Oh, Dulcimer...

My parents are BIG bluegrass/old time country fans; always have been. They're both retired now and love taking trips to various bluegrass music festivals. One of their favorite festivals is in Arkansas, which they've been attending for about 5-6 years now. They pack up the camper and drive to spend the month of April (and into half of May) in Arkansas.

While there, they pick up lots of new hobbies, new games to play, etc. During their last trip, my mom called and told me she was learning something new: a dulcimer. I never knew much about it, other than it's a stringed instrument. It's kind of like (but not really lol) a guitar, except for the fact that you lay it across your lap (or place it on a tabletop) and it has 4 strings.

My mom was all excited about it and couldn't wait to play it for me when they got home. It was fun to hear the excitement in her voice, although I was curious how long it would last, since she's notorious for giving up quick. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see when they came home, that she actually was practicing regularly and was doing well!

Now, I am not a bluegrass fan; but even so, I was intrigued by the instrument (especially after I learned that Cyndi Lauper plays it) and wanted to see if I could. I thought maybe my years of piano playing would come in handy (regardless of how rusty I am now, due to lack of piano 'disipline' these days). I guess it did (either that, or it was just beginners luck - HA), because before I knew it, my mom was complaining that I was doing better in 15 minutes, than she was in one month.

Fast foward to this past Sunday, Father's Day. I asked if my mom was still practicing the dulcimer and my dad answered, "Yes" (in a tone that said, "Unfortunately yes she does"). So, I asked if she'd want to bring it out and play for me. I could tell right away that she is taking it seriously (doesn't hurt that the dulcimer was expensive, so I'm sure that's an extra "push" for her to use it) and really is enjoying it. So, I took out my camera and started filming. She's doing really well!

Then it was my turn. My mom prefers to play it the traditional way, on the lap. I, on the other hand, prefer tabletop. It became obvious almost immediately, that I really did have "beginners luck" that first time around, because it definitely wasn't working for me this time around. Do I have a video of this? Of course: Take one and Take two. In my defense, I haven't sat down with it since the very first time I played it last month and also, the piano is my instrument of choice. Not that I'd really do any better at the piano these days, but I'm just sayin'.

I think I'll stick with the piano and leave the dulcimer to the pros.