dulcimer redux

Subject: dulcimer redux
From: leeneia
Date: 24 Sep 20 - 05:51 PM

'Reduc' means 'brought back or revived.' Finally I know.

My fretted or mountain dulcimer has been sitting unused for a long time, partly because of a problem with my thumb, and partly because of habit. But three hours ago I underwent cataract surgery, and I'm floating about in a fog. I decided that now would be a good afternoon to get out the dulcie and brush up my techniques.

I think the instrument, which I tune D-A-A, has been sitting unused for at least two years. I got out the tuner, and the low D string was a few cents flat, so was the middle A string, and the melody A string was spot on. What an amazing instrument.

The thumb problem is that the cuticle is pulling away from the nail, probably from being rubbed by my thumb pick. This troubled my dermatologist and scared me into not playing. But then I had an idea. I put a Dr. Scholl's corn pad over my cuticle, so there's open air between it and the tight band of the thumbpick. And I'm going to keep an eye on how long a session lasts. No more playing for two hours.

Tunes:

Hector the Hero
Holy Manna
Cockles and mussels
He is an Englishman

That's not many, but I played them each a few times, reviewing where the chords are. Doing this perked up my soul.

Subject: RE: dulcimer redux
From: Nick
Date: 25 Sep 20 - 10:23 AM

Hope you sort all your problems out soon. Must sort mine out one day...

Subject: RE: dulcimer redux
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 25 Sep 20 - 10:40 AM

Good for you Leenia! Little and often!

Subject: RE: dulcimer redux
From: leeneia
Date: 25 Sep 20 - 05:18 PM

Thanks, Nick and Pete.

I believe I'll play a number for Monday's Singaround.

Subject: RE: dulcimer redux
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 26 Sep 20 - 10:17 AM

Look forward to it!

Subject: RE: dulcimer redux
From: leeneia
Date: 26 Sep 20 - 03:31 PM

My Dear Husband just helped me with my thumbpicks, which are now too small to go over my thumb plus the corn pad.   He put a small piece of wood in the "jaw", then put the pick plus the wood in a bowl of water. Another bowl of water on top of that kept the thing submerged, so it didn't overheat. After 55 seconds in a 700-watt microwave on High, the pick is looser, but not too loose. The piece of wood is about 1/4 inch thick.

Turns out the instrument I've been playing is one somebody gave me a couple years ago. My own was in its case in an upstairs closet, safe from the dust of a home renovation. I wondered where the stickers had gone that show me where the chords are for D-A-G.

Flow gently sweet Afton - 2 diff. melodies
Finiculi, finicula
As we marched down to Fenario
'Tis pretty to be in Ballinderry
All my trials
O du froehliche