Robin. Misirlou is copyrighted... Except for my little movable nut pictured above, I've managed to get through the last 45 years without a capo... There are ways... Robert....
Jane. Every dulcimer like every person has its own voice. People can change, dulcimers can't.. There is a tyranry of tuning when in a group that says everybody must tune to Dad... But at home alone find the key that sound best. At some point you want to try different tuning / modes.. Daa will definitely sound a bit more warmer. The dulcimer was never intended to be tuned only to one key and one mode. This is what makes this seemingly simple instrument so complex and exciting.. Robert.
Your tuners are the low end ukulele friction type. They work well enough on short scale nylon strung ukuleles but not suited for long scale steel string dulcimers. There should be two friction washers against both sides of the peg box. Perhaps they are missing. Did you tighten the screw's enough. There are very good inexpensive tuners you can replace them with. Contact a local music store for leads to a repair shop.... Robert.
The harp I use the most today was one I bought back in 1970 that did not work for me then . its a Hohner 364... key of C. 12 holes three octaves. You can see the versatility of being able to go between three octaves. Too bad its not made in other keys, I could really use a D... Robert...
Hohners marine band model 365 is the best of the series. Only come in C&G. 14 holes nice bass range and warm chording. I have a G model. Unfortunately with a broken reed. Larger body bigger sound and very easy to play... Robert...
Ive been playing in JI for over 40 years. All tunings work. It all comes down to how fussey your hearing is. I dislike tempered scales , even when they are in tune they have a coldness about them... Robert.
Here is one made from a dowel. Takes five minutes to make... Robert.
You should try playing with one melody string using the tuner that works best. The dulcimer is really a three string instrument after all. Looks like you have the old friction ukulele type tuners. If they continue to slip you might lower your tuning to Cgc. Looks like a pretty dulcimer.,. Good luck... Robert
Welcome... There is no shortage of cheap dulcimers on E bay. Although I won't vouch for their quality or playability its a place to start. People don't give up good dulcimers very often. There is a classified ad page on this site. And a handful of very good dulcimer builders who can help you out... Robert.
BTW.. Dulcimer players are the most open and friendly people I've ever met in the music world. You came to the right place...
Then there is the poor mans capo. I personality don't use them. But if I need one, This works for me.
Daa capo second fret gives a deadly pritty Polly... Robert...
In one photo it looked like a MD. But in 1974 any thing was possible. Robert.
The advantage a harmonica has over a dulcimer is being able to fit in a glove compartment in your car. Even in 150° heat. Always ready when stuck in traffic jams... Robert.
I'll be stringing up a new 30 " tomorrow with those string gauges...Robert.
Just tried the calculator too. Did not work for me either. I thought it was just my computer. Anyway on a 30" scale you need a .009 or .010 for the D .014 for middle A string and a wound .018 for the low D... Robert.
I play it both Daa and Ddd. Sounds great both ways... Robert
Sheryl it attaches with a standard camera mount 1/4-20 screw. Very stable... Thanks Lexie, although leaning over the instrument could get tiring after a wile... Robert.
Here it is ready to play... Robert.
Made this today out of Baltic birch plywood. Mounts on a camera tripod. Frees me up to play with two bows. Playing with two bows adds that much needed harmony we've become used to in our dulcimers. Not sure what to call it so I guess possum board will do for now... Robert.
Here are a couple of tunes in Bb. Finger dancing on a 30" scale takes practice, but the sound is something else. The drones are very strong and easily drown out the melody, don't like double melody. I compensate with a slightly stiffer pick. Melody is definitely brighter with a noter stick. I tried it with a psaltery bow which works better than a fiddle bow. I think a large instrument like this is best played on a table top. I prefer bagpipe with its low string over pure Galax...
Made a new just intonated 30" fret ruler so I hope to build an hourglass version by the end of the year. I prefer the sound of the hourglass shape and look forward to how it will sound... Thanks for all your interest and nice complements... Robert.
Spent the evening playing Pretty Saro on this dulcimer. Often its the instrument that inspires the tune. Here's a picture... Robert...
Thanks and welcome Paula to the world of dulcimers. I like turning a living room decoration into a fully functional instrument... Robert...
Three years ago I built a Galax inspired dulcimer and set it up as a baritone. Spruce top and white oak back, 30" vsl. never liked the sound, the Champion tuners would not allow me to tune higher. Recently I modified the Champions and now they work great. So this was the first time I could try the dulcimer in different keys. I added the forth string and lowered the gauge. Wow I was really impressed, the dulcimer came to life. The long scale means the drones vibrate... like forever...
I tried different strings but settled on .011 melody .014 and .026 bronze wound bass. Plays best in A bagpipe... Here is a sound clip... Robert
On all my dulcimers 26 and27" I use 012 012 014 022. This size works for Dad and Daa. It could be that your dulcimer just doesn't sound good. I built a very beautiful black walnut model that has no tone at all. I've made many modifications and it still sounds bad. It will end up as kindling wood come winter... Robert.
Marg, it would help to know the scale length... Robert
As you know a lot of songs are built on the same or closely related melodies. Little Sparrow is very close to ERB. The tab to LS might be easier to find. LS was one of the first songs I learned and when I heard ERB it instantly came out of the dulcimer. I play it Daa... Familiarise one song makes learning similar songs easy... Robert...
Gerald. Apply pencil graphite on the nut and bridge. That helps reduce breakage. Strings should last until you want to change them. I've got sets that are 10 years old and still doing well... Welcome to the world of tunings. Exciting times await... Robert.
Robins point about the dulcimer becomes the tuning is spot on perfect. I could not agree more... Robert.
Key of F. Aeolian would be F c eb. Very risky if your vsl is greater than 26". Dorian is F c bb. I have never played in F. So others might correct me on this. I really like dorian, just avoid the 6+ fret... Robert.
Speaking of tunings, this morning while playing swallow tail jig. I. named a new tuning. I call it Abe Lincoln tuning. Actually it's E Dorian... strings are A B E... Get it...
. After all we have Calico, Sawmill, Cumberland Gap tuning... Robert.
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...
50 pound test nylon fishing line makes a very good high D string. I use this size on my banjos. The high E B G D off a nylon guitar set will work. You will need loop end string posts to tie them onto. I think when all is done, you will be disappointed with the sound. I found nylon to be dull and un impressive on a dulcimer... Robert...
Charles, back in June of 1967 I got my first radio with FM. No kid back then listened to FM. It was the domain of dull old people's music. So I hit the FM button and out came the Paul Butterfield Blue's band. They played the entire East West album. I was totally blow away. By 1969 I learned every harmonica solo on that record. Today I rarely play harmonica much. I'm totally immersed in Appalachian fiddle tunes... Robert.
I make my own. Don't cost a penny. Robert...
Chromatics are not good for blues. You can't bend notes on them. They are stiff and un emotional. In my youth when I was totally emersed in the blues, I got thru many a jam with a D, G, C, E, A. Into a long night of jaming it often did not matter what key I was in... Robert.
I use violin end pins as strap buttons. I think ebony wood looks more appropriate on a wood instrument. very easy to install, just drill a hole and glue it in... Robert...
