Strummers - instruments

Subject: Strummers - instruments
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 11 Jun 06 - 05:22 PM

From the Duncan McFarland (sic) Band thread, anyone wondering what we are on about or interested in hand-made instruments should look at:

www.hmsmusic.co.uk

or if my first attempt at a blue clkicky didn't work:

www.hmsmusic.co.uk

Deirdre

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 11 Jun 06 - 05:23 PM

Oh well, no doubt someone will "fix" it for me!

Sorry Hugh :-).

Deirdre

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: Peace
Date: 11 Jun 06 - 05:34 PM

http://www.hmsmusic.co.uk/

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: Sooz
Date: 12 Jun 06 - 02:27 AM

Have you got it then?

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: GUEST,BBP at work
Date: 12 Jun 06 - 06:00 AM

Yes, collected it Sunday evening!.

Need to meet up with Mike for a strumming session!

Deirdre

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: Daithi
Date: 12 Jun 06 - 06:06 AM

If I'm not mistaken, Steve Jackson (of Ploughman's Bunch) plays one of these. Have you seen him play it Sooz?

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: GUEST,Sooz (at work)
Date: 12 Jun 06 - 06:25 AM

Steve's was the first one we saw and heard, Daithi. They are becoming quite a cult around here.
When is the debut performance going to be BBP?

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 12 Jun 06 - 08:26 AM

I believe Sean Lakeman is an owner too. I've ordered one because it lets you have that dulcimer sound, standing up, without the mic/volume problems. A neat idea - though I do rather wish it had a different name. I'm already referring to mine as the Strimmer, though 'Scullion Dulcimer' has a more authentic folky ring to it, and would offer better PR for Hugh.

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: GUEST,BBP at work
Date: 12 Jun 06 - 10:02 AM

Debut performance - er, not for a few weeks Sooz, mainly cos I'm away at festivals. But it will be well travelled by the time I debut it!

Deirdre

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: vee
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 01:39 PM

yes you are right - Sean Lakeman does have one. Locally so does Chris Wright who plays excellent slide blues on it and Mel Oyston of Jack in the Green plays a D strummer
Steve Jackson of Ploughmans Bunch plays one to great effect and they all compose on it.
Not surprisingly they feature heavily in the Scullion Roadshow.
They have found their way to Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand as well as various parts of Britain.

Hope you enjoy yours Deirdre

regards

Vicky

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: Kaleea
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 01:48 PM

I know folks who have made (or bought) some interesting dulcimer type thingamajigs like that strummer or the strumstick. The strummer, however, looks like it would actually have a decent tone.

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: vee
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 01:52 PM

Strummer much better sound - better quality - and I did have the pleasure of hearing one played by Martin Simpson - in Oxford - he really liked it and described it as a beautiful instrument

regards

Vicky

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: louthier
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 03:16 PM

In answer to Tom and others,I made Appalachian dulcimers many years ago,loved the sound- playing one string with the other strings as drones ( I like bagpipe tunes) but realised the drawbacks, slides off you knees, no volume, sound goes up not out, hence the Strummer, the original Strummer has a small body more like a stick dulcimer, the "SuperStrummer" has a larger body with more volume and tone and is often fitted with undersaddle transducer which increases its appeal and volume!I find these much easier to play, can be capo'd and are very loud! The name Strummer may not be ideal, but it is very difficult to come up with an original name which is relevant and implies a musical instrument or sound. I have never thought of strimmers as either! and you can name it anything you wish when you get it!

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: louthier
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 03:28 PM

HI, P.S, thanks to everyone for promoting my instruments on this thread and elsewhere on the site

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 04:16 PM

Our pleasure Hugh.

It does seem to have taken over my evenings.....and the ironing pile is getting bigger..........and the kitchen is more of a mess than usual...............

Perhaps they should carry a warning!

Deirdre :-)

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: Rasener
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 04:56 PM

>>ironing pile is getting bigger<<

I would go and see the doctor if I was you Deirdre !!!

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 05:43 PM

'Ironing piles'...sounds painful I reckon. A real pain in the....anyway folks, reckon I had better order one of those instruments.....haven't had the time or the patience to learn guitar so something a bit easioer might suit me. Best wishes, Mike.

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: vee
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 05:48 PM

I knew strummers were good - addictive but legal - but perhaps if Hugh can make one that can do the ironing and clean the kitchen while you play it - now theres an idea!

Vicky

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: louthier
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 05:57 PM

Why would anyone want to iron anything? I cant think of anything more futile, as for cleaning( except your strummer, must keep that pristine)! I sincerely hope this is the end of the domestic thread

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: KateG
Date: 13 Jun 06 - 06:00 PM

They look like fun -- and really portable! Although I confess that when I tried to play a similar instrument I got totally muddled. I play regular Appalachian dulcimer on my lap with my thumb and forefinger leading up the fretboard. When I tried playing a strumstick, which is held guitar style, with my pinky leading up the fretboard my synapses fried -- despite the fact that I also play guitar, and have no trouble switching between it and my dulcimer. I think it was the meating in the middle that caused the confusion. It's all what you're used too.

As for the problems mentioned with dulcimers...they're generally solveable. I use a strap that goes behind my back to secure the dulcimer when I'm playing hard or on a chair that is too high. Ron Ewing makes excellent dulcimer capos out of wood that are widely available. And as for volume, I can crank my McSpadden up and drown out my husband and his sister on mando and fiddle. A number of players put their dulcimers on edge on their laps, rather than flat, either with or without straps. Its a style that seems to have originated on the west coast of the USA, and it does solve the slipping and projection problems. Steve Seifert does amazing things playing that way although I've never gotten the hang of it myself (it seems to work better with teardrop rather than hourglass dulcimers). Check out his website at Stephen Seifert's website

But in the end, anything that advances the dulcimer is a GOOD THING! So go for it!

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: louthier
Date: 18 Jun 06 - 11:34 AM

HI Kate, thanks for your remarks and I agree any dulcimer is fine! The Strummer and Superstrummer were never intended to replace the App.dulcimer.,they are instruments in their own right and appeal to non-players and players of other fretted instruments, as they are strung conventionally and the fingers are used in the usual way,. allowing for the wider fret spacing! both types have their own place and unique sound, as you say its what you are used to, and what you want to use it for. I personally wanted something that suited Celtic music, although they have since been used for every sort of music, as VEE said- bottleneck blues, ragtime etc. In fact they are different instruments, sharing only the fretting pattern, similar sound and lots of fun! I am pleased you didn't mention ironing!! HUGH

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 18 Jun 06 - 12:49 PM

Well, it's travelled from Lincolnshire to Yorkshire this weekend - more than the dozen or so miles to the border!. Had it's first airing at Masham - pity it wasn't quite in tune, but it was nice to be able to strum along for once instead of just tapping my foot!

Must remember to tune up before joining in next time!.

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: louthier
Date: 05 Jul 06 - 04:22 PM

Sean Lakeman is playing his Superstrummer on Seth Lakemans superb latest CD "Freedom Fields", the track is "The band of gold" and a clip can be heard on the Seth Lakeman website,or even better, buy the CD. Seth is appearing in Grimsby and Lincoln this month(July). Also my website hmsmusic is not available at the moment as it needs updating , new site coming soon. Keep on strumming..........HUGH

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: BusyBee Paul
Date: 05 Jul 06 - 05:50 PM

Thanks for reminding me that I need to book my ticket to see Seth!

Deirdre

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 05 Jul 06 - 06:14 PM

That link won't work for me.

Surely "strummers" are those multiple plectrums that can let you have a bit of extra volume when you're playing in a session. Very handy, if a bit brutal looking at first sight.

Subject: RE: Strummers - instruments
From: GUEST,Tom Bliss
Date: 24 Jul 06 - 05:32 PM

Really enjoying playing mine. If all goes well I shall try it out at Bayfolk (Robin Hoods Bay) on Friday. I have worked up a nice rendition of Johnny Dyer's wonderful tune (which Vicki plays so beautifully on the smallpipes): The Broken Drone