Marg, you're idea is exactly what I use to do. In printing out available DAd tab off of ED, I had a really tought heavy duty binder (D ring about 2" thick) and a three hole punch. Alphabetized, punched, and filed for later use. After awhile I got quite the collection of tab in my very own tab book. Kevin.
Well, ken I'm good to go than since the red stain dulcimer is set up for DAA. Playing by the clover soundhold really makes some interestings tones.
Marge -- probably 85% of the songs you'll want to learn to play are playable in Ionian Mode -- DAA -- or Bagpipe Ddd. A few songs require either a 6+ fret or Mixolydian tuning. There are some special songs that simply can't be played 'properly' in anything except Dorian or Aeolian Mode. As you explore the music you want to play, you'll find those special songs, and then the tunings that will make them "just right".
robert,
Your baritones are very handsome, very nice in-deed.
Thank you ken, I am amazed when someone can play a song much less a couple hundred. I am what you would call a 'latecomer' as in starting to learn the dulcimer or even music, late in life. I guess when I see or hear something new, (which is much) - I am like a kid in the candy store - wanting more than I could possibly manage at that time.
I wouldn't want you to go out of your way on 'city of new orleans'. When I saw it listed I went to it right away, new orleans was home - but after katrina 'home' was lost and everything that goes with that concept. Maybe one day, I could just hear you play it.
I appreciate your patience with my questions or the asking on some problem (I love the help I received on the red stain dulcimer and felt I learn so much working on it with all the help). The more I learn, the better my question will become hopefully and I wont throw out as many - (Again, I wouldn't want to 'over step' - even without knowing)
This discussion was such an eye openner on the different tunings I guess I was just looking for the 'Cliff Notes' to try and catch up on what tuning I would like when I didn't even know there were so many still to try. I sometimes can't believe even what I have been able to do so far and look forwartd to this dulcimer journey i'm on and where it is taking me.
Thank you for your kindness and now - back to the tunings and what the members like.
Kevin I'm glad you mentioned baritones. Because in a way, baritone is a kind of tuning in itself. Although I don't play is as much, my 30" scale baritone is just the thing when you need that boomchucka sound... Here is a picture of my baritone along side my regular work a day dulcimer. And an uncompleted hourglass baritone. Tuned in A... Robert...
No -- you're not "over stepping". You don't know if you don't ask. Never be afraid to ask. There are no dumb or silly questions, just ones you don't get answers to.
Playing the dulcimer can be as simple or complex as you want to make it. There's a world of difference in playing songs or tunes in traditional Noter & Drone or Fingerdance style compared to modern Chord-Melody style. Not everything can be played in DAA, DAd, or Ddd in either style. Some songs simply require notes or chords you can't find on the fretboard in those tunings.
I do think folks are more likely to repond to a single tune request rather than a blanket request for tab.
I will gladly send you City of New Orleans that I've worked out in DAC, but I'll actually have to sit down and write it out. I don't personally collect tab, as once I've learned a song and written it down in the process of working out the tune, it's added to the couple hundred songs in my "internal software" (brain) and I can play on demand. So the old envelope or napkin that I recorded the tab on gets discarded.
Marg, we all have something to learn, no matter where we are on this journey. 
Sorry if you felt in my asking about tabs (rather than a shotgun request) I was over stepping.
I didn't even know they had all these modes or tunnings or keys to play in, till I started reading this discussion. As I said, 'Learning as I go'
One step at a time - no worries, I will print out the ones I fine and start a collection and begin to try them out.
Jan, I know the link and it costed my a night sleep already!
Rob, as someone who usually prefers oldtime to jazzier or bluesier stuff, I really wondered whether I would like Dom's new trio, considering it had a 'real' drummer with a full drum set, and a bass fiddle player...sounded like a jazz trio to me. But they actually played a wide variety of stuff including lots of 1920s-50s depression era songs I liked. Even their modern stuff they did with lots home grown flair. It was good! Dom has tons of energy- the concert was 90 minutes with no break, and with much high energy dance, bones, harmonica, guitar, and some incredible raggy style plectrum banjo playing at warp speed by Dom that was amazing. He really gives his all, and his two partners add to the fun. They are all absolute sweethearts. Rob I know they would enjoy playing with you, you are the real deal. 
Their fiddle and bass player Brian found out I play limberjack and told me he always wanted to learn it but didnt know how to get one or get started. I gave him a simple limberjack i had that was kind of an 'extra' I had, and I showed him the basics...he was so excited! You can see him happily holding it in the photo I posted. I bet he would have loved a little dulcimer lesson from you as well. They are all three just like that- so open and excited about music and people.
Jan- that's a great link to some great music! I bet you do still have some hidden 'special powers' though...one day you'll swoop into action and we'll all be saved and amazed! 
Nothing pitiful about your playing at all, Rob! I think I saw the Chocolate Drops when they were on Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour. (No, I don't have special "powers" to "see" radio.....the shows are taped in a theater in my hometown of Lexington, KY, and the tapings are then shown on TV. The website also has an archive of all its shows....you can watch Sarah Morgan performing on the same show as the Two Cellos(Show #710, watch Jean Ritchie at a taping, as well as many other greats in the music world...many that are no longer with us.) http://www.woodsongs.com/show-archives/
Welcome Ron! The Tamarind noters are all sold, but I'll be having some other hard exotic wood noters available late next week. I just ordered a mixed bag of raw stock including Bloodwood, Purple Heart, Padauk, Wenge, and Yellowheart, and it should be here by the 19th.
Marg;
There's no "clickable" list of Dorian or Aeolian mode tunes that I know of. You need to hunt the names down through sites like sniff.numachi, Everything Dulcimer, other player's websites, or ask if someone has specific tab (rather than a shotgun request) that they'll share with you, in the Dulcimer Resources Discussion here. There is a lot of DAG and DAC tab in various books by a number of dulcimer players, but it's not free.
Glad you've checked out Uncontrite Modal Folker. If you have any questions, feel free to as.
You asked " If I have the songs in either DAdd or DAA can I change a number up or down for DAC & DAG. Or is DAG like DGD where we can use the same tab as DAA? Or, any of the other modes can be played on either DAdd or DAA tabs?"
The answer in all cases, unfortunately is NO. There is no "conversion" from DAA tab to DAC or any of the others. DAG and DAC are not like DGD (that's a very special case). No other modes can be played from DAd or DAA tab. Tab is specific to a particular mode.
I learned "on my own" for the better part of 20 years, with only Jean Ritchie's Dulcimer Book, and later Force/d'Ossche's In Search of the Wild Dulcimer.
You bet Jan. What a great hobbie to be able to entertain one's self. From my original music training (the clarinet) I soon realized that it by itself was rather boring and depended upon a whole band or orchestra to enjoy (I know there are exceptions, but I'm talking about my enjoyment) So that is why I learned and favored instruments that in essence were a complete group as it were. Organ first, accordion, piano, and last but certainly not least the wonderful dulcimer. Loads of fun indeed. Kevin.
Great account of your journey with the dulcimer, the decisions you've made along the way and the reasons behind them, Kevin! I can tell that playing the dulcimer brings you a lot of joy and contentment. 
Speaking of different modes and the like: Just because of my first dulcimer mode and tuning I've backed that up with tablature and the like and then after a few years I then realized exactly which modes I played in. Up till that point I just thought that folk changed tuning of individual strings to suit a particular song they wanted to play? At it's heart that may well be true, but I never wanted to flatten the instrument since it would change everything about the string and it's notes as well as overall, the instruments chords and intervals. At the time I also played the banjo and found that some were doing much the same with bangos. Even to the extent that they sell and market a tuning peg that allows detuning to a specific note. Yep you adjust it to pitch and then tighten a set screw. Detune the string to the lower desired pitch and tighten yet another set screw. Then during play you can imediately "detune" the string to the desired lower note and back. Often there were two strings that detuners were utilized on. No sure that was clever to bounce down and back up to pitch, but more the detuned tuning was in itself a tuning for the banjo and songs were and can be played in that "detuned" state.
So with the dulcimer as well as the banjo, I was having enough fun/difficulty in learning the one setting let alone confuse it with yet another tuning. Might as well be learning a completely different instrument as to learn a completely different tuning. The only thing the dulcimer had going for it was that no matter the detuned state (or simply different mode) it was still a diatonic instrument and for one string or more, for the noter drone folks, it was identical in play. It's just those darn chords and intervals that get buggered up. So after looking at what I had and was playing, it seemed as though I had two modes to my belt.
The two moded were 158 Mixilydian and 155 Ionian. Now that I knew what it was I started collecting instruments in both versions so as to allow play in each. That was before when I was single to newly married and an eternity ago. Now as I'm getting back into play and dulcimer ownership, I decided upon the 158 or Mixilydian for my Probst baritone (even though it will be strung in the key of G). The 158 solely referrs to ratios of the strings against themselves and not the instrument's key. I then found opportunity after speaking with Ron Ewing of picking up a baritone dulcimette of his in his Aorell shape. (hourglass towards the player and teardrop on the farthest side. Oversimplification for sure, but basically correct). I at first asked it to be tuning to G in the Ionian mode or 155 so that I could play those additional songs. Well nothing requires a song to have one versus the other to be able to play, but some are just easier on one versus the other. I then realized that time was short and I didn't really have the time nor energy to learn and continue to work on two seperate tunings and instruments to go along with those tunings.
So last night I decided to change my Ewing order and request it also to be in the Mixalydian mode or 158, still tuned in the key of G. That way each instrument was the exact same as far as fingering and play. I can concentrate on that mode and tuning as get, well, better at it. I will learn those songs (Amazing Grace as an example) that are simple and easy on the 155, to be played in an instrument in the 158 mode. It is possible after all. Then my skill will increase far faster than splitting it between two different modes. And the most important of reasons: I'd often take a baritone dulcimette on trips and play while my wife drove to doctors appointments in San Francisco. While I played (when they were different modes) I'd always wish I had the other mode. When at home playing a larger instrument in 158, I'd wish I had the 155? I kept swapping instruments and never could just grab the one and play and be happy. Now with both the same, if at home I'll play the Probst large dulcimer and if when going to bed, I want to play a quick couple of tunes I can still grab the Ewing baritone dulcimette and play in the same mode and be happy. Also on trips the travel instrument will be the same as the home one and visa versa. I look forward to receiving each of the two instruments I now have on order and remember that when I had over 25 dulcimers that the Probst and Ewing instruments were the last to go since I enjoyed them the most. Kevin.
Sheryl, Dom has left the Drops and has his own group now. I saw one of the last performances up here in Morgantown of the Chocolate Drops with Dom. It was great! His new group is probably not to the taste of a lot of old time music lovers, but I like it too. I'd love to add a dulcimer to either group sometime, if they'd have a pitiful player like me.
Wout, just a little American humor, not unlike our Smileys. 
Not being a native speaker: what is playing bones hamster?
Yes, I know, but this drum was also before 1:47 in the mix... It is the loud clicking of the bones with many a roffle which triggers the automatic gain much too much and the drum isn't :D
I find that even if i practice the bones for 30 minutes a day or for an hour every other day... well there are some days when everything seems to be clicking pretty well (pun intended) and other days when nothing goes right and I stumble through it all badly. Ugh! I get much more consistent practice experiences when i practice other instruments. I suspect this is just because the learning curve is big for me on this, and am hoping to get more consistent practice experiences as I continue. I've never ever been one of those kids who tapped their pencils on their desks, so percussion is kind of a challenge. I did manage to get a pretty good foot tapping thing going after 6 months of determined practice...so i know I can get results with lots of practice. But percussion has never come naturally for me. It's real work!
I think the obvious name would be Ham-Bones. lolol 
Sheryl, love your new avatar!
Good to know. I just change my bottom string to a 12 since I had it tune to a. The 9 or 10 that was on it did seemed very slack.
Learning as I go With great help from all
Hey Lois,
if you find you want to keep one dulcimer tuned to the key of G in order to sing with better, you could put a set of strings on that dulcimer that is just one step heavier ...as in maybe a .011 or a .012 string instead of a .010 for example. You would do this if the lower G tuning feels a bit slack. A slightly heavier string will feel a bit tighter tensioned than a thinner string tuned to the same note.
It seems besides trying to learn as much as I can about the dulcimer, it looks like I could learn how to post on here better. Sorry, not sure why half my post is colored.
Where thers is many mnay tabs for DAA & DAD, I did find a few last night for other tunings. I will print them out and start a collection and begin to try them out. If anyone can tell me if any of the tunings can use the same tabs as DAA or DAD besides DGD, that would be great. Otherwise, one step at a time - no worries, I am enjoying my journey in all things dulcimer.
Thank you again for all the decussions on here and all your help to me and many other members.
In the Sale Forum, there are very durable tamarind noters for sale. People use all different kinds of materials for noters...different woods, glass, metal, etc. In a pinch, a clothespin, fat pencil (like the kindergarteners use) or anything with that sort of shape will work. Some people just buy a dowel and cut it into 4 or 5 inch sections--whatever's the most comfortable size for their hand.
I just read through this entire discussion and found it interesting to see what everyone is doing. I really don't think there is any one "right way" to play the dulcimer. I think it's good to see what's out there, see what you like, experiment a bit, and try to be open-minded as far as what tuning(s) you use and how you choose to play your instrument. Maybe you like the sound of the drones; maybe you don't. Maybe you want to play with a quill; maybe you want to fingerpick. Maybe you want to use tab; maybe you want to play by ear or use standard music notation. Maybe you want to learn one tuning and stay with that one because that's where you're comfortable; maybe you want to retune between every song. Maybe what is "boring" to one person brings much joy and excitement to somebody else. Maybe you're content to keep things simple because that's why you started playing this instrument in the first place--and that should be OK with everyone, too.
To each his own, and all that. I don't think someone should be viewed as a heretic because what seems to be right and good for them is not what others choose to do.
My first instrument was a piano, so my thinking tends to be more chromatic. So I tune DAd most of the time, don't usually use drones, and if I want to make a change because I'm going to be singing with my dulcimer and need an adjustment to accommodate my fairly narrow vocal range, then I just usually play the song in a different key, like G or C or A instead of D--without changing the DAd tuning. And if I don't NEED to retune to play songs like Pretty Saro, Scarborough Fair, Cluck Old Hen, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, Shady Grove, City of New Orleans, etc., then I DON'T.
Yes, most of my instruments have both a 1.5 fret and a 6.5 fret. Personally, I like the freedom of going from song to song without retuning or trading instruments. Every now and then I put on a capo for Reuben's Train or a few other songs, but those are the few exceptions.
This is what works for me. It's what I like and what I choose to do to express my love of music. Arthritis has made it too painful to play instruments like the guitar where you have to wrap your left hand around the neck. The piano is too heavy and cumbersome to lug around. I really LIKE playing the dulcimer--but I want to do it in a way that works best for me.
So, whatever tunings you're using and however you're choosing to play this wonderful instrument, ENJOY it! Have fun! Let it be the voice for your soul, your "howl" at the moon, the comforting lullaby for your loved ones.....
ken,
I did read your Uncontrite Modal Folker, twice so far. It's maybe a beginner's guide but many parts are still more advance than my understanding. No worries, I will take it in sections and work on it. I see you posted something alone these lines back in '02 for everythingdulcimer. There is a list of songs there also, but like above it's the name and I can't click on it for the tab. When I tried googling 'City of New Orleans (Arlo Guthrie)' that's when your other post popped up. So how do I get the tabs for the songs?
It's a wonderful collection of work you have, great instructions and suggestions but will take me awhile to understand the in's and out's of the dulcimer. If I have the songs in either DAdd or DAA can I change a number up or down for DAC & DAG. Or is DAG like DGD where we can use the same tab as DAA? Or, any of the other modes can be played on either DAdd or DAA tabs?
Maybe all this is just more advance than I am. If I had the tab, I could retune and play the song and begin to hear the difference in the different modes. I will be taking a class in the fall but I have only been learning on my own so far. Jam's and practice in groups just play, they don't explain anything. So for now, I am where I am, when I can find some tabs I will try it's tuning. Otherwise I will stay with DAdd & DAA and now some DGD.
Thanks, as always
How about Demitrius Bones, Or Dem Bones for short.
