As a teenager, I fell in love with the sound of the hammered dulcimer, and been going to dulcimer festivals since I was 21, but I assumed that mountain dulcimer couldn't be interesting because, after all, how much could you do with only 3 (or 4) strings? Then, in 2004, I became the founding chair of the Nutmeg Dulcimer Festival , and decided I should get to know the other side of the family.
Just as "The Folk" played the songs that were familiar to them, I played the songs that were familiar to me.
I've discovered that 3 strings actually are an advantage, rather than a handicap. I can do things on a 3-string dulcimer that I can't do on a 6-string guitar. I believe that dulcimers ought to be familiar to the general public, and widely used in popular forms of music, and I've posted several dozen videos on YouTube show the diverse things you can do with this instrument -- everything from folk to rock, country, bluegrass, opera, even tango. Two of those videos -- covers of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" and the Ramones' "I Wanna Be Sedated" on electric dulcimer, had the cosmic good fortune to go viral, and are among the most viewed mountain dulcimer videos on YouTube.
(By the way, for venues that can't allow ASCAP or BMI songs, I have plenty of public domain and original repertoire, too.)
Dulcimers are easier to learn than guitars, easier to tune, lighter weight, and less expensive. While guitars also are wonderful, I see dulcimers as a more logical entry-level instrument. I believe there should be millions of dulcimer players in this country.
My personal philosophy is this:
A. I like the ratio of 3 strings for my 5 fingers.
B. I chose to focus on one tuning, and learn it inside-out, rather than playing in multiple tunings.
C#. If a song requires a note I don't have, I'd rather add frets than adding strings or changing the tuning.
D. Any song is fair game.
I've performed and/or taught for many years at dulcimer festivals and a variety of folk venues around the Northeast, been on the faculty at Kentucky Music Week twice, and been featured at festivals as far away as Minnesota, Louisiana, and (though it wound up being held online due to Covid) California.
PS - My profile pic here is me playing a school gig here in Connecticut. Five lunch periods of elementary school kids. I can tell from the blindfold that I was playing "Pinball Wizard."
Latest Activity
AllIf everyone played dulcimers, we could all live in harmony.
Sam Edelston
Latest Group Discussions
AllSpace Oddity - live - on electric dulcimer
I performed this at the wonderful Colorado Dulcimer Festival earlier...
@Sam Edelston 5 months ago - Comments: 1
"Lucy in the Beatles Festival with Effect Pedals"
In July, I performed in a big Beatles festival in Charlotte, NC,...
@Sam Edelston 2 years ago - Comments: 4
Psychedelic dulcimer: White Rabbit
It's been way too long since I posted a new video. Here's one. I was...
@Sam Edelston 2 years ago - Comments: 4
Fingerpicking - Spinning Song (classical piano piece)
I recently arranged Albert Ellmenreich's "Spinning Song" (which many...
@Sam Edelston 3 years ago - Comments: 2
A bit of chromatic chord-melody: "Five Foot Two"
Here's a bit of chord-melody playing that really shows off the...
@Sam Edelston 3 years ago - Comments: 4
New World Symphony
I recently played an online concert set, and I wanted to include...
@Sam Edelston 3 years ago - Comments: 3
Fascinating Rhythm
This song works on a standard dulcimer in DAD, key of D. The...
@Sam Edelston 3 years ago - Comments: 0
"The Zoo"
Cover of a 1980 song by The Scorpions, a German hard rock group. The...
@Sam Edelston 3 years ago - Comments: 4
Motorhead cover: Ace of Spades
Maybe this is a slightly extreme arrangement, but hey, it's 2020....
@Sam Edelston 4 years ago - Comments: 0
Dulcimer: On Broadway
I started playing On Broadway a couple of months ago. This is one of...
@Sam Edelston 4 years ago - Comments: 5
Safety Dance
People really seem to be enjoying this one. Safety Dance, 1983 hit by...
@Sam Edelston 4 years ago - Comments: 7
The Cars on dulcimer - "Just What I Needed"
When I demonstrate dulcimers to people, I like to ask them, "What kind...
@Sam Edelston 4 years ago - Comments: 8
Concert set from QuaranTUNE, 6/5/20
Here's the link to my set from last Friday's opening set at the...
@Sam Edelston 4 years ago - Comments: 0
Hey, hey, it's "I'm a Believer"
I was a Monkees fan growing up, yet it somehow never occurred to me to...
@Sam Edelston 4 years ago - Comments: 5
Wild Horses on a Dulcimer
Okay, it's not about horses riding on a dulcimer, or even doing...
@Sam Edelston 4 years ago - Comments: 4
Born to Run with power tools
From my recent show at The Bitter End, in New York City. I closed my...
@Sam Edelston 4 years ago - Comments: 2
Come Together in concert
Last week, I had the honor of playing a show at The Bitter End in...
@Sam Edelston 4 years ago - Comments: 0
Rockin' Auld Lang Syne
It's a rare treat when I can post a "rock" song that's actually public...
@Sam Edelston 5 years ago - Comments: 0
Cheap Trick on Dulcimer
I first heard this song in college, and I've always found it catchy....
@Sam Edelston 5 years ago - Comments: 3
Punk dulcimer - I Wanna Be Sedated
In a Facebook group, somebody's phone said "Sedated," instead of the...
@Sam Edelston 5 years ago - Comments: 6
That would be great Sam, in D. Unsure how to send a private message with snail mail in it?
I have being trying my best as a beginner and intro could be:
D 000 Em 113
D 000 D 230
D 000 Em 113
D 000 ? 230
Verse 1: D 000 D 234
Em 113 D 000 A 404
D 000 A 404 ? 424
A 101 Em 113 112 E 111 D 000
Verse 2 the same
Bridge is difficult, something like:
D 002 C 646
E 111 Em 113 E 111
446 D 224
112
D 000 A 404 D 234
A 101 Em 113 112 111 000
Repeat V 1 & 2
The outro same as last line in the Verses but final 2 notes don't sound right Em 113 then D 000
Maybe comments as a tutor, it helps learning chords?
Hi Sam
Thanks :)
Please could you give me the tablature chords in C for: Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree? C Gdim Dm G7 D7 Bb
I've tried doing it but can't find all the equivalent ones (my music is for ukelele) and my music theory is basic. Eg: are you using C as 666 or 646; Gdim 335? Can't find others.
I'd be very grateful if you could provide me with the tablature in C :)
Wow, your: Don't sit Under The Apple Tree is amazing! I play in a ukulele group and this is one of ours. Last month I purchased a MD and this has to be one of the songs I learn. I'm a beginner so this is truly inspirational, thank you.
Hi Sam
My email address is bionicman@frontier.com
Thanks,
Mike
Thanks... I talked with Robert Force about a year ago and he said there was a project in the works to make it but I never heard more... Do you know if this differs a lot from the blue Lion Force/D'Ossche model with a pick up?
Hi Sam:
I live near Rod Matheson and I have a dulcimer he made in about 1976...How do I reach him about getting a dulcimer like yours...6 string electric?
Thanks for the response Sam. I thought for sure there was some editing involved to move from one effect to another. I also initially thought you were playing bass (multitracking) but was amazed that you got that sound from EQ on the 'buckers. I find the whole thing really creative and downright inspiring. Music hath no boundaries!!
Pine
Loved his tune!...great playing with really creative flourishes and nice dynamics. Cool how you worked in the effects. What are you using for a preamp? How did you add in the effects? Software editing? Great rocker here..nice one!
Pine
Welcome to FOTMD Sam.
Wecome Sam, good to see another FOTMD !
welcome Sam .. glad ya joined the FOTMD family..
Hello Sam, so glad you could join us!
Hi Sam, glad to have you here with us!JohnH