Caleb Morris
Folkcraft: How long have you been playing the dulcimer?Caleb: I started playing in 2020. My grandpa gave me one after I became interested in them. I loved the sweet melodic sound I heard. I mainly listened to Bing Futch playing and teaching. He made the dulcimer so accessible and straightforward. I was able to quickly learn noter/drone style. With his videos on chord shapes, I was able to learn to play harmony and chords as well. I started playing 1-5-5 tuning due to one of his videos on it. I encourage others to look up his videos on the topic and try out that tuning if they haven’t yet.
Folkcraft: When did you get your first Folkcraft dulcimer?
Caleb: My first Folkcraft dulcimer was bought by my grandpa at a yard sale. He didn’t know what it was and neither did the lady who was selling it. She had $5 on it. My grandpa said, “Being as we both don’t know what it is, I’ll give you $3.” So, he ended up with a teardrop Folkcraft dulcimer built in 1985. In 2020, he learned what the instrument was after I showed him pictures of mountain dulcimers. He let me take it home, and after learning to play it that year, I tried playing alongside other instruments. The dulcimer was sweet but quiet. It was hard to be heard over even a single guitar. So, I temporarily attached a piezo pickup to the top and ran it to an amp. Finally in 2024, I upgraded. I bought a custom walnut MaxDAD with a Galax performance back and Fishman pickup. I highly recommend the Fishman pickup with a preamp. I use a Fishman Loundbox Mini Charge so I can take it camping or to other outdoor venues and be heard right alongside the banjo.
Folkcraft: Where do you enjoy playing your dulcimer?
Caleb: I love playing outside listening to the birds while I play. It’s very peaceful. I also play with friends and family. They play the usual bluegrass instruments. The dulcimer ran into an amp blends well into the mix. No one else plays the dulcimer. It’s just me. My 6 yr. old son is interested. So maybe I can pass the fun of dulcimer playing to him.
Caleb: I've played piano since I was a little kid. I also played the saxophone as a teenager. Now, I’m trying to learn to play a Dobro. The banjo is next on my list. I have the mountain banjo plans from Folkcraft. I love woodworking and have made a few odd things, including a tongue drum tuned to C. I hope to make a fretless mountain banjo. I love the mellow sound from those banjos. The problem is there never seems to be enough time to do it all.