Group Discussions

Vsl vs hand size

I'm sure I'll be looking for a proper instrument soon, and wanted to know more about vsl. I understand that longer is okay for noter style, but...
@Lisa started 7 years ago - replies: 7

Where can I buy a quill?

My lovely dulcimer came with two large fender picks. They work well, but i've been wanting to try playing with a quill. Most birds around here, as...
@hoodoo started 7 years ago - replies: 7

Neck placement, box width

Hi everyone I'm thinking about building a wood box for my cardboard dulcimer. Does the neck have to go down the middle, or can it be offset a...
@Lisa started 7 years ago - replies: 8

Is there an open tunings guide?

Hi, I was wondering if there is a chart or book recommended showing all the different open tunings. I like to experiment, and I’m not a singer at...
@Lisa started 7 years ago - replies: 15

Spruce On Top, Or Spruce On The Back?

A recent discussion coalesced in a thread below, which I thought deserved its own tread. I’m in the middle of two builds, which are my first two...
@Jimmy Lamar started 7 years ago - replies: 7

Strumelia's Traditional noter player's instructional Blog

If you're just starting out and want to play in traditional noter style (playing the melody on the melody string only using a little stick, with...
@Strumelia started 7 years ago - replies: 1

Strumelia's Noter Drone beginner's Blog -free tabs, videos

If you're just starting out and want to play in traditional noter style (playing the melody on the melody string only using a little stick, with...
@Strumelia started 7 years ago - replies: 6

Finger Positioning

Are there any general principles, best practices, or guidelines for moving around the fretboard? An example of what I am talking about: over the...
@ptsgp started 8 years ago - replies: 7

Middle-eastern mode?

Hello, all!  Is there a tuning or capo-ing that would put the dulcimer into a middle-eastern scale of any sort?
@Rachael started 8 years ago - replies: 5

The history of modal playing.

From what I understand, Dulcimers from the first half of the 20th century and earlier, tended to be in just intonation. I have learnt in the last...
@Greg started 8 years ago - replies: 15