Question on dulcimer technique

Subject: Question on dulcimer technique
From: Cyparissa
Date: 21 Dec 05 - 11:53 PM

I just got my first mountain dulcimer today and I'm really excited about it! But I don't have a teacher and I've only the vaguest idea of how to play it. I've worked out a way that works by just experimenting, but I'm wondering- do most dulcimer players use their thumbs for fingering? I try not to, but sometimes it just seems to work. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Subject: RE: Question on dulcimer technique
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 12:15 AM

i am in similar situation

[ but with 30 years guitar playing experience to apply to dulcimer]

i live in UK and have never known any dulcimer players in my circle of mates..

so i'm playing by ear
and working out finger/thumb method that feels comfortable
for playing chords and melodies..

cant play dulcimer without thumb, its essential..


[but not much use on strumsticks with thick necks]



i was working out chords for myself in DAA & DAG tuning

but then found this really useful cheap book on ebay

"Dulcimer chord book" Neal Hellman [Mel Bay]


i definitely recommend you check it out on ebay or amazon


btw.. its interesting learning to play dulcimer
and also at the same time
the same chord shapes mirror imaged on 'upside down'
strumsticks stringing..

Subject: RE: Question on dulcimer technique
From: NH Dave
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 01:33 AM

I think there are two general ways of playing the dulcimer, fretting the melody string and strumming all three or four strings like Jeane Richie, or creating chords with the left hand, and picking it like Howie Mitchel demonstrates on his book and record on playing the Appalachian Dulcimer, the one that the Patons sell, at Folk Legacy, www.folklegacy.com , the blickey screen doesn't seem to be working tonight.
Howie Mttchell
The Mountain Dulcimer, How to Make and Play It (BK29) booklet
The Mountain Dulcimer, How to Make and Play It (C5) cassette or the whole Monte,
The Mountain Dulcimer, How to Make and Play It(CBK29) Book and Cassette $ 16.95

You can do either, but you ought to give Howie's way a try and see which you like.

   Sandy, do you have these cassettes on CD yet?

   Dave

Subject: RE: Question on dulcimer technique
From: mooman
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 04:31 AM

Like most instruments there are various ways. I am primarily a guitar, tenor banjo and mandolin family (idiosyncratic) player but, not having seen a book on the subject or heard of a tutor in Dear Old Belgium, have developed my own techniques on the mountain dulcimer for both melody and chord playing. I use my thumb for some chords where it is more comfortable than making a long stretch with the fingers.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Question on dulcimer technique
From: Cyparissa
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 10:10 AM

Thanks all! I'm only doing melody at the moment, because my other main instrument is the fiddle and I'm not very good with chords. I'll probably try it eventually, but it'll probably be a while. But at least now I know it's alright to use the thumb. ;)

Subject: RE: Question on dulcimer technique
From: GUEST,maryrrf
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 10:18 AM

Theres an excellent dulcimer site called http://www.everythingdulcimer.com . There is lot's of good information there, a forum where you can ask questions to your heart's content, and loads of links. There is also a large section of free tablature for the mountain dulcimer, explanations of tuning, etc.    They will tell you that there are as many ways to play a dulcimer as there are dulcimer players, and lots of different tunings as well. But you'll get a lot of good tips and good advice from them. That's what makes it a fun instrument! This is a very, very friendly group and you will enjoy the company as well as the information.

Subject: RE: Question on dulcimer technique
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 10:31 AM

You need to get a book, because there's lots to know about the dulcimer. There are different ways to tune it and to finger it. As a result, it can play a remarkable variety of sounds.

In my opinion, the most productive way to tune is D-A-A. Read a book and you will see why. Examples of D-A-A songs:

Down by the Salley Gardens
Praise to the Lord
Morning has broken
Salve Regina
For the beauty of the earth


When I am bored with that, I use D-A-G. Tuning D-A-G requires that the fingers go on different frets to get harmony. I use stickers such as children play with to mark the positions for the D-A-G chords.
Examples:

God rest ye merry, gentlemen
Black is the color of my true love's hair
The great silkie
Let all mortal flesh keep silence
Banks and braes of bonnie Doon (or is it Doone?)

I wish I lived near you, then we could get together.

Subject: RE: Question on dulcimer technique
From: katlaughing
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 10:33 AM

I highly recommend Jean Ritchie's book at Jean Ritchie dot com and also, "Larkin's Dulcimer Book" by Larkin Bryant. I have played piano and violin/fiddle all of my life and found those books very helpful. I don't use my thumb, but slide my index finger along for the melody, OR, use one of several beautiful wooden "noters" made for me by other Mudcatters; don't do chords (yet! maybe never.) I use a pick, BUT, just for fun, I often use a feather, as Jean point out in her book was the usual, though it was goose and I've not got those.:-)

Just have fun with it and know, as others have said, there are many, many ways to make this instrument sing for/with you.

All the best,

kat

Subject: RE: Question on dulcimer technique
From: Arkie
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 11:42 AM

Since you already play fiddle you have a head start assuming you play some music by ear.   If you know tunes and have them in your head you can concentrate on the instrument. It is a little more difficult when a person has to learn the instrument and the music.

Some instructors really frown on using the thumb for noting, but I've never had an instructor so I use my thumb and could not play without it. The thumb is most useful when playing chords but can come in handy when single noting. By turning the thumb so the nail is in contact with the string you can get the effect of the wooden noter.

Some players insist that the basic strum should be toward the player but I first played guitar and my basic strum is away. If I were starting over I would probably try to use the inward strum but had been playing too long to change when presented that bit of information.

I would echo the recomendation of the Ritchie and Bryant books. I think every dulcimer player should have the Ritchie book for playing help, history, and as connection with the dulcimer tradition. Larkin's book is the product of her vast teaching experience and is very practical.   Larkin is a gifted teacher as well as a fine player.

There are also dulcimer workshops being taught around the US and in other countries as well. Workshops can reduce the learning curve and also put players in touch with others who share their interest. They also open one's eyes to the possibilities of the instrument.

Subject: RE: Question on dulcimer technique
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 12:18 PM

Use anything you like as a "noter" -- a little stick (piece of bamboo, a short piece of dowel), index finger or thumb. There are some stretches you shouldn't make with your thumb, for threat of something like a repetitive motion injury, but nature will give you a little warning; just don't make the stretches that make you feel a little uncomfortable. -- Pinetop Slim

Subject: RE: Question on dulcimer technique
From: Guy Wolff
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 04:29 PM

I really love playing with all the strings at D : that is the three thinner strings at the D below the E ( first string ) on a guitar or the same D as the first string of a 5string banjo and the thicker string at the D the same as the fourth string of a guitar or fourth string of a 5 string banjo. . This tunning I have always called " Bagpipe tuning" cause of the way ot sounds. I use both a noter or chording with this tuning .. The one thing I do look for on a new duncimer is good tuners cause you will want to try a few different tunings before your through .. Good luck and have some fun with it .. All the best , Guy

Subject: RE: Question on dulcimer technique
From: dulcimer42
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 05:05 PM

There are dulcimer festivals held all over the US, where you can attend workshops on playing one. I suggest you go to DPNews.com and check out where the nearest festival might be. Also, order the DPN magazine. There's a wealth of information in it.

Subject: RE: Question on dulcimer technique
From: KateG
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 05:40 PM

Actually, the dominant tuning these days is DAD, a shift from the earlier DAA, but both have there ardent supporters.

Using the thumb is OK, so is not using it. I use mine when I'm doing a lot of chord melody playing, and tend to ignore it when playing fast fiddle tunes.

everythingdulcimer.com is a good website, and I second the recommendation to attend a workshop or festival or get involved with a club. I'm involved with the Pocono Dulcimer Club in Stroudsburg, PA (USA) and we have a one-day festival on January 21st that has a track of workshops for absolute newcomers. More info on the festival is available at Winter Dulcimer Fest   One thing I've learned about dulcimer folks -- we're ardent proselytizers for the instrument, so you should find yourself welcomed with open arms anywhere you go.

Subject: RE: Question on dulcimer technique
From: mooman
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 06:46 PM

AAD user here, in the main, too. I don't use a noter myself and have adapted strumming patterns from the Irish guitar backing I've done for a long time. It's good to have a dulcimer thread here as I feel pretty much like the only dulcimer player in the Surreal Kingdom of Belgium!

Mine's a maple and spruce six string Mike Roy dulcimer made in the Isle of Man btw.

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: Question on dulcimer technique
From: harpmolly
Date: 22 Dec 05 - 10:58 PM

Yay dulcimer!

I also play with the thumb, for good or ill. I have really small fingers so I have to take what I can get in terms of fingering ;)

In addition to Neal Hellman's "Dulcimer Chord Book", I HIGHLY recommend his "Celtic Songs and Airs for Mountain Dulcimer". Great arrangements, and a preface that includes playing notes, historical notes and a select discography for EVERY SONG! I knew I liked the book when I realized I owned most of the CDs he lists. There's also a CD with the book, where he plays all the arrangements. Just a great book.

Have fun! I can't remember who said it, but my favorite mtn. dulcimer quote:

"There ain't no notes on a dulcimer--you just play it."

Molly

Subject: RE: Question on dulcimer technique
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 23 Dec 05 - 09:42 AM

your thumb is useful for fingering but not essential and I have seen good, versatile players who use their thumbs and others who don't. Not many players limit themselves to using the noter and never fingering the other strings (I understand the older instruments didn't have frets on the drone strings)