Ken Longfield

Thank you, I just posted a thread in the Problems and Questions section with some good pics and hopefully good explanations.  Thanks for the welcome and I look forward to learning all about these neat instruments.

Dar it seems to me that you really like the mountain dulcimer and noter drone style of playing. It is too bad that you were discouraged in the past. I play noter drone and enjoy it. With that I do not attend festivals or belong to a club. 

I enjoy playing for my own enjoyment. With the issue of arthritis you may need to decrease your strum stroke and get more movement at the wrist and or elbow. I have some thumb arthritis and find that a noter 1/3 to 5/8" diameter helps that discomfort.

I just want to encourage you to pursue your dream. Please ask questions as you have them.

I'm thinking about trying the mountain dulcimer again.  Many years ago I tried Noter/Drone and liked it but was discouraged by folks and switched to hammered dulcimer.  I think I would like to try again.  I had shoulder issues strumming, arthritis.  Also, I don't know if my fingers are meant for chording.  When I took guitar lessons I was told to find another instrument.  My finger pads have a real slant so I don't know if they can hold down strings to chord.  A friend said I should get a short VSL for arthritis.  So...  I really don't know where or how to begin.  I don't want to spend a lot of money on a dulcimer if I won't be able to play.  I'm open to suggestions.  Who makes a dulcimer with a shorter VSL?  I've been looking on Facebook Marketplace and eBay.  I'm in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  I saw a beautiful Warren May, but I don't know about the VSL.  I'm happy for any help or suggestions.  Thanks.

Thanks!!

Thank you for the warm welcome Ken! I will check out The House of Musical Traditions.

Thank you.

Ken, it is so wonderful that you personally greet all our new FOTMD members.  
Thank you so much for your friendliness and support!

Thank you I'm looking forward to exploring the site and checking out the resources.

Thank you for the greeting! I look forward to participating. 

Thanks for the warm welcome, Ken! It's great to finally be able to meet you all. 

Thank you for the welcome, my dulcimer should come tomorrow, I hope I chose correctly! I'll be back with questions, I'm sure.

Hi Ken, thank you for your helpful response.  It is a pleasure to meet you and I look forward to interacting with (and learning from) you and the other members.

Bruce

Thank you Ken for your welcome.  I have so many questions about the right dulcimer for me.  And which virtual dulcimer festivals to go to.  I signed up with dulcimoon.  Most of the live festivals are too far away.  I have had a couple of lessons and will continue with those.  I love the dulcimer sound.  thanks again.  any beginners tips are welcome

6/29/26 Hi, Ken. Good to hear from you again. I appreciate all your interest in the roots of the mountain dulcimer. If you clicked on www.DulcimerMusic.Net on this site, it is not "live" (in blue). Just go to your search engine and put the above link at the top, hit your return button and it comes up. No problem for me to get it doing that. Like many websites it's not up-to-date, but there is a lot of information on it. Have a happy visit. Lois 

6/29/26 Hi, Ken. Good to hear from you again. I appreciate all your interest in the roots of the mountain dulcimer. If you clicked on www.DulcimerMusic.Net on this site, it is not "live" (in blue). Just go to your search engine and put the above link at the top, hit your return button and it comes up. No problem for me to get it doing that. Like many websites it's not up-to-date, but there is a lot of information on it. Have a happy visit. Lois 

Thank you, Ken!

Thank you, Ken! It is great feeling to be back among the FOTMD Tribe! 

Thank you Ken!
This forum looks like it has much information. I am so eager to learn.

Thank you for the welcome! I am really looking forward to making progress with the help of this community!

Deb

Thank you for welcoming me to the site, Ken. I've played guitar and clawhammer banjo for years, so the beginner-friendly aspects of mountain dulcimer have come easily; I'm here to make sure I learn the fundamentals correctly, progress to the intermediate skill level, and learn more of the culture.

Thanks again!

Ryan