Peaches - the dulcimer - has her first real debut

Subject: Peaches-the dulcimer has her first debut
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Nov 05 - 07:39 PM

Some of you may remember I have a mountain dulcimer which I got at the behest of Catspaw, who found it for me at Elderly Instruments. She is called "Peaches" in honour of "Spaw's" character in the classic Juke Joint Tavern thread.

Anyway, I've only played her a couple of times in public, and then it was just in a big open living room at a hospice with no one around.

So...today, she had her debut as I was asked to play for two hours at a local metaphysical/wiccan/pagan shop and she did good!

It was so much fun. I had a lot of comments on how peaceful and calming it was, plus everyone sang along when I broke into a rollicking rendition of Polly Wolly Doodle.

I also met an acoustic trio, three fellahs, who played after me, and we'll probably be getting together to jam!! (They offered to let me sit in, then!) They were very good on guitar, bass guitar, mando, fiddle, and flute. Very talented and so comfortable playing with one another...they've been doing so for a long time. I invited them to join us here, hope they show up. Their band is named "Simmer Down," but they don't take that seriously!

I let several people try out Peaches. One woman went away saying she was going to have to get one. She really loved it. It felt so good to share with everyone, my jitters went straight away!:-)

So, thanks to all of you Mudcatters, esp. to Rick in how much he encouraged all of us to get out and just do it, and esp. to my darlin' Spaw for everything, but, esp. for finding Peaches. Also, to Night Owl for keeping me focussed and keeping my confidence up. You are all great inspirations and I appreciate it.

Oh, and I did most of three hours of playing, visiting, and listening without any supplemental O2!!!!! I would never have believed I'd be doing this six months ago!

So, from Peaches and me,

THANK YEW!!!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Peaches-the dulcimer has her first debut
From: frogprince
Date: 26 Nov 05 - 07:53 PM

"Aint Life Sweet, when we know where we're goin?
Ain't Life Sweet, when we're not afraid to care?"
                --Penny Lang

Good for ya, Ms. Kitty!

Subject: RE: Peaches - the dulcimer - has her first real debut
From: Dave Swan
Date: 26 Nov 05 - 08:24 PM

Nice goin' pal. Wish I'd been there to hear it. Sounds like great fun.

But fergodsake, ya gotta quit making it sound like 'spaw is a good influence. The man's got a reputation to maintain.

D

Subject: RE: Peaches - the dulcimer - has her first real debut
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Nov 05 - 09:26 PM

Out and about, eh? You AND Peaches. Grand!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Peaches - the dulcimer - has her first real debut
From: GUEST,KateG (not sure of my cookie on this machine
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 05:01 PM

Welcome to the club!!! Ain't nuthin' like playing a mountain dulcimer in public. People just love them. I often take my mehitabel to history fairs and sometime even to Irish sessions with my flute and she draws a steady crowd. Have fun and enjoy your Peaches.

Subject: RE: Peaches - the dulcimer - has her first real debut
From: GUEST,Wesley S
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 05:27 PM

Kat - You have a four string dulcimer correct ? What brand did you end up with ?

Subject: RE: Peaches - the dulcimer - has her first real debut
From: Mooh
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 05:32 PM

Cool, very cool! Mooh.

Subject: RE: Peaches - the dulcimer - has her first real debut
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 07:36 PM

"Love that Peaches, wanna pluck those strings"

Good to see you active musically.

Subject: RE: Peaches - the dulcimer - has her first real d
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 07:48 PM

Thanks, folks!

Wesley, yes, Four strings to hear me, Four strings to pluck,
Four strings to tune up, oh no, what rhymes with pluck?!**BG**

She's a Black Mountain 56 and I see they've gone up in price some since that day way back when Spaw said, "Hey, little gyrl, want some candy?"**bg**

It feels so good!!

luvyakat

Subject: RE: Peaches - the dulcimer - has her first real d
From: Sorcha
Date: 27 Nov 05 - 07:51 PM

Your dulcimer is called Peaches?????? Poor thing.

Subject: RE: Peaches - the dulcimer - has her first real debut
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 11:14 AM

Congratulations, kat! I'm glad to hear of the triumph of a fellow mtn dulcimer player.

My dulcimer is named Daadag. That's Hungarian for "easy to play."

Subject: RE: Peaches - the dulcimer - has her first real d
From: katlaughing
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 04:58 PM

LOL, love that leeneia!

Holy cow! Just found an all hardwood dulcimer online at WallyWorld for $60 and they market it by saying one can play their fav. songs from "Songcatcher" and "Down to the Mountain!" What's the world coming to!

Subject: RE: Peaches - the dulcimer - has her first real d
From: Sorcha
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 05:09 PM

ROF!!!!

Subject: RE: Peaches - the dulcimer - has her first real debut
From: SINSULL
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 06:48 PM

Songcatcher? It's been a while since we heard about that movie. Or about Dainty Davey for that matter.

Out and about and playing in public? Good to have you back Miss Kitty. Life is good.

Subject: RE: Peaches - the dulcimer - has her first real d
From: GUEST,Kudzuman
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 06:56 PM

I've seen the Wally World dulcimers. They are....how shall I say it....DSO's. That's Dulcimer Shaped Objects. Hang it on the wall and say how pretty it is and so quaint, but don't try to play it. The one I tried (just had to as a builder myself) and it was accurate about to the 3rd fret.

Kudzuman

Subject: RE: Peaches - the dulcimer - has her first real debut
From: kytrad (Jean Ritchie)
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 08:55 PM

Congratulations, Kat- and thanks for the Alert about this thread...I'm still getting over Thanksgiving dinner, having all that good talk with neighbors, 1,2,3 days of Leftovers. Yum! Great that you had a marvellous Debut; there's nothing like living through that first performance. Now- go on and do great things...but mainly, have fun. I have always found the dulcimer to be a very personal instrument, and that I'm really playing it and singing just for myself, inside, and the audience (if any) just happens to be there.

Peaches. Last time I ran into that word used as a name, was when one of my nephews came running to the back door with an old wooden crate with a coal-black puppy inside. "A man in a car just stopped and gave him to me!" he shouted. "His name's Peaches!" We asked why he is calling a black pup, "Peaches." "Look- his name's on the box!"
Across the old crate were big words, PEACHES- FROM GEORGIA.

Love, and many years of dulcimer delights, Kat!    Jean

Subject: RE: Peaches - the dulcimer - has her first real debut
From: Mudlark
Date: 28 Nov 05 - 11:44 PM

Hi Kat....I'm thrilled to hear that you've been out and about, showing off your talent and Peaches, and without any health problems. Boy, there is nothing so healthy as good music in good company...great that you connected with some people to jam with...always an exciting aftermath of a gig. You go, girl! Sounds like you're doing great!!

Nancy

Subject: RE: Peaches - the dulcimer - has her first real debut
From: MMario
Date: 29 Nov 05 - 08:40 AM

Good to hear you and Peaches are out and about, kat! How do Morgan and Peaches get along? No jealousy in either direction I hope.

Subject: RE: Peaches - the dulcimer - has her first real d
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 10:56 PM

refresh for Spaw, now that he's back...:-)

Morgan LOVES Peaches, Mmario! No problem, he is already strumming! And, Peaches doesn't mind at all because the kid is gentle.:->