How Do You Play a 4 String Dulcimer?
Dulcimers are simple folk instruments that have become synonymous with the music of the Appalachian mountains. The traditional dulcimer is a three stringed instrument. The melody is played on one string, and the other two strings are used as drone strings. The fourth string on a four-string dulcimer doubles the melody string, The two strings form one unit, similar to mandolin strings, and are played as one. Doubling the melody strings makes the string louder and provides an interesting sound quality.
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Instructions
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1
Sit down and place the dulcimer on your lap. Find a stool or a chair without arms. The peg head with the tuners sits on your left leg. The bridge sits on the right leg. This is the basic position. The dulcimer can be adjusted once you start playing to find the most comfortable position.
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2
Tune the dulcimer. The four strings consist of bass string, a middle string and two melody strings. Dulcimer music uses several different tunings, however, the most common tuning is the key of D. There are two variations of the D tuning. Starting with the bass string the tunings are D-A-A and D-A-D. Treat the two melody strings as one string tuned to the same pitch. There are different methods for tuning a dulcimer, but the easiest and most accurate method is an acoustic guitar tuner.
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3
Concentrate on the right hand. The right hand strums or plucks the strings. Originally a quill was used to strum the dulcimer. Modern players use guitar picks. Hold the guitar pick between your thumb and first finger with the edge of the pick slightly protruding. The pick is used to strum the strings in back-and-forth motions. Begin strumming from the melody strings toward yourself. Do a simple 1-2-3-4. Next, practice starting with the bass string and strum away from yourself 1-2-3-4. Next alternate the inward and outward strum so that you strum toward yourself on the 1 and away from yourself on the 2. This is the basic pattern. As your playing develops you will incorporate more sophisticated rhythm patters into your playing.
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4
Practice fretting with the left hand. Notes and chords on the dulcimer are played with the left hand. There are several techniques used to do this. Some players use their thumb or first finger to fret the notes. Other players use a piece of bone or wooden dowel to fret the notes. The frets on the dulcimer are diatonic, which means that they follow a major scale. Begin with the bass string. The open string is D. Place your finger or thumb at the first fret on the left side of the fret. This note is E. The second fret is F-sharp and so forth. The open middle string is A, the first fret is B, the second fret is C-sharp and the third fret is D. The pattern is the same on the melody strings that are tuned to either A or D. Since the dulcimer is tuned to the key of D, this makes it possible to strum all four strings at the same time. There is really no way to play a wrong note or a note that sounds bad. Practice fretting notes on the bass string while strumming all four strings. Do the same with the middle and the melody strings.
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5
Build up a dulcimer repertoire. A good place to begin is "Beginner's Tunebook: Familiar Folktunes Arranged for the Mountain Dulcimer." There are many folk songs arranged for the D-A-D and the D-A-A tunings.
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Attend mountain dulcimer festivals and workshops. There are several dulcimer festivals and gatherings. These are good places to listen and learn about dulcimer music. You will have the opportunity to watch the top players as well as meeting beginners like yourself.
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