One of my favorites is "Red Wing"
That's a hard one because I like a lot of songs. I'm working on Sourwood mountain right now. I like a lot of the hymns too like Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
I just want to know what your favorite songs are, Maybe I could get some ideas for songs.
Hi Tim;
Thanks to Dan Goad for mentioning my article.
We don't refer to tunings from left to right, or highest to lowest, but rather from bass string to melody string.
Normally we reference with the instrument on your lap, tuning head to the left. Some older books use melody to bass string order though.
The conventional dulcimer has three courses of strings, and one of which can be doubled or even tripled -- bass, middle drone, and melody. Yours has a doubled melody string. Doubled course notes are not mentioned in tunings, unless the two strings of a course are tuned to different notes -- DdAd would be a doubled bass string, one tuned D, the other d; then a middle drone course tuned A and a melody course tuned d.
The difference between D', D and d are octaves. They are all three the same note, just an octave apart in pitch. The D is D3 of a piano; D' is an octave lower than D, and d is an octave higher than D. The sequence goes C', D' E', F', G', A', B', C, D, E, F, G, A, B, c, d, e, f, g etc...
There are 4 course dulcimers, but the strings are spaced equally apart.
The most common tunings are
DAd - Mixolydian Mode
DAA - Ionian Mode
DAC - Aeolian Mode
DAG - Dorian Mode
Each is used for different kinds of songs -- major or minor key, etc.
It's from bass to treble, i.e. lowest string to highest string in pitch. As others have explained, the lower case "d" means it is an octave higher than the upper case "D". Clear as mud, right?
Tim McNamara said:
Thanks, Linda. Just wondering if that D-A-d tuning is left to right? Also: why do you have the third string written as a lower case d?
Thanks again for your help.
Tim, as others have explained, the first "D" refers to the bass string. The second "d" is in lower case to indicate that it is an octave above the bass D and not the exact same pitch.
Tim McNamara said:
Thanks, Linda. Just wondering if that D-A-d tuning is left to right? Also: why do you have the third string written as a lower case d?
Thanks again for your help.
Hello Tim, and welcome to FOTMD and the wonderful world of the Mountain Dulcimer. The first thing I would advise is to read the following:
http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/profiles/blogs/i-just-got-a-dulcimer-now-what
Ken is a member here and a highly respected one.
You're current tuning is the most popular and the string set will be just fine for that. We normally call that tuning DAdd listing the bass string first then the middle string and the melody strings last. Since most play the mountain dulcimer on their laps, the melody strings are the ones nearest you, then the middle with the bass the farthest away from your body (assuming that you are right handed). Ken's blog should get you started then you can ask all the questions that you have. There is no such thing as a stupid or ignorant question here at FOTMD. Have fun and happy strumming.
Hi Tim,
You are already tuned to the most common tuning used these days, often notated as D-A-d (whether the highest string is doubled or not.) The tuning (and chords) are most often called from the bass (lowest in pitch) string. You will find much music written out for this tuning, and if you have an ear, you can sound out melodies easily, using the open d string as the first note of the scale.
The dulcimer is a wonderful instrument to add to one's repertoire. Happy dulcimering!
Linda
Lynn gave you good advice. I am familiar with June Apple and Carl Gotzmer's craftsmanship. They are excellent instruments. I would not hesitate to purchase one if I had the opportunity to do so. I find June Apples to be delicate and very responsive. Just to let you know where I come from on this, I own quite a few dulcimers some of which I made. My "go to" dulcimer is a Folkcraft and I also play a Blue Lion frequently. If you can each one of those dulcimers, you will know which one is for you.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Nell, I thought I would add that Dr. Duck's Ax Wax is a little costly ( about $ 16 including shipping ) but it lasts a long time. I only use a few drops each time. It cleans and conditions the strings. Also, my fingers slide much easier up and down the fretboard with this great stuff. Again, just my 2 cents 
Hi Nell, another thing that seems to have an effect on the strings is finger oils and other things that "dirty" them. I use "Dr. Ducks Ax Wax" to wipe down my strings each time I play. I have been doing this for a long time, and this doesseem to condition them and help keep them sounding bright.
Just my 2 cents - or maybe just a penny
Good luck!
As this was the first '"challenge" tune posted, but like how I re-did Shenandoah a bit ago, I re-did my clip of Amazing Grace. Hopefully the quality is much improved since the posting I did of this. http://youtu.be/zP0PL2tmTHA
James: I have not objection if people want to post their Amazing Grace videos in the main video area, but I strongly suggest that we also post them as responses to that discussion asking for different versions of the song. I think there are three reasons to do so. First, although it might be easy to find the videos on January 4, when they are all lined up, after a few days when another few dozen videos have been posted it will be less obvious who participated in your fun and interesting challenge and we'll have to do a search in the video area and then look at the date posted to find out who was involved. If we all post our versions in that discussion, then we will always know where they are and they will be much easier to find since they'll be grouped together. Second, if they are all in one discussion, we can have a more coherent discussion about them, pointing out similarities and differences and so forth. If we don't have one central location for that discussion, then all we have is a separate discussion for each video. Third, not everyone checks into FOTMD nearly every day as I do (yes, I admit it, I'm a dulcimer geek). If someone reads about your idea on January 8 but would still want to participate, she or he could do so simply by posting to that ongoing discussion.
Pamela: Flint Hill already created a tutorial on how to post videos as part of the introductory material to the Call the Tune group. You can find it here . If you want to post your video in the general video area, then all you have to do is copy the URL and post it in that discussion. But the tutorial explains how to embed videos as well.
And let me also reiterate James's point about amateur videos. None of us play with as much technical precision as Mark Gilston or Stephen Seifert or with as much emotion as Nina Zanetti or Linda Brockinton. But that does not mean that we have nothing to say musically. This website is specifically intended as a place where amateurs can share their passion for our beloved instrument. I am often moved more by playing that is not perfect from a technical standpoint but is played with genuine interest and passion. In addition, I urge everyone to record themselves playing on a regular basis, even if you choose not to share those videos with everyone else. As you continue to play, you will get better, but that progress sometimes happens slowly, and unless there is some record of what you sounded like last week or last month or last year, you won't be aware of how much you are progressing. And I don't know about you all, but I find playing music so frustrating that I need to be reminded of my own progress as a way to stay optimistic about my playing.
I need to admit that I was sort of bad and never saw that reply. I did not know that group existed at all, which makes me wonder if others may not know if it existed. I just figure putting it in the main videos section would give everyone a chance to see it, without looking through the videos.
Marg - just remember = This is not MGM or a movie studio. Do the best with what you have on hand. I know mine are not the best, because I have a laptop with a built in camera and mic I use, plus I play my FolkRoots on my desk when recording. I think as long as the *feeling* is there, that is what matters first and foremost. I'd rather see a video where it isn't the best quality technical wise, but the playing was spot on. Having both is ideal, but if it was one or the other, you now know my feelings.
I also think that would be a cool idea, James. But I note, as Robin did, that we have a group specifically designed for people to share their interpretations of common tunes. I would suggest that we post our versions of Amazing Grace onto the discussion Travis started years ago specifically on that tune, and to which many people have already posted their versions of the hymn. It will be nice to have one place to enjoy everyone's interpretation and to share ideas and encouragement. Here is a link to that existing discussion: http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/group/callthetune/forum/topics/ama... .
In the introductory discussion of the Call the Tune group, there is a link to a tutorial on how to post videos to FOTMD, so those who haven't yet figured out how can join the fun!
I'm going to start practicing tomorrow!
I can only do a copy with my phone so sound isn't very good but this is a really nice idea. If I can do it, I will
I think this is a great idea. I'm not sure I'll learn how to make a video by then though.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
I had an idea, and mused about it in chat earlier, and thought that I would post it here and see what kind of response it would get.
I have always thought it was interesting hearing other folks' interpretations of songs, because while the song might be the same, people do there own take on it, making it there own.
So my thought is this: What about the first Sunday of January, the 4th, we all do versions of Amazing Grace, and post them up to share? Do it in your style, your way, your tuning preference. Be it noter/drone, fingerstyle, chord melody, fingerdancing....the more styles the better.
If anyone is interested in this, feel free to respond to this thread.
Wally - you've posted the same question in two places. I answered you most completely in your other posting.
String gauges are established, with certain ranges, by the VSL of the instrument and the open note to which you want to tune the string. The goal is to have approximately the same tension on each string regardless of diameter. Further the gauge determines the range of notes to which you can tune that string for the specified VSL. If a string is too tight (trying to tune up or play up to a specific note) it will break. If you try to tune down too far the string will flop around and make terrible mushy noises...
To avoid a bunch of "by guess and by gosh", as well as avoid having to learn a bunch of esoteric mathematics, several people have created String Gauge calculators which do all the guessing and math needed to pick The Right Gauge.
One calculator we use commonly is found at http://www.strothers.com/string_choice.htm Plug in the VSL and the open note to which you want to tune the string, and you get an answer that works. The Strothers calculator is, however, notably "light" in its recommendations, so you can go up at least one number in gauge without any problems, and most of us do.
I just built that kit, and it comes standard with McSpadden Ionian strings - 1st-3rd .012", 4th .022. Those gauges sound absolutely fantastic on it and the strings tension feels correct when fretting it. I will sometime string it Mixolydian tuning, Dad, I think their set has .012 for 1st and 2nd, .012 or .014, not sure for middle and .022 for bass. You could always order the strings from them and they will say, Daa or Dad probably. Anyway the Daa set is spot, just love those.
Welcome Tom. Another resource you might want to check out is the article/booklet I wrote here a few years back called Get Noterized . It's intended to be an introduction to N&D for new players, and discusses techniques, noters and where to find them, etc. The article is here:
http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/profiles/blogs/get-noterized
Welcome to the place to come to learn all you would want about your Mountain Dulcimer and it's sweet sound.
Tom, don't forget to get to know folks on the site, in your area, in groups. Everyone is very kind and generous/patient with us Newbie's and some have lots of knowledge about this instruments and many other's and also music.
The first thing I learned is that everyone encourages you to find your style or your way of playing the MD which is most comfortable and enjoyable and they will cheer you on and answer any and all questions that you have. No question is a silly one, because we all what to see other's enjoy this fabulous instrument and it's beautiful sounds.
Enjoy your journey and just have Fun strumming along!
Tom, you may also find some helpful tips in my noter-drone blog for beginners: http://dulcimer-noter-drone.blogspot.com/
Just be sure to start reading from the earlier posts and work your way towards the more recent ones- if you want the easier and information material first.
