How to Tune a Mountain Dulcimer

Date: Sun, 14 Dec 2008 01:57:55 -0700
Subject: Re: Tuning a 3 string dulcimer

Hi....I have a hand made dulcimer. I've had it for many years. The man who made it for me has since died and I can't remember how he tuned it. All your instructions are for 4 stringed. Pls advise how to tune my 3 string and any suggestions on what strings to use, the ones on it are very very old.

Thank you
Judi

Greetings Judi,

You can tune a 3 string, the same way as a 4 string ... only you would ignore one of the chorus strings on the 4 string. The 3 string dulcimer has the same arrangement of strings as the 4 string dulcimer only has a single melody string instead of the double melody strings.

Standard D tuning for the Dulcimer follows:
1st String (bass) D
2nd String (middle) A
3rd String (melody string) A (this would be the string closest to you when holding your dulcimer in the playing position)

All my best!

Mickey Cochran
Mystic West Products
Acoustic Music Instruction
PO Box 2810
Alto, New Mexico 88312

http://www.mysticwestproducts.com

Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2004 18:51:14 EST
Subject: tuning

I have a dulcimer that I haven't used in years - four string. I began to re-string it with a set of Martin strings, which came with three strings of the same gauge, and the package indicated that they should all be tuned to "D" and a fourth string, which would be the third on the instrument, a .30 gauge, which the package indicated should be tuned to "A". I understand that the "D's" match the pitch of the D on my guitar, which I did. I tried to tune the A to the A above that D, and it snapped. Is it the A below the D?
Thanks for the help.
Marc

Greetings Marc,

I'm not sure about the package indications...they don't make any sense to me.

A more common mountain dulcimer tuning: The thicker gauge string should be tuned to D...and all of the thinner gauge strings should be tuned to A. above the D..This will give you a on the string furthest away from you...and all three A's will be closer to you...the double strings should be the closest to you and are called the "Melody Strings"...

Sounds like a mis-print to me...everything I've seen points to this...other than the D A D tuning.

Mickey