What is the most common dulcimer tuning?
There are many ways you can tune a dulcimer, but currently the most common tunings are DAD, DAA, or DGD. DAD is the most common but it is often easier for the beginning player to tune to DAA or the so-called “Reverse Ionian” tuning, (DGD).
What are the strings on a 4 string dulcimer?
A four-string dulcimer has one bass string, one middle string, and two melody strings. A five-string dulcimer has two bass strings, one middle string, and two melody strings. When there is a set of strings (two bass strings or two melody strings), all strings in that set should be tuned in the same manner.
What gauge strings does a dulcimer use?
On a typical dulcimer string gauges range between about 0.026 in. and 0.010 in….
| 7, 8 and 9 String Guitar Sets | 12 String Guitar Strings |
|---|---|
| Hawaiian Lap Steel Guitar Strings | Lap Steel Guitar Strings |
| Octave Guitar Strings | Pedal Steel Guitar Strings |
What strings do you use on a dulcimer?
D’Addario Dulcimer strings contain 3 plain steel strings and one nickelplated steel wound on steel string; designed and gauged to common scale. D’Addario, the world’s largest manufacturer of musical instrument strings, is known as The Players Choice with a reputation for unsurpassed quality and consistency.
What are dulcimer strings 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.
What strings do you put on a dulcimer?
What notes should the dulcimer be tuned to?
Which is the correct tuning for a dulcimer?
Tuning a Dulcimer to itself D Ionian (DAA) Tuning 1st String (bass) D – 2nd String (middle) A – 3rd String and 4th String (melody strings) A 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 do you clean a stick dulcimer on a tuning machine?
Leave enough slack so you can wind the tuning machine several times. Make sure the Saddle is in alignment. Trim any excess string. To clean your Stick Dulcimer/ Pickin’ Stick use a very light damp cloth (water only) followed by a dry cloth wipe down.
What are the string gauges for a stick dulcimer?
String gauges for the instruments I make are 0.010″ for the high d string 0.014″ for the 2nd string (a) 0.23″ wound low D The Stick Dulcimers I make have the same scale length as the guitar and a tailpiece designed for ball end string you can use regular acoustic guitar strings.
How is the neck of a stick dulcimer held?
The Neck of your Stick Dulcimer is held by the left hand. We are not closing off any frets at this point. Your right hand however will be strumming/picking the Melody String (See Picture) with a down stroke. This is called Open, because it’s the natural sound/note the string makes without being fretted.