1st Dulcimer CBG

Posted by Kelvin Holitzki on July 25, 2010 at 8:46pm
Just wanted to say that I built my 1st stick dulcimer using the scale from plans bought from michaeljking.com (DAD tuning). I didn't know what to expect - since I approached the project from a woodworkers perspective instead of a musician's - I've NEVER done anything musical in my life. 

I was impressed with the sound - crisp and clear. Just goofing around on it sounds good.
Now I have to teach myself to play!

The CBG article in MAKE magazine (issue 21) got me interested enough to lurk on this site until I felt comfortable enough to try to make one. What Fun! I'm hooked. What will the next project be?

cbg_full.jpg

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Replies

  • Kelvin Holitzki July 26, 2010 at 11:47am
    Michael J King is a genius. I'm eying his electric ukulele plans on lulu.com.
    Watching his YouTube videos on making the fret board helped a lot.
    This site has been great as well. Bought my fret wire from C.B.Gitty - great service!

    Alan Roberts said:
    Michael J King is a genius. I've built lyres based on his plans, and may make one of his kantele, as well. His videos on making strum sticks are very entertaining. I don't know what he would say about cigar boxes, though. Lol.

    Good work. I bet it sounds as lovely it looks.
  • Kelvin Holitzki July 26, 2010 at 11:42am
    Thanks for the link to the toneway site. Certainly looks like I'm the target audience - rank novice!
    I really do need all the help I can get. The beginner songbook from the strumbly.com web site is what I started out with. The songs are for DGD tuning - but since I'm only using one string for now - that is fine.

    Richard Sanabia said:
    As a woodworker you have a real leg up on building instruments that are playable. Musicianship to me is practicing enough to put the tune in my head, then playing enough to get the rhythm. I practice so that when I pick up my mandolin or CBG, I can get the tune back within a few notes. Practice with other players, or practice with Youtube videos you like. Try these folks if you like this type of music, http://toneway.com/, or get the videos from Keni for blues stuff. If I play by myself, then I work on scales and rhythm until the flow "sounds right". Go to folkjam.org, and see if there are any local groups near you.
  • Alan Roberts July 26, 2010 at 12:35am
    Michael J King is a genius. I've built lyres based on his plans, and may make one of his kantele, as well. His videos on making strum sticks are very entertaining. I don't know what he would say about cigar boxes, though. Lol.

    Good work. I bet it sounds as lovely it looks.
  • Richard Sanabia July 25, 2010 at 9:28pm
    As a woodworker you have a real leg up on building instruments that are playable. Musicianship to me is practicing enough to put the tune in my head, then playing enough to get the rhythm. I practice so that when I pick up my mandolin or CBG, I can get the tune back within a few notes. Practice with other players, or practice with Youtube videos you like. Try these folks if you like this type of music, http://toneway.com/, or get the videos from Keni for blues stuff. If I play by myself, then I work on scales and rhythm until the flow "sounds right". Go to folkjam.org, and see if there are any local groups near you.
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