You almost have it! Instead of high to low, dAD, use low to high, DAd, it is more conventional for MD. For the other part of your question, always pluck the string just before turning the knob on the tuner. That way you know when you tune in the correct direction. As far as the F# A d, that would require a string change. You may be thinking of DF#A which needs different strings also. If you are tuned to DAA, just tune down, loosen, the middle string to F#.

DAG is Dorian, DAF is Phrygian, both will probably need restringing unless you are tuned DAA.

dAF#/DAF# is not a mode.

updated by @skip: 12/08/25 07:51:06PM

Hi Dan,  I’m not sure how to answer that.  I believe that I’m in mixolydian when tuned dAD.  I’m trying to retune the melody string to F# and don’t know if I should tune up or down to the F#.  Does that put me into a different mode?

Maybe if we could get the mode you are trying to get to?

Hi Dulcimer Folks,

When you are retuning from to dAD (hoping I wrote this correctly) to dAF# to play a different tune,  if you have not already heard the tune, how do you know which direction to tune the string, up or down in pitch.  Hope this question makes sense.  Thx.