The Mountain Dulcimer: A Musical Possibility Box | Jerry Rockwell | TEDxStroudsRun
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- čas přidán 7. 11. 2019
- Here’s a relaxing and insightful introduction to the mountain (Appalachian) dulcimer. Musician/craftsman Jerry Rockwell plays some soothing tunes on a mountain dulcimer he built himself. He explains his passion for designing and building fine, handcrafted dulcimers one at a time using traditional hand tools. And finally, he demonstrates a variety of playing styles and techniques, including some traditional ways and some more innovative techniques, like two-handed tapping and playing with the Ebow.
Bio: Jerry Rockwell is a musician and luthier who focuses his love of musical structure and fine woodworking on an uncommon American folk instrument, the mountain (Appalachian) dulcimer. A self-described "one-man music laboratory," he uses hand tools to build his instruments and digital tools for music publishing, recording, and streaming his performances online. During the past five decades, Jerry has played at folk festivals in England, Ireland, Iceland and around the US. He has published nine instructional tunebooks, is featured on many recordings and musical collaborations, has co-founded three dulcimer festivals, and continues to design and build custom acoustic and electric mountain dulcimers. Jerry encourages and challenges dulcimer and guitar students in workshops and online. His recent compositions explore the relaxing, meditative sounds of the electric dulcimer. Jerry’s recent tracks have found their way onto more than 120 playlists on digital streaming platforms. Jerry Rockwell is a musician and luthier who focuses his love of musical structure and fine woodworking on an uncommon American folk instrument, the mountain (Appalachian) dulcimer. A self-described "one-man music laboratory," he uses hand tools to build his instruments and digital tools for music publishing, recording, and streaming his performances online.
As a teenager on Long Island, Jerry developed a passion for stringed/fretted instruments and jazz and rock guitar. Then, while a student at SUNY Plattsburgh, he heard the freewheeling mountain dulcimer music of Richard and Mimi Farina and began searching for a dulcimer and tools for building his own.
Thirteen years of dulcimer building, playing and teaching sparked a move to Ohio in 1983 and eventually led to formal music studies and a BA in music at The Ohio State University. As an inspired nontraditional student, he took courses from counterpoint to electronic music to acoustic physics, and a concentration on music theory and composition was the basis for ongoing development and growth as a musician.
During the past five decades, Jerry has played at folk festivals in England, Ireland, Iceland and around the US. He has published nine instructional tunebooks, is featured on many recordings and musical collaborations, has co-founded three dulcimer festivals, and continues to design and build custom acoustic and electric mountain dulcimers. Jerry encourages and challenges dulcimer and guitar students in workshops and online.
Jerry's recent compositions explore the relaxing, meditative sounds of the electric dulcimer. His recent tracks have found their way onto more than 120 playlists on digital streaming platforms. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
A perfect day. Today is mother day! Many greetings for you mandy❤. My daughter gave it to me 2 books blugrass classics and dulcimer songbook . My son gave me flowers. Thank you for the nice song
Jerry, is, truly, a treasure in the Appalachian dulcimer world!
I appreciate your comment so much Robin!!!
So glad I stumbled across this video. I have just begun playing the dulcimer and I really like it.
Excellent video featuring an excellent & creative player! I met Jerry back in 2001 @ Mountain Dulcimer Week in Cullowhee, NC. He was the class tutor in my morning workshop. He provided some very good tips that helped me with my playing. I haven't met up with Jerry since, but I still do enjoy listening to his recordings very much.
I think it's sweet that the man himself is replying to a lot of these comments. A beautiful ethereal instrument. Glad so many people maintain the musical culture of the Appalachians rather than denigrating it as "hillbilly music"
You bring up some very interesting points!!! I have to say that I'm not a great example of "maintaining the musical culture of the Appalachians" --- At this point in time, I would say that I am one of the most esoteric players of the dulcimer......kind of out there in deep space or something......but somebody like Don Pedi is definitely playing the dulcimer with the Appalachian roots in clear focus.
@@RockwellDulcimer you can also play them hammered like a hammered dulcimer
Jerry Rockwell is a very interesting and incredible individual. Musician and dulcimer Builder.
I haven’t seen or played with Jerry in years. I sure miss going to festivals. He’s such a great player and maker.
Beautiful presentation, and truly beautiful playing on one of the sweetest sounding stringed-instruments, made all the more so because it was carefully and lovingly handcrafted by Jerry. Egg beater drill, indeed. Bravo. Mr. Rockwell...
Thanks Vin!!
Just got a dulcimer at an estate sale today. This is incredible. I love it already
Let me know if you need some help getting started
Jerry, I really enjoyed your background talk (as well as your playing)
Thanks for the feedback David!! Actually, if truth be told, I was very worried about "Talking to the whole world" and wondering how I was going to get through the speaking part of it. But, as it turned out, some switch flipped just before I went on stage and I was just myself -- maybe a little more rattled than usual and more of a rapid-fire speech pattern---but that was my natural self :-) --- and after some serious work on the soundcheck, I was delighted with the quality of the ambient sound. So thanks again!!!
You are so incredible, and I'm so happy to know you!!
Thanks for sharing this; you get such a sweet sound from that electric dulcimer.
Thanks Jeff -- worked pretty hard on the soundcheck for this -- first time I had really decent ambient sound piped into a fairly large room!!
@@RockwellDulcimer Nice sound! What tuning are you in on the 4 strings?
@@michelestar9691 DADD 4-string equidistant
Wow Jerry. So glad to stumble upon this ted talk today. I have fallen in love with and become addicted to playing the dulcimer this year and hearing the ambient sounds you have created are so inspiring and makes my soul feel good. Could you remind us of some of the pickups/sound enhancing devices you used in this presentation? Or some simple setups for giving the dulcimer that ambient/spacey sound you make? Thank you for being!
Thanks for asking, and I deeply appreciate your comments!!! The pickup thing is total DIY!!!! Basically my idea is to: 1.) get a great hum-bucking magnetic pickup (the ones available today for round-hole acoustic guitars are fantastic -- I like the Fishman Neo-D or something like that. There are many other options at quite a range of prices) and 2.) figure out a way to strap it OVER the strum hollow -- or right over the highest frets of your dulcimer if you choose. The simple way, which I still use often, is to make two wooden blocks -- maybe about an 1" or 1.5" square.....that are about I/8" higher than your strings. Then: 3.) Strap these blocks on to your dulcimer with 3 or 4 medium-size rubber bands -- going all the way around the dulcimer! Finally, 4.) Slip your hum-bucker facing DOWN so the rubber bands hold the pickup and the blocks fairly firmly. And there you have it. The question about effects and ambient plug-ins is impossible to answer here -- this is a VAST subject and it pertains to electric guitar and ambient plug-ins --- look up Chords Of Orion (Bill Vencil) here on CZcams and subscribe -- absolutely the BEST pedal and plug-in reviews for ambient textures!!!
Perfect. Sounds like an interesting project and thanks for the suggestions on further research. I played at a farmers market for the first time today! Dulcimer on!
Great and sincere presentation...you didn't let ego get in the way Bravo!
Thanks George! It feels good to hear this!! Sometimes my musical ego gets a real grip on my entire life, but usually if I just sink deeply into the music and merge with my instrument, all problems disappear........I was worried about how the talking would go but in the end I just was "myself" ---- whatever or whoever "self" is :-)
I love the finger tapping with the right hand. Can't wait to try it!
Thanks Mike!! This is actually pretty easy once you get playful enough and give yourself permission.....
Just learned about this talk tonight. Wonderfulusic as always Jerry.
Surprised this doesn't have more views. Beautiful stuff.
Most people can't stop and wonder....and be aware.
Went to Jerry's Class in Shawnee Ohio years ago, we made dulcimer and had a great time with Jerry and his wife
Awesome
Really beautiful, I never imagined you could write music like this on a dulcimer,
Thanks for your feedback Greg!!
Loved that tapping bit. I'm still new to the dulcimer and will surely experiment with that technique.
tapping is so natural with an instrument on your lap!!! Look up the amazing guitarist Yasmin Williams. She plays guitar on her lap as well as normal under the neck style. Her tapping is so inspiring, and I'm so glad to see she is performing all over the world now. The sky is the limit!!!
Lovely music, and an interesting look at the dulcimer... Thanks Jerry
Thanks Anne!!!
to someone like me just getting into the dulcimer, this is awesome teaching
I'm glad to help!! The dulcimer is the most accessible folk instrument that I know of. There are probably others that are similar in their barriers to entry: ukulele and folk harp are two that come to mind immediately.....
@@RockwellDulcimer I play Uku;lele and Guitar as well
I have been thinking about getting an electric dulcimer to add to my collection. I didn't used to think I liked the electric ones, but I've changed my mind. This presentation did the trick.
With the electric instrument, you have the whole range of electric guitar pedals and effects open to you. I suppose the downside to that is having a tone that is indistinguishable from electric guitar. One mitigating factor for me is that the music I make on the dulcimer is very unique and informed by the mostly-diatonic fretboard, and often much simpler than what I would do on the guitar. Good luck with your musical journeys, and let me know how it goes!
What a warm and harmonic sound the Mountain Dulcimer creates! Thanks for this nice performance and the story about how you fell in love with this instrument!
Thanks Helge!!! Always great to hear from you!!!!
@@RockwellDulcimer And your instruments and your music always inspire me!
Jerry, I don’t tire of listening to this presentation. I have all of your tunes from ITUNES. Thank you!
Jerry great talk and beautiful playing. I love the dulcimer, I want an electric one from Folkcraft one day. "Love your playing and the way you described building these instruments. Just brilliant!
Dolores
Thanks Dolores!! Those hand-wired pickups that Folkcraft uses are pretty awesome. Someday I'd like to have one myself!!
Jerry Rockwell
Hi Gerry,
Thanks for your reply. I feel like I know a star in the dulcimer community. Kind of like Jean Ritchie. Those Folk Craft instruments are mighty fine indeed. It's on my bucket list to have one of their electric dulcimers one day. Keep playing and sharing your passion, the world needs your posivity and spirit. Thank you for making me open my mind to the electric dulcimer. Have a wonderful day.
Dolores
@@doloreserin I think I do better with "elder statesman of the dulcimer community" but thanks for the kind thoughts. Do you know about my free email newsletter? I share all kinds of free mp3 audio and TAB and music.....just sayin'
beautiful !!!!!!!
Thanks so much Ken!!! We need to touch base!! Been too long.....
Very appropriately for a video about the mountain dulcimer, the volume of this recording is almost too quiet to hear.
Wow. How wonderful to stumble upon your Ted Talk - I've shared it with all my dulcimer friends. Thanks for a lovely respite that's needed so badly right now
Thanks Debbie!! I don't get on CZcams much, so sorry for the delay in responding. Yes, there are many fine musicians making some heartfelt and very healing instrumentals!! I'm always happy to hear more of this slower music.
thanks for vid ...which type of mountain dulcimer is better .. referring to strings some have 5 some have one double and 2
doubled etc..?
Beautiful Jerry..what tuning are you in..please..
DAdd 4-string equidistant.
I was an apprentice luthier that made hammered dulcimers, bowed psalteries, and mountain dulcimers. I’m good at making them but not good at playing them. I have a Merlin Seagull and I love how improvisational it is for someone like me who doesn’t really know how to play lol
Do you have a recommendation on where to purchase one? I have a 3 strings cardboard one, and I love it. I would love to purchase a 5 string one!
Hi jerry you did such a great job on the ted talk and I was just wondering what is a cheaper mountain dulcimer that you think would be a good instrument.
I love McSpadden dulcimers!! They have a long history, quality control that is state-of-the-art, and great tone and playability. They are not cheap, but you get a very solid instrument for your money!
Does anyone know if the pickup is just an attachment or it's built in? I'm looking to buy a dulcimer with this sound and see they sell attaching pickups but I don't know anything about them. Please help! Thanks y'all!
The pickup is a magnetic humbucking type designed for round soundhole guitars. I made a contraption to let it straddle the fingerboard and rest about an eighth inch above the last 4 frets. You might look up electric dulcimers for sale --- you will get a very similar sound, depending on the effects and amplification you choose. Good luck!!!
@@RockwellDulcimer thank you!
How do you get it electric
I have always used my own homemade DIY contraption to hold an acoustic guitar magnetic pickup (usually a humbucking type for low noise) above the strum hollow. It goes OVER the strings instead of under.
Can someone please post the tracklisting for the songs performed? Also, are these available on Spotify? I really like this music. 😊
Here is the sequence of tunes and progressions I used right from the beginning of the video:
1.) Opening sequence was a descending Em - D chord vamp to introduce Scarborough Fair. This the exact same reference structure (or chord progression) that I'm using in my November 2019 Patreon lessons --- it is so cool to play all those minor mode improvisations over.....
2.) Scarborough Fair
3.) Some chord cadence noodling to get the listener's ear situated better to D --- rather than the Em or E Dorian tonality that is used for Scarborough Fair
4.) B Part to Go Tell Aunt Rhody -- I think this is in the famous Suzuki violin and piano method taught to young children all over the world. I don't think this is part of the traditional song, but I could be wrong.....
5.) A Part to Go Tell Aunt Rhody
6.) Bi Bi Og Blaka - an Icelandic Lullaby I learned from a book of Icelandic tunes and songs. This is NOT the same melody that is usually associated with this song and text. It is quite complicated trying to figure out the Icelandic traditions -- I was over in Siglufjord in 2007 teaching and performing, and it is all still mind-blowing to me.....
talking.........then demo.....
7.) At the very end of the demo, I go into a snippet of the Firefly Trio with the two-handed tapping.
8.) Will Ye Gang To Kelvingrove --- I am working on the studio version of this right now. It should be ready in the next couple of months.
9.) Irish Lullaby No. 1 --- This is one of my recent originals, based very roughly on an old Irish Air.
Thank You!!!!!
Jerry
@@RockwellDulcimer At the very end I hear a very stylized Ashokan Farewell, at least a number of chords from it. Perhaps several pieces share them.
@@peterodonnell6386 The last piece I played is an original tune called Irish Lullaby No.1 -- I composed an original melody around similar chords to an Old Irish Air that I love. The mode is Mixolydian, and Ashokan Farewell also uses that mode: you can hear the flat 7 (C in this case) quite clearly. Probably hundreds of tunes have a similar flavor due to the characteristic chord progressions that characterize the Mixolydian.
Hi, very nice thank you -
Question: Is the EBow tilted and not riding the strings or did you move the strings over to fit the groves on the bottom of the EBow. I play the dulcimer & would like to give this a try but it's set up more for the guitar. Just wondering how you are doing it & if you can offer suggestions.
Hi Tallon -- Great question on the Ebow --- My strings on this 4-equidistant string dulcimer are spaced wider than normal - due to the extra-wide fingerboard width -- 1.75" -- so I had to re-slot the bridge and nut to be as close to guitar spacing as I could get. This way the Ebow can be used on the A string or the inside melody string high D. And it can just sit there if the dulcimer is on a table - like in my studio set-up -- this way I can do some tapping with both hands while the Ebow is droning away!!! If you had a committee of helpers, you could do MUCH more.........:-)
I've always wondered why they aren't fretless. They could still be marked but smooth so you can play in between frets.
I think with the right fingerboard (like chrome?) and a fairly hot magnetic pickup, the fretless electric instrument would be workable. If you are thinking fretless with the acoustic instrument, the problem with mountain dulcimers is that they are very soft and quiet in tone. Unlike a fretless banjo, for example, there is no skin head and banjo bridge to bring the initial attack volume up. Without being pressed to a fret, the string on a dulcimer has virtually no sustain.
This is a 4 string correct? What tuning are you using? Cant quite crack it from watching you play
Great talk!
DAdd from low to high. Strings spaced about like guitars so the EBow works well....