Location:
Location: Reedsville, PA
Country: US
Country: US
My Latest Followers:
Stats
youtube videos: 1
images: 59
events: 1
I am retired and live in the Appalachian Mountains of Pennsylvania. I built my first mountain dulcimer in 1974. I continue to build mountain dulcimers, hammered dulcimers and do repair work on them as well as guitars and banjos. I enjoy old time music, bluegrass, and folk music from before and after the folk scare of the 1950s and 1960s.
Latest Activity
All
@ken-longfield
• 11 hours ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Hard Times Come Again No More:
Posted a new Comment on Hard Times Come Again No More:
"That's a really good sound from a very nice dulcimer.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 15 hours ago
• comments: 10
Posted a new Comment on "Student Model" :
Posted a new Comment on "Student Model" :
"Looks good Bob. I like that it is three strings; good for a beginner. You have a nicely shaped peg head which give the dulcimer a certain elegance. The dark..."
@ken-longfield
• 16 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Recording multiple tracks?":
Posted a response to "Recording multiple tracks?":
"Before I moved to Mac, I used a program from SouceForge called Audacity. It is a free download. I found it easy to use. If you do not have an audio interface..."
@ken-longfield
• 23 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Advice on old dulcimer":
Posted a response to "Advice on old dulcimer":
"Sorry I missed that you mentioned the 28" VSL. KenH's suggestion for strings is good. A 6.5 fret can be added if you don't have one and really want one.
Ken..."
@ken-longfield
• 2 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @sandbar17:
Posted a new Comment on @sandbar17:
"Welcome to FOTMD Sandbar17. It's good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Advice on old dulcimer":
Posted a response to "Advice on old dulcimer":
"Hi Janis. Here a few things to look for: no separation of joints, a flat fret board, and length between the nut and bridge (VSL). Tuning pegs can be replaced..."
@ken-longfield
• 2 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Rebuilds":
Posted a response to "Rebuilds":
"I repair and refurbish dulcimers. I have done everything from replacing peg heads to repairing cracks. I have made new nuts and bridges. I have replaced..."
@ken-longfield
• 3 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @ubulele:
Posted a new Comment on @ubulele:
"Welcome to FOTMD Ukulele. It's good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 3 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @tehachapied:
Posted a new Comment on @tehachapied:
"Welcome to FOTMD Tehachapied. It's good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 3 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @leftysteel:
Posted a new Comment on @leftysteel:
"Welcome to FOTMD Leftysteel. It's good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 3 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @gregojano:
Posted a new Comment on @gregojano:
"Welcome to FOTMD Gregojano. It's good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 5 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @4mopar:
Posted a new Comment on @4mopar:
"Welcome to FOTMD 4mopar. It's good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on @noah-cline:
Posted a new Comment on @noah-cline:
"Welcome to FOTMD Noah. It's good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Question about fret layout.":
Posted a response to "Question about fret layout.":
"I see from my friends here you have received all the help you need on this issue. Enjoy your dulcimer. Have fun playing it. Anymore questions, don't hesitate..."
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @ray-d:
Posted a new Comment on @ray-d:
"Welcome to FOTMD Ray. It's good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "New Body ":
Posted a response to "New Body ":
"Nice.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimer vs Dulcimore:
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimer vs Dulcimore:
"Thanks David. I've seen that letter before. To paraphrase and borrow from The Bard, "A dulcimore by any other name would sing as sweetly."
Ken
"The..."
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on Newly Build Mini Jumbo Dulcimer:
Posted a new Comment on Newly Build Mini Jumbo Dulcimer:
"Looks good Wayne and I'm sure it sounds good as well.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @simple-life:
Posted a new Comment on @simple-life:
"Welcome to FOTMD Simple Life. It's good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @cheryl:
Posted a new Comment on @cheryl:
"Welcome to FOTMD Cheryl. It's good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @leonm:
Posted a new Comment on @leonm:
"Welcome to FOTMD, LeonM. It's good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Dulcimer just followed me home":
Posted a response to "Dulcimer just followed me home":
"Enjoy your Sweet Song dulcimer. Like John, I've assembled a few of them. They are a nice dulcimer. I do like the walnut ones.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a..."
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @john-c:
Posted a new Comment on @john-c:
"Welcome to FOTMD JohnC. It's' good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 9
Posted a new Comment on @hstulips:
Posted a new Comment on @hstulips:
"Glad you took the opportunity to do that. I've spent many hours playing dulcimer in the hills of Virginia and West Virginia. Now I play in the hills of..."
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @cathy-mcguire:
Posted a new Comment on @cathy-mcguire:
"Welcome to FOTMD Cathy. It's' good to have you aboard."
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 174
Posted a new Comment on @ken-longfield:
Posted a new Comment on @ken-longfield:
"Alan Thompson: Ken please ignore my last post I had not joined the history group at the time and so was not up with the discussions on the pages. I am..."
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @go-dulcimer:
Posted a new Comment on @go-dulcimer:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Go Dulcimer. It's good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @twe3:
Posted a new Comment on @twe3:
"Welcome to FOTMD, TWE3. It's good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @c-fred11:
Posted a new Comment on @c-fred11:
"Welcome to FOTMD, C Fred 11. It's good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 9
Posted a new Comment on @hstulips:
Posted a new Comment on @hstulips:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Hstulips. It's good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "1930s Kentucky Dulcimer Recordings Free Online":
Posted a response to "1930s Kentucky Dulcimer Recordings Free Online":
"Lots of good stuff there. Hope my ears don't wear out with all that listening.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @windance:
Posted a new Comment on @windance:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Windance. It's good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @jeffersonfan:
Posted a new Comment on @jeffersonfan:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Jeffersonfan. It's good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "The Ugly Dulcimer - A Story":
Posted a response to "The Ugly Dulcimer - A Story":
"Thank you for the comments. John and Ken I considered those options but didn't like either having the rosette with some of the top wood being seen through it..."
@ken-longfield
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Straight sided dulcimer?":
Posted a response to "Straight sided dulcimer?":
"Thanks for the link. I agree with Ken.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
Latest Group Discussions
All
The Story of the Dulcimer, Second Edition
This is just a notice that it is available for pre-ordering on Amazon.
@Ken Longfield 3 years ago - Comments: 14
PA German Zitter
As I understand it, Jean Ritchie saw a PA German Zitter in the...
@Ken Longfield 3 years ago - Comments: 0
Old-time West Virginia bands
County Sales currently has these two CDs on sale for $7.00 each if...
@Ken Longfield 3 years ago - Comments: 1
Wartz Tab Book Corrections
In the Wartz tab book for the DAA "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms,"...
@Ken Longfield 4 years ago - Comments: 2
My First Prichard
It is not quite finished, but I thought I would share a photo of my...
@Ken Longfield 4 years ago - Comments: 15
J. E. Thomas Dulcimer #1465 played by Joe Collins
Here is a link to a video of Joe Collins playing my James E. "Uncle Ed"...
@Ken Longfield 4 years ago - Comments: 1
String tension calculations
Over at the Banjo Hangout I saw a posting for a string tension...
@Ken Longfield 4 years ago - Comments: 7
Latest Photos
All
Latest Forum Discussions
AllThe Ugly Dulcimer - A Story
Posted: Tuesday July 31 2018, 5:21 AM
By: @Sheryl St. Clare
By: @Sheryl St. Clare
Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming
Posted: Monday February 26 2018, 12:56 PM
By: @Jan Potts
By: @Jan Potts
Just For Fun - sayings regarding the...
Posted: Wednesday October 25 2017, 10:52 AM
By: @Val Hughes
By: @Val Hughes
Ukulele construction
Posted: Thursday September 14 2017, 9:42 AM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
A New "Old" Project
Posted: Friday March 10 2017, 4:09 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
PA German Zitter
Posted: Tuesday March 7 2017, 8:55 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Hindman, Kentucky
Posted: Saturday November 26 2016, 9:14 PM
By: @John C. Knopf
By: @John C. Knopf
Stanley Hicks article
Posted: Thursday July 7 2016, 12:08 PM
By: @Lexie R Oakley
By: @Lexie R Oakley
Wood Choice - Food For Thought
Posted: Sunday February 14 2016, 3:13 PM
By: @James Swayne
By: @James Swayne
Wayfaring Strangers
Posted: Thursday February 4 2016, 1:05 PM
By: @Ron Larson2
By: @Ron Larson2
Clifford Glenn
Posted: Sunday July 26 2015, 10:17 AM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
For Old Time Music Fans
Posted: Friday April 3 2015, 1:07 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Folk Music Resources
Posted: Wednesday February 11 2015, 1:18 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
A photo for Patty from Virginia
Posted: Thursday January 15 2015, 8:28 PM
By: @Patty from Virginia
By: @Patty from Virginia
The Dulcimer in Eastern Kentucky Videos
Posted: Thursday December 11 2014, 5:41 AM
By: @Rob N Lackey
By: @Rob N Lackey
2014 National Mountain Dulcimer Champions
Posted: Sunday September 21 2014, 7:35 AM
By: @John Keane
By: @John Keane
Repairing a Diamond Dulcimer
Posted: Sunday August 31 2014, 2:00 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Not a Mountain Dulcimer
Posted: Sunday March 10 2013, 3:57 PM
By: @James Phillips
By: @James Phillips
Encyclopedia of Appalachia
Posted: Friday October 19 2012, 10:17 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Comments
08/02/18 03:46:48PM @hstulips:
I camped on the mountains of Virginia on my way home to Canadas from Dulcimer University in NC. I pulled out my dulcimer and played to the mountains. It was an enchanting moment to be playing in the hills where this instrument originated!
08/02/18 12:20:32PM @ken-longfield:
Alan Thompson:
Ken please ignore my last post I had not joined the history group at the time and so was not up with the discussions on the pages. I am sorry to have troubled you.
Alan, no trouble at all. I remember seeing Brian's dulcimer at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. I am never bothered by folks who repeat information or ask a question that has been answered many times. I just assume that they are not familiar with the discussions and are new to either the dulcimer or its history. There are many rock groups that have used the dulcimer in their mix. I trust you will continue to explore and enjoy FOTMD.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
08/02/18 05:09:39AM @alan-thompson:
Ken please ignore my last post I had not joined the history group at the time and so was not up with the discussions on the pages. I am sorry to have troubled you.
08/01/18 08:57:22AM @alan-thompson:
Hi Ken I've just been having a look around the site and notice in the History group that you set up there is a reference to Brian Jones on stage with a MD and a couple of photos that was posted by Wout Blommers but he seems to have not been active on the site for awhile.
Now it just so happens that I did a google search for Rolling Stones Lady Jane the other day and it returned a video of the same being performed on the Ed Sullivan show thought you just might be interested as I had not seen it before. I would have posted this up as an addition to Wout's post but have no idea how to go about it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XirG-qwMCMc
06/13/18 10:26:13PM @jonh:
Thanks for welcoming me. The world of dulcimers seems to be a enjoyable place!
06/01/18 09:27:54AM @haleymuse:
Thank you! I'm very excited to join Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer!
05/13/18 04:51:49PM @james-kemp:
Thank you very much. Having a great time on the site & learning much! I appreciate your greeting
