leeneia, it's common for someone to resurrect an old thread, sometimes from years ago. I'm glad Felipa brought this one back, because I missed it the first time.

I have a beautiful McSpadden dulcimer that someone lent me a couple of years ago and then turned into a gift, because "You'll use it a lot more than I ever would"--but I never did. I'm a pre-novice on the dulcimer, but this thread has given me the impetus to justify her generosity by picking it up and playing [with] it. I do have Jean's book (currently on loan to another friend), and also Madeline MacNeil's "You Can Teach Yourself Dulcimer" which is a Mel Bay publication. And this thread has given me lots of good ideas. So until I can replace my recently stolen guitar, I may be droning on the dulcimer for a while--and maybe the habit will stick!

Aloha,
Mark