Group Discussions

how to hold a flatpick

How should I hold a flatpick?  I've heard that the strumming/picking hand should look as if it's holding a dandelion gone to seed.  When I'm...
@Diane Mayfield started one month ago - replies: 2

Which chord fingering should I use?

I'm using Mel Bay's First Jams for Mountain Dulcimers book, which gives the melodies of each tune (all in DAd) including tablature and chords.  It...
@Diane Mayfield started 2 months ago - replies: 5

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 last year - replies: 7

Left-Handed person playing right handed

I’m left handed, but have been playing right-handed since getting my dulcimer 2 weeks ago. I think it’s going ok, but I do notice that my right...
@ADKzookeeper started 3 months ago - replies: 8

Would like to finger pick.

While waiting for my dulcimer to arrive, I made a practice fret board with guitar strings. I had the strings set about 1/4 inch above fret board.(...
@Gennaro started 3 months ago - replies: 4

strumming and picking technique

Hi!  I've been playing my dulcimer for about a year now but would like some information on how to refine my strumming and finger-picking styles....
@Diane Mayfield started 3 months ago - replies: 5

Converting DAD Tab to DAA

How do you convert DAD tab to DAA?  Any help is greatly appreciated.  Thanks!
@Michael Willey started 11 months ago - replies: 8

What Happened to the Dulcimer School

Does anyone have information on what happened to Stephen Seifert's dulcimer school online? The site is there with lots of great information and...
@Cheryl Johnson started 8 years ago - replies: 40

A new dulcimer player with a 10 year “old” new dulcimer

I just picked my “new” old dulcimer. I am getting my music back after a 10 year lull. I also acquired a Yamaha DX-660 weighted keyboard and...
@Richard Venneman started 4 months ago - replies: 2

Timing/length of notes, and also foot tapping

Notes and 'time' I am coming back to playing after a very long absence (20 years or so). I have forgotten what the notations mean, i.e., their...
@Ferrator started 7 months ago - replies: 10

Rhythm strumming and fills

It seems every other dulcimer player I hear, even other beginners, seem to catch on quickly to rhythm strumming, and adding rhythm strumming and...
@YeahSureOK started 6 months ago - replies: 7

Strumming with arthritic fingers

Picked up my wife's dusty mountain dulcimer and trying to play it. Joined the group. It was a wise decision as the folks here are knowledgeable...
@oldmdpicker started 7 months ago - replies: 6

Different possible tunings

Hi all, I’ve experimented with some different modes (is that right? I’m meaning DAd, DAa, DAc) as well as those same relationship of notes in CGc...
@tpatts started 7 months ago - replies: 5

Possum board revisited

I have a McSpadden model SSWW made in 2003. SS stands for "sweet sound"! The company no longer sells this model but available as a kit. Their...
@oldmdpicker started 7 months ago - replies: 2

Question about A string loudness on DAD tuning

Hi, I'm brand new with this so am not sure whether my dulcimer sounds like it should or not.  The A string seems to drown out both the melody and...
@Marlene Powell started 7 months ago - replies: 13

Questions about buying a dulcimer.

Hi, I am a beginner and looking at buying a dulcimer and had a few questions. 1. What is the difference between a Elliptical Mountain Dulcimer...
@GwenS started last year - replies: 19

Out of tune bass string

Hi.  I began playing the dulcimer back in June and have noticed that when I get up to fret 7 on the bass string, it sounds sharp.  Could this be a...
@texaswind started 2 years ago - replies: 8

Strum all strings all the time, or...?

I found tabs for "I'll Fly Away" and "Go Tell Aunt Rhodie" - both in D for a DAa tuned dulcimer. They only show the melody.  Should I only strum...
@Pondoro started last year - replies: 9

Relationship of strings to one another

Greetings., all. My dulcimer currently has .011, .011, .013, and .024 strings. The strings work well together for a sweet sound, but I would like...
@tutaine started last year - replies: 14

Ken Hulme's "I Just Got a Dulcimer, Now What?" article

A few years ago, member Ken Hulme wrote an article that helps answer many questions that new dulcimer owners have.  Are you a beginner player? You...
@Strumelia started 2 years ago - replies: 3