Hi Macy,

You're not using the feather wrongly, just differently LOL!!!

It is good to physically try out lots of different ideas and see what works for you, what sounds you can get, what style of playing suits what tune etc. That's the great thing about FOTMD is that we get the chance to see and hear so many different techniques. Personally I like to have a go at physically copying as much as possible that I see and hear on FOTMD - the waya playersits, holds the dulcimer, their left hand movements or way the work with a noter, their right hand work, the tone they get, the rhythm and phrasing they use, the picks they use and how they hold themetc etc. By not just watching but by also physically having a go at all the different techniques (every new technique feels awkward at first by the way!) I hope I'm building up a better understanding of playing the instrument. And I'll bring bits of that experience into my own playing style.

I have a couple of friends who are pro-musicians and they are really "hands on" folk. As well as honing the skills they already have they are constantly, physically, trying new stuff.

And, most importantly, you have a dancing cat

LOL! I just watched the link that Robin Clark left. I was totally using the feather wrong! Although I kind of like that clicking noise it makes with every strum

I think you'll enjoy it (I know the cat will).

Thanks everyone! John that looks like a fun book, I think I shall get it.

Macy...bad news and good news. My pitiful "imitation" video camera won't hold enough (time-wise) to do the tutorial (it cuts off in the middle). However, "The Dulcimer Guy's Songbook" by Mike Anderson has the SH & G tune tabbed out basically as we play it. You can click the link and check it out:

http://www.dulcimerguy.com/mountain_dulcimer_books.htm

Maybe this'll help a little bit.

Great fun video - and a wonderful performance by both player and backing dancer

You can use lots of different birds feathers for strumming Macy, cut them in differnt ways, hold them in different ways and strum with them in different ways. It is well worth just experimenting and watching a few videos of other feather strummers to get some ideas. Here is a nice video of one way to use a feather:

Robin

Thanks Strumelia, if you want something to sell, put a pet or a kid in the ad! Do you ever strum with a feather? I'm guessing a peacock feather isn't the best, since it fell apart as I strummed and left quill dandruff on my dulci, or does that always happen? Are some types of bird's feathers better than others to use?

ok this is my new favorite video now.

Thanks, the tabs I found online seemed WAY calmer than your version!

Macy...I'll try to see if I can figure somethin' out.

Thank you. John we've been working on "Squirrel Heads and Gravy". Can you do a tutorial on it? I got the first part but it's so fast I can't get much farther but I also can't get it out of my head!

Too cute lol. There's something about cats and couches...