Hammered Dulcimer Anyone?

[Larrivee4me]

Are there any hammered dulcimer players on the forum?  I've accompanied a local dulcimer player on occasion and just ran into a deal on a rather high end dulcimer I couldn't turn down.   Looking for others experience with learning the dulcimer.  Thanks!

[ncognito]

I don't play the hammered dulcimer, but I love to listen to people play it.  I know of one guy who has and plays one.  I sent him an email; if he gets back to me, I'll pass along whatever I learn.  Also, I know that there is a company which I believe is called Folkcraft which builds and sells hammered dulcimers, music books...  They moved from CT a few years ago to, if my memory serves,  North Carolina so you might want to investigate Folkcraft.  Enjoy your new music- maker. 

        DAVE

[photomat]

There is a great stringed instrument shop here in Seattle called Dusty Strings that is well known for their hammered dulcimers they make.  Check them out on the web, as they have lots of resources, and the best music book collection I have ever seen.

I love the sound of a hammered dulcimer.  Congratulations!

Matt

[unclrob]

I have the pleasure of knowing a state champ and an incredable dulcimer player named Aaron O'Rouck who plays way outside the box for a dulcimer playe.He's play's all style's and applies many guitar tricks to his playing.He'll bend notes and play cop rythym's.He has played Dawg style,jazz,blue's and traditionall style.He's showed me a few things and it's great fun.I apply my down tuning knowledge to playing and some non-traditional tunings.You'll have a gas learning this instrument.

[Larrivee4me]

Thanks guys,   I've got a couple starter books and have been watching instructional videos online.  So far I can find basic  scales,   arpeggios both major and minor.  Like guitar these are patterns moved around.  I can find some of the Irish fingerstyle tunes I play in DADGAD if I take my time, just the melodly lines for now.  Inisheer,  The Star of County Down,  O'Carolan tunes etc. 
 
Unc Rob,  Bending notes eh?  Aaron must be a blast to watch.  Very cool!

Check this out just for fun   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TDcmcvSJo-8
The dark haired girl goes by the name "Dizzi" her sister is the blonde in the video.  The hang drum she plays at the start of the clip I'd never seen before.  I found out they're made in Switzerland and are quite expensive.  Cool sound!
Look for her other clips,  they're all very good.  She has some very good basic instructional videos also.

[Larrivee4me]

Sorry to post two replies in a row but I had to share a "duh" moment with you.  Last evening the dulicmer player I sometimes play with came over to see the hammered dulcimer I bought.  Turns out it's from the same maker as hers. Nice stuff!  Anyway, she's playing it for a little bit and says " It sounds pretty good, even for laying on it's back".  I don't have a stand for it so it's laying on our dining room table on fabric place mats.  I lifted the top of it and held it there while she way playing. The difference in sound was amazing, now resonant and very full.  I had never considered that the back of the dulcimer needs to be free to vibrate.  DUH,  how long have you been around acoustic instruments I thought to myself.  Lots to learn and gonna get a stand very soon.

I have some clips I recorded on the H-2 from our previous practice sessions I'll post here as soon as I fugure out how. 

[photomat]

 

[Larrivee4me]

This is a Cloud Nine hammered dulcimer made by Michael Allen in Ostrander, OH
http://cloudninemusical.com/Pages/1514.html
It's a 15/14 model which means there are 15 strings on the treble bridge and 14 on the bass bridge giving it a range of three octaves.
It was made in 1986 and spent most of it's  life in a bedroom under a blanket.  We all have known guitars with the same sad past. 

The soundboard is sitka spruce, the rails are birdseye maple and the bridges appear to be walnut

[flatlander]

.He'll bend notes and play cop rythym's.

On a Hammered Dulcimer? Use a wrench and do like you do with Banjo Tuners?

[Larrivee4me]

Just a guess but maybe the pitch is bent (raised) by pressing the strings down on the opposite side of the bridge.    The tuning pins are so touchy it would be real tough to change and then put back into tune while playing a song.   
How does Aaron do it Unclrob??

[steve104c]

I am a very beginner hammered dulcimer. Recently bought a Songbird hammered dulcimer. Also want to be able to converse with other players to help me be a better player. Steve

[steve104c]

Awhile back I bought a Songbird Sparrow model. I played guitar, banjo, ukulele, mountain dulcimer. My ring finger on my left hand had what's called " trigger finger ". The tenon becomes inflamed and sticks when I close it. Splint it for a couple few weeks, by order of Dr. and use an anti-inflammatory cream. Now I can't bend the finger very far. Can not play my acoustic instruments. So I am going to learn the hammered dulcimer, no finger bending. Built my own adjustable stand. The owner of Songbird Hammered Dulcimer, Chris Foss, is very polite, knowledgeable and very friendly. My hammered dulcimer sounds really nice, really good price. They no longer make that model. Have read several instruction books. Got a three DVD set lessons with one of the books. You can also, for free, take video lessons on line. Songbird Hammered Dulcimer web site gives free lessons on line w/ Chris Foss. Check him out. Steve

[Silence Dogood]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foyWv1Ps7WI

^^^ I went to a concert some years ago and this guy was playing hammered dulcimer.  It was absolutely fascinating to watch. 

(Side note: this song has a "Christian" theme in case anyone is going to have a meltdown for it being a "religious" post. It isn't.) 

[Rockysdad]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foyWv1Ps7WI

^^^ I went to a concert some years ago and this guy was playing hammered dulcimer.  It was absolutely fascinating to watch. 

(Side note: this song has a "Christian" theme in case anyone is going to have a meltdown for it being a "religious" post. It isn't.) 

It's not a *meltdown when pointing out forum rules, try reading them sometime.There's NO SUCH thing as *slightly* religious, or political, a slight reference IS still a reference.