Group Discussions

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 12 years ago - replies: 5

Help arthritic fingers!

I just received my new dulcimer yesterday and I am so thrilled. I've experimented with one before and my intent was to learn chords. I fell in love...
@Melanie Cook started 9 years ago - replies: 11

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 4 years ago - replies: 4

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 5 years ago - replies: 7

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 4 years ago - replies: 4

Converting DAD Tab to DAA

How do you convert DAD tab to DAA?  Any help is greatly appreciated.  Thanks!
@Michael Willey started 5 years ago - replies: 8

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 5 years 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 5 years 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 5 years 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 5 years 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 5 years 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 5 years 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 5 years 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 and...
@GwenS started 5 years ago - 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 6 years ago - replies: 7

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 5 years ago - 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 5 years ago - replies: 14

Pick Thickness

Hi All! I have been playing for almost a year now, not as frequently as I like, and every time I see the subject of pick thickness come up in...
@tallytune started 5 years ago - replies: 12

Just a "Thank You"

I guess this is as good a place as any just to give a a big "thanks" shout out to everyone that contributes to this site.  I don't always ask a...
@PapaSims started 7 years ago - replies: 6

How to deal with stiff tuning pegs?

I have one tuning peg that is very hard to turn.  Is there some kind of cleaner or oil I can use to loosen it up.  The right is the stiff one and...
@kateharp started 5 years ago - replies: 4