minstrel: Appalachian Dulcimer Ancestors

[Robin]

At 18:44 11/09/98 -0400, Greg Lindahl wrote:
>Quoted from :
>
>> The Dulcimer Book by Jean Ritchie
>> (c) 1974 Oak Publications (probably bought out by another publisher now)
>> ISBN 0.8256.0016.2
>> LCC 63-20754
>> Distributor at time: Music Sales Corporation
>> 
>[...]
>
>> "In an old metrical romance entitled 'The Squyr of Lowe Degre', an imposing
>> array of early English musical instruments are mentioned, among them the
>> 'dowcemere'."
>
>Which is funny, since the book is about Appalacian dulcimers. In
>period I haven't seen a reference (and neither has New Grove) to
>`Dulcimer' that didn't mean that hammered, trapezoidal thing.

Yes. I did notice that at the time I sent it, one of the reasons I quoted
that particular section in full. :-) While I am prepared to accept New
Grove as failry authoritive, it doesn't hurt to cross check - no expert is
infallible.
 
Perhaps Jean Ritchie was looking thru a mental filter and did not realise
(or know) about the confusing use of the name, or was just hopeful it
referred to her subject. Or the source she was quoting from (see my
original message) may help to clarify, if anyone has access to at least the
reprinted version of the article (I don't).

It's probably unlikely that the metrical romance itself will clarify which
one it is talking about, but the rest of the list of instruments may be of
interest here.

So if anyone recognises the item 'The Squyr of Lowe Degre', I would
appreciate at least the list of instruments, if not the full text. Since I
feel it would be of interest (especially if the period of the piece is
known to be not too far OOP) to this list, perhaps the relevant parts could
be posted here if it's not too long. Unless someone knows where it can be
found easily, especially if on the web somewhere.

Robin

rhayes at powerup.com.au
http://www.powerup.com.au/~rhayes/index.htm
Author of The Virtual Fooles Troupe
http://www.powerup.com.au/~rhayes/vfoolshm.htm

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