Welcome to Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer!
Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer is the most extensive site for Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer players and builders on the internet. Welcome!
Join Groups and Forum discussions that interest you, make new music friends. Share photos, music clips, and videos, resources for buying instruments, music, and learning materials. Ask your beginner questions and learn to play! All are welcome here no matter what your playing style, skill level, or musical tastes. Become a member of Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer (FOTMD) community -it's friendly and totally FREE!
After joining, please read the Site Rules before posting. You'll find your very own Member Profile Page by clicking on your name link at the top of any page. Click on different links to get familiar with where things are. Questions about using the site?- ask them HERE . You've come to exactly the right place to receive or give free help and encouragement in playing music. Here on FOTMD we all learn from each other as friends. Join our block party! -Strumelia
Latest Activity
@dusty
• 17 hours ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Working Girl Blues:
Posted a new Comment on Working Girl Blues:
"Wonderful singing. Wonderful playing. Just wonderful!"
@wally-venable
• 19 hours ago
• comments: 15
Posted a new Comment on Northern WV Dulcimer Doings:
Posted a new Comment on Northern WV Dulcimer Doings:
"PattyFest Music Festival Saturday, June 7, 2025 9 a.m. — 8 p.m.East Fairmont High School Fairmont, WV The stage schedule and workshop lists are now on the..."
@john-petry
• yesterday
• comments: 0
Is attending an Event:
Gebhard Woods Dulcimer and Traditional Music Fest
Gebhard Woods Dulcimer and Traditional Music Fest
@john-petry
• yesterday
• comments: 0
Created a new Event:
Gebhard Woods Dulcimer and Traditional Music Fest
Gebhard Woods Dulcimer and Traditional Music Fest
@robin-thompson
• yesterday
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Working Girl Blues:
Posted a new Comment on Working Girl Blues:
"Love this, Foggers! So fitting now and in any age. "
@robin-thompson
• yesterday
• comments: 2
Liked a music item created by @foggers: Working Girl Blues
Liked a music item created by @foggers: Working Girl Blues
@davisjames
• 2 days ago
• comments: 19
Liked a video item created by @rob-n-lackey: Black Eyed Susie - Gardner dulcimer
Liked a video item created by @rob-n-lackey: Black Eyed Susie - Gardner dulcimer
@frank-dudgeon
• 2 days ago
• comments: 6
Liked a music item created by @davisjames: The Princess Royal.
Liked a music item created by @davisjames: The Princess Royal.
@robin-thompson
• 2 days ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on The Princess Royal.:
Posted a new Comment on The Princess Royal.:
"Listening again-- so good! The harmonies are just right, Jamie. "
@davisjames
• 3 days ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on The Princess Royal.:
Posted a new Comment on The Princess Royal.:
"Upon reflection it's the Nashville trick in reverse.On the guitar you'd be playing the bass strings with the pick,slightly muted with the heel of your..."
@davisjames
• 3 days ago
• comments: 8
Liked a music item created by @robin-thompson: All the Abandoned Mines
Liked a music item created by @robin-thompson: All the Abandoned Mines
@robin-thompson
• 3 days ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on All the Abandoned Mines:
Posted a new Comment on All the Abandoned Mines:
"The larger white rectangle is our house. The shaded overlay is where there is a long-abandoned underground mine. "
@benjamin-w-barr-jr
• 3 days ago
• comments: 8
Liked a music item created by @robin-thompson: All the Abandoned Mines
Liked a music item created by @robin-thompson: All the Abandoned Mines
@luigi
• 4 days ago
• comments: 8
Liked a music item created by @robin-thompson: All the Abandoned Mines
Liked a music item created by @robin-thompson: All the Abandoned Mines
@randy-adams
• 4 days ago
• comments: 8
Liked a music item created by @robin-thompson: All the Abandoned Mines
Liked a music item created by @robin-thompson: All the Abandoned Mines
@robin-thompson
• 4 days ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on All the Abandoned Mines:
Posted a new Comment on All the Abandoned Mines:
"@dusty The environmental degradation from clear cut logging, deep coal mining, coal strip mining, drilling, and, to a lesser degree, the mining of clay, is..."
@dusty
• 4 days ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on All the Abandoned Mines:
Posted a new Comment on All the Abandoned Mines:
"Robin, this is a striking tune. It does not have the relaxing, meditative feel of most of your compositions, but rather an urgent, ominous feel. That range..."
@robin-thompson
• 4 days ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on All the Abandoned Mines:
Posted a new Comment on All the Abandoned Mines:
"Hey, @nate -- thanks a bunch for listening and for the nice comment!
We started and stopped mostly together so that always makes for a successful tune...."
@nate
• 5 days ago
• comments: 8
Liked a music item created by @robin-thompson: All the Abandoned Mines
Liked a music item created by @robin-thompson: All the Abandoned Mines
@nate
• 5 days ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on All the Abandoned Mines:
Posted a new Comment on All the Abandoned Mines:
"What you might describe as "timing difficulty" I would describe as expression. Love the song Robin"
@benjamin-w-barr-jr
• 5 days ago
• comments: 4
Posted a new Comment on @wanative07:
Posted a new Comment on @wanative07:
"Hi Wanative07, and welcome to the wonderful world of the Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer. It's a good place to come, spend some time, learn about the..."
@frank-dudgeon
• 6 days ago
• comments: 8
Liked a music item created by @robin-thompson: All the Abandoned Mines
Liked a music item created by @robin-thompson: All the Abandoned Mines
@frank-dudgeon
• 6 days ago
• comments: 2
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: Peasant Dance
Liked a youtube item created by @mark-gilston: Peasant Dance
@phil-myers
• one week ago
• comments: 8
Liked a music item created by @robin-thompson: All the Abandoned Mines
Liked a music item created by @robin-thompson: All the Abandoned Mines
@phil-myers
• one week ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Music Room:
Posted a new Comment on Music Room:
"The small dulcimer that looks like a scheitholt is a Cousin Clem dulcimer built by Mike Clemmer. The dulcimer by the guitars is a Tom Yockey built in 2005"
@phil-myers
• one week ago
• comments: 6
Posted a new Comment on Music Room:
Posted a new Comment on Music Room:
"That is a bass scheitholt built by Jack Ferguson. I love it! I’m playing it on that video of Be Thou My Vision"
@robin-thompson
• one week ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on All the Abandoned Mines:
Posted a new Comment on All the Abandoned Mines:
"@dan & @ken-longfield Thank you, fellows, for listening and for your kind comments!
There are folks who have worked to help clean the waters yet there..."
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on All the Abandoned Mines:
Posted a new Comment on All the Abandoned Mines:
"Sounds great, Robin. Living between to areas where mining was an important part of the economy I see the environmental problems almost every day. We did have..."
@dan
• one week ago
• comments: 8
Posted a new Comment on All the Abandoned Mines:
Posted a new Comment on All the Abandoned Mines:
"Bravo! The good news is I can't keep time so it sounds perfect to me...."
@mark-gilston
• one week ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Peasant Dance:
Posted a new Comment on Peasant Dance:
"DavisJames:
Very cool.I bet Morris dancers would like this( that thing they do with the sticks).
Yes, it does have a Morris-y rhythm to it. I was..."
@davisjames
• one week ago
• comments: 2
Posted a new Comment on Peasant Dance:
Posted a new Comment on Peasant Dance:
"Very cool.I bet Morris dancers would like this( that thing they do with the sticks)."
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 5
Posted a new Comment on Livi:
Posted a new Comment on Livi:
"DavisJames:
It also sounds like mandolin(doubled strings).Do you have percussion in the background?Whatever it is,it works.
Thank you jamie thats nice of..."
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Just String info.":
Posted a response to "Just String info.":
"Dwain gave you a very good run down on the various aspects of wound strings. In the end, if you experiment with different strings, it all depends on the..."
@dwain-wilder
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Just String info.":
Posted a response to "Just String info.":
"Lilley Pad:
Hey kids, here we go again. I think this musical journey is starting to hurt my head. any one out there know of a good website or link about..."
@richard-streib
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Just String info.":
Posted a response to "Just String info.":
"Only one of my current dulcimers uses a wound bass string. I have always preferred a nickel wound string when a wound string is called for.
A string is a..."
@lilley-pad
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Created a new forum topic "Just String info.":
Created a new forum topic "Just String info.":
"Hey kids, here we go again. I think this musical journey is starting to hurt my head. any one out there know of a good website or link about strings. Looks..."
@wally-venable
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
"You can make a stable, playable dulcimer which is only a stick. You just won't hear much without adding a sound box or putting it on a table top resonator...."
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
"That makes sense wally, thanks.
It seems there are a lot of different aspects of the build that could affect how it handles tension. Bracing, full length..."
@ken-longfield
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
"I made my first dulcimer over 50 years ago. I've accumulated quite a few since then. Some instruments may only come out of a case once every five years or..."
@wanative07
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "Jim Good dulcimer":
Posted a response to "Jim Good dulcimer":
"https://ebay.us/m/EcRFQT
here’s the link if anyone is interested."
@wally-venable
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
"I taught engineering mechanics (Statics, Dynamics, and Strength of Materials - the courses which drove students out of Engineering) for a quarter of a..."
@dusty
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
"The advice to loosen the strings is common for guitars. But string tension on guitars is much greater than that on dulcimers, and dulcimers have the..."
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
""but, in my opinion, the minute aspects of wooden bodies' shapes are better preserved if string tension it maintained. "
Im curious to know more about this..."
@nate
• one week ago
• comments: 0
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
Posted a response to "storing an instrument":
"Id say that detuning the strings by just a little bit is a good idea. While some instruments seem to hold up really well to warping over time...other fare..."
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Beginner players
Are you a brand new player? Join this group and ask all...
OLD STYLE Drone & Noter...
If you are an avid fan of the older traditional mountain...
Dulcimer Making
A group for those building dulcimers or interested in...
Modern/Chord style Players
Do you play chords and fret across all strings? Then...
Fingerpicking
A place to discuss fingerpicking styles of dulcimer...
Hymn and Worship Song Players
a place to share the hymns and worship songs we are playing.
The Music Theory Corner
A Group to talk about Music Theory!
Dulcimer Care & Maintenance
Tips, tricks and techniques to help care for your dulcimer.
Rockin' in the Free World
A group for those of you who like to play music not...
Mountain Dulcimer History &...
Share historical information and resources on the...
Technology/Software/Amplifying
to share info on all aspects of using tech: Amplifying,...
Singing with the Dulcimer
Here's a group for those of us who are interested in...
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A group to discuss creating arrangements of songs and...
Little Dulcimers
Do you play an octave, mini, or traveling dulcimer?
Baritone & Bass Dulcimer...
A Group for discussing the unique aspects of playing...
Four-Equidistant Strings
A place to share about 4-equidistant string playing, how...
fans of Jean Ritchie
A group for those of us who have been inspired by...
Help Me Learn this Song
Need help learning to play a particular song? Let another...
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For discussing music from earlier eras: Ancient,...
I have extra frets.....
This group is for those who have a 1 1/2 fret, an 8 1/2...
Public Domain... or Not?
Ever wanted to record or post that tune, but you just...
Dulcimer Therapy
This group is dedicated to those that visit, or have a...
Home Studio Recording
Recording dulcimers, vocals and other instruments in the...
Dulcimer Ancestors
Looking at some of the ancestors of the Mountain...
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Do you teach dulcimer? Are you helping others to learn?
Stick Dulcimers/Strumsticks
Regardless of what name you favor, this group is a...
UK and European Mountain...
A group which hopefully allows players/makers in this...
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For players who enjoy playing dulcimers with ALL the frets!
Box Dulcimers
A group for those who play, make, or admire all types...
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Just a group to discuss all things Galax Dulcimer. Tips...
Call the Tune
"Call the Tune" is a place to post audio and video...
Civil War era music
For discussing music that was played around the time of...
GIG TALK!
Do you play gigs? Tell us about your good and not-so-good...
Scrap/Recycled wood...
A group for those thrifty and creative folk who like to...
Rosin the Bow!
Welcome to all who play music using a bow on any type of...
Challenged Players
A meeting place for players dealing with disabilities.
NorthEastern U.S. dulcimer...
For those of us who live in the northeastern United States.
Virginia Dulcimer Players
Just thought it would be neet to know how many other...
Prayers, Hugs, and Kindness
A group for private sharing and support, whether you are...
California Dulcimer Dreamin'
For dulcimer players living in or just visiting California
6 string dulcimers
Owning and playing a 6 string, regardless of tuning, and...
North Carolinians Plus
The Three Sides of North Carolina: Mountains / Piedmont /...
Texas Dulcimer Enthusiasts
Howdy ya'll! Come on by for a cup o' joe and jammin....
Kentucky Dulcimer Players
A group for any players from Kentucky where we can meet...
West Virginia players
A group just for dulcimer players in beautiful West...
Florida Sunshine Dulcimer...
Florida Dulcimer Players
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For players who live in or have strong connections to the...
FOTMD on the Road
Are your traveling, on vacation, on your way to a...
Missouri Dulcimer Players
for all the Show Me State dulcimer players
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Welcome all dulcimer players in the state of Indiana!...
North of the Lakes
for any MD players in Upper Canada (aka Ontario) and the...
Arkansas Mtn Dulcimer Players
For those who live in Arkansas and love playing the...
AussieTalk!
For dulcimer players in Australia.-Be sure to create...
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A private group to allow FOTMD moderators to communicate...
Latest Videos
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Latest Forum Posts All
Just String info.
Posted: Thursday May 15 2025, 5:36 PM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
storing an instrument
Posted: Thursday May 15 2025, 11:51 AM
By: @Wally Venable
By: @Wally Venable
Jim Good dulcimer
Posted: Wednesday May 14 2025, 6:38 PM
By: @wanative07
By: @wanative07
Things to consider with...
Posted: Monday May 12 2025, 7:29 PM
By: @Richard Streib
By: @Richard Streib
Gary Gallier Dulcimer
Posted: Friday May 9 2025, 10:38 AM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
American old time music.
Posted: Thursday May 8 2025, 8:16 AM
By: @DavisJames
By: @DavisJames
Only 10 to go till 200 members
Posted: Wednesday May 7 2025, 11:37 PM
By: @John Pettreemusic
By: @John Pettreemusic
Mystery dulcimer from 1970
Posted: Wednesday May 7 2025, 10:43 AM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
tuning pegs
Posted: Tuesday May 6 2025, 9:46 AM
By: @Ken Longfield
By: @Ken Longfield
Any information about this...
Posted: Wednesday April 30 2025, 11:41 AM
By: @Richard Streib
By: @Richard Streib
Introduce Yourself!
Posted: Wednesday April 30 2025, 8:10 AM
By: @Terry Jaye
By: @Terry Jaye
The Positive Thread...
Posted: Monday April 28 2025, 11:22 AM
By: @Robin Thompson
By: @Robin Thompson
McCafferty Desert Motif...
Posted: Sunday April 27 2025, 10:52 PM
By: @fromsfca
By: @fromsfca
WTB: glass noter
Posted: Sunday April 27 2025, 4:42 PM
By: @John Pettreemusic
By: @John Pettreemusic
six string Dulcimer
Posted: Friday April 25 2025, 2:34 PM
By: @Lilley Pad
By: @Lilley Pad
Amplification of an...
Posted: Thursday April 24 2025, 1:28 AM
By: @Pux0r3
By: @Pux0r3
Help with restoring a 1962...
Posted: Tuesday April 22 2025, 10:29 PM
By: @Robert Owens
By: @Robert Owens
New Harmony saddle?
Posted: Saturday April 19 2025, 4:31 PM
By: @Debi
By: @Debi
John Stockard Dulcimer
Posted: Saturday April 19 2025, 8:04 AM
By: @Old Dawg
By: @Old Dawg
recommendations for...
Posted: Friday April 18 2025, 12:12 PM
By: @John Pettreemusic
By: @John Pettreemusic
Good dulcimer for busking?
Posted: Friday April 18 2025, 3:12 AM
By: @Nate
By: @Nate
Chet Hines “dulcimore”
Posted: Friday April 18 2025, 2:48 AM
By: @John Pettreemusic
By: @John Pettreemusic
Mountain Dulcimer on The...
Posted: Thursday April 17 2025, 1:49 PM
By: @Dusty Turtle
By: @Dusty Turtle
2 dulcimer dilemma
Posted: Tuesday April 15 2025, 9:33 PM
By: @John Pettreemusic
By: @John Pettreemusic
Don Neuhauser
Posted: Monday April 14 2025, 6:18 AM
By: @Lilley Pad
By: @Lilley Pad
International Appalachian...
Posted: Sunday April 13 2025, 9:33 AM
By: @Strumelia
By: @Strumelia
Mountain Dulcimer Picture...
Posted: Sunday April 13 2025, 6:09 AM
By: @dulcidom
By: @dulcidom
Tinny sounding strings
Posted: Friday April 11 2025, 10:02 AM
By: @Wally Venable
By: @Wally Venable
Gold Tone Dulciborn -...
Posted: Thursday April 10 2025, 5:35 PM
By: @
By: @
Anyone Recognize This Builder
Posted: Wednesday April 2 2025, 10:51 AM
By: @msdeebee
By: @msdeebee
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