Location:
Location: Reedsville, PA
Country: US
Country: US
My Latest Followers:
Stats
youtube videos: 1
images: 77
events: 3
Groups: 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
• an hour ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on Doxology on my Bill Taylor Dulcimer:
Posted a new Comment on Doxology on my Bill Taylor Dulcimer:
"Very nice Cindy. Well played.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 10 hours ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on @dulcimerjoy:
Posted a new Comment on @dulcimerjoy:
"Welcome to FOTMD Dulcimerjoy. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• yesterday
• comments: 10
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimer:
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimer:
"I thought it looked familiar. Yes, that is a spruce top. Back and sides should be walnut.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 2 days ago
• comments: 10
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimer:
Posted a new Comment on Dulcimer:
"Very nice dulcimer. Do you know who made it? It looks like a McSpadden.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 3 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @mattmorin:
Posted a new Comment on @mattmorin:
"Welcome to FOTMD, Matt. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 3 days ago
• comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on A Medley of Hymns (Instrumental):
Posted a new Comment on A Medley of Hymns (Instrumental):
"Beautiful John. Thanks for sharing this.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 4 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @kkimura:
Posted a new Comment on @kkimura:
"Welcome to FOTMD Kkimura. It's good to have you aboard. Let us know if we can aid you on your dulcimer journey.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 6 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Fret that won’t stay put":
Posted a response to "Fret that won’t stay put":
"I wear nitrile or latex gloves when working with CA glue. It is nasty when you accidentally glue your fingers together.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 6 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Holiday":
Posted a response to "Holiday":
"Welcome home, Ken! I'm sure you have stories to tell.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @annmarie:
Posted a new Comment on @annmarie:
"Welcome to FOTMD Ann Marie. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation here.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @susan-jelus:
Posted a new Comment on @susan-jelus:
"Welcome to FOTMD Susan. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation here.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Trust and Obey:
Posted a new Comment on Trust and Obey:
"Excellent Richard. Thank you for sharing this.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on @alan:
Posted a new Comment on @alan:
"Welcome to FOTMD Alan. It is good to have you aboard. I'm glad that you enjoy reading the Forums. I hope that you will make a comment from time-to-time. Let..."
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "North country dulcimers floating bridge replacement":
Posted a response to "North country dulcimers floating bridge replacement":
"Thanks for the offer Jan. Like I said, I'm just curious and not that curious to really put you to all that work of tracing the bridge. I knew Robert..."
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 2
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: When the Work's All Done This Fall
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: When the Work's All Done This Fall
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 3
Liked a photos item created by @jan-potts: mccafferty terry purchased 10 26 18 at black mtn. music festival all curly cherry 25 inch vsl
Liked a photos item created by @jan-potts: mccafferty terry purchased 10 26 18 at black mtn. music festival all curly cherry 25 inch vsl
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "North country dulcimers floating bridge replacement":
Posted a response to "North country dulcimers floating bridge replacement":
"Thank you Jan. Now I want to know more. How wide is it at the base and the top? What is the diamond of the four holes drilled in it? What is the distance..."
@ken-longfield
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "North country dulcimers floating bridge replacement":
Posted a response to "North country dulcimers floating bridge replacement":
"Thanks, Jan.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @roger-perry:
Posted a new Comment on @roger-perry:
"Welcome to FOTMD Roger. This is a great place to make connections with other dulcimer players. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your..."
@ken-longfield
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on The Traditional Dulcimore Gathering 2022:
Posted a new Comment on The Traditional Dulcimore Gathering 2022:
"I didn't know you did this Wally. That's a great way to introduce folks to the mountain dulcimer. Thanks for letting us know about your gift and how it will..."
@ken-longfield
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @anitacopywriter:
Posted a new Comment on @anitacopywriter:
"Welcome back to FOTMD Anita. It is good to have you here again. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Enjoy your travels and maybe we..."
@ken-longfield
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @catherinek:
Posted a new Comment on @catherinek:
"Welcome to FOTMD Catherine. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation here. Let us know if you have any questions.
Ken
"The..."
@ken-longfield
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @coopdad:
Posted a new Comment on @coopdad:
"Welcome to FOTMD Cropdad. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation here. Let us know if you have any questions.
Ken
"The dulcimer..."
@ken-longfield
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 4
Liked an events item created by @leo-kretzner: MOUNTAIN DULCIMER DAY at SCDH Fall Dulcimer Fest!
Liked an events item created by @leo-kretzner: MOUNTAIN DULCIMER DAY at SCDH Fall Dulcimer Fest!
@ken-longfield
• 4 weeks ago
• comments: 4
Liked a youtube item created by @rob-n-lackey: Picking on the porch 08-27-2022
Liked a youtube item created by @rob-n-lackey: Picking on the porch 08-27-2022
@ken-longfield
• 4 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "North country dulcimers floating bridge replacement":
Posted a response to "North country dulcimers floating bridge replacement":
"That's a good find Skip. If you go to Paula, you can see some really good photos of the bridge. That is another person you can contact if you need someone to..."
@ken-longfield
• 4 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "North country dulcimers floating bridge replacement":
Posted a response to "North country dulcimers floating bridge replacement":
"No problem, Buzz. Looks like you conquered it. Yep, that's a North Country Dulcimer alright. The place where the strings contact the bridge will be placed at..."
@ken-longfield
• 4 weeks ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @kimplumb:
Posted a new Comment on @kimplumb:
"Welcome to FOTMD Kim. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions. Let us know if have any questions.
Ken
"The..."
@ken-longfield
• 4 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "North country dulcimers floating bridge replacement":
Posted a response to "North country dulcimers floating bridge replacement":
"Robert Hutchinson was the maker of North Country dulcimers in Bairdsford, PA. Besides making dulcimers, he was known also as "The Kazoo Guy."A He is no..."
@ken-longfield
• 4 weeks ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @norcaljon:
Posted a new Comment on @norcaljon:
"Welcome to FOTMD NorCaljon. It is good to have you aboard and back in the dulcimer family. You had a great teacher in Ruth. And she steered you in the right..."
@ken-longfield
• 4 weeks ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @fharlm:
Posted a new Comment on @fharlm:
"Welcome to FOTMD Fharim. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation here.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 4 weeks ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @buzz:
Posted a new Comment on @buzz:
"Welcome to FOTMD Buzz. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation here.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 4 weeks ago
• comments: 13
Posted a new Comment on Thoughts on tonewoods?:
Posted a new Comment on Thoughts on tonewoods?:
"That is an interesting way to form the sides. I've never seen this technique before. Thanks for showing it.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a new song.""
@ken-longfield
• one month ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Restoring a Dulcimer:
Posted a new Comment on Restoring a Dulcimer:
"Another thing which John did not mention is that by "restoring" this dulcimer you might be destroying a significant early dulcimer. Do you know the maker? I..."
@ken-longfield
• one month ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @c-hudson:
Posted a new Comment on @c-hudson:
"Welcome to FOTMD C Hudson. It is good to have you aboard. I hope you find some folks to play with in Wisconsin. In the meantime, I look forward to your..."
Latest Group Discussions
All
T - 6
This is my sixth teardrop dulcimer. The shape comes from plans by Scott...
@Ken Longfield last year - Comments: 12
Latest project - Prichard
I started to build a C.N. Prichard reproduction, but made a mistake...
@Ken Longfield 2 years ago - Comments: 9
Making wood tuning pegs
For those of us who make wood tuning pegs, what finish do you put on...
@Ken Longfield 2 years ago - Comments: 3
Current build
Here are some photos as I near the completion of this project. The...
@Ken Longfield 2 years ago - Comments: 15
Tuning peg knobs
I have a customer who is having the tuning pegs replaced on two of his...
@Ken Longfield 3 years ago - Comments: 23
Wood Choice - Food For Thought
I came across this experiment for classical guitars and found it...
@Ken Longfield 6 years ago - Comments: 13
The Ugly Dulcimer - A Story
Somewhere and at sometime someone decided to build a mountain dulcimer...
@Ken Longfield 4 years ago - Comments: 8
Repairing a Diamond Dulcimer
While this is not a build, we do not have a specific area to show...
@Ken Longfield 8 years ago - Comments: 17
PA German Zitter
Here are some photos of PA German zitter reproduction I'm making. There...
@Ken Longfield 5 years ago - Comments: 17
Not a Mountain Dulcimer
A few folks here at FOTMD know that I was working on a hammered...
@Ken Longfield 9 years ago - Comments: 9
A New "Old" Project
Back maybe 20 to 25 years ago, my sister was wandering through a yard...
@Ken Longfield 5 years ago - Comments: 2
Stanley Hicks article
Although not dulcimer specific, Stanley Hicks played a significant...
@Ken Longfield 6 years ago - Comments: 8
The Story of the Dulcimer, Second Edition
This is just a notice that it is available for pre-ordering on Amazon.
@Ken Longfield 7 years ago - Comments: 14
PA German Zitter
As I understand it, Jean Ritchie saw a PA German Zitter in the...
@Ken Longfield 7 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 7 years ago - Comments: 1
Wartz Tab Book Corrections
In the Wartz tab book for the DAA "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms,"...
@Ken Longfield 8 years ago - Comments: 2
My First Prichard
It is not quite finished, but I thought I would share a photo of my...
@Ken Longfield 8 years ago - Comments: 14
J. E. Thomas Dulcimer #1465 played by Joe Collins
Here is a link to a video of Joe Collins playing my James E. "Uncle...
@Ken Longfield 8 years ago - Comments: 6
String tension calculations
Over at the Banjo Hangout I saw a posting for a string tension...
@Ken Longfield 8 years ago - Comments: 5
Latest Photos
All
Latest Forum Discussions
AllMike Clemmer
Posted: Friday December 17 2021, 9:41 AM
By: @Skip
By: @Skip
Don Pedi honored
Posted: Thursday September 16 2021, 6:11 AM
By: @Susie
By: @Susie
Joni Mitchell and Mountain Dulcimers
Posted: Thursday August 26 2021, 8:38 PM
By: @Dusty Turtle
By: @Dusty Turtle
Zoom group invitation
Posted: Sunday May 23 2021, 6:24 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
An Interesting News Story from West Virginia
Posted: Thursday April 15 2021, 8:15 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Bonnie Carol
Posted: Saturday April 3 2021, 6:54 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Newspaper Article
Posted: Saturday March 13 2021, 10:38 AM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
Jon Pickow's last performance
Posted: Saturday January 23 2021, 10:07 PM
By: @Ken Hulme
By: @Ken Hulme
Sad News -- RIP Ralph Lee Smith
Posted: Thursday December 31 2020, 3:05 PM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
Dr. George Orthey, Mountain dulcimer and...
Posted: Thursday November 26 2020, 12:07 PM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
Anyone bidding"
Posted: Thursday September 17 2020, 5:49 AM
By: @Susie
By: @Susie
The New ED
Posted: Sunday April 19 2020, 10:50 AM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Guitar project
Posted: Tuesday January 28 2020, 9:13 PM
By: @Susie
By: @Susie
Just For Fun - sayings regarding the...
Posted: Monday April 8 2019, 5:54 PM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
Sad News
Posted: Tuesday January 15 2019, 8:16 PM
By: @jeffrey charles foster
By: @jeffrey charles foster
Capritaurus Dulcimer - Oh My!
Posted: Thursday November 22 2018, 7:56 AM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming
Posted: Monday February 26 2018, 12:56 PM
By: @Jan Potts
By: @Jan Potts
Ukulele construction
Posted: Thursday September 14 2017, 9:42 AM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Hindman, Kentucky
Posted: Saturday November 26 2016, 9:14 PM
By: @John C. Knopf
By: @John C. Knopf
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
Encyclopedia of Appalachia
Posted: Friday October 19 2012, 10:17 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Comments
09/23/22 02:35:25PM @ceilidhdog:
Thanks for the welcome. I'm looking forward to learning to play this thing and to meeting lots of folks.
09/10/22 08:46:30PM @anitacopywriter:
Hi Ken,
It is good to be back! For the last couple of years, I have performed other types of music with my hubby. We took early retirement and plan to travel and play music as we go. We may very well cross paths with you as we travel!
09/06/22 03:27:42PM @norcaljon:
Thank so much for your welcome. I have very sweet memories of Ruth teaching me when I was so young!
08/19/22 03:42:34AM @soledad:
Thank you Ken. I'm halfway through a build at the moment (spruce top, sycamore back and sides, 27" scale). Very close to needing to commit on soundholes so will have a look round here - I magine it has been discussed. Also keen to discover new players and music styles on dulcimer.
08/14/22 06:48:52PM @diane-hogue:
Thank you, Ken. I'm hoping members of this group can give me some advice. I found a wonderful instructor near where I live and have been fortunate enough to be taking in-person lessons for about 7-8 months. But, when I play, it sounds like I'm just typing. There is no rhythm. I can follow my instructors tablature. But I'm only strumming out. I don't know where, or when, to strum inwards. And I can't tell where I should be applying a little more "oomph" for more feel or emphasis. My instructor is trying to help, but I can't seem to progress.
I bought a book written by Maureen Sellers. One of the reasons I like this particular book is that it shows both inward and outward strokes. I'd love to find another book like that. I'm so tired of sounding like I'm just typing!
Are you aware of any books or lessons that could help someone like me?
Thanks!
07/27/22 01:17:55PM @glacier:
Thanks for the warm welcome, Ken! I've been having a good time going down the rabbithole of youtube videos and forum discussions as I decide what to buy as my first mountain dulcimer! :)
07/18/22 07:33:17AM @cynthia-wigington:
Isn't that nice, and you even got our not-too-hot summer weather. Starting tomorrow it's going to be broiling again for who knows how long. Thanks for sharing that with me.
07/12/22 11:40:37PM @jade-pond:
Thank you for the kind welcome. I look forward to learning about this community and how I can contribute.
05/10/22 08:24:18AM @theresasc:
Thanks for the welcome. I am now waiting for a Ron Gibson cherry MD, I am really looking forward to exploring music with it.
03/01/22 11:33:00PM @dulcimer-radio:
Thanks so much for the warm welcome, and the kind comments on Dulcimer Radio and Sweetwater. Though it's pretty new, I think you many have just made my year! xox
