Dulcimers in the Heartland - America's Heartland

Nothing defines certain regions of rural America like the very distinct sound of the dulcimer. This particularly American instrument was created by early settlers in the Appalachian region of the south. Mike Clemmer and his wife, Connie are furthering the heritage of this musical instrument.

[michaelwhisman]

My father was a friend of a Mr. Ford who made dulcimers in Georgia. They met during WW2 in California and were lifelong friends. Sorry but I forgot Mr. Ford's first name.

[shadowforger]

This is called Culture. God bless America and the Americans.

[awarenowhere]

I find it inspirational that this man found his true calling in life.

[ktomsen]

Hand craft is alive and well in America. This sound is in my heart. Follow your heart and dreams and create what you know and love! Children of all lands are naturally drawn to these beautiful sounds. Well done!

[deenibeeniable]

The two-person dulcimer is called a "courting dulcimer."

[robmccarthy]

I'm a bluegrass banjo picker from Australia. Spent time with Mike and his dulcimers across the road in Townsend Tn at the Old Timers Spring Festival 2004. He's a really nice bloke. Got to pick with some great bands there. 🤠😁

[SamlSchulze]

My father was man from Michigan that built banjos, mandolins, guitars, and dulcimers.
I have one of the dulcimer jigs floating around in my shop.
I'll have to come by your shop to get some hammers and other things 'cause i need all the help i can get.

[scatterkatjatzen]

As a guitarist, I bought a Dulcimer not knowing what to expect, but fell in love with it, the minute I found a CD on how to tune it and with a couple folk tunes. The Dulcimer is
a unique instrument, easy to play and sounds great.

[EMcKelvyF]

The kiss at the end was adorable, it makes me really happy to see a love like that.

[michaelcraig]

This is so great. I am learning how to play one now. I bought it from this lady around here in MO a couple years ago. Some guy makes them hand made.

[IIVVBlues]

I understand completely. I've made a few dulcimers, but now I just make gut string banjos. I'm in my seventies, but I'll probably keep making instruments as long as my arthritis doesn't stop me. I play the Dobro and I may have try and make a resonator dulcimer like the one in the video. Seeing that resonator dulcimer intrigued me.

[markharwood]

Today I heard Wendy Songe play King of the Fairies and thought, wish I'd discovered this when I was much younger. Now I hear Mike's banjo dulcimer and the feeling is even greater. I suppose I'll leave it to the experts. Thank you for this little patch of sunshine.

[Jynx]

that banjo/dulcimer hybrid sounds awesome

[poiuyt]

"Necessity to have an instrument". A simple sentence that contains a much greater truth. Music, culture and beauty in general, are as necessary for a sociaty to survive and develop, as food is for a person.

[CedricSatterfield]

I am really digging that resonator dulcimer. Wow what a sound!

[fluteguitarbass]

Oh man, that banjo dulcimer is brilliant ... loooove the sound. Way to go Mike!!!

[rc]

Thank you for keeping traditional American music alive

[russiane.lection-hacker]

I'm sure there's much more to the story than this short piece shows, but I honestly envy Mike. I hope he and Connie have a long, happy life doing what they're doing.

[shaunw]

Very interesting! Being in England, I have seen Dulcimers very occasionally but never ever seen a two person "courting" Dulcimer, not even a photo before ! Brilliant.

[TKnightcrawler]

I'm glad there are people out there making traditional American instruments like this, and making them so beautifully.