We mostly sat around talking while John’s cousin Peter was here.  He was on his way to a gathering of musicians, so I asked if he would play his mountain dulcimer for us.  Neighbors Shawn and Bob were entertaining a multitude of friends, but Amy was free to come.  I was interested in his tuning the dulcimer by clamping a gizmo on it that showed when the string was in tune as he plucked it.  Amy had one request – Amazing Grace – which he played easily.

 

Peter is learning to play the langspil.  He used a tiny bow, probably the size of a child’s Suzuki violin bow.  I’m rather envious, because I’d love to learn to play the hammered dulcimer.  I haven’t earned the right yet.  Only when I regularly set aside time to practice the piano will I consider taking on a new instrument.