Not much exciting going on around here. PE class was spent getting body parts measured and completing different test to establish base lines.
I have been trying to play Shady Grove on my Blue Mountain dulcimer. It has a different sound than the walnut guy. Although it is hard to hear the difference using the old cheap microphone I have.
The history of the mountain dulcimer is rather interesting to me. The traditional style of playing with a noter and melody/drone style is making a come back it seems.
Maybe some day I will own a traditional dulcimer – my definition: without the extra frets (6 1/2) a true diatonic fretting rather than a more chromatic one is hard to find now days and do not come cheap. Maybe some day I will find one hanging around at a yard sale.
Another reason I like the traditional drone style – it is something I can do -well ok Webster: I am practicing LOL. Since I can no-longer get my fingers to cooperate on the fret board of my guitar I thought this might be the way to go. I can form the cords and finger pick on the dulcimer but only on a good day and I refuse to spend my time practicing something that more than likely I won’t be able to do soon.
Dang if I have not found out that strumming and notering is a whole lot harder than it looks! The way the dulcimer is held presents a whole new learning curve also.
So my latest attempt at mountain dulcimer playing: Shady Grove an old folk song here in America that seems to have it’s root’s in the 18th century and sounds a lot like an old 1th century ballad Matty Groves an old English ballad.
Looks like fun. My sister in law plays a dulcimer.
Already much improved. Keep up the good work!
Practice, practice, practice.
And “I refuse to spend my time practicing something that more than likely I won’t be able to do soon.” is self-defeating thought. You can’t predict that, so work on your finger picking, too. Y’hear me?
Webster,
well yah know – I was thinking more realistic but?
Thank you that you hear improvement that is always a good thing to hear
Mountain or hammer?
Hammer
“The first time I seen Shady Grove,
She was standin’ in the door,
Shoes and stockin’s in her hand,
Little bare feet on the floor.”
Tee hee I learned it this way:
went to see my Shady Grove
she was . …
Wish I had a big fine horse
Corn to feed him on
Pretty little girl stay at home
Feed him when I’m gone
The folk process at work!
zoomdoggies,
In the 70’s I used to hang around with a family from our church.
We would go up to Grass Valley/Nevada City in the foothills and
hang around the folk music crowd. Back then dulcimers where just
coming back into play.
Hippies and banjo’s LOL it was a great time.
I loved the way folk music really was grass roots
and the lyrics ever changing as life does.
Jan
I didn’t even know what a dulcimer was until a partner turned me onto them years ago. Jan, I’ll still use the word impressed — impressed by your dedication, getting in there, and the progress.
Oh by way, I thought your comments about counting the drum beats in the MRI to stay calm were interesting. I try to close off the external and go inside to stay calm when in the tube. However, you related to and integrated with the rhythm. Sounds like a musician to me!
Appreciate the impressed LOL if nothing else I am hanging in there
somehow I never thought of the MRI noise as music emmm
I totally blocked it out with MJ’s Billy Jean.