Dulcimer Demo - "Soldier's Joy" (Bing Futch)

[CloeliaNaso9]

I started playing dulcimer a year ago, and used it a lot for colonial reenacting. This is the first song I learned on it (by watching your video over and over again), and it was always a huge hit at events. I fell in love with this instrument after seeing these videos, and the videos were a great way to get started. Thank you so much for all the videos you do, and thank you for helping others learn them too!

[dread66mon]

@CloeliaNaso9 Hey Chloe - you are doing fantastic in such a short period of time. It's an honor to have helped in your journey. Hope to see you at a festival sometime!

[RavensWyre]

Wonderful. What brand of dulcimer is that?

[spanishmaine]

Dreads. Dulcimer. Damn cute. Will you marry me?

[dread66mon]

@spanishmaine : ) 

[linzamin]

Sounds great! I'm just starting out on the dulcimer. Is it a lot more difficult to play a fast picking song like this if you have the 1.5 and 8.5 fret? I have a dulcimer ordered with these extra frets because I like to play blues. I'm thinking it will be just a matter of muscle memory and learning the fretboard. Am I right or way off track? I see that you play with 1.5 and also without. Thanks in advance for helping a beginner.

[dread66mon]

@linzamin it's really about the same either way. Better to get started with the 1.5 and 8.5 so you can get used to them quicker. Thanks for watching!

[linzamin]

@linzamin OK. I've had my dulcimer for a month now and am really starting to get the hang of it. That was great playing on Soldier's Joy. I think I've got all the notes except for the fast part starting at 1:44. Are you playing a 3 or 4 note run? What frets are you playing for the melody? 2 - 1 - 0 ? or something else? Thanks for helping a beginner.

[dread66mon]

@linzamin Technically that run is E - D - C# - B - A, but I tend to treat it as a slide more often than not, depending on the kind of back rhythm I'm putting into it. Melody is coming from the fourth fret initially with the "B" section bits coming from 2 - 3- 4 and the second octave.

[jglasband]

You and your dulcimer rock.

[dread66mon]

@jglasband thank you!

[Ricky0001]

I had no idea what a mountain dulcimer was before I saw your video, now it's one of my favorite instruments! Thanks for sharing all this great music!

[dread66mon]

@Ricky0001 Thanks for watching!

[dread66mon]

Thank you!

[medicn]

very good like this one

[reb198]

excellent ty for posting i enjoyed it very much

[Inaritricx]

still learning to play. -.-' you're really amazing!

[owllady13]

I was wondering if you made a tab for your version it is really cool.

[dread66mon]

Thanks! This version is actually a mixture of different tablatures that I've found online, including one that comes from the fiddle melody.

[Xazoola]

what is your tuning?

[dread66mon]

I'm in dd-A-D for this one.

[IvoniceAstrid]

that sounded really good, i've never heared of this tune before, but i got to say i liked it and your playing is amazing, and what an instrument ! wow...x

[dread66mon]

Thank you!

[dlawrick]

Great job. I just ran into someone who plays a dulcimer, went to You Tube and found you. I play guitar, bass, mandolin and banjo but now I see how a dulcimer should actually sound and where it should fit. Thank you so much. Again, great work!

[dread66mon]

Thanks for watching! There are many great dulcimer videos on YouTube - lots of variety - i.e., the dulcimer can do anything!

[zzornix]

WOW! I have a dulcimer I was given years ago. I never learned to play it - I thought it was just a simple insrument where you held the string down with a stick and strummed chords. I had no idea it could be played like that. Bravo!

[dread66mon]

You can do a lot with a dulcimer - no rules!

[radiomanxray]

Bing, are you using 2 melody strings on this song? U da best!

[dread66mon]

Gosh, I don't remember - and you can't tell with this resolution in the video. But I can tell you that it's most likely I'm using a single melody string, as has been my practice ever since the summer of 2006. I do use a double at times, but rarely. Thanks!

[1artistheart]

Wow! That was fun. Thanks

[dread66mon]

Glad you liked it!

[lifeisworth]

Wow

really nice musicccc

[dread66mon]

Thank you!

[murf5824]

once again great playing. i really enjoyed your added colour to this old tune. did you immerse yourself into this instrument or did you have someone help teach you. just curious. my playing has imposed ideas from what i hear not from teachings and i find your sound has many similarities. maybe im just finally getting somewhere with my playing. best wishes

[dread66mon]

Thank you! At some point, I decided that this was going to be my main instrument and I've applied myself accordingly. For years, there was no one to watch, learn from, get tips from. Only in the past four or five years have I really been able to soak up some other influences, so like you, I'm just picking up stuff as I go along - this tune is a perfect example. It's a hodgepodge of several different versions that I've heard.

[SNAXDUO]

:)nice 5*****

[dread66mon]

Thanks!

[Maysey1]

Very nice playing brother! It inspires me to play my dulcimer more often. Mark

[dread66mon]

Please, do play more and enjoy your journey!

[RightOnAndFarOut]

Greetings, Sir Bing!

I was wondering if you'd be willing and/or able to give me some tips on how to improve my dulcimer playing. I'm not really sure what to do to get better. Do you have any general tips? Thanks so much for your time

[dread66mon]

My best advice to you would be to play a little every day, and if you can manage it, play a LOT every day. If you're hungry to do better and continue to chart your path, you will be the player you desire to be. I know it sounds quaint - but I knew next to nothing about the instrument a short time ago, and through deciding to plumb the depths, I've plotted a course towards understanding the instrument better. Of course, that journey never stops - but it does get easier.

[iplaybanjer]

hey man, are you groing a beard? cause if you are thats awesome! and i love ur playin man haha.

[dread66mon]

Hey, thanks! No, not growing a beard - but I was when this video was shot. Too much gray in the beard now, lol!

[yeahbyme]

I've only heard this on the fiddle. Thanks for the ghreat version ! Love the dreads.

[dread66mon]

Thanks for watching! Dreads make it interesting, don't they? : )

[justinruns]

Dude that is pretty spot on for Solders Joy I have to say, good job. What a great song, one of the all time great American songs.

[dread66mon]

Wow, thanks man!

[synespro]

Bing! I hope you bust out that singing bowl one day! Its Huge! Have you ever put water into it and watch the texture?

My friend handed me a dulcimer last week. I sat it on my lap and plucked a few strings while sliding the side of a shot glass acroos its neck. OH the sound is sweetah then Honey!

[dread66mon]

Hmm, I may feature the singing bowl on my next album - it's an "A" - never tried it with water before. Flea powder, yes. (Long story.)

[Aether91]

Love the dreads :) Working on my own and thinking about getting into the Dulcimer. And yes, R.E.M would be awesome!

[dread66mon]

Pick up a dulcimer and you'll invite beautiful blessings into your life - same with the dreads. : ) Mahalo!

[dread66mon]

I'm working on that tune - hope to have it in the repertoire soon! Thanks for watching.

[marty1090]

That was amazing!

[dread66mon]

Thanks -- aloha!

[jlbinindiana]

Okay, so THAT is how the song is supposed to go! My beginner book says 'fast' but I am always wondering... what the heck is fast. Now I know fast.

Hey Bing, can you recommend a dulcimer? I've bought three now and two suck. I'd like one with a nicer voice.

[dread66mon]

LOL! You gotta see Don Pedi play this song - now THAT's fast!

What kind of voice are you looking for? Dulcimer tones are really subjective to the listener, but I can lead you in some general directions based on what your preference is.

[doobieman69]

Greetings from the UK, Bing! Your wonderful music inspired me to acquire myself a beautiful Folkcraft dulcimer. Trouble is the dulcimer isn't too well known over here and I can't find myself a teacher. Are there any books and/or DVDs that you can recommend?

[dread66mon]

Welcome to the family! You've got a nice dulcimer - I'm playing a Folkcraft in this video and I've got two others that are very sweet. Amazon has got "In Search of the Wild Dulcimer" by Robert Force (out of print, but a fantastic primer on the instrument) and also "Lapidus On Dulcimer" by Joellen Lapidus. Both are old-school books. Check out also Jerry Rockwell's "Music Theory For Mountain Dulcimer" as well as his other titles. Stephen Seifert has instructional DVDs that are also great!

[doobieman69]

Thanks for the advice. I'll start searching for those titles!!

[zcav99]

*BRAVO* GREAT instrument, GREAT tune, obviously TALENTED musician!!! Thanks for allowing me to watch!!

[dread66mon]

Thanks for watching, I appreciate it!

[bogsdolics]

WOW GREAT

[dread66mon]

Thank you!

[Luneromaestro]

Ala , tocas bien verga !!

Wow , you play that so well!!

[dread66mon]

Gracias, I appreciate it! Thanks for watching!

[fetermcblues]

its a joy...You Rock Bing !!

[dread66mon]

Blessings - you rock too, Feter!

[paix12]

Hey Mon, you're good!

[dread66mon]

Thank you!

[Rhenao]

A dreadhead who plays dulcimer. You're my hero.

[dread66mon]

LOL! Thanks - you a dreadie?

[Rhenao]

You betcha!

[dread66mon]

Rock steady, dreadie! : ) One love -

[wbdubay]

Thanks for sharing!!

[dread66mon]

My pleasure!

[flossiekat]

That was totally deliciously gorgeous! I was noticing the back strap. Do they make those for a dulcimer or is that a guitar strap that you made work? I would like to get one for mine to keep it from moving around so much. Thanks again!

[dread66mon]

Thank you! That's actually a strap made for dulcimers - I got mine from Prussia Valley Dulcimers, Gary and Toni Sager's shop. PrussiaValley dot com!

[AliceLJohnson83]

oooh pretty how long did it take you to learn the dulcimer?? so pretty:D

[dread66mon]

I'm still learning. : ) But I started playing in 1985, got serious about it in 1999.

[DeafJake]

is that thing plugged in? it sounds very brilliant! so does the playing ;-)

[dread66mon]

Thanks, man! I'm totally acoustic here - but I combined the two audio sources from the two cameras - so it got pretty pumped up.

[Normanskie]

Truly amazing.

[dread66mon]

Thank you - praise to the Great Spirit for the tools.

[beatcop49]

I have 2 guitars and a mandolin. I just recently went to Pigeon Forge, TN and found me a dulcimer. I've always wanted to play one...I don't read music well, but I can read tab. I found that the mountain dulcimer is fairly easy to play....But YOU ROCK!! Maybe with years of practice, I can play like you.

[dread66mon]

Thank you - days of practice - just own it, say to yourself, "I'm going to ____________" and then own it, take it, make it happen. I always say, play a little each day. No matter how wonderful the gift, it takes our effort to give it lift. Peace to you - and keep rockin' the dulcimer, as well as other instruments. Who did you find at Pigeon Forge? Was it Bill Taylor or someone else?

[beatcop49]

Mark Edleman, but I believe it was his son we spoke with. They were at a craft show at the Gatlinburg Convention Center.

[dread66mon]

Thank you kindly, sir! You're gonna play as far as you want to, and don't let anything hold you back. If it's any comfort at all, every day I wake up and wonder how I can not SUCK like I did the day before. Part of the journey is enjoying the moment - the rest is understanding how we came to be so lucky that the moment came to us, right?  Peace, bro!

[liphookedbullhead]

Memorable music good friend. I play the mandolin and occasionally attempt to play the guitar, and I really like your take. You should have been on the Heartland album with O'Connor, Marshall and Fleck. I like how the droning sounds on the dulcimer; it sounds most natural on this instrument ... and brings out the best in a lot of fiddle tunes, where the double and triple stops sometimes sound harsh.

[dread66mon]

Dude, what acclaim - how does one live up to that sort of props? Thank you - and I agree - sometimes, the best part of the instrument is the simple nature - not the ornaments and stuff like that.  Nothing wrong with it, mind you. But simple is calming, right and purposeful.

[skywav]

Great Stuff

[dread66mon]

Thank you - many blessings!

[redhedhellinbed]

Oh, my gosh!!! That was stunning! I played (not this good) a dulcimer years ago, was divorcing, sold it for lawyer money, etc. I'm asking Santa for another one for Christmas because you've inspired me so much! Now my five-year-old is wanting to learn too! Thanks!

[dread66mon]

My pleasure, that's the best kind of news ever! Welcome back to the fold. : )

[viperBSG]

This is great.The dulcimer has great tone.(not to thin).Playing is first rate.The dulcimer looks almost like mine.

[dread66mon]

Thank you! Folkcraft makes a mean dulcimer.

[marisolcello]

Wonderful!

[dread66mon]

Thank you!

[hugoestr]

I didn't know that you could that with a dulcimer. Thanks for the video, and especially for the second camera

[dread66mon]

you're welcome, thank you! Dulcimers are seriously versatile - you can do anything on it!

[LutraWintersky]

You make it look easy! I've got a long way to go before I'm that good.

[dread66mon]

Sometimes you can travel long distances in short spans of time - all it takes is the desire to get there. Best wishes to you on your journey!

[MYABUTTREEKS]

You sir are very talented.

[dread66mon]

Humble thanks, friend!

[HillbillyJ]

Very well played!

[dread66mon]

Thank you!

[Amiduffer]

{applause}

[dread66mon]

Well received, Drew - thanks!

[HUMPTYDOKU]

y dont u play turkey in the straw

[dread66mon]

I'm workin' on that one - I'll play it here pretty soon.

[Tralman1965]

You are a fantastic musician.

[dread66mon]

Thank you very kindly!

[HUMPTYDOKU]

this is great

[lhendri479]

Very nice. Have you ever heard of Jimmy Driftwood - I believe from Arkansas - you gotta hear is old stuff - he is dead now but saved all the old mountain songs. Ever come to Asheville, NC? If so let me know. thanks for posting so I can see and hear you play. Wonderful

[dread66mon]

thanks so much - I haven't heard of Jimmy Driftwood, but I'm sure gonna look him up now. I just drove through NC on my last trip - thinking about hitting the Galax fiddle festival when it comes around again. Thanks for watching!

[RichBeecher]

Nicely done!

[dread66mon]

Thank you!

[Disposablehero9]

You're pretty much an inspiration. What you do with that instrument makes me excited that my sister is bringing hers home in a week haha. Do you find it more rewarding to learn songs or to create your own?

[dread66mon]

Well, thank you, I'm glad I could offer a spark! I'd have to say that it's a balance; I do love writing tunes. But I also love learning someone else's. As long as I'm playing, life is pretty good. : )

[webcam93]

Fantastic!

[dread66mon]

Thank you!

[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

[dread66mon]

Cool, thanks! Will do!

[mrgreer51]

Good music! Most dulcimer players I know rarely advance past telling Aunt Rodie that the old gray goose is dead. You make the instrument come alive.

[dread66mon]

Thank you! That means a lot coming from you - I've been enjoying your videos - what a great musical family!

[quasarsphere]

Incidentally, the tuning I usually use is E B A, which I'm not aware of anyone else using. I have a problem with D A D, in that, with my dulcimer at least, tuning the...I guess you'd call it the melody string down to D makes it so slack that it sounds horrible, and tuning it up to D makes it snap.

[dread66mon]

Hi there! Well, I'm glad you've gotten inspired to start pushing with the dulcimer. I wonder what is going on with your fretboard that you are breaking strings? Have you measured your fretboard from nut to bridge? I wonder what string length you are using. That could be an issue.

[quasarsphere]

The strings I use are sold as dulcimer strings, if that helps. But yeah, I must be doing something wrong, because I go through strings faster than I can replace them. The fact that my dulcimer is a cheap crappy specimen might be part of it. I need to get a proper one.

[quasarsphere]

Ignore my last, I just managed to get D A D working nicely. I think prefer E A A for Mixolydian, though - "She Moved Through The Fair" sounds less weird that way. Anyway, I'm off to do some busking, so I'll stop bugging you now :)

[quasarsphere]

Well, I have been moved to get out my dulcimer and start playing it again. It'll be a while before I can play this piece, though. It's only from discovering your videos that I now have some idea of the sort of thing that can be done with a dulcimer.

[bradleyfish]

Cool Videos - keep up the great work!

[dread66mon]

Thanks! I'm tuned DAD in this clip. (I probably should've mentioned that in the video.)

[littlewindy666]

wow really nice, what is the tuning?

[dread66mon]

Thanks! As they say, speed isn't everything - accuracy is - and with that in mind, I need to watch my speed. : )

[dulciquilt]

great version! Wish I could get my speed up a bit more, but old fingers don't move so fast.