Hello! One great resource for learning a lot of new jam tunes is Stephen Seifert's Join the Jam Book 1 in DAD tuning. He has a second book, Join the Jam Book 2, with even more jam tunes. They're available from his website and from the Folkcraft and McSpadden websites.
There's a lot of free tab for jam tunes on the Three Rivers Dulcimer Society website, too: http://www.threeriversdulcimersociety.net/html/ourmusic.html
"Q: What is the difference between a dulcimer and a fish?
A: You can tune a dulcimer but you can't tuna fish."
Sorry, but this doesn't make sense as you "can tuna fish". As in:
Q: What's the difference between a bagpipe and a fish?
A: You can tuna fish.
Implying of course that bagpipes are always out of tune.
What's the difference between an Appalachian dulcimer and a hammered
dulcimer?
A hammered dulcimer burns hotter; an Appalachian dulcimer burns longer.
What's the least-used sentence in the English language?
"Isn't that the dulcimer player's Porsche?"
Minimum safe distances between street musicians and the public:
* Violinist: 25 feet
* Bad Violinist: 50 feet
* Tone Deaf Guitar Player who knows 3 chords: 75 feet
* 15 year-old Electric Guitar Player with Nirvana fixation: 100 feet
* Dulcimer player: 60 miles
You could modify some of the classical musician jokes, like...
Q: What do you call a dulcimer player without a girlfriend?
A: Homeless.
Q: What's the difference between a dulcimer player and a large pizza?
A: A large pizza can feed a family.
Q: What do a mountain dulcimer and a lawsuit have in common?
A: Everyone is relieved when the case is closed.
Q: How do you make a mountain dulcimer sound beautiful?
A: Sell it and buy a violin.
Q: What is the difference between a dulcimer and a fish?
A: You can tune a dulcimer but you can't tuna fish.
Marriage is like playing the dulcimer. It looks easy until you try it.
Q: What does a dulcimer and a baseball have in common?
A: People cheer when you hit them with a bat.
...
Yep! Ken is right on - he is so musically gifted! A way to think about it is, when you place your capo on fret 3 for the key of G, that now becomes your new "0" fret. Go on up to the next fret "4" which now becomes your new "1" fret, the next "5" fret becomes your new "2" fret, etc. Just know that now you will play fret "6", not the "6+" as in the standard DAD scale played from fret 0. But, your ears will tell you that when you strum the scale! Just know that if you find written dulcimer tab in the Key of G, it will use a "0" number for the third fret and the other fret numbers will be same as without the capo - i.e. "0, 4, 5, 6, 7".
A capo is my best friend when I play with 'hotdogging' bluegrassers, as I have to be prepared to quickly get to different keys. Key of G is their favorite, until some fiddlers show up for Key of A. For keys that I can't get to without retuning the dulcimer (C, F, B flat) I will play partial backup chords or hit the dessert table!
Have fun with it!
Gwen
You can call it G or Z or Q.. 
But it will be in the key of G no matter what you say say. Gdg tuning with the scale starting on the open 3rd fret.
Notches only need to be a string diameter in depth. The best tool is a small triangular jewelers file. I got a whole kit of such files from the local Ace Hardware for under $10. Height will need to be adjusted no matter what -- It's a matter of cutting slightly over-tall then sanding down to Nickel/Dime action height or lower.
Thanks Ken I will measure it and see if I can get it out this weekend....The issue will also be making the notches and the height right.. I agree that It really is a nice looking old girl!
What Rob said - The bridge will need to be made to fit. Not hard to do. You just need a small slice of hard wood like Maple. Let us know how thin the wood is and someone, or several someones, will probably send you useable bits of wood.
Does the piece of bridge in the slot come out readily, or is it glued in? If glued, run your hairdryer on high a couple inches from the broken bit for a few minutes, then use a small slice of wood like a popcicle stick as a 'punch' to try and drive the the broken bit out sideways.
Back in the 60s and early 70s many makers used a single dowel as a string post like that. If the post is small enough you can open up the loop of loop-end strings and they'll slide right on. Or you can use ball-end strings and run the tip of the string through the ball end and make a loop to slip over the post.
Not having a 6+ fret means you'll probably find it easiest to play this dulcimer in Fingerdance or Noter & Drone style, and not try to play everything from the DAd tuning.
Really nice looking dulcimer. You've got a keeper there!
Paula, I'd say the bridge would have to be made to fit. If you have some wood, sandpaper and a knife edge needle file you're good to go. Can't say I've ever heard of that maker. It looks really nice tho'. Good lines, craftsmanship (from what I can see in the pics) and no 6 1/2 fret.
Hi,
The wooden bridge is broken and I need to get a new one... I wondered if I am going to have one
hand made? I am sending a picture or two as well. The bridge is one piece insert. I showed the top nut just for reference.
Also, there are no string fasteners at the bottom, only a big round post... Did they wrap strings around the post?
Secondly anyone know anything about LW Moody, LA California? That is one the label... #10
Thanks for any input you can give! Paula
Just before boxing this dulcimer up to ship I played one last tune... Simple Gifts or some variation thereof... Robert.
Thanks Lexie. I was pondering buying the one that Cynthia bought - guess I pondered too long!
Gail, I don't have a JI from Robert, but bought one made out of Buternut and can highly recommend his workmanship.
They are great to play noter/drone or chord and the sound is that silvery old time sound. Mine is my most lovely and a treasure. Robert models after A.W. Jeffery's and it is a gorgeous design.
Also Robert is a great person to work with, very kind and considerate.
Also Cynthia Wingington bought a JI from Robert recently and she seems to love it, she would be a good person to talk with about it.
Good luck with your "Sweet Strings"
Robert, how much do you charge for one of these? I love the sound and it's a beautiful instrument.
Nice playing and demonstration there Robert! If I may ask, why did you go with a slightly shorter vsl for the just intonated dulcimers you'd made?
Really lovely Robert, I really REALLY love hearing you play them, not to mention that sweet sound.
Congrats on selling this beautiful sweet instrument Robert, I am sure the buyer will be very pleased.
We are getting rain off and on in Central MT, here's hoping for rain for your crops and your Dulci-stuff.
Yeah, I thought she would buy it, she sure liked the sound of mine.
Sounds very much like the first one I bought from you Robert. Now, I hope you do keep the 2nd until you can build a third!
Robert it is not only beautiful, aww that sweet, sweet sound is exceptional, I love it and best save my money.
I really REALLY! like playing on a just intonated scale dulcimer. I seldom play in DAd anymore. This model is made of poplar and is light as a feather. Here are a couple sound clips. first in Daa the second is Daa, Dac and Eaa... Robert.
I would suggest buying several sets of strings at a time from www.juststrings.com , where they are as little as $2 and changer per set. For 28" VSL you'll want 20w or 22w bass strings, 12 ga. plain steel middle drone strings and 10 to 12 ga melody strings.
Banjo Strings work well if you need a loop end. Sometimes they can be found as individual strings. Just cut the string about 3-4" from the peg it will be wrapped around, and carry on. In case you aren't aware of the string sizes you have currently, take your dulcimer with you to the store. They can measure them.
Of course, you can also order strings from dulcimer builders/shops. You'll need to know the gauge, unless you order them from the builder.
Good luck,
Linda
