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no rules thank God

Posted by Matthew Borczon on February 10, 2017 at 9:18am in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever

So I joined another web site all about dulcimers, I really just did it to get a set of plans I wanted. Anyway, I post a question about how small a dulcimer do you all make. I had made one using just a single cigar box so it was pretty small it had 2 strings and it has a sweet sound. The only response I get is some clown telling me I can't really call it a dulcimer if it does not have 3-4 strings because I can't even chord along with 2. I did not even answer although there are many answers worth giving from yes I can chord along to asking him about Galax style playing. The thing is, I do not want to be in any box. No rules opens up a lot of new ideas. So thanks to Shane for doing away with all that BS way back in the beginning. Has this happened to any of you all?

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Replies

  • JL February 23, 2017 at 9:59am

    If it has a cigar box and strings you shorten with fingers/frets/slide it is very Fred

    If it has a cigar box it is almost Fred

    if it was made in your home shop it is close enough to Fred

    we welcome all!!!

  • Grandpa February 20, 2017 at 8:19pm

    Late to the party, as usual. My experience has been that most guitar players I talk to are interested, even impressed a bit with some of my gits, in person and in photos. Then, there is the occasional "I only play 6 string guitars" or even a little blow-off. No worries, I just move along and engage the fans, the interested, and most importantly, the prospects!. No time for the snobs. It's like any hobby or craft. We're in it for the great pleasure, and sometimes forget that everyone else doesn't think it's cool, wonderful, and consuming. So here we are, amongst like-minded compulsive builders and visitors. Remember, if you were handing out dollar bills, a few folks would walk by and tell you "I only take fives". Hotcha!

    • Dustin Aurand > Grandpa February 20, 2017 at 8:39pm
      Yep. I tend to see the snobs more online on 6 string pages. They are into standard tuning and traditional learning mrthods alone. A good bit I'd people who seem interested tweak their tunings, and such. Just gotta roll with it.
  • Dustin Aurand February 13, 2017 at 12:50pm
    You guys on Facebook need to go browse the Facebook page called Everything Guitar. A good bit of the members do what we're speaking out against.
    • Bobby Wallen > Dustin Aurand February 13, 2017 at 3:14pm
      Hehe you take about tuning hell when I tune my fiddle or canjos for that matter I am happy just getting close to tune so long as it sounds ok when I play.
  • Lane Martin February 13, 2017 at 12:09pm

    Oh dear Lawd, I guess that means that the Tennessee Music Box I'm working on isn't a "real" dulcimer either since it's rectangular in shape, not to mention that there will only be "frets" on the melody string. What ever shall I do to correct my deviant ways? lol

    Haven't decided on number of strings or the tuning yet.

  • JL February 13, 2017 at 11:09am

    How many 6-string players have to stop playing if they break 1 string?

    How many 6-string purists have never used a capo?

    the Bb clarinet is an example of an alternate tuning that became the standard. Sheet music for the Bb clarinet is written to account for the fact that its notes are 1/2 step sharp. the fingering/levers/mechanisms were worked out and established on the A clarinet, but the shortening to Bb sounded so much better it became the thing.

    • Dustin Aurand > JL February 13, 2017 at 12:40pm
      The thing I've noticed is that some GET IT, and some don't. It seems like the 6 string traditionalists/purists and virtuosos don't get it. I took my CBG and dulcimer into church once, to try out for the praise teams, and the guy over it, an Italian virtuoso says to me, after I finish playing, "maybe you should get a REAL guitar?"

      Those 6 string players who use capos, tweak their guitars, experiment with tunings, etc GET IT, and would make great CBG players and builders.

      The people that I mentioned earlier don't see the potential that a guitar has. You can get various sounds by tuning, slide, using a capo, etc. They forget their guitar history, and how some of the guitar greats did it. We are the modern rebels of the guitar community right now.
      • 3 String Blues > Dustin Aurand February 14, 2017 at 12:58am

        one of the guys on the prayer or worship team was snobby????

        Hand him a Bible!

  • Dustin Aurand February 12, 2017 at 11:46pm
    A prime example. I'm on a few guitar pages and groups on Facebook. A good it are the guitar troll/snob/police, "standard tuning and learning is the only way," crowd. They often turn up their noses at any other tuning, playing style, learning method, and innovation. They're quick to pass judgment, hurl. An insult, like, "sissy," or even badmouth your ways, even gear. I'm constantly preaching the, "to each their own/whatever works/everyone has something to bring to the table," bit. I know there are things that may restrict learning standard style, and Ibalways push alternate/open tunings, and slide.
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