Dulcimer Than

New Blog Address

2010-07-07T07:44:00.006-04:00

I have moved my dulcimer blog to a simpler address: nathanielsamsel.blogspot.com. Click Here to visit my new blog and to see current posts.

Concert July 31 at Unicoi State Park

2010-07-06T10:29:00.004-04:00

Nathaniel will perform a one-hour set beginning at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 31 in the lodge at Unicoi State Park. The concert is part of the park's Folk Life Days festival. After the concert, Nathaniel and his dad will join other Folk Life demonstrators, including Nathaniel's sister, Sarah, who will be demonstrating cornhusk doll making. The festival, which runs from 10:00 to 4:00, is free, except for a $5 parking fee. A "pass the hat" donation will be taken for Nathaniel.

Pickin' Porch

2010-06-28T11:04:00.007-04:00

Next Saturday (July 3) I will be teaching workshops and performing at the Pickin' Porch at Woods-N-Strings Dulcimer Shop in Townsend, TN.

Here is a list of the classes I will be teaching and the times. They are five dollars each. If you are interested, contact Woods-N-Strings to to sign up for classes.

10:30 - 11:30 - Fiddle Tune Variations: Learn a few cool variations that you can use for almost every fiddle tune.

1:15 - 2:15 - You are Capo-Able: This is a class that is good if you have not really done much with your capo. Learn how to use it (without a "Capo tab") and good way to think about it. Please bring capo!

2:30 - 3:30 - Left Hand Only: We are going to look at using only hammer-ons and pull-offs to play a song to help get them ingrained in you mind and your muscle memory.

3:45 - 4:45 - Reuben's Train: Learn a great song to ad to your repertoire. Also learning new techniques and the use of all fingers. Please bring your capo!

My concert will be a 7:00 in the evening

Hope to see you there!

-Nathaniel

Congratulations Nathaniel - Mid-Eastern Mountain Dulcimer Champion

2010-06-22T08:56:00.003-04:00

Nathaniel and I (dad) traveled to Ohio this weekend for Coshocton Dulcimer Days, which includes the Mid-Eastern Regional Mountain Dulcimer Championship. Nathaniel competed and took first prize, a portion of which is a paid entry into the national championship in Winfield, Kansas in September.

Another highlight of the trip for Nathaniel was getting to meet Hunter Walker, another young dulcimer player and winner of the same competition in 2009. Nathaniel and Hunter spent some time jamming together at Wildwood Music, a fabulous music shop in Coshocton.

Nathaniel and I are both appreciative of all the festival volunteers, sponsors and vendors.

Busy Month!

2010-06-17T13:09:00.004-04:00

Today I'm looking forward to a busy dulcimer month. Right now I don't know whether I am going to a dulcimer festival this weekend or not! Here is a list of what I know I will be doing.

July 3 - I am going to do a concert and teach classes at the Pickin' Porch at Mike Clemmer's dulcimer shop in Townsend, Tennessee. If you would like to take classes, please contact the shop. I will have the schedule posted here soon.

July 16 - I will be doing a few songs to open up the concert at the Summer Strumin' with Joe Collins event at Unicoi State Park.

July 18-23 - I will be at Western Carolina University Dulcimer Week in Cullowhee, North Carolina.

July 31 - I will be doing a solo concert at Unicoi State Park as part of the weekend-long Folk Life Traditions festival. It will be from 11:00 to 12:00.

Hope to see you some place down the road!

-Nathaniel

Wonderful Weekend!

2010-06-07T08:25:00.012-04:00

All week I was looking forward to Jeff Hames' Kicking of the Summer event - and it turned out to be even better than I anticipated.

I got to learn a lot with Jeff, play a few songs to open up his concert, play two songs with him during the concert and have fun jamming with Jeff in his music room, where he keeps all his dulcimers.

But the most fun part was when we were sitting in his music room. I was trying a Schnaufer Model he had just put strings on. And after one song he said that if I wanted it, I could have it........ I wanted it! It is a beautiful Schnaufer model - built to the specifications of David Schnaufer, who almost everybody thinks was the best dulcimer player ever. He was Jeff's teacher. The dulcimer was built by Larry McSppaden in July, 2006.

Thank you to Jeff Hames for all the new techniques, the time invested and the wonderful new dulcimer!

-Nathaniel

My Sort of Birthday!

2010-05-29T14:22:00.008-04:00

I guess most folks my age are getting video games for their birthday or something like that. But my eyes get glazed over when I try video games. For my birthday I got a guitar slide and a psaltery bow (both of which I use for playing the dulcimer), a jaw harp, Johnny Cash CDs, and money that I'll put toward the Ban-Jammer I ordered. I'm having fun with my new stuff!

I may be behind the times, but it sure is fun!

-Nathaniel

Four Equidistant Strings

2010-05-19T12:20:00.003-04:00

Lately I have been playing around with four equidistant strings. I really like the extra drone it gives while still playing chords on the slow songs. I've been playing mostly slow hymns with it but now I am starting to try it on some faster hymns like I'll Fly Away.

Just one more new thing for me to try!

-Nathaniel

Cumberland Gap

2010-05-10T10:32:00.005-04:00

I had a great weekend at Cumberland Gap Dulcimer Gathering. My 5-year old brother, Asher, got to go, too. That was fun. It was his first dulcimer festival and his second time camping, and he got to open up the Saturday evning concert "with Boil Them Cabbage!" I taught my second, class which went really well, played three songs in the Friday evning concert, ordered a Clemmer Ban-Jammer and had lots of fun in the jams.

It is a cost-free jam-full festival. If you haven't been, you have to go next year!

-Nathaniel

The Dulcimer Shoppe

2010-04-28T17:24:00.006-04:00

One of my favorite dulcimer places to go to is The Dulcimer Shoppe in Mtn View, AR, where McSpadden Dulcimers are made. They have a room with several McSpadden's to play, which I love to do. You can also watch McSpaddens being made.

If you love McSpadden's like I do or just like dulcimer, this is a great place to visit and jam!

-Nathaniel

Nathaniel playing Reuben's Train on Open Stage

2010-04-16T11:28:00.001-04:00

Full Spring Schedule

2010-04-05T07:48:00.012-04:00

Here is schedule of some of the things that I will be doing!

-April 17 I'll be playing an hour-long set a the Artisan's Fair at the Living History Park in North Augusta, GA.

-April 18 One song for Central Alliance Church during the offering.

-April 22-24 The Dulcimer Jamboree, Mtn View Ark. I will be competing in the ensemble competition as well as the Southeastern Regional Mountain Dulcimer Championship.

-May 7-8 Cumberland Gap Dulcimer Gathering. I will be teaching and performing at this festival. It is a really fun, informal festival that is cost free, with lots of jamming and good instructors.

-May 14-16 I will be attending a dulcimer festival called Spring Thing, which is put on by the North Georgia Foothills Dulcimer Association. It will be a really fun festival, with learning from Bill Taylor.

-Nathaniel

Getting Ready For Mtn View

2010-03-23T10:58:00.005-04:00

I've decided on the songs I'm going to play in the Southeastern Regional Dulcimer Competition in Mountain View, Arkansas. Now it is time to practice a much as I can!

-Nathaniel

Awesome New Instrument

2010-03-01T09:48:00.005-05:00

In December I ordered a custom Papaw's Dulcimer, and I was really looking forward to getting it. About a month ago, we decided to go to the Ohio Valley Gathering, so I decided to teach a workshop and play Open Stage. I saw that Mr Rich (Papaw) would be there too, so I e-mailed him and asked if I could play one of his dulcimers on stage, and, if mine would be done, maybe mine. He emailed me back and said mine would be a stretch, but I could use one of his. But to get to the point, Mr. Rich worked really hard on mine and got it done just before the festival. It is beautiful!!!! One of the things I really like is it is loud. It holds up with bluegrass instruments. It is awesome to play. Be sure to check out Papaw's Dulcimers.

Dulcimer Season

2010-02-21T10:06:00.008-05:00

Yesterday kicked off the beginning of the dulcimer season for us at the Mid-Winter Mountain Dulcimer Festival, in Shelby, North Carolina. I took classes from Aaron O'Rourke all day, which I really enjoyed.

Next we are going to the Ohio Valley Gathering, where I will be teaching a workshop and playing the Open Stage.

And then Dad and I are going up to the White River for a writers' fishing event, and I really look forward to playing with other musicians during the "picking and grinning." And while we are up that way, we will probably go to The Dulcimer Shoppe, in Mountain View, Arkansas.

-Nathaniel

Finger Picks

2010-01-25T19:18:00.003-05:00

Lately I've noticed that I keep saying, "lately I've been playing with..." So I was wondering what else I should say, maybe "Amazing New Dumb Dulcimer Discovery"? No. "Dumb Dumbs Dulcimer Dwindlings," (It's amazing what you can think of at night.) I guess I will just have to stick with, "lately I've been playing with..."

So here it goes again. Lately I have been playing with finger picks. The other day I was looking through a bag of stuff and found a set of finger picks. I really hadn't before then played with them because I thought just fingers had a better sound, and I still do think that just finger picking is prettier. And although metal finger picks are not soft and pretty, you can do a lot with them that is a lot harder to do without them, and some of the extra noise is good for train songs (like the one in the video above) or bass songs.

Nathaniel

Somthing I Enjoy

2010-01-15T17:44:00.005-05:00

Something that I have really been enjoying lately is the Dulcimerica Video Podcast hosted by Bing Futch. It is very neat to be able to look at clips from festivals that I have or haven't been to. For the one's I haven't been to, it's almost like going to a little piece of a concert. So here is a link to the Youtube channel, if you want to watch.

New Tunings

2010-01-05T10:30:00.004-05:00

Lately I have been playing in a couple different keys, mainly DGD but also some in AFA - which are both very neat. I think DAD has a great sound, and you can do a lot with it, but when you just play in DAD you are limiting yourself a lot. Other tunings are very cool sounding and when you get the hang of them they are just as easy as DAD. A good way to start playing in different keys is to play with your capo. Then you can tune down a step to CGC. Then play with other keys and see what you like to play in and what you don't. Don't be afraid of tuning. I promise your dulcimer will not die.

Nathaniel

New Picks

2009-12-25T14:30:00.006-05:00

As soon as I opened a package with four V-Picks in it, I immediately rushed into my room to get my dulcimer to test them, and I really like them. I have been wanting a little thicker pick than I currently use, and this feels really good. They make two thicknesses of Bing picks, and I think I might like the thinner of the two better.

The pick that you use is really important. If you don't have the right pick, you're not going to make your dulcimer sound as good as it could.

-Nathaniel

O Come All Ye Faithful

2009-12-20T20:36:00.004-05:00

Here's Nathaniel playing "O Come All Ye Faithful" during a special service at church. This has been Nathaniel's favorite Christmas song this year.

Little Brother on the "Boximer"

2009-12-18T18:30:00.004-05:00

Here's a video of my little brother Asher who turned five in October. I've been teaching him dulcimer. This is his second song: Mary had a Little Lamb!

Nathaniel

First Class!

2009-12-11T16:42:00.006-05:00

I just wanted to let you know that I will be teaching at the Cumberland Gap Dulcimer Gathering May 7-8. It's a really fun festival, and it is cost-free! I will be teaching how to make your dulcimer sound like a mandolin, which will be the first class I've taught. For more information about the festival click on the link above.

Nathaniel

Jaw Harp

2009-12-02T10:25:00.006-05:00

Since I started playing dulcimer I never thought I would play anything other than a stringed instrument, but going on a trip to Kentucky and having nothing better to do provoked playing with a funky little thing called the Jaw Harp, which I got for my birthday a couple years ago. I had been told it was one of the easiest instruments to play, but I wasn't so sure about that. But after about three hours of trying, it finally worked. And now I am happily playing it, but I think I will stick with dulcimer. And just for a side note, my dad gave up playing it on my birthday, when he almost banged a tooth out with it.

-Nathaniel

Unicoi Winding Down

2009-11-22T07:19:00.004-05:00

Nathaniel jams with Bradley Ellis, with Bradley on the washtub bass and Nathaniel playing a McSpadden Ginger from Joe Collins' booth. Bradley and Nathaniel are roughly the same age, and both have been playing dulcimers for about 2 1/2 years. Nathaniel looks forward to seeing Bradley at many future festivals.

It's hard to believe that the North Georgia Foothills Dulcimer Association Fall Festival is almost over already. Nevertheless, it is. Today involves one morning class hour, the annual Gathering of Instruments and farewells to dulcimer friends new and old. Nathaniel and his dad always conclude the festival with a Joe Collins-led Bible Study, which has a Sunday School sort of a character.

Yesterday actually included a mix for Nathaniel. He performed on the Open Stage at Unicoi and he and his dad stayed for the evening concert and a bit of jamming. However, he spent most of the day in the gallery of local artist John Kollock, where he played solo dulcimer music while Mr. Kollock and Nathaniel's sister, Sarah, displayed their artwork.

Day 1 - Unicoi Fall Festival

2009-11-19T22:45:00.002-05:00

Lots of informal jamming, a fabulous evening concert and a couple of classes for Nathaniel today. Much more of the same tomorrow!

Unicoi Started!

2009-11-19T05:52:00.003-05:00

The North Georgia Foothills Dulcimer Association's Fall Festival at Unicoi State Park is underway. Nathaniel and his dad joined a few early arrivers for some evening jamming yesterday. The festival officially starts this morning (Thursday) at 9:00. Nathaniel is especially excited about visiting vendors and taking classes taught by Bing Futch today. We'll try to update, but it'll likely be late by the time we're home from the post-evening-concert jam!

Music Store Blues

2009-11-07T17:05:00.005-05:00

Seeing the big white sign in the window of the local music shop saying that it was going out of business was shocking and sad. Having bought lots of strings and other stuff I was really disappointed to see that they were going. It was really nice to have a local music store supporting the dulcimer community, and I will miss having a good store so close.

-Nathaniel

Fall Schedule

2009-10-16T06:39:00.014-04:00

Last night's Open Stage (see video above) at the Sautee-Nacoochee Center, near Helen, Ga, began a full fall season of dulcimer playing for Nathaniel. Here's a look at what's ahead:
-Oct. 16 - Georgia State Dulcimer Championship - The competition is part the Georgia State Fiddlers' Convention and is held at the Georgia Mountain Fair in Hiawassee.
-Oct. 20 - Lion's Club - Nathaniel and his dad will do an evening program for the monthly club meeting.
-Nov. 1 - Central Alliance Church - Nathaniel will play special music during the morning service at his home church and then he and his dad will play a few songs immediately after the service to kick off a Fall Festival.
-Nov. 1 - Christmas Open House, Homestead House - After church Nathaniel and his dad will scurry over to the Homestead House, which will be decorated for Christmas, and will strum together on the front porch, mixing Christmas songs with fiddle tunes and hymns. Nathaniel's sister, Sarah, will also be at Homestead House with her cornhusk dolls.

-Nov. 13 - Northeast Georgia Arts Tour - Georgia Heritage Center for the Art -Nathaniel will play music and Sarah will demonstrate pressed flower art from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
-Nov. 15 - South Carolina Church Service - Nathaniel and a banjo- and guitar-playing friend, Calvin Coyne, will provide special music for a church service in Cross, SC
-Nov. 21 - Harvest Festival, John Kollock's studio - Nathaniel will spend most of the day playing dulcimer music during an art show featuring the work of John Kollock and of Nathaniel's sister, Sarah Samsel.
-Nov. 21 - Fall Festival, Unicoi State Park - Nathaniel will play during the Open Stage at the North Georgia Foothills Dulcimer Association's Fall Festival on Saturday afternoon.
-Dec. 5 - Traveler's Rest - Nathaniel, his dad and Calvin will play together during the Christmas celebration as Traveler's Rest State Historic Site, and Sarah will be demonstrating knitting.

Birthday Concert

2009-10-13T19:07:00.003-04:00

Nathaniel and his siblings recently put on a backyard concert for their parents to help celebrate their dad's birthday. Pictured with Nathaniel are his sister, Sarah, and brother, Asher. Siblings not pictured are Autumn and Eli.

Old Joe Clark

2009-10-02T23:53:00.006-04:00

Glimpses of the Memphis Dulcimer Gathering

2009-09-27T21:44:00.003-04:00

Steve Seifert during Saturday Concert
Trying out a Papaw's Dulcimer
Chromatic dulcimer class

Friday Night Jam

Learn More about the Memphis Dulcimer Gathering & Folk Festival

Jamming Good Time

2009-09-26T00:21:00.003-04:00

The jam that capped off Day 1 of the Memphis Dulcimer Gathering & Folk Festival was one of Nathaniel's favorite jams he's ever taken part in. Lots of great songs played in fun ways with a variety of instruments. Sitting next to Jeff Hames, who was next to Steve Seifert, didn't hurt either! Nathaniel took classes with Steve Seifert all day and also enjoyed spending time playing several Papaw's Dulcimers, which he really liked the feel and the sound of.

Live from Memphis

2009-09-24T20:50:00.002-04:00

Nathaniel restrung tonight in preparation for the Memphis Dulcimer Gathering & Folk Festival, where he'll be taking classes, jamming and generally spending time with the dulcimer community for the next two days. He plans to play for everyone in attendance during the open mic tomorrow.

Nathaniel Wins at Fair

2009-09-19T16:31:00.003-04:00

Nathaniel recently competed in the talent show at the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair in North Georgia with his version of "Black Mountain Rag" and won first place in the 12 and under category. He was the only dulcimer player in the competition, which was dominated by vocal acts. Congratulations, Nathaniel!

Open Stage Performance

2009-08-06T07:18:00.005-04:00

Here's Nathaniel's version of "Black Mountain Rag," peformed during the Open Stage at the Swannanoa Gathering.

Wonderful Learning at Swannanoa

2009-08-05T09:38:00.007-04:00

Nathaniel is halfway through Dulcimer Week at the Swannanoa Gathering at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC. The Gathering consists of an entire week of classes, jams and concerts on a mountain farm college campus, with an abundance of delightful spots for practicing and jamming. Nathaniel, who has gotten to attend through a Youth Scholarship, is taking all of his classes from 2006 National Mountain Dulcimer Champion, Jeff Hames, and the morning "experienced skills" class only has one other student. Tonight, Nathaniel will play "Black Mountain Rag" during the Open Stage performance.

Yesterday, Nathaniel and his dad visited a great dulcimer shop, Song of the Wood, in Black Mountain, NC, which is only 6 miles from the campus. The folks who run the shop are wonderfully friendly and helpful, Nathaniel had a fine time playing several different McSpadden dulcimers while he was in the shop. He also picked up a cherry capo to match the head on his new dulcimer.

New Bag of Tricks

2009-08-03T07:07:00.003-04:00

To many, Nathaniel's brand new dulcimer (which he saved for and bought on his own) might just look like one more dulcimer. But for Nathaniel it opens brand new opportunities because of the notes he can hit with the 1 1/2 and 8 1/2 frets that were added to this spruce and cherry McSpadden. Nathaniel ordered his new dulcimer from Jeff Hames, who Nathaniel will be learning from all week at the Swannanoa Gathering in Asheville, NC.

House Concert Videos

2009-07-19T20:16:00.006-04:00

Today Nathaniel performed a 10-song set as part of a house concert in his hometown. Below are videos of a couple of his songs - Wayfaring Stranger and Dueling Banjos. While Wayfaring is often played pretty and sort of sad sounding, Nathaniel believes it should have a more rugged character, and that is reflected in his version. He learned Dueling Banjos from Jeff Hames.

Michigan Travels

2009-06-23T08:41:00.004-04:00

Nathaniel just got home from a family trip to Michigan, where he enjoyed a few opportunities to play his dulcimer. First, he and his family visited North & South Mountain Dulcimers, a wonderful home-based dulcimer shop in rural western Michigan that carries a fabulous selection of McSpadden dulcimers. Nathaniel and his dad spent a bit of time jamming on the back porch with Ray Spyker, who, along with his wife Mary Ellen, owns North & South Mountain Dulcimers. Nathaniel got to play a beautiful Schnaufer 6. The business is called North & South Mountain Dulcimers, by the way, because the Spykers spend half their year in Michigan and half in Florida.

Later in the trip, Nathaniel and his dad did two dulcimer programs in Muskegon, MI - one for a nursing home and one for a luncheon at the church that Nathaniel's Great Aunt and Uncle are members of.

4th Grade Class Program

2009-05-25T06:04:00.005-04:00

Nathaniel and his dad strummed old-time tunes while Nathaniel's sister Sarah worked on a corn-husk doll as part of a living history day put on by the 1860s Civilian Society of Georgia at Hazel Grove Elementary School. Both of the school's 4th Grade classes sat together to watch the combined program, which also included a bit of dulcimer history and discussion about corn-husk doll making. Nathaniel's dad was surprised and encouraged by the a large number of questions from the class. The mother of one of the students commented that she thinks the boys especially enjoyed having a part of the program come from a boy who was about their age. Photo by Denise Weimer.

Open Stage at the Cumberland Gap Dulcimer Gathering

2009-05-10T07:14:00.003-04:00

Here's Nathaniel's version of John Stinson, played at the Cumberland Gap Dulcimer Gathering (which, by the way, is a very fun gathering). The arrangement certainly was influenced by the Grand Finale of the final night concert at last year's fall festival at Unicoi, but it is played the way Nathaniel likes it best.

On the Air

2009-05-10T07:07:00.003-04:00

Nathaniel recently played in front of a radio microphone for the first time as to help record a promo for the Mountain Laurel Festival, a spring festival that his held in his hometown every year. The radio spot, which includes a couple of Nathaniel's songs, highlights an aspect of the festival that features demonstrating artists and musicians. Nathaniel will join a group of bluegrass pickers on the day of the festival.

Dulcimer Jamboree

2009-04-27T07:07:00.003-04:00

Nathaniel and his dad just returned from the Dulcimer Jamboree in Mountain View, AR. The Jamboree, which takes place at the Ozark Folk Center, draws mountain and hammered dulcimer players from all over the nation and includes three days of outstanding workshops and concerts and the South Regional Dulcimer Championship. Nathaniel competed for the first time during this year's jamboree and placed third in competition, which is sponsored by the Dulcimer Shoppe and McSpadden Dulcimers in Mountain View. He played "Black Mountain Rag" and "How Great Thou Art" in the first round and "Spanish Fandango" and "Wayfaring Stranger" in the final round.

Jamming at Shooting Creek Cabin

2009-04-18T21:51:00.003-04:00

Nathaniel, his dad and a friend, Calvin, spent Friday playing old-time music on the porch of an 18th century cabin on the side of Black Mountain as part of a living history day at the Foxfire Museum. Nathaniel and his dad played dulcimers and a birdhouse banjo. Calvin played his guitar and banjo. The cabin, one of several historic buildings on the Foxfire property, was relocated from the North Carolina mountains, presumably from the banks of Shooting Creek.

Warren A. May Dulcimers

2009-04-16T07:36:00.003-04:00

While visiting his Grandma over Easter weekend, Nathaniel got to visit Warren A. May's dulcimer shop in Berea, Kentucky. Nathaniel enjoyed playing several fiddle tunes and hymns with Mr. May, who has been building dulcimers for more than 30 years and who also makes beautiful furniture.

Recording & Performing

2009-04-04T22:27:00.002-04:00

Friday was a big dulcimer day for Nathaniel. Early in the day, he and his dad were filmed explaining and demonstrating basic dulcimer playing techniques. The video segment, which will be added to this blog after it is edited, is part of a series of videos about various arts that is being produced by the Georgia Heritage Arts Center. Nathaniel's sister, Sarah, also did a segment about pressed flower art. Later in the day, Nathaniel's family traveled to Red Top Mountain State Park to attend one day of a weekend dulcimer festival. At the festival, called Spring Thing, Nathaniel enjoyed some fine jamming time and played two songs during the Open Mic time.

Dulcimer Day

2009-03-24T15:42:00.004-04:00

Today was Dulcimer Day for Nathaniel. Maybe you don't know this already but Nathaniel learns from home. Some have termed today as "delight directed learning". I have to think that today was delightful for Nathaniel. He stayed on course, a lesson in itself, by working on his competition pieces, playing with one string in the traditional sense, studying songs that he wants to know and visiting a few websites. Something that he does every day is teaching his 4-year-old brother Asher. Asher played Bile Dem Cabbage pretty well today.

Dulcimer & Fish

2009-03-14T12:12:00.004-04:00

It's neat how when Dad and I go on fishing trips for his work how the dulcimer fits in, whether it be going to a dulcimer festival along the way or playing along with the writers' guitars, or telling people what that thing is that you play on your lap.

Nathaniel

Nathaniel On Stage

2009-03-13T20:39:00.004-04:00

Nathaniel was recently afforded the wonderful opportunity to play a four-song set at First United Methodist Church of Canton prior to Joe Collins, the 2007 Mountain Dulcimer National Champion, taking the stage. The concert followed a day of Joe Collins-led workshops at the church. The event was hosted by the Hilltop Strummers. Nathaniel led off with "I'll Fly Away."

Dulcimer Surprises

2009-03-01T16:55:00.008-05:00

Nathaniel and his dad just returned from the Southern Strings Dulcimer Festival in Hattiesburg, MS - a weekend that was full of surprises and excitement for Nathaniel. The biggest surprise came after the Friday morning jam when Jeff Hames handed Nathaniel a spruce and walnut McSpadden Dulcimer. Jeff, who is the 2006 National Dulcimer Champion and Nathaniel's favorite musician, had hand picked the instrument for its tone from the Dulcimer Shoppe in Mountain View, Arkansas, where McSpadden Dulcimers are made. Immediately after, Nathaniel got to sit with Jeff and work on songs. Another surprise came Saturday night, when Jeff performed for more than 250 festival attendees. When he introduced Black Mountain Rag, Nathaniel's favorite song to play, Jeff said that it was for Nathaniel. After the concert, he invited Nathaniel and his dad back to his camper to jam a while before heading back toward Georgia. The festival included good workshops and plenty of jamming time.

Firelight at Traveler's Rest

2009-02-15T22:35:00.007-05:00

Nathaniel, his dad and his sister, Sarah, spent Valentine's evening at Traveler's Rest State Historic Site, playing a living history part with the 1860s Civilian Society of Georgia inside the historic stagecoach inn. Sarah crocheted, while Nathaniel and his dad played hymns and fiddle tunes on the dulcimer for about three hours. Site Manager Tony Souther also pulled up a chair, banjo in hand, a couple times and played a few songs with Nathaniel. (See dark, but nevertheless kind of cool, video clip of Simple Gifts below.)

Black Mountain Rag

2009-02-15T11:56:00.001-05:00

"Victory in Jesus" for Assisted Living Home Residents

2009-01-28T16:21:00.003-05:00

Practice on the Road

2009-01-17T06:48:00.001-05:00

This week, Nathaniel and his dad had the opportunity to perform for the seniors group at Level Grove Baptist Church. They dressed in their old-time clothes and played a mix of mostly old hymns and fiddle tunes, sharing a bit of dulcimer history between songs. Nathaniel played four solos: Victory in Jesus, Wayfaring Stranger, How Great Thou Art and Black Mountain Rag.

Immediately prior to the concert, though, Nathaniel and his dad spent a few days traveling, so they did their final performance preparations on the road, practicing first on the balcony at a beach resort and then in their room at Blacks Camp on the Santee Cooper lakes. Their next performance is with the Nacoochee Strummers, playing for residents of a nearby assisted living home.

Living History for a School Group

2008-12-18T19:27:00.001-05:00

Nathaniel and his dad spent this morning adding a living history element to a school program at Traveler's Rest State Historic Site. Nathaniel and his dad jammed in their old-time clothes while two busloads of students toured the old stagecoach inn. They would break from strumming for each group of students and would tell a little about the history of the mountain dulcimer. Nathaniel even jammed a little with Tony Souther, site manager of Traveler's Rest, who plays a traditional wooden Appalachian banjo. This morning's program was the fourth dulcimer event in the last week and final scheduled event of the Chistmas season. Sorry for the poor quality photo. Camera phone. dark room.

Art Show & Mississippi Sawyer

2008-12-12T07:56:00.003-05:00

Nathaniel spent Saturday, Dec. 6 and Sunday, Dec. 7 playing solo for a drop-in type audience during an art show in the home and studio of North Georgia artist, John Kollock. Than was in a room with his sister, Sarah, who showed her pressed flower artwork. Nathaniel's songs, many of which were his own arrangements, included a mix of Christmas music, hymns and fiddle tunes. Click above for his version of Mississippi Sawyer.

Nathaniel Learns "Mary Had a Little Lamb"

2008-12-09T19:04:00.002-05:00

What Child is This

2008-11-28T19:59:00.001-05:00

Tis the Season

2008-11-24T06:40:00.002-05:00

December appears it will be a big strumming month. Nathaniel will spend two full days strumming in the home studio of a popular local artist, John Kollock, during the 25th Annual Foothills Guild Art and Craft Tour on Dec. 6th and 7th. He'll play mostly Christmas songs. In addition, the Nacoochee Strummers will be playing at least four Christmas programs at nursing homes and churches. (Nathaniel will play a finger picked Silent Night solo at each.) Finally, Nathaniel, his sister, Sarah, and his dad will be part of the living history at Traveler's Rest State Historic Site, a 1700s stagecoach Inn, on two separate December days.

Inspired

2008-11-23T20:11:00.000-05:00

After four days of leaving home early, attending workshops and roaming the vendor halls all day, attending concerts at night and late-night jams after those, what did Nathaniel do when he got home this afternoon? Picked up his dulcimer, of course. So much inspiration and so much to apply! He decided to try Joy to the World with lots of play in an aggressive strum. This is the work in progress - second time through after he had the idea. He also worked on a fun Go Tell it on the Mountain in A and a beautiful O Come All Ye Faithful in G, with a mix of flat picking and strumming. Dad just thought this one was cool and decided to tape him working on it.

On Stage Solo

2008-11-23T19:01:00.000-05:00

Nathaniel has played quite a few solos, either while performing with the Nacoochee Strummers (dulcimer club) or strumming with his dad at a festival or other event. Yesterday, however, he took the stage all alone for the first time during the "Open Stage" portion of the North Georgia Foothills Dulcimer Association's Fall Festival. Nathaniel played Gray Cat on a Tennessee Farm and I'll Fly Away. Here's I'll Fly Away, with Dad's apologies for the sideways filming.