Group Discussions

Traveling with a dulcimer

Has anyone taken their dulcimer with them when they go visit family, ie via airlines?  If so, how do you do it?  It is kind of long to be hand...
@Peggy M started 10 years ago - replies: 9

Dulcimer Tuning- DAA to DAd?

Hi everyone.  I have two dulcimers.  One is tuned to DAD and the other one is tuned to DAA.  My question is can I re-tune the DAA to DAD so that...
@Cat Brown started 10 years ago - replies: 4

Dan Doty dulcimer question

I am new to learning the dulcimer.  I had bought one years ago in 1981 or so and I don't even remember where or how I got it.  It is a Dan Doty...
@Peggy M started 10 years ago - replies: 6

A place for my pick!

I pass this tip on to others who like myself have had a problem losing their picks. Recently I attached a plastic-pick holder to the side of my...
@John W. McKinstry started 11 years ago - replies: 13

Your beginner progress this week- I'm working on...

Hey newbies and dulcimer beginners- Post here to tell us about something you have been working on or learning this week! There is nothing too...
@Strumelia started 15 years ago - replies: 3

Tuning to C

When tuning to the key of C, is the bass string tuned to middle C or the next lowest?  I have broke one string already don't want to do that again.
@Peggy M started 11 years ago - replies: 3

Play it however you want, but do record.

Not intending anything other than an easy discussion on the various ways to approach learning a new instrument.1. Get a book or dvd2. Read info...
@Mandy started 11 years ago - replies: 18

Am I too old to learn to play dulcimer?

I thought this would be an interesting discussion in the beginners' group.I just wrote a blog post about this question, and here are my thoughts on...
@Strumelia started 17 years ago - replies: 32

An adjusted music stand for the dulcimer

I have a cheap metal collapsible music stand that I bought for a dollar at a tag sale. When sitting however the music level on the stand is too...
@John W. McKinstry started 11 years ago - replies: 1

Interactive Rhythm Tutor on-line

I see a lot of beginners, and any who come to me for help really struggling with reading rhythm, or even asking questions about it. I was thinking...
@Cynthia Wigington started 11 years ago - replies: 10

Squeaky strings

Thanks to all of the answers I received about my tuning problem. As a newbie, I have one other question. When moving between frets quicklywithout...
@Gail Webber started 13 years ago - replies: 8

How to maximize the learning experience at a festival?

Hello All,I am going to my first festival this weekend (2/28/15). Any tips out there for a newbie to maximize the learning experience? I am taking...
@Neil W. Millard started 11 years ago - replies: 11

Great resource - Stephen Seifert Join the Jam videos

First let me say I do not know Stephen and have never met him. I am not affiliated with him in any way, I'm just a very satisfied customer and...
@Mandy started 12 years ago - replies: 2

My first MD :)

On March 17, St. Patrick's Day, I've received my dulcimer from Rodney Hensley!I like it very much. It has adorable sound - not so mellow, but not...
@Volha started 11 years ago - replies: 24

Piano as 1st Language

It's said your first language colors your thinking. (Trust me, thiswill get to the dulcimer.) Back when folks learned computer programming, the...
@Lois Sprengnether Keel started 11 years ago - replies: 12

Playing in a different octave

As a beginner 3 years ago April 1st, I began playing in DAd, and didn't change tuning for quite sometime. When I finally discovered CGC, it was a...
@Terry Wilson started 11 years ago - replies: 10

Doing a video series of beginner play along videos

On my YouTube page, I decided to do a video series so beginners can play along with what I am playing. What I will be doing is one week I will...
@James Phillips started 11 years ago - replies: 5

Finger dancing basics?

Have been away from FOTMD a bunch lately, but notice Finger Dancing mentioned in passing on some recent discussions. Ever since I discovered this...
@Lois Sprengnether Keel started 11 years ago - replies: 17

Singing With the dulcimer can be fun.

A beginning student of mine wants to play the dulcimer while she sings nursery rhymes to her grandchild. I have written the fret numbers on a small...
@John W. McKinstry started 11 years ago - replies: 5

What is a good timeframe for a lesson?

Hello All,I am a new student of the dulcimer within the past month. I was wondering how long an individual lesson should be? I just had a lesson of...
@Neil W. Millard started 11 years ago - replies: 14