Beginner Mountain Dulcimer- Wildwood- with views of Dulcimer

[girlswithguitars859]

always play that is what music for is to share and enjoy. It is a universal language it has no boundaries on when to start or stop. Never think that you are to "old" to start playing. I am a living testament that you can start at any age. I never played anything until I was 49. I will soon to be 51 and I play the upright bass, and banjo also which is my "first love". I play dulcimer too and that is what initially got me started. Be blessed!!!!

[gretchenman]

Joelle, have you forgotted about us? I wish you'd come back! We miss you!

[wvlavender]

Nooo I think of you guys at least once a day :), I've been sick and in to much pain to do more than take care of myself & family, who are pretty angry at me too since I can't do much, I hope spring and better weather will change my situation, you will have to come and visit me, I will be home next week. where is my "road" tab you promised??? :P

[girlswithguitars859]

Keep on playing no matter what. If you have to carry music with you so what! At least your playing. Music is a beautiful thing and the simplicity of the dulcimer is wonderful. No American Idols here. Dulcimer players are great and very laid back people. Everybody comes to it at different levels. Play daily and your skills will develop. Check out my videos they are very basic. I have only been playing for one month. But I can see that I am improving daily. You will improve I promise! God Bless!

[wvlavender]

true true, you are soo right! I checked out your video such good rhythm for a beginner.

you will do very good, and thank you for your encouragement!!!

[girlswithguitars859]

Just did a live video of myself wildwood flower so people could see me play better

[Vodallus]

@girlswithguitars859 when i first got my hands on a dulcimer(last week), i created a song that would send dueling banjo's running.... the dulcimer is such a beautiful instrument, and i play it when i am idle on the internet. i wanna practice violin but i think they might be too expensive

i'll look at your video

[choirgirl1000]

@girlswithguitars859

I am a beginner, and I totally agree. Just play, play, play. You may develop your own style but that is okay. I am struggling with moving about on the keyboard with ease., kind of choppy, But it is all about daily playing and getting practice. You sound great....

[WhistlersBrother]

Very nice! I don't know anything about proper technique for playing the dulcimer so I didn't notice you doing anything wrong! Hope you are doing well after your accident, I wish you well for a complete recovery. Much peace and happiness to you! Take care. --Dave

[wvlavender]

ty, I have improved, yet the brain trauma keeps me from memorizing and playing up to speed most songs, which takes the fun out, to have to carry music every time I play, but I don't give up hope... by the time I get close to having my mind and body recovered if it's possible... I think that aging will pull me back down ahh thats life. dulcimer is a very fun and versatile instrument, so I can't put it down.

[MrSteve55]

hey nothing wrong with thumbing, tho i know some dont advise it. and good chording, i dont chord on that particular song, just meloldy.... anyway hope things are going well, i wont complain you havent posted in a while since i havent either, lol... getting cold up there yet, we still okay down here...

[wvlavender]

ice snow, 60 degree weather from 18 degree weather all in one week , some crazy stuff!

no I don't do videos anymore but should because I'm improving, this is both me learning & physical therapy people can't compare my learning to theirs, because I have to wait for the brain damage to catch up & the hand eye coordination to get better before I can move on. but I still enjoy the daylights out of the dulcimer. Still can't memorize my songs well, but making progress & hope for better tomorrows

[davidbrucemusicvideo]

man, u chord better than me with that thumb!

[wvlavender]

hehe ty, but I kind of doubt it, your playing is awesome. This video of my playing was back when I could barely use my last two fingers due to an accident, so I barely had 2 fingers on each hand and my thumbs, so I use them, things are improving so hopefully I'll be more able to use all five fingers.

[bohicasis]

Thanks for sharinging the onset of your process. That is very humble of you. I too had a head injury in 89 from a car accident ( I was on the bike)and music is VERY helpful to re-route some of the damage that may have occured as well as repairing the brain. Most of my speech and ability to bring thoughts to word was severly twisted..things just didnt come out. And returning to music was the best therapy,as well as long distance swimming. I see this was posted some time ago. How r things now?

[wvlavender]

bohicasis, I agree, though it hurts my head to stretch it, in the long run I will be better off. ty for asking how I'm doing, I've been struggling for the last year, so it seems my abilities come and go, the constant pain gets tiring, & the ability to socialize like in the past wavers, the whole thing is a upward climb, yet, thats the point! UPWARDS, so we continue, ty for telling me about your path, I don't feel so alone, and you did great explaining it.

[wvlavender]

Thank you for the encouragement

[MDMstudio]

Very nice! You have some good chords in there and you have a nice dulcimer to! Keep em coming

[LAArtGallery]

I think it was beautiful. Thanks for subscribing, may I ask what it was that made you want to subscribe? Can't wait to hear more from you, have sub'd. :) Thank you for your subscription.

Warm regards

Lori

[wvlavender]

""Some have asked me "Who do you think you are? Bob Ross?"" That cracked me up, there is alot of jeliousy in the art word, just ignore em and keep painting!

[LAArtGallery]

LOL - Yeah, I have to laugh at some comments sometime. My hair is not as nice as his was though. :)

[wvlavender]

Hi Lori,

I was an artist, long ago.... and been thinking about taking it up again. Just wanted to see what was out there. Your very good.

[LAArtGallery]

Well, first I don't think you should say "I was" cuzz your playing your instrument is very Artistic, and takes much talent and skill. but Would love to see your art too wether on paper or canvas. :)

Thank you for your nice comments. Happy creating whatever it may be!

Warm regards, and thanks for responding. :)

[offline111]

This is such a lovely sounding instrument. I hope your practicing is pleasing you. I can't wait to hear more of your videos. Hint..hint..:)

[wvlavender]

thanks :), yes I'm practicing, it is past time for some more videos

[superbooks7]

Your music is just what I needed today. Thank you so much for posting your music videos!

[wvlavender]

thanks :)

[liquidmajic]

cool instrument :)

[wvlavender]

I think so too.. just trying to figure out how to play it better.

[wvlavender]

Oldtimefiddler, I got mine "used" as well, am glad that it has a nice sound. I would like to see a picture of your Dulcimer, you might be surprised, it might be a gem that just needs a bit of TLC.

[OldtimeFiddler]

Wildwood Flower Thats a great tune!! I have a Lap Dulcimer also but it isnt as nice as yours. Its a "Yard sale" Dulcimer. I have plans of refurbishing it. Its not really playable right now. The back panel has come loose and the sound post has fallen loose.

Good job on that!

[kbrigby]

Hey, that's not bad at all especially for someone recovering from injury and who is also a beginner. And you're chording too! Impressive! Seems like some folks are afraid to touch those "other strings". Your dulcimer has a nice tone too. Who makes it? Keep up the video diary so we can share in your progress.

[wvlavender]

kbrigby, thank you, yes It seems incomplete without using one or more strings a few times through out the song. That is a Black Mountain Dulcimer made back in the 70's, so I've been told. that one has very narrow fret board, but it works well for me.

[MrSteve55]

I have only been playing a little over a year myself, and funny WWF was one of the first I learned also... keep practicing it is a lot of fun... I usually just learn the melody first, til I get it down, then start adding the chords, esp the easy ones, the G,D,A... some songs, esp fast ones, I dont even bother, just pick them (like Black Mountain Rag, Soldiers Joy,etc)

keep in touch and let's compare progress notes...

[wvlavender]

mrsteve, thanks for the tips...don't quite have the speed for black mountain rag or soldiers joy yet. yep, keep your videos going, I learn alot by watching others.

[spektix]

good job! you have great tone.

[wvlavender]

spektix, I take that as a total compliment after hearing you jam.. WOW, I'm hooked and subscribed!

[mousepotato64]

Your playing is not too bad> i built my own dulcimer and I know that it is not as easy as it looks, At least not for me anyway :) Don't give up and post more progress vids. (subscribe)

[wvlavender]

thanks mouse, I have problems with short term memory .... so I allways forget that next note. lol.

[mousepotato64]

That's ok, after awhile your fingers will do the remembering for you. ;)

[wvlavender]

HA! I hope your right.

[mousepotato64]

That dulcimer is definately mahogony.

[wvlavender]

thanks mouse, I have since found that out.

[creamofcardstv]

Your video clip is great and I've rated it as awesome. Please check out mine on some 1920's trading cards of musical instruments, including the Dulcimer.

[wvlavender]

You have some great collections, but I didn't see a dulcimer.. did I miss it?

[creamofcardstv]

Thank you for your reply. I've just worked out why you didn't see it it's the one card in the set that was reversed. Sorry about that.

[wvlavender]

LOL ok

[bmphan]

wvlavender, that sounds great! Nothing to be embarrassed about, plenty to be proud of. If you sound this good now, just imagine a year from now.

[wvlavender]

thank you bmphan for the encouragement...so sweet and yes I'm excited about the how it might sound in a year!

[Appalshop]

I really enjoyed your video, what a great idea to document your process.

[wvlavender]

Thank you Appalshop, I wasn't too sure if this diary will be more embarrassing or more interesting, I think in about a year I'll be glad I'm making it.

[dread66mon]

That was great! I very much enjoyed that. Beautiful dulcimer too!

[wvlavender]

Thanks, that means alot coming from one of the best dulcimer player!

[BNDS9]

That is so great.  I am inspired now I am thinking About getting me one of those I don't know if I will be able to play it or not but I want to try it:):)

[wvlavender]

I think that you could do it, I'm enjoying the daylights out of learning.