Postcards From The Gulf Coast
Good Morning, Everyone! And Happy Friday!
Today we're going to re-feature an "In The Shop" from almost exactly three years ago, from March of 2023. Richard has asked me to keep recycling his newsletter posts for the remainder of this month. His time and energy is still very wrapped up in the moving process. As he put it, "I'm in a 4-day rotation. Pack in Indiana - drive all day. Unload in Michigan - drive all day... a joyful exhaustion, but exhaustion all the same." Whew!
So I invite you to come along on a little trip to Florida. From a time when Richard & Aly drove all day (and then some) to get to one of his favorite festivals: The Florida Gulf Coast Dulcimer Retreat. Seeing all those smiling faces, in warm sunny spaces, lifted my spirits. It's been cold, damp, and dreary all week here, so pics of music-making with friends, in a place with nice weather, was very heartwarming to me. Hope it makes you smile, too.
Until next week,
Toya-Folkcraft-newsletter-editor-who-hates-the-Spring-Forward-time-change-but-is-also-SO-READY-for-Spring!
(March 3, 2023)
Hi, Y'all!
So last week's newsletter went out without me seeing it ahead of time. That tells you something about the quality of my newsletter editor, Toya. I wrote the "in the shop" segment the week before, and she did the rest without my input.
Why?
Because I was teaching and performing at a dulcimer festival in Homosassa, Florida. The "Florida Gulf Coast Dulcimer Retreat" is one of my favorites. It has the same four instructors year-after-year: Bing Futch, Guy George, Sharrie George, and Richard Ash (that's me!). Toss in two, critically important non-instructor spouses (Jae Futch and Aly Ash), and it was the perfect ensemble for staff.
Bing Futch
Guy and Sharrie George
The event was held at a large Air BNB/VRBO type place. On a freshwater canal, just off of the Gulf Coast. Several meals were prepared by Chef Bing, including an amazing shrimp/scallop feast. We had classes (of course), jams (of course), and a relaxed, homestyle atmosphere (which is unusual for a festival). About 30 (or so) guests attended and it was very laid-back and fun. I set up my vending area in the garage of the rental house. I kept the garage doors wide open and had blue herons, some kind of giant Florida white birds, and other wildlife checking out the instruments.
My classes were held either on the covered porch, or out on the gazebo in the middle of the backyard. It was snowy and cold back in Indiana, but 80s with a warm breeze in Homosassa.
The Saturday night concert? Held in the living room of the rental house. I picked a spot on one wall, Bing picked a spot, and Guy and Sharrie took another spot. Guests lounged in chairs, ottomans, couches, and on the floor. The living room had space for all and it was fun and intimate. There was an audience member about two feet to my right with a great view of my fretboard. Nearly everyone was within 10 or 15 feet of a performer. No stage, no lights, no emcee, no giant PA system. Just an intimate, relaxed, fun performance.
We took a break part-way through the show for a pizza delivery. Which gave everyone a chance to stretch, feed, and visit a bit. I can't imagine a better environment for a festival concert, that's for sure.
The audience before the show started
Why is this something I'm writing about today (Tuesday, February 28) for inclusion in Friday's newsletter? Because the festival made me remember what's important about making music. The people. I got to really know folks at this festival. There was lots of time to chat and visit. More than at a normal festival, for sure. I got to perform for them in a VERY intimate setting. It wasn't forced, or artificial. It was "playing for friends."
And it was fun! Which is why I started making music so many years ago. And why we all (hopefully) make music today.
Richard and Aly relaxing after the concert
So, go have some fun with your dulcimer - by yourself if that's what you like, or with some friends. Whatever makes you happy.
Thanks for listening - and thanks for sharing your music with me!
Richard Ash, luthier-who-plays-for-fun
FOLKCRAFT® DULCIMER PLAYER OF THE WEEK: JOANNE & ASHLEY HAFELI
Joanne Hafeli and granddaughter, Ashley Hafeli.
Joanne has been playing the dulcimer since the 1980’s and plays in the Silver Strings Dulcimer Society. Her husband, Alan Hafeli, is also into music. Ashley’s dulcimer was a high school graduation present from her grandfather. Ashley is a music major at Eastern Michigan University. The family has been going to music festivals for over 35 years and play in various groups.
CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT OTHER FOLKCRAFT PLAYERS LIKE THE HAFELI FAMILY AND YOU!
FOLKCRAFT® PLAYERS - WE LOVE HEARING FROM YOU!!!
No new player again this week (So sad!) to add to our world-wide, online dulcimer community. But we're still glad to re-feature dulcimer-playing family members, Joanne and Ashley Hafeli. There's still plenty of room in the Folkcraft family, too, folks! We know there are a lot more of you out there! Maybe it could be you next week?
Who's Going To Write In Next? Keep The Family Growing?
It really is super-easy to join our online dulcimer community. Just three easy steps:
1) Send an email to: newsletter@folkcraft.com
2) With the answers to the four questions below
3) Attach a photo of yourself with your Folkcraft dulcimer(s)
We look forward to receiving your submission & 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?
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). IT'S REALLY SO EASY TO DO!
WE JUST LOVE HEARING FROM Y'ALL!
This Week's Featured YouTube Video:
This week we take a look at finger positions in two different ways. First we will look at chording, then our individual notes and how finger positions can really make you a much smoother and faster player. Have fun! Click on the image below to listen & learn.
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.
IRISH SESSION TUNES - VOLUME 2
by Aaron O'Rourke
Need a few more Irish tunes for St. Paddy's Day? How about "Irish Session Tunes, Volume 2?" A great collection of MORE jigs, reels, and polkas commonly played in Irish sessions arranged for the mountain dulcimer by master dulcimer player Aaron O'Rourke. This book includes a brief introduction to playing in an Irish session and explanation of Irish ornamentation. Free downloadable audio tracks are available, which demonstrate the songs. The tracks include both fast and slow versions of each tune. (53 pages)
This book is published by Fingers Of Steel, and is made available here as an authorized, licensed download.
SONGS INCLUDED:
Concertina Reel
Drunken Landlady
Fair Wind
Father Kelly's
Love At The Endings
Miss Monaghan
Mountain Road
Otter's Holt
Palmer's Gate
Providence Reel
Stoney Steps
The Banshee
The Hare's Paw
The Youngest Daughter
Boys Of The Town
Butlers Of Glenn Avenue
Castletown Conners
Gillian's Apples
Lark On The Strand
Old Hag You've Killed Me
Maids Of Glenroe
Roscommon Jig
Sporting Pitchfork
Strike The Gray Harp
The Black Rogue
The Cashel Jig
Tommy Mulhair's
Tripping Up The Stairs
Babes In The Wood
Buddy Fury's
O'Connor's
Paddy Scanlon's
The Galway Belle
The Kinard Polka
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