Group Discussions

What do you use for end pins?

A friend of mine is building his first dulcimer and has asked me what to use for end pins (to hang loop-end strings on). Can anyone advise? Thanks.
@Redmando started 8 years ago - replies: 6

Positioning the thumb...?

I'm working on my fingerpicking skills and my thumb is starting to hurt! Ow. Any advice? Where do you place your thumb - you press the strings...
@Mary MacGowan started 8 years ago - replies: 3

Noter drone on a Lap-Jo?

Hi all, Does anyone play a banjo/dulcimer with a noter? Can a Lap-Jo be tuned ddd (or dddd) and played with a noter and still sound like an...
@Jill Geary started 8 years ago - replies: 6

Playing ionian tuning in keys other than D

I prefer ionian mode. Does anyone have a chart or reference which gives the ionian tuning for keys other than D? Thanks.
@Richard Streib started 8 years ago - replies: 30

Following the addiction

An observation more than question:  OK, I'm addicted and play every day.  My sister who lives in IL started playing about 2 months before me (it's...
@PapaSims started 8 years ago - replies: 1

Carpal Tunnel & dulcimers

A student in my class has carpal tunnel syndrome.  This causes her hand to hurt when she plays.  So far I have had her move the dulcimer further...
@Matt Berg started 8 years ago - replies: 4

Tuning Mystery

4 string dulcimer, 27" vsl, melody strings 1 & 2 .012; string 3 .014, string 4 .020.   Problem: when tuned ddaD all strings are in tune when...
@Kusani started 8 years ago - replies: 9

Need pointers for playing witha quill

  Lately I’ve been concentrating on playing with a noter and quill. The noter I have down especially as that’s how I played using my ring finger...
@David Bennett started 8 years ago - replies: 41

Argh!!! Which fingers to use for chords

I keep moving my dulcimer on my lap and changing fingers on chords. Like: 335 557 446+ and 567! Is there a chart that suggests which fingers to...
@Don Grundy started 8 years ago - replies: 9

New Wood Seller with Gorgeous Wood

Early this month, I received a blind e-mail from a pre-cut wood seller out in Oregon who is trying to expand his market and somehow got my...
@Ken Hulme started 8 years ago - replies: 2