From Indiana To Florida & Back Again
Good Morning, Everyone!
We're going to recycle an "In The Shop" blog from last year today. Why? To give Richard a chance to rest up from his road trip to the 10th Annual Gulf Coast Retreat - where he got to hang out with a lot of his dulcimer friends over a long weekend. Folks, he drove from Fort Wayne, IN, to Homosassa, FL - pulling a trailer - and then back again. Over 2000 miles round trip and within the space of one week! I think he deserved to take the rest of this week off, don’t you?
All the best,
Toya Marie - Folkcraft Newsletter Editor
[From January 20, 2023]
Good Morning, Y'all!
(Last week) I asked y'all to share your stories about friends you've made because of your dulcimer playing. It seems to be the same story over and over. You sit next to a stranger in a class, or at lunch. Strike up a conversation. And keep the conversation going after the festival/jam/clinic is over.
Here's just one of many such stories that you've shared with me:
From Maryland to Michigan and Back (Again & Again)
"I first met my dear friends, Tom & Jeanne, over a dozen years ago now - at IDF 2011. It was my first Folkcraft festival, and for some crazy reason I decided to sign up for the open mic segment - even though it made me super nervous. Once it was my turn on stage, Richard introduced me, mentioning that "she lives in Maryland, but is originally from Michigan" and a small segment of the audience immediately cheered - which eased my nerves quite a bit! Tom & Jeanne came up to me after the open mic, introduced themselves, and we've been friends ever since. Whenever I travel home to see my family, I always try to get together with Tom & Jeanne, too. One of our greatest joys is to sit around and play our Folkcraft dulcimers together."
Your newsletter editor's Golden Retriever, Finnegan, with his Uncle Tom & Aunt Jeanne.
I've seen this effect with other activities - book clubs, knitting groups, etc. - but not to the level I see it with dulcimer activities. Why is that? I suspect that, for some reason, dulcimer-people are friendlier than average.
No telling why, really. I suppose that "why" doesn't matter, anyway. I'm just going to enjoy the time I spend with you.
Thanks for reading, have a great weekend!
Richard Ash, your-typically-friendly-dulcimer-player
FOLKCRAFT® DULCIMER PLAYER OF THE WEEK: KAREN Z.
Folkcraft: How long have you been playing the dulcimer?
Karen: I have been playing my dulcimer since 2017. However, I bought my first dulcimer in 1978 at the Ann Arbor, MI, Art Fair because I loved the sound of it. I couldn't find an instructor or anyone to help me learn to play, so it ended up in my closet. Then, in 2017, I visited a friend who was recovering from surgery. She was very excited to show me the instrument that she was learning to play through a group that met at our senior center. It was a mountain dulcimer. She introduced me to the group and an instructor. Together they helped me get my dulcimer and playing up to snuff. I love it!
Folkcraft: When did you get your first Folkcraft dulcimer?
Karen: I have always had my eye on the Folkcraft line of dulcimers. And this year (2024) I decided I deserved to have one. Richard graciously let me play the one I am holding in the picture during a class at Dulcimer Doin's in Ohio - and I fell in love with it. I call her Melody Rose. (I think that sounds very Mountainy)
Folkcraft: Where do you enjoy playing your dulcimer?
Karen: I jam with a group nearby twice a month. We perform at one of the Senior Living Centers monthly. I have also played with a group called the Strumboli's at parties and events. I enjoy playing on my back porch, too, and at the lake. The dulcimer has introduced me to many wonderful people and music. Richard Ash is one of those people.
Folkcraft: What other hobbies, or interests, do you have besides playing dulcimer?
Karen: When I'm not playing I enjoy reading, hiking, Zumba and water aerobics. I am blessed to be able to travel with my husband who enjoys playing the guitar. My retirement years have been the best years for this new Folkcraft owner.
CLICK HERE to read about other Folkcraft Players like Karen - and You!
FUTURE FEATURED FOLKCRAFT® PLAYERS - WE STILL NEED YOU!
We are thrilled to have a NEW Folkcraft Player to feature today. Welcome to the online community, Karen! Who's going to write in next & Keep This Going? We know there are still a whole lot more of you out there and it truly is super easy to get in on the fun. Just send the answers to the four questions below - plus a photo of you with your Folkcraft dulcimer(s) - by replying to your newsletter email. We look forward to hearing from you and featuring you in our newsletter real soon!
1. How long have you been playing the dulcimer?
2. When did you get your first Folkcraft dulcimer?
3. Where do you enjoy playing your dulcimer?
4. What other hobbies, or interests, do you have besides playing dulcimer?
FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY, WE'RE OFFERING A $25 FOLKCRAFT GIFT CARD TO ANYONE WHO ANSWERS THE FOUR EASY QUESTIONS LISTED ABOVE, AND SENDS IN A PHOTO (OF YOU WITH YOUR FOLKCRAFT DULCIMER)
This Week's Featured YouTube Video:
This week Mandy shows you how to play easily in the Key of C - using your 1.5 fret! We’ll work out our 1,4,5 (I,IV,V) chords in the key of C using that wonderful extra fret. Have fun! Just click on the image below to watch the video.
We have a slew (that's a fancy luthier word for "bunch") of videos for you to watch on our YouTube channel. Click here to see the full list. Be sure to comment on a video, and subscribe to the channel - either action helps us a LOT with YouTube's suggestion algorithms.
MASTERING VARIATIONS: VOLUME 1
by Aaron O'Rourke
Learn rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic variations for seven common tunes that are likely to be played in dulcimer clubs and festival jams. In "Mastering Variations, Volume 1," Aaron O'Rourke arranges each tune into four variations: Rhythmic, Melodic, Harmonic, and All-Put-Together. A basic version of each tune is also provided to help get you started. (69 pages)
As part of your download, we've included a folder with 28 tracks - recordings of Aaron demonstrating the various exercises.
SONGS IN THIS BOOK:
Amazing Grace • Angelina Baker • Arkansas Traveler • Barlow Knife • Bonaparte's Retreat • Fly Around My Pretty Little Miss • Midnight on the Water
Don't just take our word for it - check out these great five-star reviews:
✮✮✮✮✮ Multi-tasking variations. This is an outstanding addition to the catalog of MD instructional books. Aaron provides seven sets of variations on a basic tune, by varying first the rhythmic pattern, then melody tweaks, harmonic chords, and finally a mix-and-match blending of all four. A practical approach to eclectic playing, especially useful for advanced-beginner and intermediate players. (Keith - 12/4/21)
✮✮✮✮✮ Mastering O'Rourke. I’ve only begun to tap into this, working on a couple songs through following his variations and I’m learning so much. And, everything I’m learning on these initial songs helps me with others. I love his harmonic variations, they bend my ear, and I love that. (Mary Beth - 11/29/20)