Favorite Things!

I love to discover items to organize my STUFF.  I tend to collect stuff. Thought I'd share a few of the things I associate with my music hobby organization.

A few of the things I use around my music room.

Multi dulcimer stand

I've found a magazine/book tower, meant to sit on the floor against a wall...or there are versions that are meant to be mounted on the wall. They are built to accommodate the weight of multiple books and magazines and the standing version is heavily weighted on the base as to not topple over.  I have mine sitting against a wall on a low base...as I have dogs and having a large tower on the floor might be a temptation to the "boys". I also put self adhesive felt strips on each shelf to ensure the dulcimers don't slide on the bare metal shelf which may cause some damage to the finish.  Have had this one in place for 3 years with no issues.  I would be sure it isn't in a heavily trafficked area where someone might stagger into it. I've shown different versions as seen on-line. Mine was on sale for under $120.

Another favorite stand I use fits easily on a desktop and was advertised as a magazine tower.  I bought 2 at the time, but haven't been able to find them online since but I keep looking. Once again, I glue felt strips to each shelf so as to not mar the finish of the dulcimers.  This one is on my computer desk.

I 

Instrument parking place
I always have dulcimers nearby at my computer when I'm working on tab and I hate to lay them down on a hard surface when I have to free my hands to use the keyboard.  I found one of these small ottoman's (maybe bean bag-type filled) and fits easily beside my computer chair.  I can quickly set the dulcimer aside without clunking into any hard objects.  Found it at a local Marshall's or TJ Maxx or something.

Dulcimer wall hangers

This version of instrument hanger is mounted on the wall with screws.  There is a version that loops to the side which will accommodate a scroll head dulcimer. If you have a large collection of dulcimers, that means a lot of holes in the wall, that's why I prefer to use a book tower and use the wall mount hangers sparingly.

 

I use a lot hanging 

organizers in different shapes and sizes to store cables, microphones, tuners, harmonicas, capos,  pennywhistles etc. They can hang over a door, the side of a bookcase, mounted on a wall......

Transport cart. A great item for transporting musical instruments, tab books, and lunch tote around the workshop site or a gig...or just getting your general belongings into your hotel easily.  Just remember to be considerate when parking it in a hallway, in the back of the room (if permitted) or in a storage room.  Attach something colorful to it to spot it in a crowd. Folds down for easy storage or transporting it (before filling it) in your car.  Can be googled as a beach cart type of item.

Clamp on drink holder, good for a music room when you don't want to spill your drink on your papers or instruments.  Also can stick an empty cup or glass in it and store pens, capo, eyeglasses, picks.... nearby.

I love this over-sized clip board and I've added 2 extra clamps to it.  I lean it against a regular desktop document stand in order to spread out 2 pages of music so as to not have to turn pages if using individual sheets.  I frequently work with multiple pages in laying out tab and lyrics while arranging a song for singing.

I believe these are called Boca Clips.  They are meant to clamp towels onto a beach chair but I use them for all kinds of purposes in my music room (and when we go out in our RV).  In the music room I can clamp cables together and to different surfaces, clamp draped fabric I use for a backdrop for a video or photo, I've used it to clamp a webcam in place.  Can be used so many ways.  I have them in my garage also.

A CD wallet is just an easy way to organize dulcimer strings.  They can fit in a pocket of a carrying case.  

I have this wall mount acrylic shelf in several places in my home.  I can even hold a dulcimer leaning on it's side....if you put some glue on felt protectors strategically.  I'd be careful and test it out...make sure the screws won't scratch.  I've covered the screws with felt on the ONE shelf I've used to put a dulcimer.  I have mounted by a bed in the spare bedroom, behind a sofa in the basement and by my computer.  Can be used to keep a remote control, eye glasses, phone or tablet close by.

Same idea.  I have this version under a mounted whiteboard near my computer for the dry erase markers, tuners, metronome, noter etc.

These a stretchy wrist bands, called wrist-wallets which are great for having guitar picks handy.   They can be found in most active wear catalogs, and on Amazon, of course.

Nothing better than plastic bins and a good label maker.  I love to go to crafting stores like Michael's and check out the organizers for crafters.  The 2 level bins (with a sectional insert for the top "shelf") are especially useful.  Great for keeping all the bits and pieces (and manuals) for recorders, cameras, microphones etc.

I've had 2 knee surgeries and bought my walker out of that necessity.  Decided to keep it because I had heard of people using them as a dulcimer (playing) stand.  I've also used it to place recording equipment....a laptop, webcam, camera to record.  It's easy to move, and at a workable height for recording a sitting person.  I've since used it as a bedside table while bed bound, recovering from another surgery.  I added a tray and an accessory pouch.  Handy to have around if you have the room for it.  I've also used it as a bird cage stand :-)

Hope you've found some useful ideas here.  Would love to hear about some unexpected items you've used to organize your music hobby.

 ZOOM Workshops

We adapted to COVID with the proliferation of ZOOM workshops when "in person" workshops weren't feasible and it seems they still hold their attraction for those that are not so geographically "connected" to on-site festivals.  I love them.  They are so affordable.  Who can't afford a $10-$15 group lesson? I have a tendency to, maybe, over extend myself.  I take so many classes I do feel a bit drained after.  Anyway, I've organized myself to get through these 2-3 day weekend blitzes of lessons.  I'm kind of an office organization 'geek' having experienced many moves and hence, work environments, I've usually been the one to automate office procedures and develop processes.  I'm not necessarily NEAT...but I can be organized.  Here's my basic method for organizing myself to take a weekend of ZOOM dulcimer classes.  Hope you can take away something to work for you.  I would love to hear about some of your own tips

Janene's ZOOM prep video

From Ditties to Dirges Dulcimer Tablature Book

Along with my partner for this project, Shawn McCurdy, I have published a new mountain dulcimer tablature book. The book includes 31 songs, 26 of which I have arranged based on my video performances of the songs on YouTube for the last 12 years or so. Shawn has included 5 of her own arrangements of some traditional songs which can be viewed at her YouTube channel Shawn M.

   

Here is a short video overview of the content of the book can be viewed 

 

Available for purchase at

Dulcimer Downloads

Circle Game

I posted a fingerpicking version of Joni Mitchell's song CIRCLE GAME on YouTube several years ago.  Circle Game on Dulcimer - Janene Millen

By request, I've made my own SONG SHEET for this song, available for download.  It's is simple a PDF of the lyrics and the chords I use, and some basic linking notes to follow the melody.  I use a picking pattern I didn't document, so you're on your own there.  I also played this in a C-G-C tuning but it can be easily played in any 1-5-8 (D-A-D etc.) tuning to accommodate your voice.
Circle Game SONG SHEET

The Old Churchyard

According to the MUDCAT.ORG Forum:

https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=104465

From The Christian Psalmist by Silas W Leonard and A D Fillmore. Louisville, KY: S. W. Leonard, 1854.

THE OLD CHURCH YARD
1. Oh, come, come with me to the old church yard.
I well know the path through the soft green sward.
Friends slumber there, we were wont to regard.
We'll trace out their names in the old church yard.
Oh, mourn not for them; their grief is o'er.
Weep not for them; they weep no more,
For deep is their sleep, though cold and hard
Their pillow may be in the old church yard.

2. I know it seems vain when friends depart
To breathe kind words to the broken heart.
I know that the joys of life seem marred
When we follow our friends to the old church yard.
But were I at rest beneath yon tree,
Why should you weep, dear friends, for me?
I'm wayworn and sad. Oh, why then retard
The rest that I seek in the old church yard?

3. Our friends linger there in the sweetest repose,
Released from the world's sad bereavements and woes,
And who would not rest with the friends they regard
In quietude sweet in the old church yard?
We'll rest in the hope of that bright day
When beauty shall spring from the prison of clay,
When Gabriel's voice and the trump of the Lord
Shall awaken the dead in the old church yard.

4. Oh! weep not for me; I am anxious to go
To that haven of rest where tears never flow.
I fear not to enter that dark, lonely ward,
For soon I shall rise from the old church yard.
Yes, soon I shall join that heavenly band
Of glorified souls at my Savior's right hand,
Forever to dwell in bright mansions prepared
For the saints, who shall rise from the old church yard.

 

Verses vary with different renditions of this song.  I listened to several upon decided what lyrics and verses to sing in my own version that I posted.  Here are some of my favorite versions:

 

Offa Rex  Album: The Queen of Hearts 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLodKmSoTU0

 The Dovetail Trio  Album:  Bold Champions 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsNMiUo8o-s

 Whiskey Maggie  Album: Never Bluer Seas 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhuaU3Pt8vk

 

Pauline Scanlon  Album: Gossamer 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Gl8j0k72k4

 The Wailin’ Jennys  Album:  Fifteen 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KqFdyifThw

 Eamon O’Leary & Jefferson Hamer  Album:  The Murphy Beds 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YZHEEqeWh4

 Learn the song

 

My Song Sheet for the version I posted on-line is available here

The Old Churchyard PDF Song Sheet

 

A YouTube video tutorial where I explain the song sheet (referenced above) for this song and its "cues" can be seen here
Old Churchyard song sheet TUTORIAL video

 

My YouTube video, singing this song is available here

The Old Churchyard - Janene Millen YouTube video

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If I Were a Blackbird

Also known as "I Am a Young Maiden"
Can be sung from the male point of view "I am a young sailor....."
I thought this was a VERY old folk song but now I'm more confused than ever.  It may have been circulated as a BROADSIDE (printed sheet of music, sold in the streets).  Most references tie it to Ireland but could possible be from Scottish origin.  If someone finds some history of this song, I'd love to hear from you. 

My YouTube video
If I Were a Blackbird - dulcimer with vocals

Here are written materials I've provided if you care to learn this song on dulcimer.

If I Were a Blackbird. PDF Dulcimer Tab

If I Were a Blackbird.pdf Lyrics and chords

For further study:

An academic look at the many versions, recordings etc. of this song
Norfolk Folk Songs discussion

A collection of NUMEROUS videos of people performing this song
-a-blackbird-many-versions-

a beautiful harp version by Kim Roberts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cher8d4N8zc

a delicate and beautiful vocal version by Owain Phyfe that was my inspiration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sEY7tPO96U

Robert Burns Medley

Happy Birthday Robert Burns

January 25, 1759
I put together a quick medley of SEVERAL of  his better known  songs, tunes only, no singing. With the exception of the first song in the medley "Such a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation", I have been playing the other songs for several years so I play them from memory and have no tablature written for them.
My YouTube video ROBERT BURNS MEDLEY

Such a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation

.. the original Scots dialect.....

Fareweel to a' our Scottish fame,
Fareweel our ancient glory
Fareweel ev'n to the Scottish name,
Sae famed in martial story
Now Sark rins over Solway sands
An Tweed rins to the ocean
To mark where England's province stands -
Sic a parcel o rogues in a nation!

What force or guile could not subdue
Through many warlike ages
Is wrought now by a coward few
For hireling traitor's wages
The English steel we could disdain
Secure in valour's station
But English gold has been our bane -
Sic a parcel o rogues in a nation!

O would, or I had seen the day
That Treason thus could sell us,
My auld grey head had lien in clay
Wi Bruce and loyal Wallace!
But pith and power, till my last hour
I'll mak this declaration
We're bought and sold for English gold -
Sic a parcel o rogues in a nation!

My PDF file of "rudimentary" tab for this song
Such a Parcel of Rogues (simple tab)

Analysis of the key phrase in the song

http://brl17.umwblogs.org/2017/03/22/ryans-key-passage-analysis-on-robert-burns-such-a-parcel-of-rogues-in-a-nation/

Some historical information on the subject of the song

https://www.scotslanguage.com/articles/node/id/450

A beautiful acapella rendition
Fiona Forbes sings Such a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation

A stunning harmony version

Steeleye Span sings Such a Parcel of Rogues in a Nation

MacPherson's Lament

(true story)

Farewell ye dungeons dark and strong
Farewell, farewell to thee
McPherson's life will no be long
On yonder gallows tree

Chorus:
Sae rantingly, sae wantingly and sae dauntingly gaed he
He played a tune and he danced around below the gallows tree

Take off these bands from off my hands
And give to me a sword
For there's not a man in all Scotland
But I'd brave him at his word

There's some come here for to see me hung
And some to buy my fiddle
But before that I do part with her
I'll break her through the middle

He took his fiddle in both of his hands
And he broke it o'er a stone
Saying "There's nae ither hand shall play on thee
When I am dead and gone"

The reprieve was coming o'er the Brigg of Banff
For to set McPherson free
But they put the clock a quarter before
And they hanged him from a tree

 

Mirk, Mirk, the Midnight Hour (Dark, dark, the Midnight Hour)

This "situation" of Lord Gregory and his dismissed lover, mother of his child, has been memorialized in many songs.  I sing this song, as well as another version of the story, "Lord Gregory" on my YouTube Channel

Lord Gregory on dulcimer

Mirk, Mirk the Midnight Hour, sung and played on dulcimer

Lyrics:

O MIRK, mirk is this midnight hour
And loud the tempest’s roar;
A waefu’ wanderer seeks thy tower
Lord Gregory, ope thy door
An exile frae her father’s ha’
And a’ for loving thee;
At least some pity on me shaw
If love it may na be

Lord Gregory, mind’st thou not the grove
By bonie Irwine side
Where first I own’d that virgin love
I lang, lang had denied
How aften didst thou pledge and vow
Thou wad for aye be mine!
And my fond heart, itsel’ sae true
It ne’er mistrusted thine

Hard is thy heart, Lord Gregory
And flinty is thy breast:
Thou bolt of Heaven that flashest byO, wilt thou bring me rest!
Ye mustering thunders from above
Your willing victim see;
But spare and pardon my fause Love
His wrangs to Heaven and me

Comin' Thro the Rye

Comin thro' the rye, poor body,

     Comin thro' the rye,
She draigl't a' her petticoatie
     Comin thro' the rye

 

[CHORUS.]

     Oh Jenny 's a' weet poor body
               Jenny 's seldom dry,
 She draigl't a' her petticoatie
               Comin thro' the rye.

Gin a body meet a body

     Comin thro' the rye,

Gin a body kiss a body —

     Need a body cry.

[CHORUS.]

Gin a body meet a body

     Comin thro' the glen;

Gin a body kiss a body —

     Need the warld ken!

         [CHORUS.]

Gin a body meet a body, comin thro' the rye,
Gin a body kiss a body, need a body cry;
Ilka body has a body, ne'er a ane hae I;
But a' the lads they loe me, and what the waur am I.

Gin a body meet a body, comin frae the well,
Gin a body kiss a body, need a body tell;
Ilka body has a body, ne'er a ane hae I,
But a the lads they loe me, and what the waur am I.
Gin a body meet a body, comin frae the town,

Gin a body kiss a body, need a body gloom;
Ilka Jenny has her Jockey, ne'er a ane hae I,
But a' the lads they loe me, and what the waur am I

 

Westlin Winds

Link to Analysis and Interpretation

Link to a popular version of the song  Dick Gaughan singing Westlin Winds

Now westlin winds and slaughtering guns
Bring autumn's pleasant weather
The moorcock springs on whirring wings
Among the blooming heather
Now waving grain, wild o'er the plain
Delights the weary farmer
And the moon shines bright as I rove at night
To muse upon my charmer

The partridge loves the fruitful fells
The plover loves the mountain
The woodcock haunts the lonely dells
The soaring hern the fountain
Through lofty groves the cushat roves
The path of man to shun it
The hazel bush o'erhangs the thrush
The spreading thorn the linnet

Thus every kind their pleasure find
The savage and the tender
Some social join and leagues combine
Some solitary wander
Avaunt! Away! the cruel sway,
Tyrannic man's dominion
The sportsman's joy, the murdering cry
The fluttering, gory pinion

But Peggy dear the evening's clear
Thick flies the skimming swallow
The sky is blue, the fields in view
All fading green and yellow
Come let us stray our gladsome way
And view the charms of nature
The rustling corn, the fruited thorn
And every happy creature

We'll gently walk and sweetly talk
Till the silent moon shines clearly
I'll grasp thy waist and, fondly pressed,
Swear how I love thee dearly
Not vernal showers to budding flowers
Not autumn to the farmer
So dear can be as thou to me
My fair, my lovely charmer