Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer "WIldwood Flower"

Here is the dulcimer that I made a bit ago. I am still trying to learn to play it, but would do so much better if I took a class.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• dulcimer
• music
• wildwood
• flower
• Riverbum

[psychodelicdragon]

what was so difficult in making it? i have several years of cabinet making background. i want to build one, would you recommmend a kit or make it from raw lumber? i am having more than my share of trouble trying to play one. keep up the great playing.

[earth31217]

I came into it with almost no real woodworking background, so found it more of a challenge. We made ours from raw lumber. The only pre-manufactured parts were the gears and thumbscrews to tighten the strings. The toughest parts were getting the angles correct so the head, neck, and body of the instrument joined up properly, yet still be strong. It took about 5 full days for me to complete it.

[psychodelicdragon]

if you don't mind a couple of questions, how are your sides on the ends attached? do they go into the endblock or do they attach on the outside? i wish i was in your area, i have checked here and there isn't anyone who plays a mountain dulcimer at all. i'm going to have to learn it on my own and boy, am i in trouble now.

thanks for everything.

[earth31217]

The sides fit into notches on the tail and head stock. They are then fit into a jig and glued to the back. A reinforcing strip is glueed to the inside corner. After all is dry, the excess of the back is trimmed off and sanded flush. Go to my main page and click on Send A Message on the left side, about 1/2 way down the page and give me your email address. I will send you more details and photos.

[StuartMarshall26]

beautiful instrument, beautiful work. I am saving up money to buy one from the "Song of the Wood" store in Black Mountain, NC.

BUT IT'S APPALACHIAN, NOT APPALAISHIAN!!! CH, NOT SH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PLEASE!

[earth31217]

Actually if you check out Merriam-Webster's Dictionary, you will see that both the CH and SH versions are considered correct. It just depends on the local dialect and accent!

[007clooneen]

C'était un grand plaisir pour vous écouter .............peut-etre les origines du mot "dulcimer" fut dulce (italien) ou douce (francais)...."sweet ".........n'est pas .? tres belle musique dix sur dix. Courage mon brave!..................

[twjroth11]

Very pretty instrument! Now you have some idea why they can be expensive. And, while it's a simple instrument it will take a while to get good at playing it.

[iwaegian]

Beautifuly carved. Well done............oh, you are doing fine....thought the tune was nice. Thanks for sharing....

[dewocket]

That is very very pretty!

[kiwikate2]

Gorgeous instrument....

[gorrig]

Good try. Like you I have made my own mountain dulcimer and am trying to learn how to play it. I will try harder.

[789holland]

Hi I i've just made my first one, a simple box of ply, maple neck etc, now i've seen yours,WOW, brilliant patternation on the soundboard, now i also have to learn to play

and make my next one, thanks for the encouragement, Russ in the UK.

[Jtweezers]

Those are amazing soundholes. I really like it. :)

[bluegraphite1]

nice job

[ETSUeastman515]

when people live there I think we know how to say it, but nice looking dulcimer!