Standard, Baritone, or Bass Dulcimer Tuning
I know the tuning of the standard dulcimer is usually D-A-A or D-A-d, but at what point does the standard dulcimer become a baritone dulcimer? I think most dulcimer players would consider a tuning one step lower (C-G-G or C-G-c) to still be a standard dulcimer tuning. So dulcimers tuned to play in the Key of C and D would be considered as tuned to one of the standard tunings.
When the tuning drops down to A-E-E/A-E-a and G-D-D/G-D-g it is generally considered to be a baritone tuning, but where does the change take place? Likewise, dulcimers tuned to play in the Key of G and the Key of A below the standard would be considered baritone dulcimers.
So, at what point is the tuning no longer considered a standard tuning and become a baritone tuning? Likewise, as you continue to go lower in pitch when does baritone tuning change to bass tuning? I have bolded those dulcimer tunings that are generally accepted as standard, baritone, or bass tunings.
Key of D Standard (D-A-A and D-A-d Tuning)
Key of C#/Db Standard
Key of C Standard (C-G-G and C-G-c Tuning)
Key of B
Key of A#/Bb
Key of A Baritone (A-E-E and A-E-a Tuning)
Key of G Baritone (G-D-D and G-D-g Tuning)
Key of F#/Gb
Key of F
Key of E
Key of D#/Eb
Key of D Bass (D-A-A and D-A-d Tuning)