Any mountain dulcimer players here?

[BoneDigger]

I just bought a used McSpadden 4 string lap/mountain dulcimer. It's the teardrop shape, flat headstock, walnut. Anyway, I'm looking for good resources for learning. I've been through the Youtube videos but I need something more. Ideas?

Todd

[darylcrisp]

Bing Futch used to have some excellent learning on youtube(you may already have accessed his offerings). Some excellent DVD's on Bing's site.
http://www.bingfutch.com/

Lets see, PM "dulcimer sandy" on this forum, she may be able to help you out.

You might want to contact David Beede, not only does he build probably the top notch dulcimers these days, but he performs as well-he might have some info for you.
http://www.davidbeede.com/

check in with the folks at "everythingdulcimer", its a forum dedicated to the dulcimer instruments-sure some folks there can help.

and Wade Hampton here on the forum, won the mountain dulcimer championships couple years ago-I'm sure he can guide you to some area for learning :
http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...er.php?u=28191

[dhalbert]

Here's another previous thread: http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...d.php?t=284962.

Also there's a dulcimer-specific forum: http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/discuss/index.php

[Dan Carey]

Here's a good place: http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/di...wforum.php?f=2

And here's a couple of pics of the one that I built:

[Wade Hampton]

Nice looking dulcimer there, Dan - I like the bird-shaped soundholes.


Wade Hampton Miller

[BoneDigger]

Thanks guys. I'm now registered over at Everythingdulcimer.

[rokdog49]

Don't know if you've been here so:

http://www.freesheetmusic.net/dulcimer.html

[ifret]

Good resources given to you so far. Use those resources to find festivals in your area. They are held all over the U.S. and usually are great places to learn and share with other MD folks. Some of the nicest folks you'll meet. A couple other great resources are:
Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer:
http://fotmd.com/
Folkcraft Instruments:
http://www.folkcraft.com/

[cotten]

I was given a dulcimer that looks pretty nice. Time to put some new strings on it and see what comes out!

cotten

[darylcrisp]

Originally Posted by cotten

I was given a dulcimer that looks pretty nice. Time to put some new strings on it and see what comes out!

cotten

Cotton
Mt dulcimers are great fun, easy to play and sound really cool.
we have two Folkcraft, I kept the double course string set on the small strings and on the other dulcimer I removed one string, so I have just single strings-play it fingerstyle.

all kinds of music styles sound good on these things-easy to transport, and they draw people in quickly for a listen.

d

[cotten]

Thanks, Daryl! I've messed with it before, and even played it publically a time or two, but that doesn't mean I know what I'm doing on it. Mine doesn't have a case. What would you recommend?

cotten

[BBWW]

I've played one for years. I used it a lot during the 70's in bands. I build about 50 to 60 in that decade as well.

Hear is one I built back in 1973 still in use. It's not me playing it. I wanted a "Dreadnought" size so I used a double large bout design with a violin cutaway. I had not see one when I built that. I've seen a few built since with a similar shape.

https://youtu.be/ESI7AbsRwIc

I'll try to upload a tune to Soundcloud.

[SolidSpruceTop]

I still don't own one myself, but when I was up in Black Mountain, NC, I visited Song of the Wood and played with some of their instruments. Their dulcimers seem to be great for the price, very good fit and finish with nice low action

[Tony Vines]

You can also check out Stephen Seifert and Aaron O'Rourke on You Tube and their websites as well. These guys are great players. I would also highly suggest subscribing to Dulcimer Player News magazine. It is a great resource. http://www.dpnews.com