Forum Activity for @clockdr

Clockdr
@clockdr
12/13/20 08:53:47PM
6 posts

Music theory/Mode question


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Nathina:

Here is Bflat Major and Bflat Minor. If you F string is more towards the F# then it is minor. Otherwise if it is F, then major.


It’s so much fun learning all of this. Thank you so much!
Clockdr
@clockdr
12/13/20 08:22:38PM
6 posts

Music theory/Mode question


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I thank you for the research but perhaps I didn’t make myself as clear as I thought I had. Yes, you understand the string tensions I was using correctly. I’m not on this site frequently and some people I interact with switch the string designations between 1-2-3 to 3-2-1, and that’s why I tried to both describe it as I did and also include that mp4 with the notes. I’m glad it’s gotten figured out, in any event.

Re Aeolian mode, the tuning I have been asking about does sound like a minor key - but with a twist. To my ear it’s neither Aeolian nor Dorian, but as I said, I don’t know how to characterize a set of strings that’s somehow neither one nor the other. I wonder if that F-G -Bb would be a regular Aeolian if the F-G was reversed as G-F? There’s my ignorance showing.

You’re right about the YouTube video as well, but I’d included that reference only so people could hear how the tune goes. I especially like the old staple fret dulcimers and mine don’t have 6.5 frets so I can’t just capo like he did, and actually I wasn’t trying to replicate his sound at all. I just stumbled on that FGBb combination when I was changing strings and thought to myself, “That sounds nice - kind of a minor tuning but I don’t recall it. I wonder if it would sound good with ...” and that’s why I chose to share that particular song with my query.

As for string tension, I don’t normally tune this Dulcimore this low. It likes DAA just fine but a half step lower or at CGG even better, it’s just where the resonance seems to sound out at its best. This just happened to be something I found when tuning up a fresh string set, as I said.

I really appreciate everyone’s chiming in on this. I’m not even within earshot of pretending to be a pro musician but I’m perpetually curious. I’m very glad to have access to the expertise on this forum.
Clockdr
@clockdr
12/13/20 11:23:04AM
6 posts

Music theory/Mode question


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Here’s a link - I’m tuned somewhat sharp, but basically F3 - G3 - B flat 2.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kqzcvc7et86u914/F-G-B%20flat%2C%20a%20bit%20sharp.m4a?dl=0

My iPhone tuner says I’m at 177, 201, and 120 Hz. This dulcimer has a VSL of ~28.5”, and I’ve got strings on that mic out as 0.012, 0.014, 0.022 br wound. I’ll be curious to know what you think.
Clockdr
@clockdr
12/13/20 10:45:08AM
6 posts

Music theory/Mode question


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Skip:

Inversion of Gm7 according to https://www.scales-chords.com/chord/piano/Bbgf




Thank you! I appreciate the link to that website in particular. Now I know where to look!
Clockdr
@clockdr
12/13/20 10:42:52AM
6 posts

Music theory/Mode question


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

Thanks for the quick response. Emma’s Waltz is the first one I stumbled onto this with - fret 5 -3 -1 -3 -5 -6 -5 etc. (see
for one version of the melody played with a different tuning).
Clockdr
@clockdr
12/13/20 08:44:27AM
6 posts

Music theory/Mode question


General mountain dulcimer or music discussions

I’ve a music question that I’m guessing someone here can answer. I stumbled upon a minor-ish dulcimer tuning that actually seems to work, in a haunting way, for a couple of minor-key tunes played noter-drone style. What the heck have I got here? In this particular case I’ve got: B flat / G / F (melody string is F). I don’t know if this is an inverted something or other, mode  or what - but I’d like to know what to call this. For the moment, I’m immodestly calling it “Terry Tuning”. There’s no way that can stand! 🤓

I never had a music theory class so I suppose this could be an augmented or diminished 7th or something I’ve only ever seen in a guitar chord book. But I’m curious - it does have a haunting quality. A measured version of Emma’s Waltz is especially cool - to my ears late at night, anyway. The cats don’t seem to mind, at least, and my dog would hang close no matter what. Thanks to all. And as a friend says, Stay Positive and Test Negative!


updated by @clockdr: 12/13/20 08:48:13AM