gypsy
Dulci-Mt-D (140 - 160 Posts)
Posts: 154
|
Post by gypsy on Jul 30, 2007 3:50:44 GMT 1
You can tap your foot and play at the same time? I am impressed. I have NEVER been able to do that. I use our guitar player as a metronome, or the mando player........they both are rock steady, and i don't have to bend my head around foot/versus/ hammers
|
|
|
|
Post by Dick Glasgow on Jul 30, 2007 4:39:54 GMT 1
Gypsy wrote:The fact is Gypsy, at this stage I find it very difficult to play without tapping my foot. When I'm really enjoying myself at a session, playing Fiddle I'll often tap one foot in single time & the other in double time. But that's not showing off, it's just because I've been tapping for well over thirty years, so it feels about as natural as breathing.
What I find really amazing is watching the organist in Church playing the keyboard of the organ, while constantly pulling out & pushing in stops, while his or her feet are dancing over the bass notes! 
Now that really does take skill!
Cheers
Dick |
|
|
|
Post by dizzid11 on Jul 30, 2007 14:27:38 GMT 1
|
|
|
|
Post by Dick Glasgow on Aug 2, 2007 1:59:14 GMT 1
I must say it sounds very nice too Dizzi! 
Cheers
Dick
|
|
gypsy
Dulci-Mt-D (140 - 160 Posts)
Posts: 154
|
Post by gypsy on Aug 3, 2007 4:18:41 GMT 1
'The fact is Gypsy, at this stage I find it very difficult to play without tapping my foot. When I'm really enjoying myself at a session, playing Fiddle I'll often tap one foot in single time & the other in double time. But that's not showing off, it's just because I've been tapping for well over thirty years, so it feels about as natural as breathing.'
Yes, i can tap my foot with the mando, and even with the bodhran, but not the dulcimer. dunno why. wish i was that coordinated!
|
|
|
|
Post by Dick Glasgow on Aug 3, 2007 10:12:04 GMT 1
Gypsy, I find tapping my foot along with my Old Time tunes especially helpful, for I've a tendency to speed those up & smooth them out till they end up sounding more like Irish Reels & then they just loose that old "Shand Dunt" that they seem to need to hit the right groove'!
The other tunes I find I need to give a heavy tap to are the wee Co Antrim Fife Marches, which also need a heavy hand, & a heavy foot, to keep them in check!
Cheers
Dick
|
|
|
|
Post by lynngehringer on Sept 6, 2007 17:02:52 GMT 1
I am just starting out and have a Rick Thum Wren, which has a solid mahogany soundboard. It has nice sustain and a nice rich sound. I will probably be looking for something with a greater range down the line.
At the Evart festival this year, I either got to try or hear most every HD made. As I will have a budget, the finest are way out of my price range. I like the dampers, but they are able to be retofitted should I desire them. I like the sound of the Masterworks Russell Cook. But when I am ready to buy, there may be something completely new out there.
|
|
|
|
Post by LDDulcimer on Sept 7, 2007 1:46:01 GMT 1
I play a Songbird Phoebe (made by Chris Foss) which is a 16/15 HD with walnut sides and a birch laminate top and back. I have had it now since 1999 and have really enjoyed it. Someday, I may consider another dulcimer, but so far I haven't managed to outgrow it yet! This isn't a picture of my dulcimer, but this is the model I have and looks almost exactly like mine: www.songofthewood.com/three_octaves.htm(First picture) |
|
|
|
Post by Dick Glasgow on Sept 7, 2007 10:44:35 GMT 1
Good photo Larry, but how the heck can they make them so cheap?
My new Dulcimer is actually the one below, the Professional Rick Thum, now a 17/17 but it looks exactly as they do in the photo, but there's a huge difference in price!
I wonder, have you ever had a chance to play on one of the expensive Dulcimers to see if there is a huge difference in sound?
I envy Lynn, who wrote above that she'd been to an event, where she was able to try out every Dulcimer on the market today. Interesting that she liked the Masterworks best of all.
Cheers
Dick |
|
|
|
Post by lynngehringer on Sept 7, 2007 19:48:56 GMT 1
I must add that there are many magnificent dulcimers, but are way out of my price range. I do not drive a Ferrari either. I liked the Dusty Strings D-600, as well. I have a problem with my fingers, so size and weight are also going to be a considerstion whenever I get around to upgrading. I like the dampers, but do not think I would get enough use out of them for the money, though many would.
It was a joy to be able to see so many different dulcimers and be able to either listen or plink on them myself.
I also wanted to mention that Rick said that the popular, super flexible corset stay hammers would not be good on his dulcimers. He actually led me to a booth and showed me semi-flexible hammers made of maple with straight, thin handles, like the corset stays, but not quite as flexible. I love these and am going to have my husband make me some of them as well as the other he has made for me.
|
|
docterry
Dulci-Tambourin (10 - 20 Posts)
Posts: 14
|
Post by docterry on Feb 22, 2008 6:53:45 GMT 1
Hey Folks! I play a Folkcraft Legend 16/15 which my wife Paula bought for me from David Marks in August of 1991 at the Philadelphia Folk Festival, hid in the house (under the beds) Until Christmas night 1991!!! (not very observant , am I  ) This was David's first ebony top, and it is a magnificient instrument. David always said I could think up more ways to abuse an instrument, but 1996 Philadelphia Folk Festival's Thunderstom was the best/worst...My buddy Bill Bowes' tent was blown away in the storm, rolling over my tent...and one of his tent poles flew up in the air and punctured my tent and air matress that kept my instruments off the floor...and filled my tent with 6 inches of water. I was on an all night Security shift until 6 AM, and the damage was done...the dulcimer was drowned. I took it to him later that morning, and he said "Keep it out and Play it...let it air out!" and it stayed playable all weekend! (I actually think it got more mellow after that too!!) Eventually the soundboard lifted and had to be reset...but that took 7 years to occur. A really well crafted instument. Docterry |
|
|
|
Post by Dick Glasgow on Feb 22, 2008 19:31:08 GMT 1
Howsabout posting a photo of your H-D for us to enjoy?  Cheers Dick |
|
cooper
Dulci-Zither (60 - 70 Posts)
Posts: 62
|
Post by cooper on Feb 25, 2008 20:08:31 GMT 1
Oh my god, Docterry, I would have had a heart attack if something like that happen to me! Man, that should go in a book of horror stories!
Luckily, the worst thing that has ever happen to me was candle wax got under my strings (that is the last time I play for a May Pole at night to candle light!).
|
|
docterry
Dulci-Tambourin (10 - 20 Posts)
Posts: 14
|
Post by docterry on Feb 27, 2008 15:32:10 GMT 1
Hey Cooper!
The most horrible thing about the tent flooding was that not only the dulcimer got soaked.
At that time I played 17 instruments, one a 1918 Thiboville Clarinet (case soaked and ruined, but the clarinet was dry !) and my Great Grand Da's Scottish fiddle form 1870 (Case repaired, fiddle retired) the button accordion floated!! And of course all my clothes and sleeping geat and food were lost...but friends helped there....
Now I camp in my Bright Red VW Vanagon!
Docterry
|
|
cooper
Dulci-Zither (60 - 70 Posts)
Posts: 62
|
Post by cooper on Feb 27, 2008 16:22:36 GMT 1
My wife makes fun of me that I have a "dulcimer emergency kit" (spare strings, extra-one sided hammers, spare tuner and a HUGE plastic bag in case I get caught in the rain), but I feel better knowing that I have it at festivals and fairs. I am going to get a First Aid box to put it in when I get a chance (I have it in a big tupper were container right now).
|
|
)
