Mountain Dulcimer
A month ago my husband popped a question out of the blue, “Would you be interested in playing any musical instruments?” I didn’t hesitate, “Oh yes, I would!” He was taken aback. He really shouldn’t have been.
He didn’t know that in the 1960’s I wore my father’s acoustical guitar out while he was in Viet Nam. My father had barely played it. He had also put up a few self-learning music books. Some practices later – I never learned how to strum the guitar, and found that my fingers were too small for the chords, but I could pick a very simple melody. At the same time, I had a small child’s electric organ. It was large enough to sit a bench. I also learned notes, chords, and some tunes on it as well. I taped music, on reel to reel tapes, and mailed them to my father.
So, back to the present. I replied to my husband, “I want to play the dulcimer!” He didn’t know what a dulcimer was. Actually, a lot of folks do not know what one is.
Off we went in search of a dulcimer. It wasn’t too difficult. We do reside in an Appalachian county in Ohio. I did not make the connection, though. We quickly found out that there is a “Mountain Dulcimer” and a “Hammered Dulcimer.” They are very smiliar sounding instructions, but are played in totally different manners. It was the Mountain Dulcimer that I wanted.
After a month, and with the help of 4 dulcimer books, I am picking and strumming a few songs. The one I wanted to play for you tonight is Away In The Manger. Fitting for 9 days before Christmas. But I do not quite get the chords right (yet). So, instead, you are going to hear an old piece called Boil That Cabbage Down.
You will need Windows Media Player, click here: Dulcimer Practice 12-11
I am learning Ode to Joy, which I treasure! I hope to record it on a video soon!
Okay, so, I give my husband so much credit for listening to me practice. He says he loves it. I am glad. I love it too. My thoughts were, this could be like the child learning the tuba in his/her bedroom. With the parents in the next room covering their ears!
Love the humor…life is good!
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