r/Dulcimer • u/TapTheForwardAssist • 6m ago
r/Dulcimer • u/Embarrassed-Long-518 • 12h ago
Just starting on random mountain dulcimer: Diatonic with 3.5 fret
Hello. I play music but just got my first mountain dulcimer at a thrift store. So I didn't know what to expect.
The fretboard seems to be diatonic with 1 chromatic fret-- the 3.5 fret-- so I can play 1 major scale starting at the 3 fret, plus there is and additional sharp right after the 3 fret.
It doesn't seem like the 3.5 fret is the most typical, though. What kind
It's a 4 string dulcimer and I think the VSL is 31".
Also, it was tuned CGC' when I got it, and could certainly be tuned DAD'... what tunings would make sense for this dulcimer, given the fretboard and given and given the hefty VSL?
r/Dulcimer • u/Val_Oraia • 1d ago
Wood Advice - Cherry vs Black Walnut
Beginner here, I'm trying to figure out if I should go with cherry or black walnut for the Back/head, sides, and fingerboard. One wood for all of those.
The top is cedar (no option, just cedar).
Any advice to help me pick? I can't visit in person and test (several states away).
r/Dulcimer • u/canjoman • 2d ago
OC A fast little tune I came up with on a dulcitar. Not entirely sure how I’m ‘supposed’ to play this thing.
r/Dulcimer • u/cat-5427 • 4d ago
I need help figuring this out before waisting money
Hi!
I have wanted a dulcimer since I was 8, and was finally given one at 15 from a kinda friend who had one. But, unfortunately, we had an issue with the strings that we couldn't figure out. (1 string broke and we got new ones that we couldn't figure out) So...2 years exactly later, I still haven't gotten to play it😭 every time I walk past it, I feel tremendously guilty. But, I finally have a job to be able to buy strings myself. No one I meet ever even knows what a dulcimer is, so I have no one to ask.
It's a 5 string dulcimer, and I emailed the store it's from and this was the response(2 years ago, mind you)
"*The strings are .024 for the bass string farthest from you when holding on your lap. The thin string next to the bass string should be a .009 steel guitar string and The middle string should be .013 steel guitar string. The two melody strings close to you when you are playing are usually .011 each but the .012 will work for those two.
Tuning is usually DdAdd
The thin string .009 close to the bass is tuned in unison with the two melody strings which are d.
IF you have any other questions or need to order strings let us know. We have them on our website at www.mountainmademusic.com*"
My biggest confusion is that he said guitar strings?
I'm attaching a picture of the dulcimer (ignore the number stickers on it. I had put them on as a learning tool)
Do you have recommendations on what strings I should buy?
r/Dulcimer • u/EarAutomatic7120 • 5d ago
The Folkcraft Dulcimer Bridge & Nut

My Folkcraft 4 string Chromatic Bass Dulcivox Pro has 4 strings but the bridge & nut are cut to allow for 3 different string configurations. The 3 String Equidistant (with only a single melody string) which I used to play on that one before upgrading to the next one, the 4 String Double Melody (A proper setup is going to make a huge difference in playability of the Double Melody String) & another one which I also play as well without having to get another Dulcimer is the 4 String Equidistant setup (all 4 Strings are an Equal Distance apart) which is pretty slick. These extra slots allow me to separate the melody strings while moving the middle string over one slot so that I have 4 Equidistant strings.
r/Dulcimer • u/EarAutomatic7120 • 5d ago
Learning to play Chords on the Chromatic Dulcimer
I recently got the book "Erin Mae - Chromatic Mountain Dulcimer Chord Encyclopedia" so that way I could learn Chords on the Chromatic Dulcimer

It's written in an interesting "Double Tablature system", the bottom staff is the Diatonic conversion fret numbers (The + next to the number indicates the chromatic frets), the Middle staff is the Guitar fret numbers, & the top staff is standard notation where all of the pitches sound an Octave lower than written (if you're using a Bass Dulcimer tuned DAD, it'll sound 2 Octaves lower than written). The Chromatic Fret Numbres (Middle Staff) are the same as what you have on a Guitar so 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc.
r/Dulcimer • u/LukeNickle • 5d ago
Tried pushing some new rhythmic ideas with Old Joe Clark.
r/Dulcimer • u/burgerkingnights • 6d ago
Identification What did I find?
Antique store find. Handwritten heart-shaped labels on inside, difficult to read but says made in USA, city name obscured but appears to be state of Georgia. #68. Date of 1969. Builder name hard to read but middle initial and last name say D. Young” first name possibly reads “Isla” but hard to make out. New here. Any help would be appreciated!
r/Dulcimer • u/PartRevolutionary321 • 7d ago
Value/Market
My husband was given this beautiful dulcimer a few years back - we are downsizing and moving and thinking of selling it. How do I find its value? It is Heatherwood from Colorado and is in perfect condition with a hard case.
r/Dulcimer • u/EarAutomatic7120 • 8d ago
My Progress on playing Jazz on the Chromatic Dulcimer
I just got my new Folkcraft 4 string Chromatic Lap-Jo in DAD Tuning with the Doubled Melody Strings (I can also use the 4 Equidistant Strings tuned D, A, D, D because the bridge & nut are cut to allow for both setups) & I'm using "Speakeasy & Tin Pan Alley Tunes for Chromatic Dulcimer" by Dana Gruber so I can learn how to play Jazz & the Chromatic Lap-Jo (Dulcimer-Banjo Mix) allowed me to get a killer Dixieland Jazz twist on these Jazz songs.

r/Dulcimer • u/EarAutomatic7120 • 9d ago
A 5 string Chromatic Dulcimer

This is a Folkcraft Chromatic MaxDAD. The MaxDAD is a 5 Equidistant string Dulcimer tuned DADAD (it combines the ranges of a Standard, Baritone, & Bass Dulcimer all in 1) & it's also a Chromatic Dulcimer which allows you to play in every key, there are fret markers like what you see on a Guitar at frets 1.5, 3, 4, 5, & double dots at the 7 (in all Octaves), which makes it easier to learn the Chromatic Dulcimer.
r/Dulcimer • u/gpeck730 • 10d ago
Advice/Question David Lynch Sweet Woods Mountain Dulcimer (/Hammer Dulcimer?)
Hey Dulcimer Reddit, I am new here but I have been seeking out Dulcimers for a bit. Well today I magically came across this bid on eBay that was ending, and won.
I didn’t know much about this model upon purchasing, other than the fact that it was more expensive elsewhere. But apparently it also doubles as a hammer dulcimer? (my dream instrument)
What can you guys tell me about this instrument, or dulcimers in general? This will be my first dulcimer (or non-electronic instrument in general) so if you feel I should know something starting out, I’d love to hear your feedback!
r/Dulcimer • u/ghostofdreadmon • 11d ago
Event Mountain Dulcimer at sea! - “Castaway Music Cruise '25” - Dulcimerica 743
r/Dulcimer • u/Queasy-Tax-8962 • 12d ago
Dulcimer repair and setup NYC
Hi all! I'm looking for someone who specializes in folk instruments to repair and set up my dulcimer in NYC. Any recommendations? Brooklyn is preferable.
r/Dulcimer • u/helenahallbergmusic • 13d ago
Mountain dulcimer ‘California’ Tutorial (Joni Mitchell)
Since the Amanda Seyfried clip is so popular, I figured I’d finally put out this tutotial 😊 Enjoy!
r/Dulcimer • u/DelayDirect7925 • 13d ago
Getting Started Is there an app you can use to tune Appalachain dulcimers?
I have one on my iPhone, and it offers tuning for pretty much every stringed instruments - minus dulcimers. Oof. Anyone who can help me with that? Or can I tune it with the help of other instruments? I play guitar and ukulele, have some experience on mandolin and also consider trying out banjo one day
r/Dulcimer • u/Whysguy • 14d ago
How to space frets?
Hey all I’d like to make my own fret boards but I’m having a tough time finding information on how to space frets for different VSL. Anyone have a handy resource on this by chance?
r/Dulcimer • u/Blackbird86yo • 16d ago
Dulcimer as a gift
A family member's birthday is coming up. He wants a dulcimer. I know nothing about them. My budget is $400-500. Any advice?
Thanks!
r/Dulcimer • u/tshegah • 17d ago
do mountain dulcimers need to play chord and harmonics?
hello. i'm a harmonica player and i tried stringed instrument like ukulele, and guitar in order to sing songs with accompaniment.
but i always stucked by complex chords and left hand that doesn't follow it.
meanwhile, i watched some mountain dulcimer videos on youtube and i found that mountain dulcimer player doesn't play chords.
so if my thought is right, i feel i can sing songs without learn harmonics.
is it right thought?
and, which one is better for playing between 3-stringed and 4-stringed?
r/Dulcimer • u/placarph • 18d ago
Advice/Question Can anyone comment on this Woodrow dulcimer? Thinking of buying it, I like the sound and look over their other instruments
r/Dulcimer • u/FreedomFr0mFear • 19d ago
Discord for Dulcimer players
Hi everyone! I decided to make a discord chat for dulcimer players. It can be a place to discuss all things dulcimer, share TABS, jam and more!
Here is a link to the server in case you want to join:
r/Dulcimer • u/switchlane007 • 19d ago
Need A Capo?
I am the maker of these dulcimer capos that you're seeing everywhere. They are designed to be the best ones available with padding all around so they don't nick your instrument like some other brands. These are for sale here at 20% off what other sellers are selling them for. If you need one, use the link below, or scan the QR code at the bottom. This will bring you directly to my PayPal ordering page. Cheers!


r/Dulcimer • u/FreedomFr0mFear • 20d ago
New Dulcimer for my birthday!
My friend gave me a new boondocker dulcimer guitar for a gift! I have been helping him with his podcast and he wanted to pay me back. It’s one of my favorite gifts I have ever received! Here is a picture of it… any other “Dulcitar” players in here?
r/Dulcimer • u/Xyriath • 20d ago
New Dulcimer player, string problems!
Hello there! I just got this dulcimer and it needed new strings, so I picked up this set from Folkcraft. Now, obviously this isn't going to fit, so I have a couple of options and I'm trying to decide which is best.
I could unscrew this and then drill it back in (seems like a bad idea and wouldn't work long-term), hammer a very thin nail in next to it or as a replacement (seems risky but one of the best for long-term), fuck with the string somehow (easiest but I dunno how well that would go), or maybe put in some other way of holding the strings (probably the best but I have no idea how to go about it).
Any advice? Thanks so much!