Forum Activity for @salt-springs

Ken always knows his stuff and when I started playing years ago got me straightened out on the string tuning notation.  I was breaking strings like you and my problem was related to exactly what he was talking about.  Those J64 should work fine for you but since they are not and you have a tuner there are a couple of things you might want to check.   First, check to see what the calibration on your tuner is set to...........is it 440?  Second, try this tune your base string to where there is just enough tension to get a clear sound.  Not to floppy and not to tight.  Check and see what your note is with your tuner. Tune it to D.............middle string.........tune it to where it is making a clear note, again not to tight and not to loose.............check it and tune it to A...........when you get to the melody strings repeat the process and see what note they are playing.  This is where I was messing up when I started......I was trying to tune way beyond the d, going into an entirely different octave.

On the other hand, as Ken points out your fret board may require entirely different gauge strings because of its length......until you get it worked out I would tune CGc............of course that is your choice..............for me DAA and a noter or DAA and fancy finger hopping as I call it, is the way to go as a beginner and an advanced player. This link might help you.............

http://www.jcrmusic.com/Learning.html

Meant to say batch number instead of serial number............a source tells me that it might be written on the label inside............also asked what shape.........round bottom, hour glass, plywood or solid.........

Kris....the guy who wrote that article is the guy who built it.........sometime after 1972 and before 1980 I would guess...does it have a serial number on it?  Drop him a note and see what you can find out about it, I have heard of them, and post what you can find out. I'd be interested too.

http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/discuss/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=27309

Check this out.  Best I can do 'fer ya.

BTW.........forgot to mention that tab is for Hammered dulcimer.. .but you might be able to tune to DAD and drop the tab number back one and have it put you in the ball park..........so if it says hammer 6, play 5 etc.

http://www.lssds.com/music.shtml

I think there is tab for one version listed on this site.............check it out.................

 This is a great post Ken................thinking about changing my user name to the Impolite Bi-folkaled Moder, in your honor............

Indeed.........Happy New Year to all!

The first dulcimer I owned was built by Kerry Coates, Gila Mountain Dulcimers.  I either emailed her or called, I can't remember and we decided on the shape, wood and design.  I had her paint two Carolina parakeets, Ike and Izzy, the last two in existence from a painting I found of them.........she did a magnificent job, using the sound holes as wings........perfect.  Kerry stopped building shortly thereafter.  She told me that she was having health problems that she thought were related to the materials she used, so she was going to stop and get back to playing, as she put it, "the darn thing."   We more or less stayed in touch for a few years since she was a great teacher and helped me learn to play that great dulcimer she built.  Sadly, Kerry passed on April 29, 2014 after a heroic struggle.........now that dulcimer sits in a corner of my office out here in the forest........a treasure built my a master craftsman and grand musician...I play it every now and again and always remember her wit and creativity.........that dulcimer has the sweetest ring of any I own and I hope will bring my grandchildren the same pleasantries it brought me.  When they are a bit older I will tell them the story of the last two Carolina parakeets and about the artistry of a lady who was an artist in the truest sense of the word.