Strumstick (one year later)

Slightly over one year's worth of experience playing a strumstick and some insights on the instrument. This was just an experiment on whether I could actually play an instrument. After a year I think I am getting the hang of it. The only sticking point would be chords, still having trouble figuring that part out.

[@sapphire6107]

I received strumstick for a Christmas gift over 10 years ago, but I gave up because I could never learn. But then I came across with your video, and I got encouraged to try again. Thanks

[@Wertak68]

As the kids say, you do you. There is no hurry, just take a little time when you can. I have a few really good tunes, impresses the extended family. It's really just for me, no batteries required entertainment.

[@kbiggins]

DUDE! I've been wanting to learn more songs but the guitar and banjo tabs don't ever seem to quite transfer. Harmonica sites!!!! Thank you!

[@WildNFreeLife]

You've got the strumming down on the strumstick for sure! It's tricky until you discover the best way to hold it. 🙂Great job on the tunes and great video! Keep on making music. 👍

[@Wertak68]

Thanks, I am definitely not a performer but attempting to instruct others. Just got a chromatic version and it really opens up more tunes, just figured out Last Christmas the George Michaels song. Might do a video when time allows. Need to work out a tab format for it.

[@youarenotaghost3702]

I think you've made great progress and are quite clever to use and transpose those harmonica tabs. I agree with you on using the fingers over the pick, too, it's such a better tone to my ears. Coming from someone with many years of stringed instrument experience, you're doing a great job. Keep on! Cheers!

[@hi_arav]

Wertak68, you're awesome! Thanks for the informative and helpful video :) Happy playing.

[@e.castlerock8454]

I know this is an old video, but I just discovered the McNally Strumstick and I'm looking up videos while I wait for its delivery. I play piano somewhat and attempted ukulele. I'm hoping the Strumstick is as easy for me as it is for everyone else. I want to play something well! Thanks so much for the tips and info.

[@Wertak68]

It is a fun challenge and you set your own pace. I annoyed the wife for the first three months after work. Now I am easily ignored because it sounds nice. I like it because it is cheap and battery free.

[@e.castlerock8454]

@@Wertak68 - LOL, I hope I don't annoy anyone as I start out. It's not as cheap as 10 years ago, but still battery-free!

[@michaelknese]

I got mine 20 years ago. Still love it. I'd suggest trying a really soft pick. It helps on those upstrokes. Diatonic chords are also easy = hold the top 2 strings with your index finger at a fret and use your ring finger (or pinky) to hold the bottom string 2 frets higher. The two outside strings are the same note, just an octave apart. So, you could switch up holding the chords & catch top string with your ring finger. I also experiment with a slide for a real folksy blues sound. Post something when you get it. :-)

[@Wertak68]

@@michaelknese gave away my felt pick years ago, keeping it simple.

[@e.castlerock8454]

@@michaelknese - Thanks for the tips. My learning is not going so well. I tried holding the two strings and using my ring or pinky finger on the other string. I can't reach my finger two frets up! My fingers are so inflexible, I'm thinking I have something structurally wrong with my hand. Plus, my fingers are a bit crooked. I thought you could play a Strumstick with just one finger; that's why I bought it. Disappointed. 😞

[@k9kayaks]

Very informative video. Thank you for posting I myself have absolutely no musical instrument knowledge but wanting to learn a string instrument for my Autistic son to listen too. He loves to listen to blue Grass instruments like Banjos and mandolins so think a Stein stick might be a good starting point

[@marvinthemaniac7698]

I like the way it sounds when played with a pick.

[@charlescain7962]

Thanks, it's nice to see someone that says"I'm a beginner", is in fact, a beginner. I've tried guitar, nope, and been looking at the strumstick.

[@Wertak68]

It is a relatively simple instrument that rewards your modest effort.

[@LoveMtDulcimerMusic]

Keep on strumming! Thanks for the great ideas. Enjoyed your videos.

[@Wertak68]

Thanks, still strummin, just have not done any videos. Waiting for someone to do a good chords video.

[@Greg763]

looks like you're having fun. sounds good too.

[@mrgooddeeds3115]

Thx for the tips. Big help. Great playing stick with it. I prefer non pick as well

[@tangobayus]

You can also use the back corner of a pick for a fat sound.

[@keithfavara4943]

Love the video. I let out a very audible........."That's Hogan's Heroes!!!!" when you were playing that song. That brings back memories of my Dad calling me "Klink" when i did something stupid when i was a growing up......LOL!!!

[@Wertak68]

This will get you half of my family recognizes the Flintstones theme music. Younger generation has no notion of what I am playing.

[@lolking3144]

I THOUGHT THAT TOON SOUNDED FAMILIAR!!!!!!! ( The Hogans Hero's bit ) This is Awesome!!! I am currently learning the banjo, but I really want to be able to play any stringed instrument I can pick up! ( like all of them ) One of these days I'm gonna make me a strumstick. Thanks for the harmonica tip, I'm sure it'll come in handy one of these days!

[@カスカディア国人]

I don’t know if you still look at this or if you’ve maybe figured out what I’m about to tell you, but here is a tip for strumming with your hand, put your hand into a loose fist with your thumb out pointing left, strum down with your pointer finger, or all 4 of your fingers, and strum up with your thumb. I hope what I said made sense. Any way take care!

[@カスカディア国人]

It would also be beneficial to learn to some ukulele strumming patterns/techniques. Look up how to play George Formby style for example, and use those techniques on your stick dulcimer.

[@Wertak68]

Ha! Interesting technique, I will certainly try that. Still learning tricks.

[@カスカディア国人]

Wertak68 there are always new tricks to learn :)

[@jimfogle184]

The pick you're using is too stiff. The pick you have is generally used for playing melody or lean lines. The next time you visit a music store, get the most flexible (easy bending) pick you can find. You'll also find the shape of the pick makes a drastic difference in how it feels in your hand and how easy it is to use.

[@Wertak68]

This was years ago, but I got yelled at for the loud delivered sound from even flexible pick use. So if I am going to stay on Mom's good side and forgo it.

[@hughhainey6044]

Just bought a D Strumstick I play harmonica so that was interesting about converting harp tabs great playing

[@Wertak68]

+Hugo O'Hainey I was just trying to make the learning curve shorter for others starting out with the dulcimer style of instruments. Finding tunes that was the tough part until I found the similar diatonic harmonica tabs. These videos are kind of old legacy presentations, I should post more as my new job situation stabilizes.

[@roberthickman4092]

Learn to read sheet music, it isn't difficult.

[@Wertak68]

***** I did as a kid, and hated it. It became a barrier to exploring music at all. Everyone has different levels of talent, time, money to devote. Learning by ear produces a different type of creatively that is not bound by convention. Besides if I am not interested in a profession in music it does not matter. Do it your way not mine because learning sheet music was easy for you?

[@gordonsteeves9950]

great info, thanks by the way, what about using a lite pick that one would use to play a mandolin, would that work??

[@Wertak68]

Gordon Steeves I have tried several picks, even a felt pick, without much success. It just does not work for me, and that is the operative word, me. Someone might post a video on proper use of picks on stringed instrument someday and then I will change my mind.

[@kbiggins]

Question with your conversion chart: Is that for Strumstick in G or D? Thanks.

[@Wertak68]

DAD tuning

[@sierraheather1]

I just got got a Strumstick myself and, like you, have no musical background. Thank you for the helpful tips

[@veyselyazici]

This is a Kopuz.A very old Turkic instrument.Played all over central Asia.

[@Wertak68]

veyselyazici I thought they were without frets.

[@ojshilinski8358]

Thanks for the posting. I was trying to find the "easiest" stringed instrument "easy to learn" - I love to sing and want to accompany myself. I'm a contralto and read piano music. I play songs on piano only playing the melody with my right hand. Don't do chords or left hand. DO YOU THINK this strumstick would be the best/easiest one for me?

[@Wertak68]

Possibly, I don't read sheet music so it might be possible you could learn something more complicated. I wanted to learn by ear, this style of instrument got me there.

[@ojshilinski8358]

+Wertak68 - thank you - I'll contemplate the idea. But I like your using your thumb instead of a pick. Have you tried a pick you "wear" rather than having to "hold" the pick - you might like using one occasionally.

[@Wertak68]

+oj shilinski I did but it did not suit me, I am sure some formal instruction might help, but I like to go at my own pace. Besides it is cheaper too.

[@coupe662]

Cool

[@hedleysutton6826]

A regular plectrum sounds a bit brassy, try a felt plectrum like many uke players use.

[@Wertak68]

I did, thumb hasn't worn out yet.

[@lucindacurran1619]

LOL Hogan's Heroes theme tune!!

[@TheTrueGamer2]

Can you tell me what stumstick you are using and the make please I might get it.

[@Wertak68]

Grand strumstick, by McNally.

[@TheTrueGamer2]

***** Thanks for the reply

[@BEAR-247MA]

This is where you will find the PDF for the G strumstick: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0970/6796/files/All_G_same_Page.pdf?8178281791503579605

[@slq3263]

Do you still play?

[@Wertak68]

I do, I got a chromatic version and sounded out Last Christmas for my wife. Her favorite! It is still fun.

[@DiamondMaster2009]

Hey man, is that a G or a D strumstick?

[@maxpower8105]

G

[@DiamondMaster2009]

Max Power Thank you!

[@Wertak68]

DiamondMaster2009 Sorry been busy, yes that is the grand, tuned DAD.

[@DiamondMaster2009]

Thank you! And it's cool :)

[@shonnypowless1885]

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