Now I know I'll get the ***blast*** for this but the mountain (Applalacian) dulcimer is one of the easiest stringed instruments to play...

There just aren't that many fingered combinations on the freting hand that work and, in essence, even though it is a 4 stringed instrument it really is fretted as only a 3 stringed instrument seein' as the top strings are fingered together...

Now for the picking hand, you also don't have but so many combinations... Strum or pick... It's still purdy mush a 3 stringed instrument...

Changing tunings does not change the over all geometry of the instrument so here's my advice:

Just play the thing!!! The only difference between good mountain dulcimer players and average ones (which I consider myself) is the amount of time invested in playing the danged thing... Anyone who plays a tenor geetar or a banjo should be able to play amountain dulcimer average with just a couple hours practice...

So my advice again is to just play the thing...

Okay, now I am ready to get a good Catbox Blast so blast away...

LOL...

B~