How to Tune and Learn to Play the Dulcimer and Keep your Sanity
I wrote this to assist my wife Liz in her adventures with the Dulcimer. She is using a copy of Jean Ritchie’s classic “The Dulcimer Book” published by Oak Publications in 1975. I helped by providing new strings and giving a little starting help. When I went to tune the instrument, I immediately broke a string. Turned out I was tuning to a higher octave than Jean's tuning.
When I consulted the internet to find more information and clarification, I found a lot of inconsistent and confusing information. It took me a day of research and experiment but now I am no longer confused. I came up with some ideas to help others who might be similarly vexed.
Contents
Your Instrument
Strings
I have written this for a common type of dulcimer. A 3-string instrument or 4-string dulcimer where the melody string is a pair spaced close together as is done on a mandolin. I treat the string-pair as though it were a single string. I refer to each string by name rather than number. Numbering systems can vary and sometimes one writer will use the reverse order from another.
I’ll enumerate the strings starting on the side closest to the player when the dulcimer is held on the lap.
Melody String: I will use the term “Melody string” to apply highest string. This is the string or string pair closest to the player.
Middle String: The next string over from the Melody string (or string pair) is usually called the “Middle string” even if it is not strictly speaking the middle if the instrument.
Bass String: The “Bass string” is the farthest from the player and the tuned to the lowest pitch. It is typically a wound string. This might vary on some more unusual instruments, but you can figure it out from the instruction or tablature.
In summary:
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Player |
Melody |
Middle |
Bass |
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