I'm always tuning between daa, dac, and dag. It's the way those of us who play primarily diatonic dulcimers find those extra frets. Modes expand the dimensions of our instrument....Robert
Btw since you play banjo-
Adding DAC aeolian mode tuning as an option to more easily play lonesome sounding tunes in the key of D is just like how oldtime clawhammer banjo players add 'sawmill tuning' ( gDGCD) to their repertoire in addition to their basic gDGBD tuning, when they want to play spooky or plaintive g modal tunes on the banjo. Once someone learns Sawmill tuning (sometimes called Mountain Minor tuning) on their banjo, they usually want to come back to it often. It's pretty addictive, exactly the way DAC tuning is on the dulcimer. 
Melvoid, so much about tunings depends on two things: 1) what key you want to be playing in, and 2) the limits of your string gauges in tuning to various notes without being so tight as to break, or too loose as to be floppy.
If you are at the stage where you want to experiment just a bit but don't quite understand all the details yet, then you can stay with your first familiar tuning, OR play with DAd and DAA both, OR you can dip your toe in the water by adding a third tuning- I'd suggest DAC, for playing the beautiful lonesome sounding Aeolian mode tunes like Shady Grove or Cluck Old Hen or Pretty Saro.
I've explained a lot about tunings and modes in many posts on my noter/drone blog, but here's one post from it that includes a simple video of retuning between the four most common modes and tunings for dulcimers:
https://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/2010/02/video-re-tuning-between-four-common.html
Using the key of D for my example, and starting in DAd tuning, I demonstrate how to tune from mixolydian DAd to aeolian DAC, then to ionian DAA, and finally to dorian DAG. Then I re-tune back through each made again until I'm back in DAd. This method is a simple way to get into the concept of retuning for dulcimers. Hopefully it helps in some way.
I see. I do understand the method, but thought maybe it was a bit tricky for new students. I find it often takes a bit for their ears to get used to tuning off other fretted strings. At any rate, my most recent convert (from guitar to dulcimer), just dropped some bucks on a nice instrument and case and she's coming along nicely... and that's mainly what matters.
I also found this table somewhere in my research. Pretty much the same but there are some differences between this and my earlier chart.
I think MOST dulcimer teachers/books etc teach tunings from the bass string first -- because that is the note which defines the Keynote -- the note the instrument is tuned to. Gotta remember dulcimers are not guitars or mandolins, and we have our own way of doing things. Like referring to the Bass, Middle Drone and Melody strings rather than Low or High strings.
I've used Jerry Rockwell's "relative" tuning techniqus successfully for decades -- set the bass string to X, fret to bass string at fret 4 and tune the middle drone to that fifth; if tuning to a Mixolydian 1-5-7, fret the bass string at 7 and tune the melody string to that fretted note. There detailed instructions for Ionian, Mixolydian, Dorian and Aeolian Modal tunings in my I Just Got A Dulcimer... booklet.
Most tabulature has the name of the tuning at the top, and assumes that the player knows how to tune to them.
Thanks. For now, we're using D as the low string, but I noticed that in some books, they say DAD, or GDG. Seeing these are guitar students and we've already learned G, C, and D chord on the guitar, I may go to that. But the scale degrees helped in Skip's answer, too. 1, 5, 5. Doesn't matter what notes we use as long as the intervals are correct.
My main problem was that in one book, they only told how to tune by setting the low string and then tuning the other strings from fretted notes on the low one... OK, but not great for beginners;
In another book, it had a few, but there were mistakes. It showed a keyboard with the notes, and it was labeled incorrectly.
In another, it had simple tunes and at the top it told the name of the tuning, but not how to tune it.
I don't have enough hair left to pull out, or I would have.
I've had these book since the '70s and '80s and hope maybe some good beginner books have been written since, but I'm starting with what I have because I already have them.
I've only been a member of this site for a week or two, and already I've had several of my questions answered. I appreciate everyone's help.
ms
Skip's post gives you the straight dope. I've used a similar chart for years to show basic Modal Tunings. Of course those are the "key of D" Modal Tunings,, and any tuning can be "transposed" to the same Mode with other key notes (C, G, E, B etc).
If you join the Beginner Players Group, at the top of the Group page you'll find an article I wrote years ago to answer many newcomer's questions about the tuning, playing, care and feeding of their dulcimer. It also includes an illustrated glossary of terms so we all speak the same jargon in regards to the instrument. The article is called I Just Gof A Dulcimer, Now What?
Also, I've attached a PDF of another article I wrote called Uncontrite Modal Folker, which explains in detail about Modes and Modal Tunings
This is the first time I have seen the different tunings make some sense
thanks
THANK YOU!!! For some reason, I had a really hard time finding these.
I may have mentioned recently that I've dabbled with the dulcimer for a long time, but mostly for my own enjoyment. I DO give banjo and guitar lessons, and recently one of my guitar students showed an interest in dulcimer. Do I dug out several old books for ideas. One problem I'm having is that none of the books seem to have a basic list of the various tunings and the notes. They're all based on tuning to itself off of fretted strings. Not bad, but for my beginners, I think it's easier with an electronic tuner and note names. I'm having a hard time finding a source for more than Ionian and Mixolydian. I have one old Mel Bay book with other tunings, but it's full of errors!
Does anyone have a source for just the tunings with note names?
Update: I have since found a forum at wikihow.com/Tune-a-Dulcimer, and that seems to disagree with the Mel Bay book on a few of the tunings (Aeolian, for example - heavy sigh).
I realize that, for now, Ionian and Mixolydian are probably all I'll need, but my OCD side is showing and I want to have it all correct for my own peace of mind, if nothing else :-)
thanks
Glad to see you active again. Looking forward to your participation.
Thanks Robin. That not only honors Cari but also brings back some wonderful memories.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Though this isn't from this year's virtual Hindman Homecoming fest, I want to honor Cari Norris in this thread. I share this from Molly McCormack-- I especially love Cari 's singing on the Jean Ritchie song Sweet Sorrow in the Wind in which she is joined by Molly. I'm guessing Cari could be playing her grandmother Lily May Ledford's guitar in the song.
I've been gone a long time. Hoping to get back to trying to play again.
Ah yes, I actually have an app that does this. Great idea fro doing the play along thing.
In the end I just did the transposing thing and made a recording of the pc.
If you download the youtube video as an audio file, then get Amazing Slowdowner program, you can open the audio file in AS and change the pitch of the tune without changing the speed. Change it to the key/pitch you want, then save that new audio file. Then you can play along in the exact key you want. (AS can also be used for changing speed btw)
I have always found Amazing SlowDowner to be extremely useful.
If you download the youtube video as an audio file, then get Amazing Slowdowner program, you can open the audio file in AS and change the pitch of the tune without changing the speed. Change it to the key/pitch you want, then save that new audio file. Then you can play along in the exact key you want. (AS can also be used for changing speed btw)
I have always found Amazing SlowDowner to be extremely useful.
So I’m almost done my arrangement transposed from Gm to Dm. In the end, this really seems the best option. Just means I can’t play along with youtube videos or cd recordings…but I’ll make my own. Almost done, stay tuned. And thanks for your interest in my post.
Do you have a sheet? I think a G minor tuning might work for Noter/Drone playing and would like to try this. Since you clearly want to play with chords this is propably not of much help to you though.
And thanks for the youtube recommendation: It's a lovely tune.
Yes I know both ( Leadbelly and Leo Kottke), alas my capabilities are not so high.
Lol@Pete Seeger quote :D
I've enjoyed both Don's and Joellen's presentations. I was disappointed in yesterday's presentation on Troublesome Creek instruments as they couldn't get the Powerpoint to work. I hope they get it together by the Traditional Dulcimore Gathering in Berea as Doug is to present the Powerpoint there also. Looking forward to Don's workshop this afternoon.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
I've enjoyed the segments I've watched of the Hindman Dulcimer Homecoming! The fest continues today (Sat 9 April '22) and ends with an evening concert.
It is perfectly possible to play fingerstyle on a twelve string. Leadbelly did it. So did Leo Kottke. Check this out.
The real problem with 12 strings was expressed by Pete Seeger: You spend half your life tuning your guitar and the other half playing out-of-tune.
Just noticed this post, @jost. How's the 12-string been treating you? I have a 12-string guitar made in Canada by Seagull that I bought several years ago, just before I discovered the dulcimer. It's fun to play something with such a full sound, isn't it?
I don't play, but have several friends and bandmates who play 12 strings, and I know 3 players of 24 and 30 string Harp Guitars -- talk about "full sound"!"
Hollar when you're ready, Jost, and I'll build you the dulcimer equivilent -- 9 strings (3 courses of three strings each), on a 3" deep x 9" wide body, 27" VSL, with a double-back like a Galax.
I didn't notice this post before either. My only experience with at 12 string guitar was a Yamaha that a college roommate owned. I played around with it some, but I never got into it. That was over 50 years ago. I do like the sound of a 12 string, but it is not something I enjoy playing.
Do you have a sheet? I think a G minor tuning might work for Noter/Drone playing and would like to try this. Since you clearly want to play with chords this is propably not of much help to you though.
And thanks for the youtube recommendation: It's a lovely tune.
Thanks for the suggestion. Could be done but I want the minor chord to play open. Plus, there’s a certain sound quality when one tunes down to CGc and capo the first fret. I’ve noticed this on song arrangements by Jessica Comeau. So this is what I will stick with…for now.
I’ll hopefully post up a video soon of the piece
I would transpose to Bm. Then your chords would be Bm, D, and A. You'd be all set in either DAd or DAA. No need for a capo.
I would transpose to Bm. Then your chords would be Bm, D, and A. You'd be all set in either DAd or DAA. No need for a capo.
I was thinking that but seems like too much of a hassle. Tonight I ended up transposing to D minor. Tuned to Cgc with capo on the first fret. Chord progression now is Dm, Fmaj & Cmaj. Able to play all the notes without adding temp frets. But thanks o plenty for your suggestion.
Btw, the musical pc is Cantiga #302 from the 13th century. Look it up on Youtube, its a beautiful medieval song.
You will probably need a chromatic or use temporary frets [paper clips about .040 or tooth picks may work] , tmp frets 0+, 4+, no capo [DAd. Can capo at 3 [DAd] by adding a temp fret at 7+ also.
You will probably need a chromatic or use temporary frets [paper clips about .040 or tooth picks may work], tmp frets 0+, 4+, no capo [DAd. Can capo at 3 [DAd] by adding a temp fret at 7+ also.
Oh the life of the beloved household cat. I'm glad they are so pleased to own you.
Thank you. We were talking and I guessed 6 1/2 but after thinking for a bit, 6+ seemed like it'd be easier to write.
Lucky guess on my part.
thanks!!
Hi all,
I have a pc I want to arrange for mountain dulcimer. It's traditionally played in G minor. Altogether 3 chords, G Minor, Bb major and F major. I'm wondering what's the best approach to playing this. I usually toggle between a Dad tuning or a Cgc. If you were to tackle this, would you simply transpose it to a key favouring popular dulcimer tunings or would you keep the chords the same and capo in some way?
To be honest, I'd really prefer the G minor to be an open strum.
6+ is exactly right, @melvoid. We use the + for extra frets so that someone with a true diatonic fretboard and someone with extra frets can still refer to frets using the same numbers.
P.S. Thanks for all the "welcome" messages!
I give lessons and one of my guitar students recently mentioned an interest in dulcimer. I'm not an expert on the dulcimer, by any means. My dulcimer has the standard layout, meaning that from the zero fret up, I can get mostly a major scale, but with a flat 7th. My student recently bought on with that extra fret, allowing a true major scale. She borrowed mine first, and we started writing tablature, and now with the new one, and an extra fret, we thought maybe we'd refer to that as 6+ or something so the existing tab isn't changed.
Any suggestions for how to handle this?
Thanks!
I didn't notice this post before either. My only experience with at 12 string guitar was a Yamaha that a college roommate owned. I played around with it some, but I never got into it. That was over 50 years ago. I do like the sound of a 12 string, but it is not something I enjoy playing.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Folks, I hope y'all have the last Saturday in August marked on your calendars for the annual worldwide celebration Play Music On The Porch Day! Here at our house, we are practicing the one we think we'll play for PMOTPDay. 
I don't play, but have several friends and bandmates who play 12 strings, and I know 3 players of 24 and 30 string Harp Guitars -- talk about "full sound"!"
Hollar when you're ready, Jost, and I'll build you the dulcimer equivilent -- 9 strings (3 courses of three strings each), on a 3" deep x 9" wide body, 27" VSL, with a double-back like a Galax.
Just noticed this post, @jost. How's the 12-string been treating you? I have a 12-string guitar made in Canada by Seagull that I bought several years ago, just before I discovered the dulcimer. It's fun to play something with such a full sound, isn't it?
Uncontrite Modal Folker.pdf - 92KB
