:

  take care with the snow storm.


Kandee
01/11/16 11:36:05AM @kandee:

Jan, it was nice to meet you at KWMW.  Maybe next time we can spend more time together.


Estes George
08/18/15 12:20:36PM @george-desjardins:

Thanks for the feedback on your Maxwell, I also had to do some rescue work on the case too, one hinge the screws had plled right throuh the hinge, so replacing them with new ones and adding another in the center for more support, the paddle tuners are really cool, nice, distinct and different look, I think they make tuning the old school way a lot easier!


Gary Warnock
08/10/15 09:21:37PM @gary-warnock:

Hi, Got your message about the Bonnie Carol dulcimer.  It was an all walnut with black binding.  I did purchase a new one from Bonnie just recently.  How much do you have on the one you are selling? 

 

My best, Gary


Karen B
08/10/15 07:13:41PM @karen-b:

Oh dear!  Hope the song isn't ruined for you permanently!


Gordon Hardy
08/08/15 02:12:29PM @gordon-hardy:

re Water is Wide: Thank you for your kindness Jan. Indeed I left out a verse from the version I have because I thought the offering would be too long. Once again, thanks for listening.

 


marg
07/30/15 06:18:51PM @marg:

 Right under the dulcimer you mention was on e-bay was this one  (A rare vintage John Maxwell, Cookeville TN #2228 5 string mt. dulcimer & wooden case) maybe you know of someone who would be interested. 


Deb M
07/28/15 05:24:24PM @deb-m:

Thanks for the welcome, Jan! I'm so glad that I found FOTMD!