Thank you Monica, TommyTS, and Marg! I really like that each of you, in your own way, is searching for the sound, playing techniques, and the instrument set ups (frets, action, and so forth) that will make it possible to play the way you want it to sound.  I've had a progression of changes over the years, from playing techniques, how high an action I can tolerate, "bare bones" or with extra frets, length of VSL, types of tuners, baritone, standard, or octave, and on and on.  Like you, I have watched and listened to other players and when somebody "had" what I was looking for, I tried to steer in that direction.  Five years ago I was a novice/low intermediate who felt lost and stagnant and going nowhere.  Then information from different workshops began to connect in my brain and I started figuring out what I already knew and where I wanted to be in 10 years.   I purchased an instrument with a shorter VSL, low action, and with a tone I really liked, and things started taking off.

So, as in all things, be true to yourself.

I'm with everyone else, so very nice. Wishful thinking to be able to play like that one day. 

Tommy--thanks for your nice comments.  But something you said ( " Is she using her right hand on the fret board (or whatever you call it) and strumming with her left hand?  Could I do that?")  had me wondering...are YOU left-handed?  If I were (and I'm not, as you figured out) that's exactly how the dulcimer for a lefty would be set up...the tuning pegs would be off to my right and the tail (with the bulk of the instrument) going to my left.  It would be strung with the melody string "belly side", then middle, then the bass string farthest out, just as it is for a right-handed set up.  So you can't just turn one around, you see--the strings wouldn't be in the right order.

Many left-handed people, however, just play with the right-handed set up.  Some feel like it's the chording hand that needs the most finesse, anyway....the strumming hand can make do.  Of course, as you see in the video, I'm finger-picking, so that does require some good muscle agility.  I don't fingerpick like anyone else, though, because I learned how to do it while my hand was recovering from a bad strain and didn't have the use of all my fingers for over 2 years--the middle one was especially bad.  When I held my hand sideways, it flopped down behind the rest. So I learned to fingerpick using mostly my thumb, index, and pinkie.  I sometimes use my ring finger, but rarely, even today, "Mr. Tall Man"!

There's a group on here for folks who have to figure "other ways" of doing things.  You might want to read over some of our playing issues or join the group to add to the discussions!

Again, thanks for the positive feedback.

Jan

ps  Here's a photo taken 4 weeks after my fall...

Thanks, Monica.  This is what Nina Zanetti refers to as "the softer side of the dulcimer"...and sometimes I refer to playing like this as "playing with the pretty chords".  So I'm glad you thought it was pretty! 

I was going to say what a pretty song and then noticed others said the same thing, but it is, very pretty!!

Dusty, that is so sweet of you!  The method I used to do that one is no longer functional and I haven't yet tried working with newer/different technology to make a second video.  While that's a worthy goal, it's not very high up on my To Do list, I'm afraid.  I haven't even spent much time scrolling around the new site, checking out all the bells and whistles.  I don't mean to be anti-social, I'm just BUSY!  But you're a dear to remind me that you and others are waiting for another video--I just wish we could all get together and jam! 

Dusty said " Jan, this video was the greatest hit from last year. Don't you think it's time you posted another one?  Your adoring fans yearn for more!"

Jan, this video was the greatest hit from last year. Don't you think it's time you posted another one?  Your adoring fans yearn for more!

Thank you, Terry--I developed that method of finger picking by having my 2 middle fingers unusable for 2 years while they healed from a bad sprain. You have to develop a lot a strength in your pinkie!

That sure was pretty Jan.

You're funny, Dusty! The only kind of rock star I want to be is the kind that rocksbabies....

Gee....thanks, Pam! Now that it's been almost a year, I really should think about posting another video!

And Lexie, I'm glad you liked this played as a lullaby. I have some songs I like to play really fast and some I like to float along with--like this one! Now, some folks I know are very talented and can play a very fast fiddle tune--and sing along at the same lightning speed--and manage to get all the words in. Sarah Morgan is one of those people--a talented singer and dulcimer player (national champion at age 18!) and a very nice person, over all. Right now, she's busy going to college, or you'd be hearing more about her, I'm sure. I have all her CD's and think the world of her. She's been quite an inspiration to many new dulcimer players!

Jan, I wasn't interested in seeing what is around your chair or your hair etc....It was all about your lovely playing and the nice tempo you chose for this song. I like lullabies and also I play slowly and don't think it helps me to hear or try to play fast tempo.

I find it interesting that there is such variety with playing songs and fun with our instrument that it is so forgiving and versatile.

Love hearing your lovely playing and seeing you once in awhile, I hope you will post more videos.

Ben, Gary and John, I'm pleased you liked this version....it's my "cowboy on night watch playing for the cows" tempo. When the cowboys played lullabies, the curious cows were more likely to remain close and listen anddozeand not wander off.

Love this version you play.... nice and peaceful, very relaxing. Thank you

That is a wonderful rendition Jan! I play this one too, but in a different manner.

Thanks, Lexie! I play this song several different ways, but I think this slow version is the one I like the best.

Nicely played Jan. It is good to see you, hope to see more!

Thanks, Maria! It was good to see you again, especially at such a great place as the John C. Campbell Folk School! I'm glad you got to see my -- so far--one and only video!

Thank you Dusty--I think you just put it over the top! It is relaxing, isn't it? And when you consider how flustered I was about even trying to make the video, then it's even more amazing. It was just the one take, too. I didn't even brush my hair or clean up around my chair....just went for it while I had thegumption to try! Folks have asked if I have the tab for that and the answer is, "Nah....that's just the way I play it!" It was good to see how I look when I play, though....there are some things that I've been trying to NOT do after watching this! All in all, a good learning experience for me, and I'm glad others enjoy watching it and listening to this quiet "cowboy on the nightwatch playing for the cows " version. You get to insert your own coyote howls!