Don Rickert Musical Instruments

Violoncello da Spalla in Old-Time Music: A Match Made in Heaven

If you don’t know what a violoncello da spalla is, click here for a description. The short explanation is that it is a very small 5-string cello that is suspended by a shoulder strap and played across the chest more or less under the chin, as shown in the image of our friend Peter Walker in full Scottish Highland dress. The violoncello da spalla has no well-established connection to 18th Century Scotland; however cello was... Read more →

D. Rickert Musical Instruments Will Be a Vendor at Hoppin' John 2022.

D. Rickert Musical Instruments will be showing one of its Violoncellos da Spalla at an upcoming festival in the Southeastern US. D. Rickert Musical Instruments (bowed strings), together with its partner, Rickert and Hale, Luthiers (mandolin family and guitars), will once again be showing finished and in progress instruments at the 2022 Hoppin’ John Old Time and Bluegrass Fiddlers’ Convention. The festival happens September 15-17, 2022 at the Shakori Hill Community Arts Center near Pittsboro,... Read more →

International Strange Music Day 2022

Do you have a taste for the bizarre when it comes to music? Well, I sure do! Well, today is our day, International Strange Music Day (August 24, 2022). Here is a snippet from the website, www.daysoftheyear.com. “For those who have a tendency to lean toward the unique and bizarre, this is one day that will feed that strange musical soul! International Strange Music Day pulls out all the stops when it comes to going... Read more →