Let's talk about the history and music of the American Heartland

Visit our Sister Sites
CreekDontRise.com Home Page Visit our sister site, School of the Rock
Visit our Classic Train Songs Page
A page devoted to some of Paul's own music endeavors.
 

It is currently Thu Mar 28, 2024 4:55 am


To ask any question about the content on this site please use our Site Contact Page.

To sign up for this discussion forum, please use our Forum Signup Page.

Either way, we'll be very glad to hear from you - Paul Click to see Paul's music home page Click to contact Paul through this page. Click to see Paul's music page on Facebook Click to see Paul's music blog page Click to hear Paul's music on SoundCloud. Click to sign up for this discussion forum. Click to learn about our Momma Don't Low Newsletter. Click to see Paul's YouTube Channel. Click to see Paul's Twitter Page

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Wed Aug 13, 2014 3:37 pm 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Thu May 15, 2014 3:39 pm
Posts: 1004
I was going to say "Hammered Dulcimer players," but it occurred to me that I might be getting the attention of Appalachian dulcimer players who've had too much to drink. I find this instrument delightful to hear and devilish to play. If you have anything you would like to share or ask, hit the "New Topic" or "Post Reply" button and join in the discussion.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Aug 18, 2014 7:13 pm 
Offline

Joined: Thu Jul 31, 2014 10:02 pm
Posts: 7
I have been working on playing this instrument for many years. It is interesting, and easier now that electronic tuners are widely available (sort of like the 12-string guitar). You have to start slowly, with easy songs. You also must pay attention to left-right-left hand technique as a beginner. So this is an instrument that is diffficult to self-teach. Peggy Carter (peggycarter.com) is a very good player (she lives in Texas) and gives monthly lessons online, for all levels. She is also a good teacher and the multi-level approach is effective. Speaking of hammered dulcimer, check out these interesting You Tube videos --

Use of hammered dulcimers for "Dutch hop" dances: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9zIFwm8cJY
History of Dutch Hop in Wyoming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qvmayb9Ics4
Red Desert Ramblers, from Salt Lake city, use the hammered dulcimer front and center in traditional/bluegrass: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKr4z9XPK_4


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 6:46 am 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Thu May 15, 2014 3:39 pm
Posts: 1004
Susan, thanks for the links. Unlike 12-string, you don't have to worry about a string going out of tune when you fret it because of bad bridge placement. :-) But you're right, it takes a fantastic amount of coordination. I'm at the age where I'm pretty sure I'll never play one in public, but they sure are fun.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Fri Sep 05, 2014 9:40 pm 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Thu May 15, 2014 3:39 pm
Posts: 1004
Hammered dulcimer, like violin, is one of those instruments I've never learned, and now feel like it might be too late to learn. I admire the great ones I've seen, and I admire the great players I know. But I wasn't really thinking about getting one - I was really combing the net for a Howard Lamey Appalachian dulcimer when I came across a like-new starter model not too far from my house for $125. Ouch.

Jake's Cabin Meadowlark. Never thought about going this route, since I know so many makers who make fantastic instruments that they sell for ridiculously low prices considering how much work they have into them.

And again, this strikes me as an instrument that will be hard to learn well in old age.

I put it with the specialty banjos and guitars I never have time to practice properly. We'll see.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Wed Sep 10, 2014 6:33 pm 
Offline
Site Admin
User avatar

Joined: Thu May 15, 2014 3:39 pm
Posts: 1004
A friend told me that a number of great players use the Meadowlark on tour because they're so solid and not quite as expensive to replace. And it does have a great sound. I imagine that in most house PAs you'd have trouble hearing the difference between this one and an expensive solid-top model. It will certainly be a great instrument to learn on if I can stop trying to look at the strings and start trying to look at the bridge. :-)


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 5 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours [ DST ]


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
cron




To ask any question about the content on this site please use our Site Contact Page.

To sign up for this discussion forum, please use our Forum Signup Page.


Paul Race playing a banjo. Click to go to Paul's music home page.Whatever else you get out of our pages, I hope you enjoy your music and figure out how to make enjoyable music for those around you as well.

And please stay in touch!

    - Paul Race Click to see Paul's music home page Click to contact Paul through this page. Click to see Paul's music page on Facebook Click to see Paul's music blog page Click to hear Paul's music on SoundCloud. Click to sign up for the Creek Don't Rise discussion forum. Click to learn about our Momma Don't Low Newsletter. Click to see Paul's Twitter Page Click to see Paul's YouTube Channel.



All material, illustrations, and content of this web site is copyrighted © 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006,
2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 by Paul D. Race. All rights reserved.

Note: Creek Don't Rise (tm) is Paul Race's name for his resources supporting the history and
music of the North American Heartland as well as additional kinds of acoustic and traditional music.

Creek Dont' Rise(tm) is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising
program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.



Visit related pages and affiliated sites:
- Music -
Heartland-inspired music, history, and acoustic instrument tips.
Best-loved railroad songs and the stories behind them.
Visit musings about music on our sister site, School of the Rock With a few tools and an hour or two of work, you can make your guitar, banjo, or mandolin much more responsive.  Instruments with movable bridges can have better-than-new intonation as well. The Independent Christian Musician. Check out our article on finding good used guitars.
Carols of many countries, including music, lyrics, and the story behind the songs. X and Y-generation Christians take Contemporary Christian music, including worship, for granted, but the first generation of Contemporary Christian musicians faced strong, and often bitter resistance. Different kinds of music call for different kinds of banjos.  Just trying to steer you in the right direction. New, used, or vintage - tips for whatever your needs and preferences. Wax recordings from the early 1900s, mostly collected by George Nelson.  Download them all for a 'period' album. Explains the various kinds of acoustic guitar and what to look for in each.
Look to Riverboat Music buyers' guide for descriptions of musical instruments by people who play musical instruments. Learn 5-string banjo at your own speed, with many examples and user-friendly explanations. Explains the various kinds of banjos and what each is good for. Learn more about our newsletter for roots-based and acoustic music. Folks with Bb or Eb instruments can contribute to worship services, but the WAY they do depends on the way the worship leader approaches the music. A page devoted to some of Paul's own music endeavors.
- Trains and Hobbies -
Free building projects for your vintage railroad or Christmas village.
Visit Lionel Trains. Click to see Thomas Kinkaded-inspired Holiday Trains and Villages. Big Christmas Train Primer: Choosing and using model trains with holiday themes Building temporary and permanent railroads with big model trains Click to see HO scale trains with your favorite team's colors.
- Christmas Memories and Collectibles -
Visit the FamilyChristmasOnline site. Visit Howard Lamey's glitterhouse gallery, with free project plans, graphics, and instructions. Click to return to the Old Christmas Tree Lights Table of Contents Page Click to sign up for Maria Cudequest's craft and collectibles blog.
Click to visit Fred's Noel-Kat store.
Visit the largest and most complete cardboard Christmas 'Putz' house resource on the Internet.
- Family Activities and Crafts -
Click to see reviews of our favorite family-friendly Christmas movies. Free, Family-Friendly Christmas Stories Decorate your tree the old-fashioned way with these kid-friendly projects. Free plans and instructions for starting a hobby building vintage-style cardboard Christmas houses. Click to find free, family-friendly Christmas poems and - in some cases - their stories. Traditional Home-Made Ornaments



Click to trains that commemorate your team!

Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group