1-5-5 is DAA, 1-5-8 is DAd. We tune 1-5-5 to play 1-5-8 on the third staple, where the Ionian scale starts. We tune 1-5-8 to play Mixolydian from the open nut. You can tune 1-4-8, DGd to reverse the tuning to play Ionian.
John had his own scale. Early models mostly set for DAA play; some of the late models were set for DAd play. As for JI or ET? Again it was "his" scale and was set for noter play. Don't look to play chord style on it, it is not made for contemporary playing. John used a pocket knife to carve his tuning pegs. If you look close you can see the tool marks left from it! They may or may not adjust easily as there is a curve to learning to use wooden pegs made more difficult with his craftsmanship. As for bio:
Born in 1922 near Hindman, Kentucky, John Tignor attended the Hindman Settlement School where he was introduced to Jethro Amburgey, the Industrial Arts teacher. John attended Berea College from 1947 until his graduation in 1950. It is around this time that Mr. Tignor began to make dulcimers. His wife Sally had a Jethro Amburgey-made dulcimer that had become damaged beyond repair so Mr. Tignor decided to make her a new one as a gift. With a few minor adjustments, Mr. Tignor followed Amburgey’s design, adding internal supports and changing from the traditional heart to a trefoil design for the sound holes. Mr. Tignor was more concerned with practicality than beauty, so he left many parts of the instrument unfinished (from a woodworker’s prospective). Mr. Tignor continued to make instruments until his passing in 1982. Though not as prolific as some, he is in a direct line of notable dulcimer makers from Ed Thomas, through Jethro Amburgey, to Mr. Tignor himself. This piece was made in the late 1970’s. The early models closely resembled the Thomas design but the later pieces were much deeper and the shape is described as “wasp” waist. John also started using guitar frets instead of the traditional staples but continued to use the wooden friction pegs. The later models also had a hollow fret board.
Ah, Got It!! Lisa you are da bomb!!!
I changed my profile image. It is current on some pages but has the "old" image on others? What am I missing guys?
Possibly a highly figured sycamore!
Thanks Ken, I'd not heard the term "grace" before. As for accidental notes, simple key the string with the noter touching the fret board to play the half note. Robin Clark demonstrates this technique in his advanced noter video.
Many contemporary dulcimer are going to the shorter VSL. There are more women players than men it seems and the natural evolution to a shorter scale of around 26 is quite common. It is my belief the shorter scale is better suited for the contemporary tuning of DAd.
Dusty, the 36 inch has been in that case for three years and with a hand rubbed finish has no problem with the foam. Like Ken said, some weapon finishes are more delicate than most contemporary (lacquer) dulcimer finishes.
This is what I have for my 36 inch.
A simplified version of Pretty Betty Martin, finger dance and thumb strummed. (Messing up only adds to the folk experience!)
Homer had a custom scale.
Back to our original post:
Sorry James, as for hickory it can be quite bright, like most inquiries on wood selection, there are many factors to consider along with the wood selection to determine the final timber of a dulcimer.
With a zero fret you don't really have a nut, it is just an alignment piece. Zero frets can be quite "bright".
Ditto!
Maria, different finishes require different conditioning. Do you know what your dulcimer is finished with?
DAN
www.dulcimore.com
I believe the 82's were on the new scale and play quite nice.
...and then you could always write a letter to Ron. He would be an incredibly informative "Pen" pal!! lol
ron.pen (at) uky.edu
You could always plan a trip to University of Kentucky and visit Ron. He has many of the instruments there and a boat load of stories about JJ!
http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/discuss/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=31460&p=367608&hilit=just+intonation#p367608
This is from April?
My first dulcimer was made from some 1/8th inch plywood. I placed one of the frets in the wrong place which taught me to convert all the measurements to the same scale (64th) . It had little or no sound to it so I cut it up and put it in the fire barrel!
I play it bagpipe...
0 0 1 0 3 2
0 0 1 0 4 3
0 0 7 5 3 2 1
6 6 5 3 4 3
Can we do that as a monthly challenge? lol
I like them all! Finding a sweet spot by experimenting with all the tunings is such a joy.
I made my own in Word. It takes a little while but it's free! Email me and I'll send you the .doc I came up with if you like ....
dulcimore@twc.com
