In the 1960s, Joellen Lapidus built the dulcimer you hear on Joni Mitchell’s Blue album. Over the years, she’s also sold instruments to some of rock’s biggest names like David Crosby, Garth Hudson, Jackson Browne, and even Harry Styles.
On this week’s podcast, this acclaimed dulcimer maker gives us a crash course on the amazing history of the instrument. It’s a wild story that will have you looking at the instrument in a whole new light.
https://www.lapidusmusic.com/home
During our chat, we hear about how an entire generation of 1960s dulcimer makers based their design using a Richard Farina album cover as their blueprint (and how varied the results were); the early days of California’s Esalen Institute and that retreat’s influence on Joellen; the many stripes of the instrument (from cardboard construction to high-end); and so much more.
It’s a revelatory conversation about a distinctly American, ever-evolving instrument. As Joellen puts it, “The dulcimer is an untamed animal.”
This week’s show is sponsored by: Stringjoy Strings: https://stringjoy.com
(Use the code FRETBOARD to save 10% off your first order)
Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar: https://mmguitarbar.com
Peghead Nation: https://www.pegheadnation.com
(Get your first month free or $20 off any annual subscription with the promo code FRETBOARD at checkout).
Register now for our 2025 Fretboard Summit gathering, a three-day celebration of all things guitar taking place Aug. 21-23 in Chicago: https://fretboardsummit.org/
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