Middle Earth Ranger Forum

I've been learning to play the mountain dulcimer. Here's a tune I've been working on, in honor of Beorn:
https://soundcloud.com/studentofrhythm/ ... al_sharing

And here's a little tune I made up years ago, part of a song I'm writing about buckeyes/horse chestnuts/conkers. I recently decided to try it in Dorian mode, on my daughter's zither:
https://soundcloud.com/studentofrhythm/ ... al_sharing

Very cool stuff!

Lovely playing!

Yes!

.... I feel absolutely fumble-fingered listening to it!

Wow that drone on the dulcimer is fantastic! I had to go and look up how to achieve it (not that I play one) because I thought you must have had a second instrument in the background.

Thanks all for the kind words. I'll keep practicing and recording and sharing.

Always glad to hear appreciation for drones. I like them too: bagpipes, hurdy-gurdies. It would be interesting to try one of the old world ancestors of the mountain dulcimer, with drone strings that have no frets under them. I've found out there are different styles or schools of dulcimer playing, including fingerpicking that gets quite tricky. I'm interested in getting better at strumming chords, but there's something about that archaic old drone style that just feels...grounding. The warm hum, like an echo of water or breath or pulse, very comforting.

Love this, nice work

Here's another tune on my mountain dulcimer, which I'm calling "Lebennin." I think it could use another section, but this is what I have for now.

https://soundcloud.com/studentofrhythm/ ... al_sharing

Nice

Nice.

I like it.

I tried putting "Lebennin" in Lydian mode. I think I like it better this way. Here's a sketch of it.

https://soundcloud.com/studentofrhythm/ ... al_sharing

Also I wrote a little song I'm calling "Dorwinion" - also in Lydian mode. Here is a short performance of it, also on my dulcimer, overdubbed with a frame drum.

https://soundcloud.com/studentofrhythm/ ... al_sharing

The second one is lovely, thanks for sharing

Desert Loon wrote: ↑Sun Jul 24, 2022 12:16 am I tried putting "Lebennin" in Lydian mode. I think I like it better this way. Here's a sketch of it.

https://soundcloud.com/studentofrhythm/ ... al_sharing

Also I wrote a little song I'm calling "Dorwinion" - also in Lydian mode. Here is a short performance of it, also on my dulcimer, overdubbed with a frame drum.

https://soundcloud.com/studentofrhythm/ ... al_sharing

Very nice desert loon, the second one reminds me of a Led Zeppelin song but I can't quite put my finger on which one at the moment. Maybe Black Mountain Side even though it isn't in the Lydian mode.

Reminds you of Led Zeppelin? I take that as high praise - and an indication that I achieved a proper Middle-Earth spirit as well.

Hunh.

I grew up in the Appalachians hearing dulcimer music all my life... but never like that. What a fascinating piece! Neat!