What are the strings on A dulcimer tuned to?
There are two common tunings for mountain dulcimer, DAA and DAD. In DAA, the bass string is tuned to D with the middle and paired melody strings tuned to A. In DAD, the bass string is tuned to D with the middle string tuned to A. In this tuning, however, the paired melody strings are tuned to D.
How is A hammer dulcimer tuned?
The instrument is tuned in major scale sequences. The major scales available on most dulcimers with the traditional tuning are D, G, C, F, and sometimes A and E. B minor, E minor, and other modes associated with those major scales can also be found.
What gauge are dulcimer strings?
On a typical dulcimer string gauges range between about 0.026 in. and 0.010 in. in diameter, although gauges outside this range may be employed to facilitate special tunings or extended range playing styles.
What are the notes of the four strings on A dulcimer?
Bass string – Middle finger. Middle string – Index finger. Second Melody string – Ring finger. First Melody string – Little finger and Thumb (Generally my thumb if the fret number in a chord is higher than the fret numbers of the other strings.
What are the notes on A hammered dulcimer?
Most traditional American hammered dulcimers have the major keys of F, C, G and D easily available, which works well for a variety of musical styles like old-time, bluegrass, hymns, Celtic tunes, and even some pop music.
How many strings does A dulcimer have?
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.
Can You tune a dulcimer to a piano?
Tuning a Dulcimer using a Keyboard or Piano. Tuning a Dulcimer to itself. D Ionian (DAA) Tuning. Tune the 3rd or bass string to the D below Middle C on the Piano (or to the open 4th string of a guitar).
How many octaves does a hammered dulcimer have?
This instrument has a total of 4 1/2 octaves. It is fully chromatic from A2 to A6 (four octaves) It uses a single treble 1 bridge and bass bridges on the right for ease of playing. This is the largest hammered dulcimer I make.
What is the difference between a 3-string and 5-string dulcimer?
The difference is that a 3 string has only 1 melody string, and the 5 string dulcimer has 2 melody strings and 2 bass strings. Those pairs of strings are tuned exactly the same note, to cause a harmonizing effect.
What are the different types of dulcimers?
Like a said earlier, there are a lot of types of Dulcimers, so I am only going to explain how to tune the most common dulcimers, the 3, 4, or 5 stringed dulcimers. There are many ways you can tune a dulcimer, but currently the most common tunings are DAD, DAA, or DGD.