Paderau

Hi Padreau, and welcome to the wonderful world of the Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer.  It's a good place to come, spend some time, learn about the dulcimer, and to meet some good people.

Ben

Welcome!  Your Gary Mahoney instrument is beautiful, very elegant-looking.  I hope you enjoy all your musical journeys!  

Danny, I've never hear of Gary Mahoney but the dulcimer you have of his surely looks nice. May your dulcimers continue to bring you joy.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

Hello from Winfield! Thank you all for the warm welcome! It appears I've fallen for the MD. I'm 50, and after having been a nurse for 25 years, and catching that one bug that all of us most likely did, I had become disabled and unable to work since 2022. So, since then, I've gotten into this or that all over again, the kind of stuff I just never had time for while working but enjoyed while growing up. But, about six months ago, I decided that I needed just a little more joy and cheer in my life… and music fit the bill. I pulled out, for the third time in the intervening decades, my long late grandfather’s fiddle. But, I really needed something that I could play while in a recliner or in bed. I had always loved the ethereal sounds of the hammered dulcimer, and I almost bought one. But then, I came across Elizabeth Krause’s plucked psaltery videos on YouTube, and I decided that that sounded close enough to a HD for me, and so I bought a 20 stringed one from James Jones. I love it. But, I still can’t play a whole lot on it… just a matter of taking the time to practice. Then, while at an area music store, I was, as one thing has a way of leading to another, introduced to an old MD. A Gary Mahoney. Converted from left hand to right. 4 strings… 2 melody. #015 from August of 1985. I came home with it. I love the way it sounds. Warm and mellow. Some of you may have seen a picture of it on a recent Facebook post I had made in a certain group. Now, I took private violin lessons from elementary through high school, so I know a little about a little, but I’ve also forgotten a lot about a lot. I’d like to think I’m getting my “ear” back. And now, out of necessity, I’m finding myself learning more and more about music theory, in which I was never really instructed unless incidentally or without my knowledge or express written consent as I was beginning private violin lessons. I’m keeping this MD tuned to DAA, as it lacks a 6+. I thought I would save up a little to get a McSpadden, but… arriving tomorrow, courtesy Jerry of Song of the Wood… is a walnut TK O’Brien. I plan to use this for DAD. I may keep all four strings on it, or I may not… I like three on my other. And though I’ve not yet used a noter, I really like the noter/drone style… droning while playing on the melody string with maybe a dancing finger or two. I’m really a fan of folk and “Celtic” music… and really any song that has that sad, haunting, Ashokan Farewell sound to it. I don’t know that I’ll be getting into all these chords and stuff on the DAD, but we’ll see. I’ve yet way too much to learn, and I’ll be pestering you all with many a simple, basic question in the coming weeks and months no doubt that I can’t otherwise google or find on this site. So, again, thank you for the warm welcome, and for admitting me to the group. I promise I’ll mind my manners. And come this September, if you happen to come to Winfield, maybe I could meet up with one of you. Best wishes!

PS: I attach a pic of the Gary Mahoney

~ Danny Nemmers

Glad you joined, Paderau. Welcome to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. This is a wonderful community of folks who love the mountain dulcimer. Please ask if you have questions. Best wishes on your dulcimer journey.

Hi Padreau, and welcome to the wonderful world of the Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer.  It's a good place to come, spend some time, learn about the dulcimer, and to meet some good people.

Ben

Welcome to FOTMD Paderau. It's good to have you aboard. Let us know if we can help you any way as you continue on your dulcimer journey. I look forward to your participation in these discussions.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."