Saturday, November 7, 2009

My dulcimers

Why howdy folks!!!



My daughter was going through some things today and showed me a couple of dolls I had made for her. Do you remember when these pocket dolls were ALL THE RAGE??? Anyway, she will be telling our story today. Way back about 3 or 4 years ago, I decided to start playing mountain dulcimer.




Since I wasn't sure if I'd want to stick with it I bought this for my first dulcimer. It is an "Old Standby" built by Black Mountain Dulcimers. For a student model it was very pleasant to play. It had a nice sound and I was really enjoying it a lot.





I believe this was my second dulcimer. It is a dulcimer hand crafted by Tom Yocky, Jr. The top is made of western red cedar and the back is African mahogany, solid woods. The sides are made of figured makore. It was signed on 9/9/06 and named "Memory." I call it "my Yocky."



This is my McSpadden baritone dulcimer. It is tuned lower, believe a 5th, (I tune mine to G-D-G versus D-A-D for the others) and has a very rich full sound. I surely do wish it had an ebony fretboard, my fingers slide easier on the ebony, but it is a lovely dulcimer and I could have it added if I were truly motivated. I call it my "baritone dulcimer."



This is my baby, my beauty. I love playing on this instrument. This is a custom McSpadden dulcimer with ebony fretboard. It is walnut with a high gloss finish. This has a mother of pearl Fleur-de-lis on the head along with a couple of others on the fretboard.



Truly a beautiful instrument and an absolute joy to play. I call it "my dulcimer." So now you are on a first name basis with all my dulcimers and they say welcome!

*
Big project today was to sort through this hidden stack of music filtering through piano, guitar, banjo, autoharp, violin, clarinet (and even had a harmonica book in there) to find all the dulcimer music. Little Companion helped and we did it!!!



Hoping you're having a wonderful weekend!

3 comments:

Vicki said...

Hi, Valerie,
It looks like you have really enjoyed playing the dulcimer over these past years. You have quite a collection there! My hat is off to you for being able to play a musical instrument. I don't play anything, but I have the greatest admiration for those who do. The dulcimer has such a lovely sound! Have a beautiful weekend, dear friend! Vicki

Anonymous said...

Hi Valerie! Oh, what a sweet little doll you made for your daughter.
I've so enjoyed seeing your dulcimers. I have always loved the sound they make. Sounds like you have a very musical family. I see a pretty piano too! Now I love my piano and get so much joy playing it. When I was a teenager I also played a ukulele.
Thanks for popping in to see me today.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Duchess of Tea said...

Hello my darling, how is my favourite blogger, I hope life is treating you marvelously. Mine was a bit topsy turvy of late as you know, but is slowly returning to normal. I am now off to see what I missed on your blog.

Take care
Love & Hugs
Duchess