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Location:

Location: Reedsville, PA
Country: US

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youtube videos: 1

images: 67

events: 1

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

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@ken-longfield • yesterday • comments: 0
Liked a photos item created by @john-c-knopf: A new Tennessee music box that looks OLD...

@ken-longfield • yesterday • comments: 4
Liked a photos item created by @john-c-knopf: A new Tennessee music box that looks OLD...

@ken-longfield • yesterday • comments: 8
Liked a photos item created by @john-c-knopf: A new Tennessee music box that looks OLD...

@ken-longfield • yesterday • comments: 2
Liked a photos item created by @john-c-knopf: A new Tennessee music box that looks OLD...

@ken-longfield • yesterday • comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on A new Tennessee music box that looks OLD...:

"Very nice John. You do good work. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • yesterday • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @staylor:

"Welcome to FOTMD Staylor. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • yesterday • comments: 4
Liked a youtube item created by @peter-searle: Organic noter (aka finger) on the Hummel

@ken-longfield • 2 days ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @razzmatazz:

"Welcome to FOTMD Razzmatazz. It is good to have you on board. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 2 days ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @laurelridge:

"Welcome to FOTMD Laurelridge. It is good to have another Pennsylvanian on board. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 3 days ago • comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on Tips for using loop end strings on a build?:

"When I started building I used #2 screws either 1/2 or 3/4 inch long. I don't know if screw sizes differ from US sizes in the UK. I called the pins either..."

@ken-longfield • 4 days ago • comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on Your favourite or preferred shape to build / play:

"I've probably helped construct 60 or 70 Backyard dulcimers over the years. We had a week long folk music camp and ordered one for each participant. I still..."

@ken-longfield • 4 days ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @coloradoreel:

"Welcome to FOTMD ColoradoReel. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 5 days ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @james-griffie:

"Welcome to FOTMD James. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 5 days ago • comments: 0
Posted a response to "Moving to Southern Virginia":

"New Jersey's loss is Virginia's gain. Posted from someone who grew up in New Jersey, but moved to Pennsylvania 37 years ago. There were a lot of places I..."

@ken-longfield • 5 days ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @carol-jordan:

"Welcome to FOTMD Carol. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on William Duke Tester - Beech Mountain Dulcimer Maker:

"Greg, this is a new name to me. I am interested to see what others contribute. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @sheilag:

"Welcome to FOTMD SheilaG. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @boingercat:

"Welcome to FOTMD Boingercat. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on Your favourite or preferred shape to build / play:

"I've never built any "box" dulcimers, but I imagine they would be fairly easy to make. I enjoy the challenge of the hourglass shape. For me the teardrop is..."

@ken-longfield • one week ago • comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Capo off when not playing?:

"I do have a very good dulcimer stand and use it when playing out with two dulcimers. My accident happened during a workshop at a festival. I also noted in..."

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Capo off when not playing?:

"I kept a capo on one of my dulcimers as Dusty described. The dulcimer has a scroll peg head. One day I had it leaning against a chair while I was playing..."

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 0
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: Binghamton - an original hymn tune by Mark Gilston

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 11
Posted a new Comment on Handsome Molly (2009, short clip):

"I enjoyed your demo Lisa. It certainly was worth sharing. I am glad you did. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @gregory-smith-the-wandering-fool:

"Welcome to FOTMD Gregory. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @divergent-luthier:

"Welcome to FOTMD Divergent Luthier. It is good to have another Pennsylvanian and luthier on board. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @jackie:

"It usually is fun Jackie. Unfortunately I won't be able to make it this time. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @jackie:

"Welcome to FOTMD Milkweed_oid. It is good to have another Pennsylvanian on board. You should find a few dulcimer players around Pittsburgh. You might look..."

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @charlies-girl:

"Welcome to FOTMD Charlie's Girl. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @caitey:

"Welcome to FOTMD Caitey. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 2 weeks ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @paulinphoenix:

"Welcome to FOTMD Paul. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 3 weeks ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @cindyjoy:

"Welcome to FOTMD Cindyjoy. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 3 weeks ago • comments: 7
Posted a new Comment on @daniel-l:

"Welcome to FOTMD Daniel. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 3 weeks ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @larryciesla:

"Welcome to FOTMD Larry. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 3 weeks ago • comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @judyknudsen:

"Welcome to FOTMD Judy. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

@ken-longfield • 3 weeks ago • comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @earleeagan:

"Welcome to FOTMD Earleeagan. It is good to have you aboard. Ken "The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""

Latest Group Discussions

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Tuning peg knobs

I have a customer who is having the tuning pegs replaced on two of his...
@Ken Longfield one month ago - Comments: 11

The Ugly Dulcimer - A Story

Somewhere and at sometime someone decided to build a mountain dulcimer...
@Ken Longfield last year - Comments: 8

A New "Old" Project

Back maybe 20 to 25 years ago, my sister was wandering through a yard...
@Ken Longfield 2 years ago - Comments: 2

PA German Zitter

Here are some photos of PA German zitter reproduction I'm making. There...
@Ken Longfield 2 years ago - Comments: 17

Stanley Hicks article

Although not dulcimer specific, Stanley Hicks played a significant...
@Ken Longfield 3 years ago - Comments: 8

Wood Choice - Food For Thought

I came across this experiment for classical guitars and found it...
@Ken Longfield 3 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 4 years ago - Comments: 14

PA German Zitter

As I understand it, Jean Ritchie saw a PA German Zitter in the...
@Ken Longfield 4 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 4 years ago - Comments: 1

Wartz Tab Book Corrections

In the Wartz tab book for the DAA "Leaning On The Everlasting Arms,"...
@Ken Longfield 5 years ago - Comments: 2

My First Prichard

It is not quite finished, but I thought I would share a photo of my...
@Ken Longfield 5 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...
@Ken Longfield 5 years ago - Comments: 6

Repairing a Diamond Dulcimer

While this is not a build, we do not have a specific area to show...
@Ken Longfield 5 years ago - Comments: 17

String tension calculations

Over at the Banjo Hangout I saw a posting for a string tension...
@Ken Longfield 5 years ago - Comments: 7

Not a Mountain Dulcimer

A few folks here at FOTMD know that I was working on a hammered...
@Ken Longfield 6 years ago - Comments: 9

Latest Audio

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Latest Videos

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Landis Valley Zitter

@Ken Longfield
last year - Comments: 17

Latest Photos

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Latest Forum Discussions

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Just For Fun - sayings regarding the...

Posted: Monday April 8 2019, 5:54 PM
By: @Strumelia

Sad News

Posted: Tuesday January 15 2019, 8:16 PM
By: @jeffrey charles foster

Capritaurus Dulcimer - Oh My!

Posted: Thursday November 22 2018, 7:56 AM
By: @Robin Thompson

Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming

Posted: Monday February 26 2018, 12:56 PM
By: @Jan Potts

Ukulele construction

Posted: Thursday September 14 2017, 9:42 AM
By: @Ken Longfield

Hindman, Kentucky

Posted: Saturday November 26 2016, 9:14 PM
By: @John C. Knopf

Wayfaring Strangers

Posted: Thursday February 4 2016, 1:05 PM
By: @Ron Larson2

Clifford Glenn

Posted: Sunday July 26 2015, 10:17 AM
By: @Ken Longfield

For Old Time Music Fans

Posted: Friday April 3 2015, 1:07 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

Folk Music Resources

Posted: Wednesday February 11 2015, 1:18 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

A photo for Patty from Virginia

Posted: Thursday January 15 2015, 8:28 PM
By: @Patty from Virginia

The Dulcimer in Eastern Kentucky Videos

Posted: Thursday December 11 2014, 5:41 AM
By: @Rob N Lackey

2014 National Mountain Dulcimer Champions

Posted: Sunday September 21 2014, 7:35 AM
By: @John Keane

Encyclopedia of Appalachia

Posted: Friday October 19 2012, 10:17 PM
By: @Ken Longfield

Comments

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10/06/19 06:25:09PM @jackie:

Thanks for the welcome and event info. I hope to make it to Wartz 'n All this month. It sounds like fun.

09/01/19 10:56:45AM @redwolf:

Thank you for the welcome!

08/31/19 02:20:40PM @gilappalpick:

Thanks Ken. Nice to hear from you. Best wishes.

08/31/19 12:12:49AM @susan-bigelow:

Thank you, Ken! I'm very glad to have found this place.

08/29/19 08:16:13PM @marlene-powell:

Thanks Ken, I'm really excited to start learning. I, too, love the song: How Can I Keep From Singing. I have a beautiful version by Eva Cassidy that I play frequently. I would be overjoyed to learn to play it on the dulcimer.

08/28/19 07:19:58AM @daman2610:

Thanks Ken.

08/23/19 12:33:54PM @john-r-hensley-sr:

Thanks for the welcome! Am really looking forward to this group. Am a beginner dulcimer player and have a lor to learn.

08/15/19 12:52:23PM @ferrator:

Thank you Ken! Still looking about. I have a lot of time with my dulcimer, but that is 20+ years past now :(

FOTMD looks like the perfect place for me! I am loving it so far! :)

08/14/19 09:07:55PM @suzestrums:

Thanks so much for the welcome!

08/10/19 11:36:31AM @julieann:

Thank you Ken for the welcome... so far I'm loving this site... Dulcimer friends are the best... Have a wonderful day.... Happy Strumming

08/08/19 10:18:14AM @ken-longfield:

Yes, I have a copy of the CD, if I can locate it among my CDs. If you would like it, I'll make a copy and send it to you.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

08/07/19 10:10:53PM @robin-thompson:

Ken, do you have a copy of the Everything Dulcimer cd project? I'm trying to recall such a venture yet it may have been done before I joined in '05. Did you participate?

08/06/19 09:19:02AM @ld:

Thank you Ken! I will be exploring...and learning...and looking forward to getting to know the fine folks!

Thanks again for the warm greeting! LD

08/01/19 09:21:18PM @will-adams:

Thank you for the welcome, Ken!

07/26/19 06:45:47PM @aabboud:

Hi, Ken,

Thank you for the welcome. Learning to play a new instrument without formal instruction can be intimidating. Communities like this one help a lot and that's because of people like you.

All the best,

Anastasia

07/26/19 09:11:07AM @beverly-r:

Thanks Ken! I'm so glad to have found this group.

07/21/19 09:01:19PM @ken-longfield:

Jim, I live in Reedsville in Mifflin County. My wife is originally from Huntingdon and we get over that way occasionally to visit with our niece and my wife's sister. If you ever want to get together to talk dulcimers or play, let me know.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

07/21/19 07:52:23PM @jim-lee:

Ken - thank you for the thumbs-up from a fellow central Pennsylvanian

07/16/19 12:05:47PM @sarah-17545:

Thank you so much! Glad to have found ya'll!

07/08/19 09:06:00PM @ken-longfield:

Silverstrings, there are several places to ask about instruments. Under Forums there is a discussion on Instruments. There is a group for Beginners, one for Chord Style Playing, and another for Fingerstlye players where folks who own Blue Lion dulcimers may hang out. Having directed you to those places, I can say that I have a Blue Lion dulcimer and really like it. It is a quality instrument. They keep their value over the years and are highly prized. As you may know they currently are not accepting new orders due to some health problems. When those are resolved they intend to be back taking orders.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

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