The dulcimer is essentially a 3-stringed instrument. Its strings are generally tuned to at most 3 different pitches. Some builders and many music stores sell models with 4 strings. Usually the 4th string doubles the melody string, so you still play and tune as if there were only 3 strings. Virtually all dulcimer instruction books assume your dulcimer has 3 strings, or 2 single strings and a doubled melody string. A few performers use 4 equally distant strings, but there are few instruction books supporting this way of playing.
The major advantage of a 4 string dulcimer is a bit more volume. If you own a 4-string dulcimer, you always have the option of removing the 4th string or pulling it off to the side. The frets on the dulcimer play a diatonic scale- the scale you hear when you play only the white keys on the piano. Because sharps and flats are omitted, it is easy to play most familiar tunes by ear. You cannot play a sharp or flat by mistake, because they simply aren't there.
We recommend this traditional white key scale for non-musicians young and old, and for most school music classes where teachers may use the dulcimer to teach scale theory and modes. However, most dulcimer performers and many adult players prefer to add one or more "extra" frets to their dulcimers. This greatly increases the instrument's versatility and its ability to play with other instruments. It also confuses non-musicians, who suddenly encounter an F as they slide along an otherwise perfectly predictable white key scale.
If you play another musical instrument and you understand scales and sharps, then we recommend that you purchase a dulcimer with the optional "6 and a half" fret added. You know enough that it will not confuse you, and you'll appreciate it sometime. All our dulcimers and kits are available with the "6 and a half" fret for a small extra charge. If you are buying an instrument for a youngster with limited musical experience, we strongly recommend buying a dulcimer with the plain diatonic scale.
This will increase the odds of their experiencing early success. Should they become an accomplished player in time, it is easy to add the extra fret later, and by then they will likely have bought a fancier instrument anyway.
Unless you specifically request an even-tempered scale, Backyard Music dulcimers and dulcimer kits have a "just" or pure interval scale. We recommend this sweet-sounding scale for people who will play the dulcimer mostly by themselves or with other Backyard dulcimers. As an option that you may request at no extra cost, we also offer dulcimers with the more common "even tempered" scale.
Bach invented this scale, fudging the pure intervals to avoid retuning his harpsichord when he changed keys. An even-tempered scale is advised if you will play frequently with other instruments, or wish to play in several different keys without retuning your dulcimer.
If you have additional questions, please write us at service [at] backyardmusic [dot] com. Please include your telephone number and a good time to call. PO Box Terms and Conditions. Willimantic, CT Phone: About Us. Group Prices. Contact Us. About Dulcimers. Dulcimers have only three or four strings to keep in tune, and these are usually tuned to an open chord so the dulcimer makes a pleasant sound if you merely strum all the strings.
It depends on how much detail the artist wants to put into it's creation. The dulcimer has been around a long time, and can trace its roots all the way back to the ancient lyre. No worries, TJ!
We completely forgive you! Stay warm today, and we look forward to your next post! We agree, Candace, it looks like a lot of fun! Did you know that you can make one from a shoebox and rubber bands? You can find the instructions in the "Try It Out" section of the Wonder. Or, just click here for the link.
Enjoy, Wonder Friend! We do too, Matt! Maybe one day you could give it a try. Absolutely, Evelyn L.! We agree that looks can be deceiving. We are so glad that you found today's Wonder interesting!
We think with learning to play any musical instrument it is going to take lots of practice! You can make your own dulcimer with a shoebox and rubber bands. The instructions can be found under the "Try It Out" section. Check it out by clicking here! Hi, Maggie! The person in the video is David Lee King. He owns and plays his own dulcimer. We are glad he shared this video! According to today's Wonder, playing the dulcimer is similar to how you play a guitar. However, the dulcimer is made differently.
So, you may have to re-adjust where your fingers go to play similar chords. Thanks, Isaak! Hello to Ms. Did you know that you can make your own dulcimer with a shoebox and rubber bands? It's true! The directions can be found in today's "Try It Out" section. We would love to see your finished products! Also, you may want to check out Wonder Where Is Appalachia?
Enjoy, Wonder Friends! We agree that the dulcimer makes such beautiful music! Can you imagine hearing that sound echo down through the mountain valleys of Appalachia? Thanks, for sharing with us today, Gabriela! Yes, dulcimers are still around today. In fact, you can view a few modern dulcimers under today's "Try It Out" section.
I used to play the dulcimer at school and we actually had to do a really hard song and I nailed it. A few weeks ago I played another song at a festival and I was just playing along this lady that played for life and we pulled in a crowd that gave us a standing ovation. Wow, Logan! If you can pick a banjo, we bet you can strum a dulcimer! Speaking of banjos, have you seen our banjo Wonder?
It sounds like you learned a lot from today's Wonder, and that is music to our ears! We hope that you will Wonder with us everyday! We look forward to talking with you again tomorrow! We are undergoing some spring clearing site maintenance and need to temporarily disable the commenting feature. Thanks for your patience. Drag a word to its definition.
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Follow Twitter Instagram Facebook. What is a dulcimer? How do you play a dulcimer? Wonder What's Next? Try It Out Ready to learn even more about the dulcimer? Explore the following activities with an adventurous friend or family member: Have you ever listened to dulcimer music? If not, what are you waiting for? Learn more about the dulcimer and hear one played in this video from Folkcraft Instruments. Does the instrument sound like you thought it would?
Why or why not? In , the German poem "Der Minne Regeln" mentions the terms clavicimbalum a term used mainly for the harpsichord and clavichordium, designating them as the best instruments to accompany melodies.
The name originated in when the Dopyera brothers formed the Dobro Manufacturing Company. Modern autoharps most often have 36 strings , with some examples having as many as 47 strings , and rare 48 -string models such as Orthey Autoharps No. They are strung in a semi-chromatic manner which, however, is sometimes modified into either diatonic or fully chromatic scales.
Current Company. Music Corporation. They manufacture Autoharps the name Autoharp is owned by Oscar Schmidt , ukuleles, guitars, basses, banjos and mandolins. He scored points , for an average of In , he scored points in eight games, and in , he scored points in 8 games. In 38 career Olympic basketball games, Schmidt scored a record of 1, points , for an average of Resonator guitars , including round necked varieties, are particularly suitable for this style, yet are seldom referred to as " steel guitars ", but rather referred to generally as a Dobro , acoustic slide guitar , or square neck resonator guitars.
Dobro is an American brand of resonator guitar , currently owned by the Gibson Guitar Corporation. In popular usage, the term is also used as a generic trademark for any wood-bodied, single-cone resonator guitar. The Dobro was originally made by the Dopyera brothers when they formed the Dobro Manufacturing Company. Then, in , John Dopyera invented the first resonator guitar, a Tricone, which was for playing Hawaiian lap-steel guitar on.
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