Strings & Things

We have two new string instruments--an appalachian dulcimer and a ukelele. I've been wanting to get the former for a while, but I know next to nothing about them and got overwhelmed by the options. Last month I saw a Cold Antler Farm blog post that explained the basics and recommended TK O'Brien's Walnut Creek mountain dulcimer from Craggy Mountain Music. With a choice of eight wood types and six different sound hole patterns, I ended up with a lovely cherry wood top and leaping deer sound holes. It was very reasonably priced and included a carrying case, instruction manual, extra strings, a pick, and a "noter" (a short length of dowel for the left hand). It was shipped the same day I ordered.

Strung differently from a guitar, the dulcimer is one of the easiest instruments to learn. I honestly think that anyone from age 4 to 104 could learn to play a few songs on the dulcimer in a couple hours, even with no musical background whatsoever. After skimming the instruction book for just 10 minutes, I was rewarded with rich, complex sound that belies my beginner status. I keep it in the kitchen, and the Wrangler picks at it while I make dinner. After just two nights, he can play folk tunes with aplomb.

The Wrangler received the ukelele for Christmas. I hear him plinking away on it every so often. Anything but his electric guitar is music to my ears.

Of Art and Ancestry

We received a beautiful Rosemaled bowl for Christmas. Rosemaling, which means "decorative painting" in Norwegian, is a folk art that originated in Norway's low-lands in the mid-18th Century. It is characterized by its flowing, stylized floral patterns. Interested in this art form, I did a little research online and learned of the John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina that not only offers Rosemaling classes but also hosts a number of Scandinavian arts, crafts, and cooking classes during Scandinavian Heritage Week. This year's classes include Rosemaling, Viking-style iron work, Scandinavian desserts, Norwegian bentwood box carving, Hardangersom needlework (embroidery worked with white thread on white cloth), and even an introduction to genealogy research and recording techniques.

I don't see myself devoting a week's vacation to Scandinavian crafts, but you never know. The Wrangler is an artist by a trade and a proud Norwegian. A knack for Viking-style iron work could be in his genes.

Ashokan Farewell

Tonight a huge moon--not quite full, but seemingly brighter than usual--lit up the night sky. It may sound like I'm about to wax poetic again about the farm. But before you roll your eyes, let me add that I'm only pointing out that the moonlight was appreciated because...the freakin' power went out again. Ugh. I'm all for the simple life, but come on. Reliable electricity would be nice, especially around dinner time.

Obviously, the power has been restored. I've been sitting here at the computer researching cold-hardy lavender varieties. The Wrangler is somewhere in the house playing the most beautiful music on his guitar: The "Ashokan Farewell" is a goodnight waltz that begins with a solo violin that later is accompanied by a guitar. It was used in two Civil War films and, thus, is often mistaken for a Civil War-era tune.

I'm signing off now to follow the music down the hall and, yes, probably wax poetic about the farm, power outages and all.

New Hobby

Making Music

The Wrangler's handyman acumen is in somewhat short supply, which is not a big deal because he has so many other talents. After all, it's only fair that he's bad at something. (It is, however, exasperating when he embarks on home repair projects armed with nothing but his trusty roll of duct tape and package of zip ties.) Until last weekend, his tool box contained a pliers set that is, after 12 years, still in the plastic package; a Phillips screwdriver and a standard screwdriver (and I can't say for certain that he knows which is which); a tape measure; and his high school photo. He had a nice little hand saw for making a fresh cut in the Christmas tree trunk. And that was all.

But things are changing around here! We made not one, not two, but three trips to Home Depot last weekend to buy man tools and wood. Four nights in a row the sounds of sawing and sanding (from borrowed tools) emanated from the garage. The Wrangler is building a cigar box guitar.

I'm not exactly sure what this entails, but there was a cutting step, a gluing step, and a sanding step. As I write this, I hear pounding...so apparently there is a hammering step too. As far as I can tell, there are no steps involving duct tape and zip ties. He provided me with this picture of his work from last night. As you can see in the photo, he designed the fancy sides for the headstock of the guitar, traced his design onto wood, and cut the pieces. I will post more pictures as he moves onto other steps.

I am so excited to see him so excited about building stuff. All he needed was a connection between art and tools. Think of the possibilities! Built-in bookshelves, a gazebo, sturdy fences for the sheep...

New Baby

Just what I definitely do not need--another guitar. This weekend I played (if by "played" you mean "errantly plucked") a Baby Taylor, which is three-quarters the size of a full-sized guitar and is made of solid spruce or mahogany. Most three-quarter guitars are made of laminate, and you really can tell the difference. The wood version has surprising volume and a rich tone.

The Taylor catalog says that the Baby is the "type of guitar you can keep at the office." I worked at a firm where I wouldn't have been ostracized for strumming a few clumsy notes in between conference calls. After all, no one blinked an eye at the lawyer who kept his Segway in his office and would scoot down the hall to and from the elevator each day, or the secretary who wore an official firefighter uniform, including the hat, when it rained. People were free to go about their business there. I'm quite certain that my current co-workers are the sort who would object to midday maladroit musings on the Baby Taylor. Perhaps once I've improved...

Fiddler on the...Beach

I'm now the proud owner of a fiddle, of all things. I'm still working on the guitar, and I thought I'd give the piano a try someday. Buying a violin wasn't on my radar until this morning.

After reading the book Made from Scratch (see my blog entry from May 6), I started following the author's blog. This morning, she asked if anyone wants to learn to play mountain music on the fiddle. She'll teach a class if at least 10 people are interested.

She recommended purchasing a 4/4 student violin on ebay for $50. Done and done. It looks like there are about 20 of us who bought our violins on ebay this morning, so lessons are a go.

New Gig

I'm so excited to get this Little Martin Cowboy V. It's a laminate/composite--so it's strictly a novelty guitar. But I have a Little Martin Felix III, which is pretty much the same as the Cowboy V, and I love it! It travels well and has that Martin sound. It's the type of guitar you can bring on the subway or camping or to the beach (not that I'd play a guitar at any of those places, LOL) without worrying about it getting damaged by the elements.

The Cowboy V would be perfect for the next Six-Button Cowgirls trip. I'm disappointed that there isn't a custom gig bag for the Cowboy series. My Felix III came with the cutest gig bag embroidered with a Felix. I'm trying to think of a way to make a silk screen of the Cowboy V graphic and sew it onto a gig bag. I suspect it will look makeshift, but I'll see what I can do.