My offering this week for Fan Friday is a piece that I was invited to play for a high school choir in Cincinnati, OH. I found it very difficult to play a rhythm pattern that another hammered dulcimer player plays just because it’s their rhythm. Does that make sense? Malcolm Dalglish is a phenomenal player and composer and I’m sure that the rhythms and chord patterns that he plays come pretty natural to him. After the rehearsal though, I had a better grasp of what the director wanted. The song structure came to me a lot easier later that night. You might not catch it but let me lay a little bit of the genius of this music out for you. The songs starts in 4/4 then there’s a few measures of 3/2 thrown in there just to make you work. Then a couple 2/4 just to make sure you’re not sleeping and then it’s got a lot of double time mixed in. Like I said, it’s a great piece and I would accept the challenge again to learn and play one of his pieces. After the show the director shook my hand and thanked me and then wanted to make sure that I would be on board for more shows. MOST DEFINITELY!!!!

While I was at Raintree Heritage Music Festival someone asked if they could bring by a hammered dulcimer that they had but have never played it or tuned it. I said, “Sure, I’d love to see it and tune it for you.” When she came back this is what she showed me. I was totally floored when I saw this and what it meant. So I took pics and sent this to Ray and Sue Mooers of Dusty Strings to see what the history of this little beauty is. Here is what Ray wrote back to me.I especially like the part about how this helped launch him into full time music making.

Hi Ted,

Yup, that?s a piece of history all right. That instrument was on of a batch of 21 single bridge instruments that I made to use as rentals for students in a class I was teaching at the University of Washington back in those days. It?s interesting that this one made it?s way out of the Seattle area clear back east. They were all sold eventually to customers out here on the West coast. I?m sure you saw Sue?s signature there as well as her sister, Gayle French?s signature. The year 1979 was the first full year of our new business. I had quit my previous job as a restaurant manager in January of that year and started Dusty Strings Dulcimer Company as a full time job at that point.

All the best to you,

Sincerely,

Ray Mooers

Well folks, honestly?… I’m pretty tired today! We have had lots going on and since I don’t believe you want the “Pride and Prejudice edition” of our week, I’m a bit unsure what stories to tell and what to leave out. I’ll give you an outline here and see if it’s concise enough when I finish up.

We had a wonderful, wonderful weekend at Raintree Music Heritage Festival this past weekend. Numerous Fan Friday friends were there- Sarah B, Scott and Janice and their grandchildren (who our kids had the most fun with!), Brian & Alexis, Rick and Holly and 2/4ths of the Shepherd family. Aside from the delight of meeting up with so many old friends, there were some wonderful people there who became new friends too. One of the vendors next to us really enjoyed the kids and donated a gift to us that is just a Godsend, a little lap dulcimer with PILES of kid-friendly sheet music. Can you help me keep a secret? We’re saving it for Lyssa’s birthday next week.
Sharon did a bang up job planning this festival for the first time and we already look forward returning to a future Raintree Festival!

I took the Fan Friday quilt along, hoping to get a little closer to completion, cause I’m really, really close to finishing the quilting on that pretty wallhanging for you all. I got a few stitches in, in-between clients and carrying baby Jesse around… boy is that child heavy! This was his first festival and he did splendidly.The kids were wonderful help, taking care of the booth, each other and Mom too.

So now that we’ve been home a few days and have the groceries restocked, Ted is in Cincy for an event tomorrow. He has the privilege of accompanying a high school choir tomorrow. They will be singing a Malcom Dalgliesh arrangement of the traditional song, Sail Away. Very cool. The public does have access to this concert so look it up if you’re in the Cincy area!

Friday he heads into the Studio with Eddie to finish up his final recording and the mastering of the new CD, Chocolate Skies. (The story behind the title is tucked into the Store page of our site, if you’re curious.) We’re almost there folks! Your support has made this such a wonderful project to work on. The photos and the graphic design work are in place and the CD will head to the duplicators on Monday, thanks to the cheers and encouragement coming from your corner. Ted still cites your support on his difficult of recording as one of the most meaningful moments for him in the recording process!

Those of you up in MI- we have a special Saturday workshop for HD players and a concert in Midland, hosted by the wonderful community of players up in MI. If you’d like details on this, check the calendar or just email Ted- he’d love to see you in MI!

And Sunday?… you can bet we’ll be resting!

I promised the kids a movie night tonight so I’d better be getting ready for that. Have any of you seen the movie “Hugo”? We listened to the audio book and just loved it. I have high hopes that this will be a beautiful film. Time to go make popcorn.

Blessings and peace to you,
Donna, for Ted, Leaha, Wesley, Lindy, Seth, Lyssa, Lyra and Jesse.

Anyway, I think I pulled it off. Hope you enjoy it and I hope this gives you new ideas for songs to send me, not that I’m short of any to choose from… No really, keep challenging me or if you just have a special song, please send it.

This song was very fun and I hope that Shawn and his wife enjoy it as it was for their anniversary this month.

I had a couple rough spots in the take but it was better than the first. This song came after a rough first part of the week and as the sun broke through the gloom of clouds and rain, I felt the truth break through to my heart about who I am and what I have to give. This is what worked it’s way out. It’s a little rough but I think you can hear where it’s going and hopefully you’ll enjoy it. I don’t have a title for it yet so please lend me your thoughts.

This was a lot of fun to learn and in some respects it came fairly easy but as you will hear, sometimes my hands just were not remembering exactly where to go. It’s one part muscle memory and one part knowing what note you’re supposed to hit.

It was a late night stint for me but with Wesley’s help we got it shot at the 11th hour for you. I hope you enjoy this spread of styles that’s coming out for Fan Friday. The family is enjoying it here for sure. Wes was already trying to play this song between my practice times. That’s pretty cool to see and hear.

Thanks for the requests and keep them coming. Please share these videos with your friends on Facebook and such. Spread the music.