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The Last Mile of the Way

Richard Streib » Audio » The Last Mile of the Way
The Last Mile of the Way

The Last Mile of the Way



style or instrument: Traditional Dulcimore


musician/member name: Richard Streib


streams: 40



Description:

Played traditional style on a replication of a dulcimore made in 1917 for Balis Ritchie by James Edward Thomas.
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Nate
12/29/24 08:05:12PM @nate:

DavisJames:

The use of poplar is interesting,such a light wood, 

 

There is a property of wood called specific modulus or specific stiffness which plays a big role in tone and volume. It is basically the stiffness of wood relative to it's density. Poplar is interesting because it is very light, however it's extremely stiff for how light it is, so it tends to work well.
Randy Adams
12/29/24 05:23:18PM @randy-adams:

I wanna get on that buck a month plan
DavisJames
12/29/24 04:56:42PM @davisjames:

Thanks for your reply,Richard.. the background on Jean Ritchie and her father I had not known.The use of poplar is interesting,such a light wood, but it's an indication of how people used local resources for the best possible effect,got to love that!
Richard Streib
12/29/24 04:44:34PM @richard-streib:

@davisjames : Some additional information.
 The dulcimore played for this song was built by Dulcimore Dan (Dan Cox) on this site. It has a poplar top, black walnut back sides peg head tail piece and stapleboard, bone nut and bridge, fiddle edges, staple frets diatonically set, music wire strings and a hand rubbed oil finish. It weighs 1 lb 2.7 oz.

Balis Ritchie was the father of Jean Ritchie. Jean went to New York City following graduation from College with a degree in social work. She took her dulcimer with her and was influential in the spread of the dulcimer from the relatively small confines of the Appalachian Mountains.

James Edward Thomas, called Uncle Ed by many--from Knott County, KY, was a builder of mountain dulcimers. He began building in 1871 and continued until his death in 1933. His dulcimers were of the traditional Kentucky design, (he was highly influential in establishment of the Kentucky design) hourglass shape, fiddle edges, staple frets. His dulcimers were made of locally sourced poplar or black walnut. His dulcimers are diatonically fretted, light in weight with feet on the back for playing on the lap or a table top. Some were painted, usually black, and some finished with an oil finish. He is said to have traveled with a mule or horse drawn cart selling his dulcimers in the Appalachian mountains, some for $3 and some for $5. He would accept payment plans of 25 cents per week.

There are a few builders today who make a very close replication of the James Edward Thomas dulcimers. I am fortunate to own two other Thomas replications.
DavisJames
12/29/24 02:26:00PM @davisjames:

That's lovely,Richard.Any footnotes to James Edward Thomas?I'm in Canada,it's not part of our culture,nevertheless I'm fascinated by the instrument and its history.
Strumelia
08/26/23 08:01:56PM @strumelia:

Just beautiful Richard.

So tell us- who made this nice replica dulcimer you are playing here?
Robin Thompson
08/14/23 05:56:25PM @robin-thompson:

It's been many years since I've heard this old hymn, Richard.  Thanks for sharing it!