Podcast 497: Joellen Lapidus

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 dulcimer 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).


https://fretboardsummit.org/


https://www.fretboardjournal.com