Links to Resources on and off the Internet
Yours Truly
Mountain Dulcimer Networking
Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer
fotmd.com/
A great place to interact with lots of friendly and supportive mountain dulcimer players from around the world.
Local Music Stores
thestrumshop.com/
The host of our in-person monthly meetings is The Strum Shop in Roseville, and soon they will carry a regular supply of mountain dulcimers and accessories. The Strum Shop is also capable of doing repair work and hosts regular performanes and workshops. These folks are our friends!
Harrison Phipps of Fretted Strings in Davis, CA is a highly reputable luthier who can repair nearly any problem with any fretted instrument. He might even do it while you wait in a nearby cafe!
Reference Room
Hearts of the Dulcimer Film & Podcast
dulcimuse.com/
Patricia Delich and Wayne Jiang made wonderful on the dulcimer revival in Santa Cruz in the 1970s, and they continue examining the dulcimer's past, present, and future in the Hearts of the Dulcimer Podcasts. Give the film a view; give the podcasts a listen.
Dulcimer Players News is a quarterly magazine and CD filled with instruction, interviews, and stories for and about dulcimer enthusiasts. The website offers an archive of out-of-print editions free of charge as well as a very helpful Festival Directory.
Here is a brief history of the mountain dulcimer by Dr. Lucy Long and published on the Bear Meadow website.
The Mountain Dulcimer's Identity in 20th-Century Folk Revivals
www.jackmcman.us/the-mountain-dulcimers-identity-in-20th-century-folk-revivals/
A remarkable essay written by Jack McManus for a folklore course at Hamilton College that addresses both the history and the continuing mythology of the mountain dulcimer.
Posted June 13, 2014 at 2:57 PM
There are lots of chord charts out there. Perhaps the best is that provided by Stephen Seifert on his website.
Posted April 15, 2014 at 1:41 PM
What Are Half Frets and Do I Need Any?
fotmd.com/strumelia/group_discuss/1263/what-are-half-frets-and-do-i-need-any
A short essay by yours truly explaining what half frets are and whether you might want some.
Posted January 7, 2015 at 3:38 AM
The wonderful dulcimer player Guy Babusek, who goes by Dulcibard on YouTube, put together this wonderfully informative video explaining basic music theory. It is packed full of information but also very clear and concise.
Posted January 9, 2016 at 2:59 AM
PBS site entitled Mountain Born: The Jean Ritchie Story
Posted March 11, 2018 at 1:26 AM
dulcimerevents.com/
Stephen Seifert has created a new site to be a comprehensive list of dulcimer events--both festivals and regular gatherings--around the country. If you're traveling somewhere and want to find other dulcimer players, this will be a great tool!
Posted October 20, 2018 at 1:41 PM
Sarah Seay, "Modernizing a Mountain Art" (1973)
https://thelibrary.org/lochist/periodicals/bittersweet/wi73j.htm
Interesting article on John Mowhee and dulcimer history in Missouri.
Posted November 17, 2018 at 11:56 AM
Online Sources for Traditional Music
A community dedicated to traditional Irish music with a searchable database of tunes, including SMN.
Posted May 25, 2018 at 12:23 PM
slowplayers.org/
Slow Players offers MP3 files and music notation for loads of Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and English tunes. A great resource.
Posted May 5, 2019 at 12:05 AM
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slippery-hill.com/
Posted June 23, 2015 at 8:06 PM
Posted June 23, 2015 at 8:07 PM
A fiddle tune collection by Pennsylvania State University. Inclues musical notation and midi files.
Posted March 27, 2016 at 12:59 PM
Posted May 9, 2016 at 1:38 PM
Digitized collections of old ballads.
Posted June 16, 2016 at 4:20 AM
A collection of old time fiddle tunes in SMN.
Posted September 2, 2016 at 12:50 PM
Free Dulcimer Tablature online
dulcimertab.com/
Kevin Teague created this site to house all the tab and other resources that were a major part of Everything Dulcimer.
Posted May 27, 2018 at 11:29 AM
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Favorite Musicians
Having played flute with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, Linda has been playing dulcimer since 1988 and has mastered a soft, fingerstyle approach to Celtic and other forms of traditional music.
Posted April 15, 2014 at 1:50 PM
owlmountainmusic.com/
Steve is a multi-instrumentalist who plays both hammered and lap dulcimer as well as guitar. He is equally comfortable playing noter/drone or modern chord style.
Posted January 12, 2014 at 4:37 PM
Posted January 19, 2015 at 2:45 AM
Neal Hellman's many recordings and those of the other acoustic musicians he produces are available at Gourd Music. Sneak around the site and see if you can find where Neal hides dulcimer tablature.
Posted November 18, 2013 at 6:59 PM
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Posted January 19, 2015 at 2:54 AM
Posted January 19, 2015 at 2:54 AM
Don Pedi is the epitome of a traditional master. He plays with unbelievable energy in a traditional fingerdancing style. And he's an encyclopedia of traditional American song.
Posted July 21, 2015 at 4:30 PM
scenicroots.com/
Erin and Amber Rogers are sisters who together make up Scenic Roots. Erin plays dulcimer and Amber plays fiddle and banjo and also sings. There sound is somewhere around the crossroads where folk meets bluegrass. These are two fine musicians!
Posted May 26, 2015 at 3:18 AM
Posted January 19, 2015 at 2:42 AM
stephenseifert.com/
A virtuoso of every style of dulcimer, from bluegrass-style flatpicking to ragtime-style fingerpicking. A disciple of David Schaufer, Stephen offers lots of music and lots of instructional mnaterials as well.
Posted November 18, 2013 at 11:37 PM
The soft side of the dulcimer never sounded so soothing. Music that will make you cry for joy one moment and for sorrow the next. As a solo artist or in her work in duets, Nina's playing is sure to move you.
Posted November 18, 2013 at 7:07 PM
Favorite Luthiers
Yes, Howard Rugg is back to making dulcimers.
Posted August 16, 2015 at 3:02 AM
Some of the best sounding dulcimers around. And made right here in California. A big, round sound and a huge bass response make these instruments the top pick for many, especially those who love fingerpicking. The Bakers know what they're doing!
Posted November 18, 2013 at 7:10 PM
David Beede of Melrose, FL is an incredibly innovative dulcimer who makes not only wonderful standard dulcimers with a "decoupled" tailpiece that allows for greater volume and warmth of sound, but also a beautiful octave dulcimer and a fretless electric bass dulcimer.
Posted May 6, 2014 at 12:30 AM
David Beede of Melrose, FL is an incredibly innovative dulcimer who makes not only wonderful standard dulcimers with a "decoupled" tailpiece that allows for greater volume and warmth of sound, but also a beautiful octave dulcimer and a fretless electric bass dulcimer.
Posted May 6, 2014 at 12:30 AM
From dulcimettes to baritones, Ron Ewing is a master at making great-sounding, elegant-looking instruments. And he basically invented the dulcimer capo once upon a time.
Posted November 18, 2013 at 10:38 PM
Terry McCafferty of Houston, TX, makes dulcimers that look almost as good as they sound.
Posted May 27, 2017 at 12:25 AM
Don't be shy. You want to be heard. Modern Mountain Dulcimers are loud and have a big fat bass. Superb action make these dulcimers perfect for flatpicking.
Posted November 18, 2013 at 7:13 PM
Dwain Wilder not only makes some of the best dulcimers around, but also teaches others the craft of lutherie. He's got a waiting list, so get your order in early!
Posted November 19, 2013 at 12:55 PM
Tony Vines is making tremendous dulcimers these days!
Posted August 27, 2019 at 9:45 PM
David "Harpmaker" Lynch is a master at building harps, dulcimers, and more. His dulcimers range from high-end performance models to the modestly priced "student" model which he sells for the unbelievable price of $125. If you buy one, you will feel guilty for getting such a remarkable instrument for such little. David is also happy to work with you to customize an instrument in any way needed.
Posted November 18, 2013 at 7:32 PM