Location:
Location: Reedsville, PA
Country: US
Country: US
My Latest Followers:
Stats
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
All
@ken-longfield
• 5 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Purpose of DAA tuning":
Posted a response to "Purpose of DAA tuning":
"In DAA you have three notes below the starting note of the scale. In DAd you have to grab those notes on the middle string. Although no one know who..."
@ken-longfield
• 10 hours ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on @kathydulcimerfl:
Posted a new Comment on @kathydulcimerfl:
"Welcome to FOTMD Kathy. It is good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 10 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "tuning my guitar into a three string dulcimer":
Posted a response to "tuning my guitar into a three string dulcimer":
"I forgot to answer your other questions. I am not sure to which of Mel Bays books your are referring to in you question. Some of the Mel Bay books offer both..."
@ken-longfield
• 10 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "tuning my guitar into a three string dulcimer":
Posted a response to "tuning my guitar into a three string dulcimer":
"As I think was mentioned before you started this thread, you will not have a doubled melody string unless you want to rework the nut and bridge on your..."
@ken-longfield
• 16 hours ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Sears and Roebuck dulcimers ":
Posted a response to "Sears and Roebuck dulcimers ":
"Not being a good archivist, I did not write down the years of these three pages from the Sears catalog. The other attachment is a similar dulcimers marketed..."
@ken-longfield
• 2 days ago
• comments: 17
Posted a new Comment on Hymn and Worship Song Players:
Posted a new Comment on Hymn and Worship Song Players:
"Here is a link. You need to scroll down to the tune.
http://www.sjamusic.org/dulcimerbinder3advanced.pdf
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
"
@ken-longfield
• 2 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @smoke-sam:
Posted a new Comment on @smoke-sam:
"Welcome to FOTMD Smoke Sam. It is good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 2 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @rond:
Posted a new Comment on @rond:
"Welcome to FOTMD RonD. It is good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 2 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @diane-mayfield:
Posted a new Comment on @diane-mayfield:
"Welcome to FOTMD Diane. It is good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 2 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @harmony51:
Posted a new Comment on @harmony51:
"Welcome to FOTMD Harmony51. It is good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 2 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @slowpicker1950:
Posted a new Comment on @slowpicker1950:
"Welcome to FOTMD Slowpicker1950. It is good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 2 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @rbbadger:
Posted a new Comment on @rbbadger:
"Welcome to FOTMD Rbbadger. It is good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 3 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "The Positive Thread...":
Posted a response to "The Positive Thread...":
"Thanks for the clarification, Susie. I really must have been in a fog! Dusty, thanks for sharing your story.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 4 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "The Positive Thread...":
Posted a response to "The Positive Thread...":
"Susie, that was a serendipitous encounter. I'm glad it helped you.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 4 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "The Positive Thread...":
Posted a response to "The Positive Thread...":
"Aubrey and Elwood always do a good job in presenting their music. I'm glad you and Mark were able to attend their show.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 4 days ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Rob N Lackey:
Posted a new Comment on Rob N Lackey:
"Nice photo. Where was it taken? You look like you are taking playing seriously."
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @old-man-lad:
Posted a new Comment on @old-man-lad:
"Welcome to FOTMD Old Man Lad. It is good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @uker:
Posted a new Comment on @uker:
"Welcome to FOTMD Uker. This is a good place to sell a dulcimer. I am sad that you do not want to play it.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @dave54:
Posted a new Comment on @dave54:
"Welcome to FOTMD Dave54. It is good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 4
Liked a youtube item created by @janene-millen: Rosewood Casket
Liked a youtube item created by @janene-millen: Rosewood Casket
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Sneak peek at a walnut Thomas with Possum Board":
Posted a response to "Sneak peek at a walnut Thomas with Possum Board":
"Very nice John. Happy Birthday again.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 21
Posted a new Comment on Tuning peg knobs:
Posted a new Comment on Tuning peg knobs:
"Thank you all. One thing I didn't mention was fitting the buttons to the shaft of the tuning pegs. The shaft is 3/16th inch in diameter with a flat surface..."
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 3
Liked a youtube item created by @ethan-chastain: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Liked a youtube item created by @ethan-chastain: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 21
Posted a new Comment on Tuning peg knobs:
Posted a new Comment on Tuning peg knobs:
"I finally finished the putting the planetary tuners on the Green River and McSpadden dulcimers. Here are photos of the finally installation.
Ken
The..."
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "A litle confused on string gauges ":
Posted a response to "A litle confused on string gauges ":
"You can also order the proper set of strings from The Dulcimer Shoppe, home of McSpadden dulcimers. For your T34 you will need loop end strings. I think the..."
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on New Purpleheart dulcimer made by Ron Ewing!:
Posted a new Comment on New Purpleheart dulcimer made by Ron Ewing!:
"Looks good, but I wouldn't expect anything less from Ron. You have a fine instrument there. Enjoy.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on @rick-mcnelly:
Posted a new Comment on @rick-mcnelly:
"Nothing wrong with plywood. I made a couple of dulcimers out of marine grade mahogany plywood which sounded pretty good. As long as the plywood itself is..."
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 12
Posted a new Comment on @rick-mcnelly:
Posted a new Comment on @rick-mcnelly:
"Welcome to FOTMD Rick. It is good to have you aboard. If you have any questions about the dulcimer, just ask. We make up some pretty good answers...."
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @fredman:
Posted a new Comment on @fredman:
"Welcome to FOTMD Fredman. 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 @danijay:
Posted a new Comment on @danijay:
"Welcome to FOTMD Danijay. It is good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 2
Liked a youtube item created by @granto: The Old Rugged Cross - Grant Olson
Liked a youtube item created by @granto: The Old Rugged Cross - Grant Olson
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Liked a forum discussions item created by @robin-thompson: Hog-Eyed Man playing Green River
Liked a forum discussions item created by @robin-thompson: Hog-Eyed Man playing Green River
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on @msmussel:
Posted a new Comment on @msmussel:
"Welcome to FOTMD Msmssel. It is good to have you aboard.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song.""
@ken-longfield
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 21
Posted a new Comment on Tuning peg knobs:
Posted a new Comment on Tuning peg knobs:
"Tell me about it Bob! I broke a few buttons trying to drill out he hole for the shaft and screw. I did a good bit of filing and sanding on them. I am..."
@ken-longfield
• 3 weeks ago
• comments: 21
Posted a new Comment on Tuning peg knobs:
Posted a new Comment on Tuning peg knobs:
"Sorry, Irene. You lose the bet. I made the round part using a plug cutter. I cut apart the buttons (knobs) using a bandsaw. If I'm satisfied with the finish..."
Latest Group Discussions
All
Tuning peg knobs
I have a customer who is having the tuning pegs replaced on two of his...
@Ken Longfield 2 months ago - Comments: 21
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 Photos
All
Latest Forum Discussions
AllJust 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
11/10/19 08:24:28AM @harmony51:
Thank you for your Welcome. I look forward in learning from this group. and meeting more of you all.
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.
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.
08/23/19 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! :)
08/10/19 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
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
