Visit Warren May in Berea, KY (about 40 minutes from Lexington) if you're ever in the area. He's been making dulcimers for over 40 years, and could give you a great number of pointers to get started playing for yourself. His instruments are also pretty affordable (about $350 for a basic poplar dulcimer). I worked for him for a while, and he's a great guy. A former landlord of mine in Berea, Mr. Truman Fields, sometimes tells people that the three most friendly people in Berea are Silas House, Truman Fields, and Warren May, in that order. Of course, he tells them this before they know his name, so its a shock for them to find out who told them he was number 2 most friendly!
greeneking77 While they certainly *can* be played solo (and traditionally were, as they would be the only instrument in a household), they can blend well with other instruments too. They can be a bit on the quiet side, but if you're worried about that, you can just get a bigger bodied one. The ones I made with Warren May were mostly slightly bigger bodied, giving them a fuller sound, and the walnut ones had a more guitar like timbre.
I'm a guitarist and found this while researching dulcimers out of curiosity. This looks ridiculously difficult and my comprehension of notation possibilities on a fretboard just melted.
Dulcimer is weird. It’s intended to make simple songs even simpler, and it succeeds, specifically playing in major keys. It was created by Appalachians, for Appalachian music. But what that also means is that if you see someone playing something intricate and complex on one, they had to work twice as hard to get past the natural plateau of the inherent limitations of the instrument itself.
Hi, I like mountains, nature, mythical fairy tales and songs. I just heard a bird sing at abt 2am today outside my window and I wondered if its a bird or a fairy :). I went to youtube and was viewing bird's like robin/nightingale sounds. I happen to type in youtube for "birds and fairies" related video and accidentally viewed Wendy's * Loch Lomond & King of the Fairies * and I loved the music. Also this is the first time I know of the Dulcimer and wow I liked it at first sight with Wendy's music. FIVE stars to Wendy's enchanting music ! Warm Regards, R
Wow! I wish I could play like that! I have a mountain dulcimer or two, but haven't dedicated the time, or haven't found a proper way of progression, to begin learning without developing bad habits! Really enjoy your music! Thank you! -Tom
That was so beautifully played!!! And you played that the traditional style which is VERY DIFFICULT!!! Nothing like watching and listening to a beautiful woman playing a beautiful song on a beautiful instrument!! Loved it!!! Wish there were more lady musicians out there like you! You got my sub for sure!!
Hello Wendy, I am so glad I got to take your class today at Gebhard Woods festival. You made a not fun subject, fun! I wish I could have spoken to you in person. Love your music!
I have never known there was a mountain Dulcimer. How fascinating! I hope I will be able to play and learn Dulcimer one time in my life. Greetings from a pianist.
Wow...that was beautiful playing by a beautiful lady.
Thanks for keeping this beautiful instrument alive.
I could listen to dulcimer over and over. Wish more people played it
+Wonkey Ninja Lots and lots of people play it. I do :) You just have to know where to look! :D
go to Branson Missouri
Visit Warren May in Berea, KY (about 40 minutes from Lexington) if you're ever in the area. He's been making dulcimers for over 40 years, and could give you a great number of pointers to get started playing for yourself. His instruments are also pretty affordable (about $350 for a basic poplar dulcimer). I worked for him for a while, and he's a great guy. A former landlord of mine in Berea, Mr. Truman Fields, sometimes tells people that the three most friendly people in Berea are Silas House, Truman Fields, and Warren May, in that order. Of course, he tells them this before they know his name, so its a shock for them to find out who told them he was number 2 most friendly!
Are these more for playing solo or does it get along with fiddle and guitar? Does it have enough volume
greeneking77 While they certainly *can* be played solo (and traditionally were, as they would be the only instrument in a household), they can blend well with other instruments too. They can be a bit on the quiet side, but if you're worried about that, you can just get a bigger bodied one. The ones I made with Warren May were mostly slightly bigger bodied, giving them a fuller sound, and the walnut ones had a more guitar like timbre.
I'm a guitarist and found this while researching dulcimers out of curiosity. This looks ridiculously difficult and my comprehension of notation possibilities on a fretboard just melted.
On the contrary, it is hard to make a dulcimer sound bad my man. You should try!
Dulcimer is weird. It’s intended to make simple songs even simpler, and it succeeds, specifically playing in major keys. It was created by Appalachians, for Appalachian music. But what that also means is that if you see someone playing something intricate and complex on one, they had to work twice as hard to get past the natural plateau of the inherent limitations of the instrument itself.
I play guitar but I'm not very good at all. I picked up a dulcimer and within 5 minutes I was making it sound decent.
Me too!
Really nice version of one of my favourite songs.
I am a dulcimer novice and players such as you are my inspiration.
I had a friend lend me her mountain dulcimer a week or so ago because I play so much guitar. I'm hooked.
Beautiful expressive performance on a challenging tune. Well done!
Truly beautiful and thank you for sharing this with us. 🍀
Love the sound & the birds singing along! Thanks
Wonderful thank you my dad used to play one when I was younger and now he's gone. And it brings back memories of when he used to play.
@Terry Eugene
You play beautifully Wendy, and your selection "Kings of the Fairies" was very nice.
Most beautiful thanks!!!
Hi,
I like mountains, nature, mythical fairy tales and songs. I just heard a bird sing at abt 2am today outside my window and I wondered if its a bird or a fairy :). I went to youtube and was viewing bird's like robin/nightingale sounds.
I happen to type in youtube for "birds and fairies" related video and accidentally viewed Wendy's * Loch Lomond & King of the Fairies * and I loved the music. Also this is the first time I know of the Dulcimer and wow I liked it at first sight with Wendy's music.
FIVE stars to Wendy's enchanting music !
Warm Regards,
R
Wow! I wish I could play like that! I have a mountain dulcimer or two, but haven't dedicated the time, or haven't found a proper way of progression, to begin learning without developing bad habits! Really enjoy your music! Thank you! -Tom
check out Brett ridgeway tutorials on you tube... they helped me
Beautifully done. That's one of my favorites to play on fiddle. You capture the spirit of such music wonderfully.
Beautiful performance. I'm so glad I found this video! ☺️💓
Very beautiful, thank you.
lovely...takes me to nature.....
Lovely. I love that melody.
That was wonderful.
Thank you Wendy! Very nice!
Very nice! Love it🙂
This is so great.
Lovely, Wendy. Thank you.
Einfach soooo schön! Love it!
Epic and triumphant! Gives me chills, great job and thank you!
Very special but very cool!!! Love it Wendy! Greetings from Hamburg, Jimmy
Wendy, you are an amazing dulcimer player!! So glad to have subscribed to your channel.
You play so beautifully! And I loved that song!🌳🧚💛🎵🐦 I'm gonna check out another one of your videos now!
Gorgeous! Thanks!
You play so beautifully! I really enjoyed it! I could almost visualize fairies dancing! Great job!
so fair and softly a songe to the ear to be heard
Wonderful, what a beautiful sound
Thank you. That was beautiful.
Beautiful! Thank you so very much.
Beautiful! Just a wonderful tune; love it! :-)
Breathtaking!
Thank you! Very well done! Inspiring!
Lovely -- beautiful playing and piece!
That was so beautifully played!!! And you played that the traditional style which is VERY DIFFICULT!!! Nothing like watching and listening to a beautiful woman playing a beautiful song on a beautiful instrument!! Loved it!!! Wish there were more lady musicians out there like you! You got my sub for sure!!
Beautiful changes, takes you to another place!
Wonderful, thank you. ♥
Beautiful! Thank u for this beautiful moment.
Thank you Kindly for sharing your beautiful music. much respect
Brilliant. Very well done! Thank you.
Amazing ! Beautiful!
Nicely arranged and fantastic technique.
Thank you for posting this. This a wonderful video. You play beautifully!
I just got a used one and have re-strung it and am now learning to play it. It will be a loooong road!
Absolutely loved this!
Lovely, just lovely.
Hello Wendy, I am so glad I got to take your class today at Gebhard Woods festival. You made a not fun subject, fun! I wish I could have spoken to you in person. Love your music!
So very impressive. Inspires me to set outside with my mountain dulcimer to play.
Beautifully played!
very nice, Wendy - love the drone effect
Beautiful instrument. You play awesome!
This is beautiful!
Very beautiful music I could listen to u forever
Magnificent! I am so learning to play this now =)
lovely sound very distinctive
Absolutely beautiful work 🤍
Beautiful!
Beautiful ! !
Wow Wendy! I love this :)
Love this!
Beautiful!💗
I have never known there was a mountain Dulcimer. How fascinating! I hope I will be able to play and learn Dulcimer one time in my life. Greetings from a pianist.
This is amazing! I am going to build one in the near future but it will be years before i can play like that.
very nice,,, you have a real talent.... great sound,
This is so lovely..🪕🪕🪕😎
Sounds great!
So very soothing.
LOve you!❤️ Your Music in awesome too.Hope tou comw to Belgium some day.😘🍀🇧🇪Sláinte agat a stór!X
~Very Cool Sound's Amazing~
Amazing!! Beautiful!! :-)
Nice tune and red hair! Both are very pretty.
Fantastic!
Wonderful ❤
This is lovely!
Beautifully done!
I just recently discovered the Hurdy Gurdy and now this! The Dulcimer! :) I'm pretty happy about it! :)
Well done, well done indeed!
Enchanting.
Loveble....I dont know, brought to me ths Vickings times!!! sorry my english...but you undesrtood! Im a Braaazilian man!!!
What more could you ask for ? A mountain beauty playing beautiful mountain music.
AN EXCELLENT PERFORMANCE .
BRAVO WITH * * * * * *
Very Pretty Very Unique Sound etc
Enjoyed!
The Dulcimer is known as the only truly American instrument. It's ancestor is from Northern europe. Nothing more beautiful.
Beautiful, Wendy, you are some woman!
That was beautiful! Reminds me of the old ways during the medieval times.
I'm just loving it.
ha so you were there hugh???
rob slover do some research on your family history. Only then you will know.
we all african buddy...the end...
rob slover only if you go back in history about 250,000 yrs ago.
rob slover I take it you was there?
Really great :)
Nice!......................................................
Wow I need to get one of those
Ms.Wendy awesome just started learning how to play the MD
Thank you!
Awesome! I just wish that Sandy Denny was still around to lend vocals. That would be a real treat. Cheers!!!
it certainly would. Love her.
Awesomeness
Nice and beautiful.
Wonderful!