Play dulcimer with me?

Subject: Play dulcimer with me?
From: GUEST,Kytrad
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 02:59 PM

To celebrate the dulcimer's becoming Kentucky's state instrument, I'm presenting my old dulcimer(that came to New York with me in 1947) to the Kentucky Historical Society Museum at Frankfort. This will be done during the program on the Old Capitol Mall on the evening of Sept. 29th. Program begins at 5:00 PM and ends around 11. My set is at 7:00PM. Friends are bringing dulcimers, all tuned to the key of G, and will play and sing along with me on my last number (all chose Amazing Grace, as everyone knows it, and it's easy!).

I would love to have any dulcimer-playing Mudcatters living in the area, to come and join in. If you're not attracted by the thought of doing this- the news that Sam Bush is closing the concert may draw you there just to listen... Love to all, Jean

Subject: RE: BS: Play dulcimer with me?
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 03:04 PM

Oh, wow, Jean! That would be a wonderful, once-in-a-lifetime treat! How generous of you. My son doesn't play, but he and his SO love good music and live near there. I'll be sure to let him know. Maybe they'll be able to attend.

Congratulations and thanks for letting us know and the invitation.

All the best,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Marymac90
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 03:25 PM

For those who might not know, the above invitation is from Jean Ritchie. Thanks, Jean. The Mudcat is honored.

I remember practicing from Jean's book, called, I think, _In Search of the Wild Dulcimer_, many years ago, with both my wooden dulcimer, and my cardboard one. The cardboard one came from Backyard Music, and over 20 years ago I used to prepare and assemble the dulcimer kits. David ....., (CRS!) the owner of the tiny company, moved from Phila to New Haven, but I would bet he's still making and selling cardboard dulcimers and kits. It's incredible to see him lead a sizable group of kids through the steps of putting a dulcimer together, and then teach them how to start playing, all in a couple of sessions over one weekend!

Subject: RE: BS: Play dulcimer with me?
From: GUEST,kytrad
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 03:41 PM

Thank you, Merrymac90- Mine is just called, The Dulcimer Book. In Search of the Wild... was Force/D'Osshe I believe. And yes, I'm Jean Ritchie (who seems to have lost her cookies, as I've suddenly become a "Guest.")

Subject: RE: BS: Play dulcimer with me?
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 04:19 PM

I've learned from Jean's book, just this year, as has my sister, bet. It is an honour to have you here among us, Jean. Thank you.

Now about that cookie...here's a recipe of recovery for you: Go to the Quick Links box on the main thread page, or up above on this page, Choose Reset Cookie and follow that process. It should fix you up right as rain.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Marymac90
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 04:32 PM

Ooops! Sorry, Jean! I had more than one dulcimer book that I puzzled over back then. Sorry I mixed yours up with the other one! I told ya'll about my CRS!

If you have any trouble with kat's directions on re-setting your cookie, you can let Max and the elves know about it under the HELP heading.

Marymac

Subject: RE: BS: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 05:05 PM

This is about the greatest invitation any dulcimer player could ever hope to get. I just wish Frankfort weren't so far away. I'm marking the calendar to play "Amazing Grace" around 8 p.m. that day.
I'm curious about who built that first dulcimer. Guessing from the Dulcimer Book, I'd bet it was Mr. Singleton.

Subject: RE: BS: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Banjer
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 05:57 PM

I will mark my calendar also to play Amazing Grace at the prescribed time. While I cannot be there in person I will be there in spirit. Why don't we all try to play along with Jean at that time? Thanks, Jean, for the invite. Sorry I can't make it. :-(

Subject: RE: BS: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 07:19 PM

I can do that!! Then, can we say we played with Jean? Lessee, 7 NYC time is 5 here, so say close to 6?

Subject: RE: BS: Play dulcimer with me?
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 08:34 PM

Oh what a good idea! I will, too!

Sorcha, according to my handy-dandy world time clock thingie, Lexington, KY is only an hour's difference from me. I can't get it to zero in on Frankfort, so would one of you in that area let us know for sure, please. Point of reference, we are two hours behind Mudcat time. Thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 08:34 PM

EAT YOUR HEART OUT MUDCATTERS!

I'll be there! And this gives me a reason to practice up on Amazing Grace. Jean, I'll bring several dulcimer players with me...I'm sure the Louisville Dulcimer Club knows, but just in case, I'll pass the word to Vikinglass and JamesJim! Oooooo, this is gonna be fun!

(Sorcha, you didn't know that dulcimer you sent me would see such times as these.)

Subject: RE: BS: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 08:38 PM

kat, Frankfort is on Eastern time. (Mudcat time)

Louisville is west of Frankfort and also on Eastern time.

I'm southeast of Louisville and on Eastern time.

The Central time zone begins just west of Elizabethtown on the Hardin County border.

Subject: RE: BS: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Sorcha
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 08:40 PM

Mary, I'm just very glad "my" dulcimer has a good home!!

Subject: RE: BS: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Robin2
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 09:40 PM

This is great, Jean!

I am curious...who made that dulcimer Jean?

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: Play dulcimer with me?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 09:46 PM

What is this thread doing with a BS prefix huh???

*G*

Is there time to learn dulcimer? Just kidding. Ah, what a thing to do, it's grand.

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: Play dulcimer with me?
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Aug 01 - 11:52 PM

Thanks, MaryinKy!

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: black walnut
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 09:46 AM

I live in Canada. Oy.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: GUEST,kytrad
Date: 23 Aug 01 - 01:59 PM

What a lovely response- thanks y'all- I'll be hearing all those far-away dulcimers playing in my heart, on the 29th! But rethink your time if you want to be in synch, as it's the last song on the set, which will be forty-five minutes or so (well we can't be EXACTLY in synch, and it doesn't matter a whit).

That dulcimer was made by Jethro Amburgy of Hindman, Knott Co., KY, where Dad Ritchie was born and raised. Jethro, a second cousin once removed, was a pupil of his neighbor Ed Thomas.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Banjer
Date: 03 Sep 01 - 01:35 PM

Today is the 3rd of September, Labor Day here in the US. I'm refreshing this thread and aim to keep it alive until the 29th comes along. I fully intend to be here playing Amazing Grace to the best of my ability around 7:40 PM EDT. What a joyful noise we will all make!!!

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Mudlark
Date: 03 Sep 01 - 03:38 PM

Oh, what a thing...to be able to play along in spirit with the queen of the dulcimers! I'll be playing along on my old McSpadden....Thank you so much for this opportunity!

Nancy

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: bet
Date: 03 Sep 01 - 08:13 PM

Congradulations! What an honor. I've had my dulcimer only a short time and love it. The kids at school are enjoyng it also. I'd love to play but can't make it. I'm sure it will be great. Those of us who can't make it will be really missing somethng. bet

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 11:56 AM

Oh man! If I still lived in Columbus or Cincy., you wouldn't be able to see me heading that way for the dust storm behind me!

Would someone please report back on the doins' there?

This ol' Cherokee hillbilly is plumb heartsick.

I'll be adding to the far away chorus that day as well.

I hearby declare this day as National Lap Dulcimer Strummin' Day!

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: SharonA
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 01:32 PM

Well, geez, now I've gotta go find myself a dulcimer. I only have less than a month to learn it... (we ARE talking about a mountain dulcimer, here, aren't we? I'd despair of learning hammer dulcimer in a month) Guess I know what song I'll learn first.

So what's a good dulcimer name to look for when shopping? (I don't particularly want a cardboard one)

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 01:59 PM

Sharon....There are lots of threads and lots of opinions of course, but THIS is tough to beat. Very nice playing and sounding dulcimer at a great price....Ask kat....I convinced her and she likes hers a lot. Really....SPruce top, mahoghany bask and sides, all solid, 6 1/2 fret, graba gig bag and off you go!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: SharonA
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 02:17 PM

Yeah, I just took a glance at her "I got one!" thread, as a matter of fact! It's hard to tell from the picture you linked to: does this model have scrollwork at the head (I really like that little touch)?

BTW, catspaw, my apologies: in my previous post, I should have said "hammered" dulcimer, not "hammer". Shame on me. (Now THERE'S my dream instrument!!! pant pant pant)

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Sep 01 - 04:37 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Banjer
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 06:18 PM

Only twenty days to go!!!!

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Mudlark
Date: 05 Sep 01 - 11:32 PM

Sharon....I like my McSpadden just fine. But once you've heard a Blue Lion Dulcimer it's pretty hard to be satisfied with anything less. Not cheap, but worth the price. Wish I had it....the price, that is...here is a site with info

www.simplesounds.com/mtdulcimers.htm

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Banjer
Date: 08 Sep 01 - 07:45 AM

In a post back on the 5th I indicated only 20 days to go...Must have been anxious and misfigured...As of today there are 21 days to go. *BRFG* (Big RED FACED Grin)

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: black walnut
Date: 08 Sep 01 - 08:19 AM

I agree, Mudlark. You usually get what you pay for. I love my pricey Bear Meadow made for me by Dwain Wilder in Rochester. I have the black walnut standard hourglass, with planetary tuners, and where many dulcimers have heart-shaped holes, mine are shaped like mangolia blossoms. It's a beautiful instrument to play. I think that the better the instrument, the less you have to fight with it to make good music. And even a beginner deserves some of that kind of peace.

LINK: Bear Meadow Dulcimers

~black walnut

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Sep 01 - 11:20 AM

.....and I think that both of you should try one of Warren May's fine dulcimers.

I'm still not sure if I can do this on the 29th, but I'm trying to figure a way to be there.....we'll see.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 08 Sep 01 - 11:27 AM

If anyone wants to fly into Louisville or Lexington airports, I can pick you up!

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: black walnut
Date: 08 Sep 01 - 11:37 AM

Hey, Spaw, I'll try ANY fine dulcimer! But up here north of the US border, there's really not much to see in the way of dulcimers at instrument shops or at festivals. A few months ago I went dulcimer shopping with a friend, and couldn't find even one dulcimer in Toronto that was either ready or willing to play even the simplest tune. I think that people buy these inexpensive instruments, thinking it's an easy thing to learn, but not wanting to put much investment into it, then they get frustrated, and then hang the dulcimer up over the fireplace as a pretty wall decoration.

I love to look at nice dulcimers on the web. But I love to play my Bear Meadow. I asked my friend Grit Laskin, the world-famous luthier, to examine my dulcimer for any major or minor flaws, and he declared, "There's absolutely nothing wrong with this instrument!". I know there are other great dulcimer makers out there, and I envy you guys who've tried them all, the good and the bad. I'm just glad that I got hooked up with Dwain Wilder, through Lorraine Hammond, and got an instrument I could grow into. It's a beauty.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: black walnut
Date: 08 Sep 01 - 11:44 AM

P.S. By the way, I should mention that I learned the basics of dulcimer on one made out of a cardboard kit, while I waited several months for mine to be made. The kit dulcimer was equal or better than many other dulcimers I've played. It was an excellent way to begin.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Sep 01 - 11:56 AM

I know B-W!!! Hey, here's an article you might enjoy a bit about Berea (where I went to school) and about 2/3 of the way down, you'll find some info about Warren Mays. Just above that is a paragraph referring to Neil and Mary Colmer........Neil is a weaver and was a good buddy of mine in college and his wife Mary is Arnie Naiman's sister-in-law..........CLICK HERE

Spaw

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: black walnut
Date: 08 Sep 01 - 12:17 PM

Oh, fun! Arnie and Kathy are friends of mine.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Banjer
Date: 09 Sep 01 - 02:02 PM

As of today there are 20 days to go!

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 09 Sep 01 - 02:54 PM

Banjer, you tickle me with all this Refreshing...it's refreshing! Are you bringing your dulcimer to Kentucky on the 29th? Oh and as to that, IF any Mudcatters ARE there, please say hello. Jean

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Banjer
Date: 09 Sep 01 - 03:59 PM

No, Jean, unfortunately I won't be able to make that trip. Not physically at least, but I will be there in spirit, playing right along with your 'Amazing Grace' about 7:40PM.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Banjer
Date: 13 Sep 01 - 12:30 AM

In keeping with our various leaders and their advice as concerns not giving in to terrorist acts and carrying on with our daily routines after the tragedy at the WTC, I suggest that we all play our dulcimers or other intstruments in memory of those lost and in honor of their loved ones remaining behind.

We are taking the first step on the long road to healing and our music can make a difference!

Please, there are enough threads dealing with the actual attacks, let us keep this one purely musical. Thanks, Banjer

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 13 Sep 01 - 04:05 PM

Personally, I like my Keith Young model. I also built a kit instrument years ago that I use when not playing with the Brandywine Dulcimer Fellowship. I like it's high, sweet, and quiet sound.

Jean, if you are still there, your book was the first one that I played from. I still have it. A few years ago, a good friend of mine used the cover of it to lay out a cross stitch pattern and stitched it for me. I'm a lefty ( but I play right handed ) and she turned it around to show you playing left handed! It hangs on my wall along with my dulcimers and I get many favorable comments on it.

Jean, are you ever going to come out with another music book that has some of the tunes from your Kentucky Christmas album on it?

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 13 Sep 01 - 04:18 PM

Walking Eagle,
BDF!? Hello

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 13 Sep 01 - 04:30 PM

I have a strong suspicion that you must be the ClanH man!

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: GUEST,Russ
Date: 13 Sep 01 - 04:48 PM

Who else?

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 10:30 AM

Fifteen days to go!

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 14 Sep 01 - 05:38 PM

Walking Eagle- What a good name- but why aren't you flying? Yes, I'm still here These carols are in my, Folk Songs of the Southern Appalachians:
Brightest and Best, The Little Bitty Baby, I Saw Three Ships, and Carol of the Cherry Tree.

The following are in my, Celebration of Life:
The Holly Carol, I Saw Three Ships, Ring the Christ Church Bells, and In the Valley.

But your're right, some of those on the Christmas CD have not yet been published. Wintergrace, for instance. My son Jon's, A King Was Born we have in choral arrangement, sheet music, but not in a book.

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Sep 01 - 05:41 PM

refresh

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 15 Sep 01 - 06:59 PM

Jean, I'm so sorry that I MIGHT not be able to make it afterall. I'll know more later, but may have to do some driving for a family member that weekend.

I borrowed my sister's McSpadden dulcimer and have been practicing Amazing Grace diligently. (Several tunings even! with and without the G7 chord!)

Whether I'm there in the flesh or not...I'll be there in spirit.

Mary (still practicing!)

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Sep 01 - 11:48 PM

Yes, Walking Eagle, I also have been wondering, "Why is the eagle walking?"

~S~

Subject: RE: Play dulcimer with me?
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Sep 01 - 11:52 PM

FAA Regulations probably.......

Spaw