BS: Help/info on a dulcimer

Subject: Help/info on a dulcimer
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 05 Oct 01 - 04:31 PM

Someone gave me the gol dangest six string dulcimer I've ever seen. The two melody strings are positioned close, as should be. Then there is a about a 7/8 inch gap and then come the two harmony and bass strings equidistant from each other making it pert near impossible to either A. finger pick or B. fret. I guess this is just another of life's mysteries. One folk artist here said that it's four equidistant strings are all drones, not to be fretted. I'll give it a try that way. If it doesn't work, it's a good candidate for Keith Youngs re-doing skills.

Subject: RE: BS: Help/info on a dulcimer
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 05 Oct 01 - 05:42 PM

Forgot to say that it is a lap dulcimer made by Charles Zaida in Tombstone, AZ. Can anyone shed any light on my little gem?

W.E.

Subject: RE: BS: Help/info on a dulcimer
From: katlaughing
Date: 05 Oct 01 - 06:07 PM

Interesting! I guess I shouldn't be surprised that they come with more than 3 or 4 strings!

This page has some interesting stuff on a couple of different types of six-strings: Blue Lion

and, this one has some on 6 strings, but looks like a good basic, easy to understand dulcimer place, too, so I thought, even if you don't need it, it was worth posting: Wild Dulcimer.

Sounds neat! Have fun!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Help/info on a dulcimer
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 08 Oct 01 - 03:48 PM

I'm going to refresh this and post what I've learned. The four strings are indeed drones tuned to different pitches. I've been told by someone that this is fairly close to the traditional Galax style of tuning/playing. Anyway, it is a hoot! I'm glad I didn't misplace, throw out, or give away my nice hand made walnut noter! We don't need no stinkin' chords on this one! (@;->)

Subject: RE: BS: Help/info on a dulcimer
From: katlaughing
Date: 08 Oct 01 - 04:00 PM

Hey! That sounds pretty neat. The more drones the better said the Queen Bee! *bg* So does it sound more like a bagpipe because of them?*bg* Oh, no, now I want one! Haha!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Help/info on a dulcimer
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 08 Oct 01 - 04:58 PM

Since the drones are tuned to two different pitches, it sounds fairly light ( for all of those strings ). The set-up is two light strings, then one light, two medium, and then a light bass string. I guess it could be changed, but I'd keep the strings on the light side as there is an awful lot of tension on the instrument due to having six strings on it.

Subject: RE: BS: Help/info on a dulcimer
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 10:59 AM

Saw a picture of one set up along those lines in (if memory serves) the Vermont Country Store catalog, which called it a "church dulcimer." I think the idea of doubling up the strings was to produce more volume for group accompaniment.

Subject: RE: BS: Help/info on a dulcimer
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 04:31 PM

There's no problem with the volume on this little gem. Geez, I guess I actually have to learn the songs the right way now!

If you think playing it is a little funky, you should have a look at the string arrangement in the peg head box! A re-string job will take awhile!

Subject: RE: BS: Help/info on a dulcimer
From: katlaughing
Date: 09 Oct 01 - 04:49 PM

Haha! I'll bet.

Pinetop, do you knwo when it was you might have seen that? I have their new catalogue and also checked online and couldn't find one, but they do change stuff around so it doesn't mean anything.

In looking on google for a "church dulcimer" I found some interesting stuff, including this which is called Modes and the Mountain Dulcimer, but what I really found interesting was the explanation and charts for using a capo, something I've yet to do.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Help/info on a dulcimer
From: Pinetop Slim
Date: 10 Oct 01 - 04:01 PM

Kat, it was probably six or seven years ago that I saw the "church dulcimer" in the catalog.
I think you'd find a capo useful; it saves a lot of retuning (although you usually have to make a little adjustment when you move it from one fret to the other). I've been spending a lot of time lately in DAD with the capo at the fourth fret. One example of its usefulness there: You can play a medley of the Shaker tunes "Simple Gifts" (typically done in an Ionian tuning), "Willow Tree" (Mixolydian), and "Come Life, Shaker Life" (Aeolian). It's also kinda neat that finger positionings you use for chords at DAD remain the same when you slap the capo on.
See Neal Hellman's "Dulcimer Songbook" for illustrations of how to rig a capo with a chopstick and rubber band, or a couple of thread spools and a couple of clamps.
Professionally made models start around $8. Ron Ewing in Cincinatti has a nice selection; George Hagerty in Vermont carries a serviceable plastic model that I like a lot. I don't have links for them, but I believe their capos would be available through Elderly or the other usual sources.

Subject: RE: BS: Help/info on a dulcimer
From: katlaughing
Date: 10 Oct 01 - 05:04 PM

HeyaPinetop, thanks! Seeings how my grandma was a Ewing, I might hafta look that fellah up!:-)

Seriously, I appreciate the info and have seen capos at Elderly and also I think black mtn has them, from whence came my lovely 56. I will check out the book you mentioned, too. I love playing some of the Shaker tunes, the ones I know, need to learn some more!

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Help/info on a dulcimer
From: Doe 1
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 07:56 AM

I am interested in learning to play the mountain dulcimer. Does anyone have any information on the Apple Creek Learn to Play Mountain Dulcimer Package. It retails for $119.95, and sounds like it would be a good place to start. Any information on this package would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Doe 1

Subject: RE: Help/info on a dulcimer
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 08:48 AM

JiK gave you an answer in the other thread you posted in. Usually it is sufficient to post such a query in only one thread, but you seem to be new so we won't take you out and hang you - this time.... :-)

Subject: RE: Help/info on a dulcimer
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 14 Oct 06 - 09:51 AM

And Joe O has added some good advice in The other Thread.

(We like getting helping others spend their money and getting hooked on IAS.)(?)

John