Mountain Dulcimer

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Dennis77

Yes I play the Mtn Dulcimer not too well but I love it. Play with a group in Sun City Hilton Head. I take it with me when we camp. I am the Bonnie half of Dennis77

Great. I hope you get to perform at a few "Camp fire concerts". I've really enjoyed "Camp Fire Concerts".

[Carol and Mike]

Sometime in the mid 1970's I bought a dulcimer kit while visiting Silver Dollar City (back when it was mostly crafts). I quickly got it about half done then the military life got in the way. After many moves and time away from home, all I have left is a shell and some pieces. It's a family joke even today - "Hey dad, how's that dulcimer coming along?". Well, with retirement only months away, one of my first to-do's is to finish it (if it can be salvaged) or start over. It will be a nice addition to the trailer!

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Carol and Mike

Sometime in the mid 1970's I bought a dulcimer kit while visiting Silver Dollar City (back when it was mostly crafts). I quickly got it about half done then the military life got in the way. After many moves and time away from home, all I have left is a shell and some pieces. It's a family joke even today - "Hey dad, how's that dulcimer coming along?". Well, with retirement only months away, one of my first to-do's is to finish it (if it can be salvaged) or start over. It will be a nice addition to the trailer!

Good luck on finishing the dulcimer. Starting over can be fun too. I hope you get one finished and start learning to play. I've been playing for about 5 years one purchased and one from a kit. One of things I've really enjoyed doing is what I call "Camp Fire Concerts". Nothing formal just the camp fire, some friends I just met, me and my dulcimer.
I wish for you to have as much fun and enjoyment of retirement life as I have.

[james kent]

Originally Posted by Carol and Mike

Sometime in the mid 1970's I bought a dulcimer kit while visiting Silver Dollar City (back when it was mostly crafts). I quickly got it about half done then the military life got in the way. After many moves and time away from home, all I have left is a shell and some pieces. It's a family joke even today - "Hey dad, how's that dulcimer coming along?". Well, with retirement only months away, one of my first to-do's is to finish it (if it can be salvaged) or start over. It will be a nice addition to the trailer!

Have you joined http://everythingdulcimer.com ? Great resource for players and builders


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[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by james kent

Have you joined EverythingDulcimer.com • ED Home ? Great resource for players and builders


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Everything dulcimer is a good site. I've gotten lots of good music from that site. Another want to look at is "Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer"

[Carol and Mike]

I will look at both. Thanks!

[accrete]

nice work on the MT dulcimer Byron. Enjoyed the video too.

from an in-a-past-life-hammer-dulcimer player : )
ok...well, like 10 years ago.
Thom

[Janet H]

Nice to see this thread - I also play dulcimer. Perfect size for the camper.

[accrete]

Originally Posted by Janet H

...Perfect size for the camper.

It is a fun compact instrument.
For myself, and the reason I said ...10yrs ago... is that I've moved all my music making onto my iPad and headphones. Now I can practice and create to my soul's content in private, which I prefer these days. I had many years up on _stage_ playing for crowds, now it's just for me : )

That said, there is much to be said about hiking up some mountain and taking out a harmonica or whatever and playing to the clouds.

Thom

[Byron Kinnaman]

Thanks for the complements Thom..
I play for me, but do enjoy an occasional jam session and my favorite is what I call "camp fire concerts". Most of our travels is in good weather, if the weather's not good where we are we move. Not full timers.
The dulcimer travels well and makes a nice sound.
Next on my agenda is to finish a cigar box guitar I started a couple months ago.

[Carol and Mike]

Originally Posted by Byron Kinnaman

Everything dulcimer is a good site. I've gotten lots of good music from that site. Another want to look at is "Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer"

Both of these sites look helpful. Thanks for the tips, I'm getting motivated.

[james kent]

Byron, "if you build it they will come."
Once you build a couple then the bug gets you and there is no stopping.


Here's a few that I have made (except for the ukes) and here comes the next one

There's just no way to tell ahead where a hobby will go. By the way how goes the carving?
Jim


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[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by james kent

Byron, "if you build it they will come."
Once you build a couple then the bug gets you and there is no stopping.
Attachment 90435
Attachment 90436
Here's a few that I have made (except for the ukes) and here comes the next one
Attachment 90437
There's just no way to tell ahead where a hobby will go. By the way how goes the carving?
Jim


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Howdy James.
The carving going great. I just finished my Christmas carvings. Three grandchildren get grandpa carved ornaments, 4 daughters and one granddaughter get carved Christmas pins. It can be a challenge since I started this process it seems necessary for me to come up with a Byron original design. We spend part of our summer going to free local band "music in the park" events. Great fun sitting around listening to local music and carving.
I think ties it together a bit, carving, mountain dulcimers, and music.

I've also been playing around with Cajon that I made. More fun.

Looks like a nice collection of instruments. My collection seems to be growing.

[james kent]

I do feel that we should live closer than so far apart. We have a lot of common interests.
There are more pictures of my instruments on the other thread, " a cut above" .
I hope that we have encouraged others to try their hand at something new, you never know where a hobby will lead.
Jim


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[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by james kent

I do feel that we should live closer than so far apart. We have a lot of common interests.
There are more pictures of my instruments on the other thread, " a cut above" .
I hope that we have encouraged others to try their hand at something new, you never know where a hobby will lead.
Jim


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I have managed to encourage at least 3 people to take the Mountain Dulcimer. Sometime in February I'll be meeting one of them in Death Valley for a bit of music.
We generally travel the southwest US in the winter. If you should decide you want to get away from the cold and snow in Ontario and head for sunny weather, let me know, maybe we meet up.

[Birdsnest]

I moved from Washington, DC area to Sonora, CA almost 8 years ago. Learned to play about 35 yeas ago and used to play with friends in a band, campouts, etc. Anyone know of a group in Central/Northern CA that would welcome a very rusty Mtn. Dulcimer player?

[Carol and Mike]

Originally Posted by james kent

I do feel that we should live closer than so far apart. We have a lot of common interests.
There are more pictures of my instruments on the other thread, " a cut above" .
I hope that we have encouraged others to try their hand at something new, you never know where a hobby will lead.
Jim


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James, yes, you and Byron are providing encouragement. I need to finish what I started so many years ago. Then, start playing!

[james kent]

An interesting gourd stick dulcimer built by another member of our carving club. There are several other members now making instruments and learning to play.


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[james kent]

Latest long neck dulcimer


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[Gerry]

Wouldn't it be great if all us musicians could form the FiberglassRV Band.
Bet there's loads of tallent out there.
I've been finger-pickin' for 49 years and am now listening to the Late, Great Chet Atkins on the stereo....
What could be better.