After a lovely week in the mountains of North Carolina I’m back and better than ever.  Actually, I’m still recovering from a stomach virus that’s lasted about two weeks but I’m afraid going into details would be horribly embarrassing for me and likely would be then end of anyone following this blog.

    So as I was saying, North Carolina was fantastic and I never use that F word (fantastic).  I think it means more that way when I do say it.  So yeah, it was really great.  After playing dulcimer for almost 1/3 of my life now I’m getting really interested in the history of it.  It’s always a treat to hear a great old-time player like Don Pedi who has collected more tunes from old dead fiddlers than I can possibly hope to learn in my lifetime.  That is only if I die young propelling my music career way further than it will ever be while still living.  If that doesn’t happen I might stand a chance at learning as many tunes.  Both options have their perks.

    Aside from Don, Wilfried Ulrich gave a really amazing lecture about the history of the hummel and scheitholt as well as other zither (or zitter) type instruments from Europe and Asia.  I was amazed at the number of historic instruments which were traditionally diatonically fretted that had what we dulcimer players tend to think of as “extra frets.”

    And last, how bout that new hippenin’ happenin’ dulcimer up there?  Isn’t that bevel just sweet?  The thing plays like butter and is just about one of the most beautiful instruments I own.  Thank you David Beede.