Amazing Hammered Dulcimer Player in Central Park NYC

[@Codswallop58]

I saw this guy in Central Park a few years ago. That dulcimer is homemade, and he can play tunes like this all day. Fantastic skill!

[@FoodiePunk]

When did you see him, year-wise? He stays completely off of the internet, and I thought he was passed away by now.

[@anastasia10017]

@@FoodiePunk I think he has moved to maine and he makes custom harps by hand. I wish I could hear him play again. His music is magical.

[@Dang3rMouSe]

Homemade? Wow, that's quite the skill. It has a beautiful tone.

[@michaelamaestas4950]

This is my ex husband

[@brendanwendt5886]

If anyone is interested, the name of this song is The Knotted Cord. It's unclear whether it originated from Ireland or New York, but it was originally a fiddle song; thankfully there are no rules for music, so it became a hammered dulcimer song too.

[@56SCOTT]

aka junior crehans favourite played by liam o flynn on planxtys 1 album

[@alexritchie4586]

Also an excellent folk dance 😁

[@stephaniecarrow4898]

In college many decades ago I attended a concert of hammered dulcimer and Celtic harp. I will never forget it. It really did sound like the music of the heavens.

[@brendanwendt5886]

This song was, more than anything, what inspired me to try my hand at the hammered dulcimer. If anyone reading this is feeling a similar tug, this is a song you can learn in months; it is absolutely worth the effort.

[@thunderpussy8956]

I'm from the Isle of Skye and hadn't heard of the dulcimer before. However, I grew up playing the clarsach - Celtic harp - and this guy has nailed a Celtic style tune! Awesome!

[@velveteyepatch]

I recognize that song he played from somewhere

[@dominator_47]

Bro your name

[@rigel2020Utube]

Brought me right back to the North Georgia Mountains and my celtic heritage. Davis Cyr, you are a gifted soul of angelic hammer dulcimer harmonies.. may the universe reward you for your gift!

[@stephaniecarrow4898]

According to the notes, the musician playing is Arlen Oleson.

[@benwall3902]

this man is a wizard , the college of winterhold sent him out

[@timothy4664]

Nice Skyrim reference!

[@breakerboi5214]

he's the imperial in the back of the bannered mare that we hear when we go afk for like 2 minutes

[@incog_nizant]

Not the Bard’s College of Solitude?

[@michaelamaestas4950]

this is my ex husband

[@QuantumMechanic_88]

I wonder where this magician of the dulcimer is now . Best wishes to him and thank you for this video .

[@pdilloncurry]

Arlen oleson

[@anastasia10017]

I found him by accident in Central park about 5 years ago. He is brilliant and he told me he made his dulcimer himself. His music is magical. I bought one of his CD's and still play it. He is charming and gracious. I have been looking for him ever since --- where does he hang out ?? When ?? I have never found him again and he is barely on the web. Can anyone tell me where to find him ? or contact him?

[@crusadernikolai1996]

I’m interested in these CDs

[@davebrightman2488]

Great to see this beautiful sound continuing. Check out Jim Couza- I saw live him back in the 1980s and was mesmerised!

[@hempson1]

Amazing economy of movement. He doesn’t move the hammers any more than he has too. Nothing visually showy about his playing but it sounds incredible

[@panflutejedi]

Arlen, you kick ass on your hammered dulcimer! You always did! It was an honor to become a permanent part of one of your albums! -Douglas Bishop, an old musical comrade, and a fellow brother of the art of open-air performance

[@ricelover6948]

what song is this

[@wojamacolit]

@@ricelover6948 The stone in the field

[@ArcaneWeasel]

How does he do that over and over again and it sounds perfect each time

[@LauraSmithVSG]

Met Arlen in Old San Juan in the 90s. So pleased to see him again.

[@auraaurora9815]

Wow, I love this. I had the pleasure of seeing Carolyn Caruso (and Robert) at a Colorado renaissance festival many years ago and bought several CD which I still play all the time. I love this music. I also listen to Dizzy Dulcimer.

[@user-cp3tv1lp2g]

Love the dizzy jig, truly a classic and standard piece of our time for dulcimer playeds

[@cdjc23]

One of the greatest, most pleasant things I've seen all year.

[@patrickwalsh8191]

Sorry how the actual hell can anyone dislike this????!!!

[@picklesrevenge]

I feel if I'm ever going to dedicate time to learn an instrument.... the hammered dulcimer will be the one.

[@CammedFox]

The sound of a hammered dulcimer soothes my soul. Makes me yearn to return to Ireland and see my ancestral home

[@bpnsirdiealot]

I have heard this played several times before, this is the first time I have seen it played.

[@samuelleroymerlin4610]

You can see her being played in the movie 'Young Guns' (but this version is better I think)

[@bpnsirdiealot]

​@@samuelleroymerlin4610 I like this version as well but the continuity of it is broken in this version not allowing it to flow as well.

[@samuelleroymerlin4610]

@@bpnsirdiealot you right

[@TheAnanda9new]

NAMASTE! Thanx for sharing this kind of SPECIAL Energy! The best Musicians are performing on the Street! I hope he can sell A LOT of his CD´s. LIVE LONG AND PROPSER \\//

[@pjamesvee2869]

I remember seeing him on the street in Provincetown Mass. - It was mesmerizing and exquisitely moving. My now husband and I had just started out as a couple. I'll never forget it and here is again. I remember his face very well and vaguely recall speaking to him. It was Summer of '03 I think?

[@mdurst2009]

He looks exactly like what I imagine a guy that plays dulcimer in NYC would look like

[@stump9644]

Made me think of that one homeless bard that plays in a pub in a midievil setting. Even the voice matched.

[@aztecgoldmontizuma]

They look like a medieval man was teleported to the future.

[@NostalgicWon]

Obviously it's the motif he was going for

[@leone.6190]

@@stump9644 Sounds great. I'd like to listen to him. Do you maybe have an link to an Video?

[@midnightcas9995]

Needs a beard tho

[@rickthemagicguy6075]

Brother that was a beautiful piece.

[@sandrapierce9504]

Beautiful job!

[@CJ-ph6zk]

Thank you for your beautiful music. Living in Spain temporarily but miss the music of home!

[@calista910]

B E A U T I F U L! amazing talent! This must've been taken early 2000's or so, I am in awe of his skills! I WANT TO PLAY A DULCIMER

[@suzanneweisskopf-biggs6736]

You could learn to play. There are many players around the world. Depending on where you live, you could obtain a dulcimer and some hammers, though the dulcimer can also be played by plucking the strings. Some dulcimer makers do shipping. The Nonsuch Dulcimer Club is international, and you could possibly connect with players who live in your area. KZbin has some lessons, and there exist books on learning to play. There is also a dulcimer app for iPads.

[@calista910]

@@suzanneweisskopf-biggs6736 awesome ty for this info

[@suzanneweisskopf-biggs6736]

@@calista910 You’re welcome.😊🎶

[@AZTurnkey]

Every time I practice a beer induced music fest on youtube I hit this vid...this guy is awesome.

[@SteveBuvoltz]

Sounds like the song was "Frosty Morning", very good playing! I play that one on banjo.

[@lesliecrowther7004]

Lovely piece of music beautifully played by someone who is obviously very talented indeed 😊. With this instrument no hiding place, one wrong note could be helish. Thank you for the rendition. Les.

[@MrBobsydaisy]

This is a really inspirational tune. Would have definitely bought one of his cd's. Thankyou Arlen and thankyou for the upload.

[@Muireachgaming8957]

I think i met this guy at a ren faire in CA. Had a good chat with him.

[@pivaemilianamusicheantiche2758]

The Green Gloves of Erin! Fantastic tune

[@ya2121]

this tune is called Knotted Cord, sounds great on a melodeonen

[@MarkHarmer]

Excellent - lovely pace and even playing. Beautiful.

[@randeezy6]

thanks I have been trying to look up each of the songs on the album but no luck on finding this song yet

[@debbiesmith2773]

So talented! I love that!!

[@SeargentConrad]

absolutely flawless! this is brilliant.

[@lwierd]

I saw him in NY yesterday playing. He's great. Edit: Also, I'm sure he isn't homeless.

[@raularmellin2292]

Its olnly an alternative job, more Easy and safe for health, why a Man Who play on street must be a homless.???

[@raularmellin2292]

Ah mind of people its soo Little and close

[@sunnyone-ct4rp]

WOW❤❤❤❤❤

[@saoirsesmith7583]

Sorry it took so long to see your post...and regarding the timing, regretfully I don't actually read music. It was the quite aged former Irish Step dancer in me remembering wayyyyy back to my first days as a beginner, and how the timings were explained in jigs, reels, slip-jigs, etc. as our steps were taught. That said, I still enjoy this video very much & keep it listed in my favorites. :o)

[@therightsound7547]

very good playing , the instrument looks like he might have built it which is great in my opinion , no sound box what so ever and it sustains so well blows the theory you gotta have a sound chamber dosent it ,

[@thebelgiangamer200]

The right Sound it's amplified

[@LiaLia0407]

if you look closely there is a sound chamber right underneath the chords

[@RogerioSaldanha]

Truly amazing!

[@mcook2898]

this is the corded knot for anyone interested. he's dropped the key but it's still the same tune

[@mcook2898]

the knotted cord**

[@MrLuridan]

A Junior Crehan tune

[@ke4tud]

This song is found on John A Masons Cd called Blue Ridge Breezes I have been playing the cd for years and I think this is called A Warm Heart/The Fox Hunter ;)

[@marimbulaman]

Love your music and sweet sound. Your hammered dulcimer has a beautiful sound.

[@rossgould8454]

I have been trying to learn it on my mando But you did that so well I don’t need to practice it ever again!!!!👏👏👏

[@borealisnight1]

This sounds very close the a tune I heard Carolyn Cruso and Robert Almblade played at the Colorado Ren Festival. Very beautiful.

[@differous01]

Hearing this tune played on uillean pipes I think of race-horses leaping hurdles. Hearing it on dulcimer puts me more in mind of greyhounds leaping after the hare, but both catch the sense of a chase from The Starting Gate (as with many Irish tunes, it may have other names, but that's what the late great Liam O'Flynn/Planxty called it).

[@marcaribe5084]

Wow! That was amazing!

[@sentimentaloldme]

The name of the tune/reel is The Knotted Chord from the playing of the late Junior Crehan of Mullagh, County Clare, Ireland..Go hiontach ar fad..🇮🇪

[@joshuabrooks3246]

Cattle in the cane!!!!! Awesome fiddle tune!! Awesome player!!

[@chaksanu]

Fantaaaaaaaaaaaastic Performance...I have seen live performance of Indian Santoor but this perfomance surprice me a lot...Hats off to U...Just Brilliant...:-)

[@harrybarry2291]

You are amazing, thanks.

[@patmurphy389]

victor the name of the reel is "Maid or Maids of Mt Cisco"....it's arlen's version of it!!

[@DarianZG]

If I am not mistaken, the name of the song is The Sailor's Return.

[@lenux21]

Damn never seen this instrument before the skill and the precision it seems like u woukd need is insane

[@DuskstarShine]

I KNOW WHERE IVE HEARD THIS!! As obscure of this is, there was an old Minecraft animator called SlamACow, and this song is used for the irish dance in the witch encounter animation. Still great and holds up to this day, highly reccomend giving it a watch

[@TheScaletIbisNW]

I need to find this fellow. What fantastic talent.

[@TheBeekeeper]

Beautiful. And I really like his hat.

[@billtodd2820]

wonderful my friend thank you

[@gabrielgerman359]

This was the song was play in a scene in "Young guns " ! Love it! Someone know the name of the tune ?

[@patmurphy389]

krinkel, thank you so much for putting this up! otherwise we wouldn't have known what an amazing ham. dulcimer player arlene was & what was possible w/the ham. dulcimer/at least i wouldn't have....thanks

[@marcarcher5426]

Magical. Thank you.

[@diyprojectguru1549]

Would love to get a CD

[@BigRed-dr6we]

October 2024. I wonder where & how this fella is getting on today. I do hope Arlen is still in good health & playing.

[@Ganaha_Celosia_Priskos]

I have a Hammered Dulcimer at home. I play it every once in a while.

[@jansrensen7582]

Nice bless you thanks amazing❤❤❤❤

[@tomrichards1296]

Awesome. if look carefully this instrument he has made himself and is quite crude yet sounds just the amazing! Im gonna make one..

[@michaelboykin9881]

Great old Irish tune. Great performance.

[@Greenplanet949]

Wow! I love this!

[@jamesrodgers5789]

What a player,,, what a talent 👍

[@Undriel]

I'd love to buy one of his cd's... or 10... to give 'em all to my friends!

[@Nibgames]

Oh I've actually seen him last month, in Central Park as well. Beautiful music!

[@janettafairbairn]

Just fabulous! X

[@barbaramichiels5503]

Beautiful ❤️❤️❤️

[@RoseSilva-kf1yl]

Que lindo

[@MrMetalclay]

That's really full sounding single instrument. Great playing!

[@DragonerPhoenix]

Unbelievable. She is absolutely amazing.

[@patmurphy389]

Thank you mucho !!! That's nice to know!

[@hossainfarnoush]

Beautiful Santour (this is the the Persian name of this instrument and it’s origin .see its original Persian form and listen to (incredible street musician) playing Santour on KZbin

[@patmorris9692]

The origin is the Greek psalterion which was transliterated into santour. Facts.

[@barrettVIIII]

I want one of these so bad!

[@lonesomeness-w6h]

Mary Faith Rhoads ❤

[@zorro7lo]

Muy hermoso, beautiful. I like the way you play. Congratulation, what i nice job, well done. Where can I get your second CD?

[@rawmark]

Wow. Can I give 20 thumbs up for this one?

[@bobmilner777]

I have the same camcorder and I agree with your comment about phones!

[@1Mhoram9]

Very joyful tune

[@jamesnetusil9297]

More talent than any of those overpaid "stars".

[@joshualane1716]

Fun fact, you don't need to shit on other musicians in order to praise one.

[@Dulcimertunes]

That gripes me. All the phony baloney computerized pseudo musicians out there making millions while REAL talent is obscure

[@dawnsstar5918]

I WANT the CD!!

[@ThisReactiverse]

I would love the sheet music for this version

[@Engelhafen]

Great job

[@randeezy6]

The name of it is The Knotted Cord Thanks for trying to help

[@feliciafriebel6012]

The name of the reel is "The Knotted Cord"

[@heidy_km]

So beautiful! *_____* love it! Amei!

[@el1ex]

God damn! he's really good!

[@ltpinecone]

If I could wish to play any instrument perfectly in an instant: this would be it.

[@jimcummings4712]

This is so awesome!😮😮😊😊😊😊

[@ayano973]

this what you called off Epic awesome playing and yah I love the sound it makes

[@badgimp4577]

Anyone have a link to this guys music? This is awesome and the link is old/bad in the description.

[@MacDaddyRico]

The arches have great acoustics..!