About Steve's Dulcimers
Kelly and I decided we wanted to learn more about Hammered Dulcimers after listening to them in several Celtic groups in Oklahoma City. This fascination led to the purchase of our first instrument in June of 2007, and a second one 8 months later. Since then we have focused on learning to play the Celtic music we so love, and helping others get involved in playing the Hammered Dulcimer. ----------
We moved to the Portland area in mid-2010 and have been very excited by the vibrant traditional music culture in this area. We have hosted monthly hammered dulcimer jam sessions for the last 8 years – wow – time flies! Our get-togethers are held in Camas, WA on the third Saturday of each month. The sessions are focused on learning and playing songs arranged for multiple dulcimers and songs that are played slower and more melodically than the fiddle tunes that form the repertoire of most “jams”. For the most part we play songs you will recognize from “Laura’s Descants”, a book of popular songs arranged by Laura Dillon and compiled/edited by Chuck Boody. The photos below are from some of our Camas sessions. ----------
We have also decided to buy a few used dulcimers so that people who want to get started playing have somewhere they can see, hear, and compare instruments from different makers. Our selection will depend on what we have bought recently and what we have sold. Our goal is to only buy perfect or nearly perfect instruments so that we can offer them for sale at 75 to 80% of new prices. While our primary goal is to support the hammered dulcimer community here in Portland, we sometimes find ourselves with more dulcimers than we perhaps actually need, so we will also sell dulcimers to folk around the country looking for mint instruments at twenty five percent off new prices. Take a look at our inventory, but please realize that we don't have all of the instruments on the site - these dulcimers should just be thought of as examples of what we have offered. Ask questions - Contact Steve ----------
Would you like to hear about our hammered dulcimers from time to time? Steve is starting to experiment with different dulcimers in an effort to better understand the differences that make each instrument so distinct. If you would like to be notified when we add something new to the site please join our dulcimer mailing list. We never buy, sell or trade names or information. You may also use this form to request more information about a specific dulcimer. Just use the Comments section of the form. Click here to complete: Contact Form ----------
And, if you would like to learn more about hammered dulcimers, including a bit of guidance on the best hammered dulcimer for your needs, check out the rest of my galleries on these wonderful instruments: Steve's Hammered Dulcimers ----------
Come Join our Jam! We meet the third Saturday of each month from 2 to 4 pm - give me a call if you would like to join us! ---------
Stephen Nelson and Kelly Green - 360-210-7295
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Reggie Greenlaw
on January 9, 2017Hi Steve- You called me a while back, answering an inquiry I made about your website. I never told you how nice it was talking with you. You had a great working knowledge of the instrument, and helped me in a decision to pick up a used Jerry Read Smith Concertmaster. It took a little saving but this 2004 beauty has enabled me to be a better player. I can''t leave it alone- I've never heard a tone like this in an instrument. ALthough there are no dampers on this model, it really doesn't matter. It just sings. It's also good that there are a few scuffs on it- I won't be the first person to put a scratch on it, and will play it more aggressively in a number of venues without stress. ANyway, I hope things are well with you, and that you are playing your hearts out over there. Ames, Iowa is certainly a better sopuonding place with the COncertmaster. All the Best, Reggie Greenlaw