Tracie Henson
Soloist - Hammered Dulcimer
I had seen my first hammered dulcimer in 1986 at an Ohio Festival. I didn't think too much about it at the time, other than it was a very unique instrument and that I have NEVER seen one before.
In 1991, a year after my daughter was born, I had the opportunity to finally play one and received a 45 minute lesson on it and I have been playing one ever since. I learned on a 100 year old dulcimer that was a 13/12 and had a 4-course string treble and 2 course string bass. It was made like a cabinet makers drawer, where the dulcimer was part of the box. There was a lid for this that shut down over it. After that I did purchase a 12/11 from the bluegrass store in Columbus, Ohio. After that, all of the dulcimers that I had were handmade.
When my husband, DeWayne and I met, he and his brother made me a dulcimer that I used for many years. It was our own design, with no sound holes and the sides were all open! This dulcimer had the most beautiful sound. Very deep and rich. I just loved it!
Then DeWayne, being the welder/blacksmith that he is, made me an aluminum dulcimer. This dulcimer has the most unique sound and resonation. It has almost the sound of a dobro. I still take this instrument with us once in a while, when we play for a small audience just to show off just what an "aluminum" dulcimer sounds like!
In 2003, I purchased a 3/16/18/9 hammered dulcimer from James Jones Instruments. This dulcimer plays like a dream. Tuning and tone is perfect on it. I got this dulcimer with a pickup so that we can play inside to a big audience and not have to worry about them not hearing us. In high school the only musical instrument that I played was the coronet and tuba. I did play the guitar in my high school church choir too! I do know how to read musical notation, I can play the piano (melody lines only), but can can also play by ear. Since then, I have played the tin whistle, banjo (because of DeWayne - my bluegrass partner), and guitar.
I enjoy teaching others how to play this instrument and I feel that is a real important focus in my life. Keeping the tradition alive! Contact me if you are interested in having hammered dulcimer music at your next event.
So why Strings of Glory Music? To be able to share my talents with everyone is one of God's Greatest Gifts he could have given to me so simply, it means:
~ Strings of Glory Music ~
"Lift up your voice through Strings of Music to the Glory of the Lord, God almighty! Rejoice for he is with us! Now and forever, even when our strings are old and rusty, there will always be music in our life and in our hearts, and we will be filled with his Glory for the rest of our lives and after!"
