mtn dulcimer tuned low

Subject: mtn dulcimer tuned low
From: leeneia
Date: 05 Feb 22 - 03:15 PM

I play mountain dulcimer, but I wish the high notes would not be so thin. To make a long story short, I have started tuning my dulcimer to a lower pitch than usual. Usually, A = 440. I am now tuning to A= 436, and I like it. The high notes sound better to me.

At first I tried A = 432, but the low D seemed to go flat really fast, so I went back up some. I plan to try 434 and see if the D string is stable.

How did I do it exctly? I figured out what to do with some buttons on my tuner that I had never paid attention to before.

You might like to try it and see if you like it.

To make a short story long, a musician friend tells me that "A415 is baroque pitch, A432 is sometimes referred to as the 'healing' temperament, A440 - modern pitch."

Subject: RE: mtn dulcimer tuned low
From: Jack Campin
Date: 05 Feb 22 - 05:18 PM

A=435 was a common pitch in Europe from the 1830s to the 1930s. Buy enough old instruments off EBay and you'll meet one. I have two Peter Harlan recorders like that.

Subject: RE: mtn dulcimer tuned low
From: cnd
Date: 06 Feb 22 - 09:47 AM

Interesting stuff, Leenia. It would be neat to hear a "side-by-side" video to compare the two tunings.

Subject: RE: mtn dulcimer tuned low
From: leeneia
Date: 06 Feb 22 - 12:58 PM

I'll think about that, cnd. I've only made one extremely simple video in my life, and that was a few years ago.

Subject: RE: mtn dulcimer tuned low
From: GUEST,MaJoC the Filk
Date: 06 Feb 22 - 01:51 PM

It'd be worth you making that video for your own education, Leeneia. I've found over the years that what an instrument sounds like to the player is often quite different to what it sounds like from the other side of the room (a radio engineer would say the player is in the "near field"). The accoustics of said room can also play a part.

I'll stop there. Further blethers on request.

Subject: RE: mtn dulcimer tuned low
From: Helen
Date: 06 Feb 22 - 02:12 PM

I'm not sure whether Markwood Heavenly Strings & Kits could do this for your dulcimer, but they do a computerized harp string design of specific harps and then create ideal strings for that harp. I have two harps with their strings and the quality and depth of sound on the lower strings and the clarity on the higher strings is amazing. There is something about the composition of the strings as well as the correct diameter of the strings which just makes it sound, well, heavenly, which is probably why they call it "Heavenly Strings". :-)

My larger harp was made by a local instrument maker from their Cambria 34 plans.

Subject: RE: mtn dulcimer tuned low
From: Dan Schatz
Date: 06 Feb 22 - 05:51 PM

I'm glad you figured out what works for you!

Helen has a great point - string gauge makes a huge difference when you tune an instrument down. Many dulcimer strings are quite light, and more suitable for higher tunings. If you tune them down, they'll be too slack and will often sound off pitch because they're sliding around so much. I've had pretty good luck with D'Addarios, but if you're keeping it low you may want to make up a custom set that's even a bit heavier. For that matter, a heavier gauge string may help the high notes sound better too - you just have to experiment to find the right gauge for you.

There's another issue on some dulcimers, though, which is intonation. Not a huge deal if you're playing very traditional style with the bass as a drone, but if you're chording it can be frustrating, and notes that seem to be in tune when played openly can sound flat up the frets. Depending on your instrument, there may be ways to compensate if this is an issue for you. Fro example, Warren May's dulcimers have a floating saddle which can be adjusted for proper intonation. Keith Young's had a fine tuning system.

Dan