Location:
Location: Vacaville CA
Country: USA
Country: USA
My Latest Followers:
Stats
audio tracks: 5
I played Bluegrass music as a child/young adult. Playing the guitar hurt my fingers so much I gave up playing. I’m over 60 now so it might be a little late to learn a new instrument but I hope that using a noter will allow me to play without pain.
Latest Activity
All
@traildad
• 4 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Where have all the beginners gone, long time passing?":
Posted a response to "Where have all the beginners gone, long time passing?":
"So then you are wanting to reach newbies while the quarantine is in effect? Maybe contact some social media influencers. If you can find one that supports..."
@traildad
• 4 days ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Where have all the beginners gone, long time passing?":
Posted a response to "Where have all the beginners gone, long time passing?":
"It might work to have a “dulcimer booth” at other events or fairs. It would give teachers a chance to do hands on instruction for newbies. "
@traildad
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Choosing Your String Gauge":
Posted a response to "Choosing Your String Gauge":
"I’m glad I asked. I had gotten the impression or made the assumption that it was like using a calculator to figure what 2+2 is. It sounds like the calculator..."
@traildad
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "Choosing Your String Gauge":
Created a new forum topic "Choosing Your String Gauge":
"I’ve learned that it matters what string gauge is used and it depends on the VSL/scale and what key you are tuning to. Then I found out about online string..."
@traildad
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
"@ Strumelia Thanks for the reply. You are right about the just intonation dulcimers. I can translate the notation you used to put in to the string calculator..."
@traildad
• 2 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
"Dusty Turtle:
@Traildad, you are making a false assumption that a note using an upper case letter always refers to a note below middle C. I tune my..."
@traildad
• 4 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "What Are You Working On?":
Posted a response to "What Are You Working On?":
"I’m working on getting two just intonation dulcimers. Unfortunately one of them had a major fret placement defect and was unplayable. Hopefully I can get it..."
@traildad
• 4 weeks ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
"@Strumelia I went back and reviewed the blog posts..."
@traildad
• 4 weeks ago
• comments: 20
Posted a new Comment on Your favorite 155 tuning:
Posted a new Comment on Your favorite 155 tuning:
"@Ken-Hulme I was so frustrated that I have not read the last three responses until today. I am coming to the conclusion that the confusion may be related..."
@traildad
• one month ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
"Robin Thompson:
@traildad No, EAA is not 1-5-5. DAA is 1-5-5.
I'm not the best person to explain this because I am, really, a by-ear player. Here goes,..."
@traildad
• one month ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
"Robin Thompson:
For what it's worth (and it might not be worth much), I tune to the key of A by beginning in a "home base" tuning of DAA then placing a..."
@traildad
• one month ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
"Dusty Turtle:
The Strothers String Gauge Calculator suggests strings of .023 for A and .016 for E on a dulcimer with a 30 inch VSL and .026 and .018 for..."
@traildad
• one month ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
"@Ken-Hulme I left the name out on purpose to avoid it being about the person instead of the question. It is a well respected member. I assume personal..."
@traildad
• one month ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
"Ok it makes sense a baritone would need to be designed to sound best in the lower ranges. I want to stick with a “standard” size dulcimer. I reread the..."
@traildad
• one month ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
"@Dusty Turtle Yes that is why I want two dulcimers. I haven’t considered a baritone dulcimer. I heard of them but I don’t know what is different about them..."
@traildad
• one month ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
"Sorry if I’m not explaining this clearly or using the right terminology. I have one dulcimer with a VSL of 30”. I was planning to pair it with one around..."
@traildad
• one month ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
Posted a response to "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
"I should have mentioned that I am trying to figure this for 155 tunings. I think a melody string E is the highest note. Two dulcimers for four tunings...."
@traildad
• one month ago
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
Created a new forum topic "VSL, Tuning and Breaking Strings":
"I’ve read that a shorter or longer VSL is beneficial for different tunings especially to keep from breaking strings on the highest notes. I'm wondering how..."
@traildad
• 2 months ago
• comments: 3
Posted a new Comment on Reuben's Train:
Posted a new Comment on Reuben's Train:
"I like it. Well played. "
@traildad
• 2 months ago
• comments: 15
Posted a new Comment on Jean Ritchie Dulcimer Instructional Album:
Posted a new Comment on Jean Ritchie Dulcimer Instructional Album:
"Dusty Turtle:
Most people here already know this, but anyone interested in Jean's approach to teaching beginning dulcimer should also be interested in her..."
@traildad
• 2 months ago
• comments: 15
Posted a new Comment on Jean Ritchie Dulcimer Instructional Album:
Posted a new Comment on Jean Ritchie Dulcimer Instructional Album:
"It was posted to YouTube by Smithsonian Folkways Recordings so we can listen to it there knowing it is with their permission. "
@traildad
• 2 months ago
• comments: 15
Posted a new Comment on Jean Ritchie Dulcimer Instructional Album:
Posted a new Comment on Jean Ritchie Dulcimer Instructional Album:
"Robin Thompson:
There is no book for the older instructional material from Folkways-- a vinyl album and downloads including liner notes, I believe. The..."
@traildad
• 2 months ago
• comments: 15
Posted a new Comment on Jean Ritchie Dulcimer Instructional Album:
Posted a new Comment on Jean Ritchie Dulcimer Instructional Album:
"Looks like you can still get the recording but I don't see a link to purchase the book. "
@traildad
• 2 months ago
• comments: 15
Created a new Group discussion "Jean Ritchie Dulcimer Instructional Album":
Created a new Group discussion "Jean Ritchie Dulcimer Instructional Album":
"I found this playlist on YouTube that is Jean Ritchie’s dulcimer instructional album. Might be worth a listen for people learning how to play...."
OLD STYLE Drone & Noter players
OLD STYLE Drone & Noter players
@traildad
• 2 months ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on a piece aired in Jean's memory the day after her death:
Posted a new Comment on a piece aired in Jean's memory the day after her death:
"Thanks for the clip. That got me looking around for more videos and I found an instructional record of hers...."
@traildad
• 2 months ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "A Very Merry Christmas to all my New Friends":
Posted a response to "A Very Merry Christmas to all my New Friends":
"Merry Christmas to one and all and hoping for a better new year. "
@traildad
• 2 months ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Action is too low":
Posted a response to "Action is too low":
"Thanks for the positive thoughts. It will be my go to instrument when playing with others. It has a good sound and volume. "
@traildad
• 2 months ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Action is too low":
Posted a response to "Action is too low":
"I brought my dulcimer back to Dave and he adjusted the action. It now looks like the nickel and dime fit perfectly. Also the buzz is gone. 👌"
@traildad
• 2 months ago
• comments: 20
Posted a new Comment on Your favorite 155 tuning:
Posted a new Comment on Your favorite 155 tuning:
"Ken Hulme:
Forget about A' and E and d. Focus on 1-5-5. If you use the Relative tuning technique as I explained below and tune the open bass string to..."
@traildad
• 2 months ago
• comments: 20
Posted a new Comment on Your favorite 155 tuning:
Posted a new Comment on Your favorite 155 tuning:
"Is the key of A 155 tuned AEE or Aee or something else? The string gauge calculator uses C’, C, c, and c’ to differentiate between octaves. I thought it was..."
@traildad
• 2 months ago
• comments: 20
Posted a new Comment on Your favorite 155 tuning:
Posted a new Comment on Your favorite 155 tuning:
"Kevin R.:
Try this.
Thanks. "
@traildad
• 2 months ago
• comments: 20
Posted a new Comment on Your favorite 155 tuning:
Posted a new Comment on Your favorite 155 tuning:
"Strumelia:Assuming the standard of having a thicker wound bass string, a medium gauge middle string, and a thin gauge melody string:
If you are tuning..."
@traildad
• 2 months ago
• comments: 20
Posted a new Comment on Your favorite 155 tuning:
Posted a new Comment on Your favorite 155 tuning:
"@Strumelia I didn't mean to suggest you don't approve of other tunings. More like if you're tuning 155 then anything is ok as long as its 155. A 153 wouldn't..."
@traildad
• 2 months ago
• comments: 20
Created a new Group discussion "Your favorite 155 tuning":
Created a new Group discussion "Your favorite 155 tuning":
"I am exploring 155 tuning for Noter Drone style. After learning several songs tuned DAd I’ve learned my first song in DAA. In the process I learned to tune..."
OLD STYLE Drone & Noter players
OLD STYLE Drone & Noter players
Latest Group Discussions
All
Jean Ritchie Dulcimer Instructional Album
I found this playlist on YouTube that is Jean Ritchie’s dulcimer...
@traildad 2 months ago - Comments: 15
Your favorite 155 tuning
I am exploring 155 tuning for Noter Drone style. After learning several...
@traildad 2 months ago - Comments: 20
Getting rid of the 6 1/2 fret_Wabash Cannonball
I am thinking about getting a dulcimer with a diatonic fretboard for...
@traildad 2 months ago - Comments: 1
Modern Noter Drone Dulcimers
Sometimes it seems as though all dulcimers made today are designed for...
@traildad 3 months ago - Comments: 39
Homemade Noter
I received some 3/4 Purple Heart dowel I want to experiment with for...
@traildad 4 months ago - Comments: 4
String gauge
I have read in different posts that string gauge is important and the...
@traildad 5 months ago - Comments: 17
A couple love songs?
I’m glad I saw this group mentioned in another post. I’m about to learn...
@traildad 5 months ago - Comments: 7
What key am I playing in?
I learning Old Joe Clark noter drone style. My dad asked me what key I...
@traildad 5 months ago - Comments: 7
Using TEFpad app to help learn new songs
I wasn’t sure if I should post this here or in the technology group. I...
@traildad 6 months ago - Comments: 3
Does anyone use tabledit/TEFpad
I searched for posts on tabledit and all that I looked at had no...
@traildad 6 months ago - Comments: 6
Choosing a dulcimer
I’m looking for a quality mid-range beginner dulcimer. I’m currently...
@traildad 6 months ago - Comments: 18
Comments
10/19/20 02:51:28AM @traildad:
Thanks for the friendly welcome. I’m just finding this section but I’m sure I’ll figure things out eventually. :-)
08/22/20 08:30:18PM @ken-longfield:
Welcome to FOTMD Traildad. It is good to have you aboard. I look forward to your participation in these discussions.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
08/22/20 03:56:38PM @benjamin-w-barr-jr:
Hi Dad, 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
08/22/20 03:20:36PM @richard-streib:
Welcome Traildad to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. Glad you joined. This is a wonderful place to learn and to meet many new dulcimer friends. Best wishes on your dulcimer journey. Ask your questions. We are here to help.
