Mountain Dulcimer: How To Tune/Tunings

Subject: Dulcimer tuning, playing with guitar
Date: Mon, 6 Jan 2003 14:42:35 -0800

Hi , at church all our guitar music is in the key of G or C.
what would be the best way to tune the strings for either key for playing along with the guitar .. I have a capo, would that help. I currently tune in DAA

thanks, Ron

Greetings Ron,

Well, you want to consider tuning down a step...this will put you in the Key of C:

C G G from the low string to the middle to the melody strings...these are the same intervals as your DAA tuning...only one whole step down. This will give you a solid open C tuning starting point...it should be quite a bit easier to play in both the C and G Keys...only, keep in mind, you might encounter more buzzing in rattle since the strings are detuned an entire step.

Hope this helps...

Mickey

Subject: 5 strings
Date: Wed, 31 Jul 2002 12:33:38 -0400

My dulcimer has 5 strings. Two strings on each of the outer sides and one in the center. How should they be tuned?
E. Jones

Greetings,

You would tune a 5-string dulcimer the same as a 4-string dulcimer...

The pairs of strings, both on the inside and outside, are tuned in unison...for instance, my favorite tuning is D - A - A...

For your 5-string dulcimer, tune the low strings, the thickest strings, to D...and go to the fourth fret of the D strings to get your reference A for the rest of the strings...

Hope this helps...FOTW

Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2002 16:25:19 -0500

Greetings Pam,

Glad to assist if I can:

Mickey,

I have some friends wanting to learn to play, they have pruchased new dulcimers and have asked me to teach them. I was taught that most music is in the DAD or DAG tuning. However, I noticed your instructions show DAA. I am a little confused as to what is best. Most of the music I have is tabbed for DAD. I have had to create a lot on my own. I have not been able to locate music with old church songs. Out pastor at church likes me to play during the invitation since the sound is so soft and does not disturb when prayers are requested. I have tabbed out several such as Whiter Than Snow, Only Trust Him, Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling etc.

You're correct...many dulcimer manuscripts are written in the DAD tuning. My suggestion would be to teach various tunings so that the student gains a full understanding of the possibilities available. The DAA seems to offer a full drone effect and doesn't have as many clashes in melody playing. For instance, a major triad for the key of D would be D - F# - A....the melody lines available on the melody strings, using the DAA tuning allows for a more accessible higher register. When playing certain melodies, you may find that the DAD tuning will allow more accessibility to reaching the melody notes. Experimentation should be encouraged. Certainly, for students just beginning, it's best to have them start out on one tuning...and as they grow on the dulcimer, open up new realms to them by introducing other tuning possibilities. Sounds like you're already doing justice to the dulcimer...therefore, stay with the DAD tuning as your standard.

Can you tell me which tuning is best? Also, I have trouble keeping the strings in tune. Does this mean they are old? Also, one of my friends new dulcimer does not want to hold the tuning. I broke her new bass string trying to tune it to DAD. Any suggestions wil help. I have never taught before and am a little nervous.

There can be many reasons why your strings are not staying in tune:
1. As you've assessed...older strings are more difficult to tune...and can sound slightly out of tune even after tuning them to pitch...this is due to the small creases that can accumulate where the strings touch the frets.
2. Your tuning machines may not be holding pitch properly.
3. How well the strings are wound on the tuning machine shafts...be sure to tie your strings under when installing them on their respective tuning shafts.
4. Accumulation of dirt and grime...which can be easily cleaned off with products such as "Fast Fret".

To determine if your dulcimer is holding pitch, try using an electronic tuner as a reference...after tuning the string to pitch, try playing a song or two and return to the tuner to assess any variations.

Hope the above helps in some way...Mickey