What Dulcimer do you play?

[Dick Glasgow]

I thought it might be interesting to find out who plays what make of Hammered Dulcimer in the UK & Ireland, particularly if you play a 'home grown variety', i.e. a locally made one. So I'll kick off.

I bought my first H-D about four years ago from OAKWOOD a Concert 12/12.

I must say I'm very pleased with it & get great pleasure from playing it, on it's own or along with my wife's Harp & especially along with Uilleann Pipes.

If it has any faults, for me, they would only be that I find it just a little too resonant, for my ears, so I have actually covered up one of the sound holes.
The other little problem I have with it, is not being able to see the strings clearly in certain conditions, so I cured that by placing black-leather like materal across the soundboard, so now the strings stand out against the dark background very nicely.

However, I hasten to add that these are very much only problems for me, as I have raised these issues over at ED & the experienced players there have pointed out to me that I shouldn't be looking at the strings anyway, just the black & white bridge tops!
So I guess all I need is MORE PRACTICE!

As for the resonance issue, I'm sure that's only a personal thing & most folks would probably really like this Dulcimer's lovely ring.

Anyway, now it's your turn! ;D
So how about you posting details of your own Dulcimer, or Dulcimers, & let's see if we can't build up a picture of the most popular H-Ds, here in the UK & Ireland?[/b]

[kerensa]

;D
I started when I was about 12, playing an Oakwood Acorn dulcimer. I later sold it to buy a concert. As far as I know, the person who brought it has left the instrument on top of their wardrobe ever since!!!
I have had 2 other Oakwood instumrnts since & I love them!!!
I love the sound that they produce - the resonance is definatly not an issue for me - it was that that drew me to them in the first place. Martin & the guys are fantastic & provide a wonderful service - as well as dulcimers, I also have an Oakwood harp which I adore. Unfortunately though, I haven't had a lot of time to play it!
The only problem I have with Oakwoods, is the weight - I find that carrying them is a nightmare & the more I play, the more I am having to consider getting an instrument that is going to be easier to transport - if anyone has any suggestions it'd be much appreciated!!!

[Dick Glasgow]

Ha Ha you've certainly been keeping the guys at Oakwood busy, haven't you.

Yes, that resonance thing was a bit of a problem, for me, but since I covered up one of the sound holes, it's fine.
However, I'm not actually alone with this, because Barry Carroll over here, used to play an Oakwood, but he sold it & I remember him saying that he also found it a little too resonant.
But I really like the sound of mine so covering up one hole is such a simple solution, I think.
Obviously, different folks are going to have different ears & one instrument is never going to satisfy everybody, so yes I agree Oakwood do a great job.

Incidentally, I also have an Oakwood Mandolin & Mandola!

As for their being too heavy, have you thought about doing this? Solution ;D

Cheers
Dick

[HammerGrrl]

Good morning Hammerers everywhere

The dulcimer which shares this address with me is a Dusty Strings Apprentice 12/11. I've yet to tune it never mind play it. It "dropped out of the sky" almost - serendipity. Trolling through eBay Australia I came across it with a couple of days to go, no pic and precious little description. I asked the guy to look at the DS website and decide which model it most resembled. Anyway, it turned up on my doorstep a week later and for the grand sum of $Aus53 plus $20 for postage. One heckuva bargain Subsequently I've bought hammers, brushes, tuner, strings, and made up an adjustable stand from a kit of parts. And I've got CDs coming out of my ears and books of instructions plus a heap of tips and so on from the net (including great info from Nonsuch). Ready to roll - but when I am going to roll is another matter

Great hammering ... Elaine

[dulcimike]

I play two James Jones dulcimers, though not at the same time - well, actually, once did, but not usually. To see them and read about them, go here.

I actually own three others - a 15/14 High Country Dulcimer built by Mac McKinney formerly of NC, but now, I believe, of TN; a 12/11 Folkcraft; and a recently purchased Dusty Strings D10. These last three are for rentals for studengts, but have some use other than that - as soon as I get space in my studio to set them up and use them.

[jt3d]

I play a Masterworks 15/14 with a mahagony top.

I tried to post a darn picture, but for some reason all of the http address wouldn't take as a click on.

www.masterworksok.com/ to see a Masterworks 15/14


Go hear and listen to what my Masterworks 15/14 sounds like:

www.4shared.com/file/8421303/daa5e8b0/Scarborough_Fair_WAV.html

[gypsy]

Masterworks for me. I love Russell to pieces, and his dulcimers are wonderful....very stable instruments. We had a four hour gig yesterday, and it was WARM.....only touch up tuned at breaks, like mebbe 3 or 4 times. I won't even go into how often the fiddle and mando had to tune.......

[sitorimon]

I bought this one:
www.hobgoblin.com/local/bigpic.php?ID=GR1411
and its got a beautiful tone - just I'm absolutely rubbish at tuning the darn thing lol

Simon

[Dick Glasgow]

Simon, for tips on tuning, including the technique of "tuning around the circle of fifths", you might like to keep an eye on this thread:

Tuning

Here's my tip:

When you start to feel rough, when tuning, spare a thought for the Cimbalom or Welsh Triple Harp players who each have upwards of 130 strings, to tune!

Or perhaps you need a better Tuner? In which case, it might pay you to keep an eye on this thread:

Which Tuner do you use?

Of course, if tuning really gets you down, you could always take up the Chinese One String Fiddle!

Cheers
Dick

[gypsy]

Hey Simon, practice makes better. The more you tune, the smarter the dulcimer is, and the better it will stay in tune. They are MUCH easier to play when in tune, the hammers have a nicer action. And they get even if you DON'T tune........took my beach dulcimer out of its case after it languished for four months.......it got revenge by immediately breaking 3 or 4 strings on me!

[Dulcetta]

I have a Tim Manning 'Maestro' 15/15. His site is listed in the makers thread.
I'd also like to buy a separate, Chromatic model some day. However I need to learn this one first.
I've linked to a pic in my signature.

[Dick Glasgow]

Hey Dulcetta, any chance of you posting a link to a sound file of you playing your trusted Tim Manning?

I don't think I've heard one of these, yet.

Cheers
Dick

[Dulcetta]

Giggles , you are optimistic !
This dulcimer literally came out of it's box on Monday !
I moved house at the start of the year and it got put in the loft for safety.

I have owned it for a few years, but ill health and miscarriages have meant I've not been able to play. I'm nearly halfway through current pregnancy and all is okay, but it means more or less bedrest, so hence its made me enlist hubby's help to get dulcimer at bed height.

Once I learn a few tunes..gimme a few weeks at least , I am learning note locations and chord layouts first, then I'll see what I can do. I think Tim has a recording of the maestro on his site.

[Dick Glasgow]

Well may I wish you the very best of luck.
I look forward to hearing how your youngster is learning to play his or her first tunes on the Dulcimer.

Playing in bed eh? That sounds like a cool idea, although I must admit, being a traditional musician, I always need to tap my foot when playing, so if I tried that I'd need to have one leg sticking out of the bed.

I seem to remember reading somewhere that Mozart was the best music to play for a baby in the womb, so maybe you should learn up a few of his *hits*!

I checked Tim's site & found one clip: Tim Manning Dulcimer Clip

Cheers
Dick

P.S. Dulcetta, here's your homework for this week: Homework

[Dulcetta]

Mozart.... ah that's easy... Twinkle, twinkle little star...... ;D


So all musicians tap their feet..I thought it was jist the Scots an the Irish.