Tune Req: Simple Xmas tunes for hammered dulcimer

Subject: Tune Req: Simple Xmas tunes for hammered dulcimer
From: SharonA
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 02:37 PM

Hello, folks! Long time, no log-in. I'm now a member of a local dulcimer-and-autoharp society that formed earlier this year, and we have a lot of beginner-level hammered dulcimer players, of which I am one. This coming Sunday, the society's meeting will be more of a holiday gathering, and the club is planning to have us play Christmas tunes.

We've been asked to bring suggestions of tunes. Given the tuning of a standard non-chromatic hammered dulcimer, which is what most of our HD players use, what are some simple tunes that can be played on the instrument?

My first thought was "The Wassail Song". Other suggestions, please?

Thanks in advance, and Merry Christmas!
Sharon

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Simple Xmas tunes for hammered dulcimer
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 09 Dec 10 - 05:57 PM

A lot of Christmas carols work really well on hammered dulcimer, they just tend to have a limited usable time span each year.
Quack!
Geoff the Duck.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Simple Xmas tunes for hammered dulcimer
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 10:31 AM

I've never played hammered dulcimer, but I think that in general, the more a tune moves stepwise, going up and down the scale, rather than making big hops, the easier it is.

Try Joy to the World and From Heaven Above to Earth I Come.

Good luck with your music and your new club.

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Simple Xmas tunes for hammered dulcimer
From: IvanB
Date: 10 Dec 10 - 08:09 PM

I second Joy to the World and I heard a dulcimer rendition of God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen while I was out driving today. Actually any carol that doesn't have accidentals can be played on the HD. You may have to play it in one of the HD's native keys, but that should be no problem as long as the tune isn't too complicated for the experience level of your group.

Malcolm Dalglish does a wonderful version of The Coventry Carol on one of his albums, playing the accidental G#'s as G natural. Deck the Halls, Do You Hear What I Hear, The Friendly Beasts, Good King Wenceslas, I Saw Three Ships, Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming and What Child is This are all good choices, not too hard and decent intervals for the HD.

Have fun!

Subject: RE: Tune Req: Simple Xmas tunes for hammered dulcimer
From: Arthur_itus
Date: 11 Dec 10 - 05:14 AM

Sharon
Are you not bothered with the other thread now?

Here is the link
thread.cfm?threadid=134182&messages=7