I like that Nate. I think I found out how cool it sounds by accident. Now it seems natural in some arrangements. Same with pull offs. Just sounds natural and comes easy on certain notes on the melody string. Not to mention, it's fun.

Sliding between frets is one of my favorite things about playing the dulcimer. I like to use the side of my thumbnail for long slides up and down the melody string.

Thanks Robin. I started out using a noter but watched so many videos on picking and strumming I got away from it. When I was young my uncle was the musical therapist at the mental institute in Pontiac, Michigan. Each visit to Florida he would bring a different instrument so we could learn to play. One year he brought a steel guitar. I played around with it but never mastered it. Playing the dulcimer with a noter reminded me of the sliding technique on that instrument. It brought back fond memories.

I only know how to play mountain dulcimer with a noter, which is all about the slide.  :) Hammer-ons and pull-offs with a noter can also be used to give slightly different flavors to tunes.  

updated by @robin-thompson: 01/29/26 03:52:27PM

>>> I have been known to use slides to cover up mistakes! 

Me too, particularly when playing by ear.

I have been known to use slides to cover up mistakes! 

If a person enjoys playing different types of music and want to "kick it up a notch" , try using the tree techniques of hammer-ons, slides and pull-offs. I whole new enjoyment  scale awaits. 

If you are successful with any or each of them. I would love to hear your experience. Suggestions are always invited and of course funny and interesting stories would make a great subject of conversation.