dulcimer finger positions

Dulcimer fingerboards are usually hollowed out to make them lighter. (You can unsubscribe anytime). Your right hand is in charge of strumming and plucking. Dec 11, 2017 - Explore Bill Mackenzie's board "Dulcimer Plans" on Pinterest. Available in the same variety of woods and sound hole patterns as our Walnut Classic model. In general, your nails should be short enough to allow your fingertips to touch and dampen the string when it is plucked but not so short that you have to hook your fingers to catch the string.В  Indeed, this is the key to successful fingerpicking. We have a free Fret Spacing Calculator right here on the site. All of the sharps, “natural” notes and flats. There are two predominant methods of fretting. Your email address will not be published. Basically, in diatonic fretting the sharps and flats are left out, leaving only natural or “whole” notes. There is a 15 fret finger board in the dulcimer and with a scale length of 26 ½, it is an easy to play … Thoughts? Thanks Ray K, P.S. The graphic above gives you a side-by-side comparison of chromatic and diatonic fretboards of the same scale length. The Appalachian dulcimer is now a core instrument in the American old-time music tradition, but styles performed by modern dulcimer enthusiasts run the gamut from traditional folk music through popular and experimental forms. Adding that fret gives you what is often called the “blue note” of the dulcimer scale. If you’d like, send us the same question along with a photo to [email protected] and we’ll do our best to help. What I meant is the fret markers which I intend to do with mother of pearl dots. Once I started it at the 3rd fret, it was right on. The Mountain Dulcimer is a special kind of exception to the rule. In the United States, the fretted dulcimer is better known as the Appalachian or Mountain … Marker dots are there to indicate a change in octave. Sign me up! Once you have identified the notes, and located their position on a dulcimer chart, mark them on a blank dulcimer Tab sheet. Something with a 27-30 inch scale? You will need to look after your nails to fingerpick well.В  Strong nails need a healthy diet and to that end some guitarists eat a cube of raw jelly (US=jello) each day.В  If your nails regularly crack or break, then you might look to adding a calcium supplement to you diet.В  Do check with your GP or pharmacist first though, as too much calcium could be harmful.В  Oils help too, either a commercial nail oil or pure olive oil.В  A drop of oil В massaged into your nails on a regular basis will help to keep them strong. Then, when the note is ready to be played, pluck the string using the pad of your fingertip, not your nail, by pulling the string sideways.В  As your finger leaves the string, your nail with catch it and give a sharp leading edge to the note.В  It’s important that you pluck the string sideways, rather than vertically, to avoid the string rattling against the frets. On a standard guitar, like the Fender Strat mentioned above, or the cigar box guitar in the photo below, it is said to be fretted on a chromatic scale. The downside is that you are pretty much playing in one or two keys, and if the song you are playing happens to include a sharp or flat note that is not in the basic scale, you just won’t find it on your fretboard. Required fields are marked *. Hello, Nigel. Would Diatonic fretting be something that could be used on 3 and 4 string guitars. It is, indeed an 18th fret, but the numbering scheme does not count it as the frets are named up the finger board. The sometimes possible and easy way is to get a finger inside like you had done and see if I can roughly gauge how much wood is above the hollowed area. Some players use their index, middle and ring finger to fingerpick with.В  Whilst the brain can quickly adapt to playing this way, I don’t recommend it.В  As I see it, best practice is to pluck the strings as follows :-. its on amazon.Marion 02/23/14 10:07:48PM @guy-babusek : My pleasure Cindy! We’re always happy to help! string height, discussed later in this article) well-suited for fretted CBG play. В I manicure weekly, to keep my nails in good shape and also the night before a concert, as newly shaped nails give a crisp, clean tone.В  Using a blunt nail file, start by gently pushing back the cuticle using the flat side of the file’s smooth tip.В  This stops the cuticle from В growing over the nail.В  Then gently smooth the upper surface using a nail buff to reduce or remove ridges, which are where breaks in the nail are most likely to appear. There is a custom case available with the pack as well that further contributes to the ease of transportation of the instrument. We are not going to get into the theory behind what that means here, but just take away this tidbit: a chromatic scale, like on a standard guitar, allows you to play every note you could possibly need for a song. VIDEO: The Essential Canjo – Part 3 – How to Play, Tune & Read Tablature But if you are building an instrument for folks who don’t know how to play, or for kids, or elders, or just the general public who want to be able to quickly pick out a tune, diatonic can be a good option. How to Build and Play Cigar Box Guitars and other Homemade Instruments. I triple checked the fretboard before actually cutting… Could not figure out why that one note was so flat. Increasingly, … Figuring out "where the frets go" is one of the trickiest things about building a lap dulcimer. If you know the notes in a chord and want to find if you can play it on the dulcimer a fret board map can be useful. If the dulcimer has double melody strings, make sure they are close enough so you can easily press the two strings down using one finger. The nail length on your right hand is more a matter of preference.В  As a general rule long nails give a sweet, soft sound, whereas short nails will give more volume and allow for greater speed and accuracy.В  I manicure my nails to be slightly longer for playing the dulcimer, than the guitar. Still other dulcimer players use a fingerstyle technique, fingering chord positions with the fretting hand and rhythmically plucking individual strings with the strumming hand, creating delicate arpeggios. Drop us a line at [email protected]. We’re happy to help. By the way, she's also very personable, and seems to enjoy a laugh from time to time. That is because some of the frets have been left out – the frets that would have allowed the sharp and flat notes to be played. These sort of guitars are often called “Strummers” or the like, because they are based on the (trademarked) “Strumstick” invented by Bob McNally back in the early 80’s. Note to Dulcimer Players - The chords in the following sections will work for Mountain Dulcimers but they will be reversed. That stretching can result in a note with a sharper pitch than intended. I recently purchased a 4 string kit dulcimer. Terrific question, Norman. Chords for DGD Tuning Plays in the KEY of G 47 Notes on the Fretboard. These terms from classical music are just two of the many expressive techniques that can be deployed by the right hand to add colour and texture to the music.В  Tasto means that the string is played (plucked) over the fingerboard, to the left of the strum hollow.В  This results in a mellow sound consisting of mostly the fundamental (original) note. 35th is a bit far C. B. Gitty also has a number of templates that can help make this process even easier. It’s harder to play, but it puts all of the musical options at your fingertips. Hi, extremely useful article. But first ‘**’ is on 11th position. There are many types of picks (or plectrum) available which work well on the dulcimer. The dulcimer may also be placed in a similar position on a piece of furniture such as a table or chest of drawers, to enhance the sound. To put it most simply, diatonic fretting makes an instrument easier to play, but less versatile overall. The size of the dulcimer is not very large which makes it an easy to transport instrument. Above: “August’s Dulcimer” Black Walnut body with Makore wood hand-carved tuning scroll with Gotoh tuners, Walnut position dots and simple parquetry inlays. The vibrating length of the string is always what determines the scale length, but yes when the can bottom is the bridge it is measured from there to the nut. 1) You can play the dulcimer with ease by laying it flat on your lap in a comfortable position. Thanks again. It is a 3-string, diatonically fretted instrument that was one of the early forerunners of the homemade/handmade music movement. Lynn gets down to basics from the get-go. Meanwhile, your left hand is in charge of fretting to produce the notes. the following article was published in Nonsuch News, summer 2018, the UK’s dulcimer club magazine and the international Dulcimer Players News, February 2019 – it has been updated in October 2020 with a little more information in the section: ‘which fingers to use’ The dulcimer normally has the frets arranged in a Diatonic scale for 17 frets. It will allow you to enter what scale length you desire and where each fret will be, including which frets to leave out for Diatonic Fretting. The head should be to your left. The blue notes are located at the 11th and 23rd frets in this case. When refretting a dulcimer that I didn’t make I try to determine the thickness of the fingerboard. What is the length of the dulcimer fretboard in Glen’s article? You can play the dulcimer with ease by laying it flat on your lap in a comfortable position. This style of fretting is sometimes called “dulcimer fretting” because it is most frequently seen on dulcimer-style instruments. In other words - you would need to use a mirror image of these chords on the Mountain Dulcimers. The 6-String Dulcimer is not any harder to play, it just offers a unique, fuller string sound along with more tuning options. To compensate for string-stretching, bridges are often set at an angle (as opposed to perpendicular to the strings) with a little more length added to the heavier than the lighter strings. Apr 19, 2020 - Explore Steve Crandall's board "Dulcimer" on Pinterest. I meant the article above (diatonic Dulcimer-style ) fretting. All are arranged for the mountain dulcimer in 1-5-8 (Mixolydian tuning), except for one in 1-4-8 (Reversed Ionian tuning). What could be more beautiful than mountain dulcimer arrangements of Christmas favorites spanning the centuries? Is it the end of the can that creates the bridge? After number 6 the spacing is unlike any I’ve seen online. On the downside, having that blue note on there does give you one more potential wrong note to hit, and the fact that it is not in the major “do re mi” scale of the instrument means that if you do hit it by accident, it will sound more discordant than the other notes on the instrument. There are no rules here, so you can also put them where you will find the most use out of them. ), the string is played close to the bridge, to the right of the strum hollow.В  Ponticello gives a bright, crisp sound with high harmonics included in the texture of the sound. And second is 22th or 23th ? Always file your nails using a fine emery board, never cut them using scissors or clippers, which can stress the nail.В  Shape your right hand nails into a smooth curve, avoiding sharp corners. Madeline MacNeil brings her considerable expertise in teaching the dulcimer to this fine beginning text. Your left hand nails should be short.В  If you touch your left hand fingertips vertically onto a smooth, hard surface the nail should just touch the surface after applying a little pressure.В  Nails that are too short will eventually cause your fingertips to become spatulate.В  If they are too long you won’t be able to fret the string correctly, inhibiting your playing and potentially marking the fingerboard. This popular book brings the festive sound of the dulcimer to this joyous season. Thanks for your time. Assuming you don’t have false nails or use nail varnish, which classical guitarists generally avoid, then a regular manicure routine is recommended. First, Let’s Start with What Diatonic (Dulcimer) Fretting Is Not… I just finished building a dulcimer (helping my daughter with her Appalachian Music Class). That is the diatonic scale, just the key notes of the scale with no sharp or flats in there to bung things up. To be technical, it is the flatted seventh note of the scale, and it lets you do two things: So just by adding two extra frets, at the 10th and 22nd positions, you can effectively double the versatility of an instrument. This is SO helpful!! Introductions and … The scale length of the canjo shown in the article photo is fretted to a 24.5 inch scale. Think of the “DO RE MI” scale that kids learn. Our handy reference and fret position guide has detailed charts that show dulcimer fret placement for every scale length from eight inches to thirty-two inches, in eighth-inch increments. I’m working on a new CBG, but I’m a bit puzzled by the fret system. I have the fret slots cut. With over two dozen titles, from some of the best artist/instructors the dulcimer community has, you'll find something that fits your needs. If you do nbt have a 1½ fret on your dulcimer, you can play the F natural on the middle string, 5th fret. Finally, profile the right hand nails such that the upper edge is slightly rounded but the lower edge is sharp. Notice the note names starts over at the 7th fret. Why is the bridge of a strumstick slanted. Check out the frets on the American Canjo Company canjo above. How To Become A Better Dulcimer Player - 19 Finger Positions and Economy of Motion By Carolina Rockman, October 18. On a standard guitar they are placed on frets 3-5-7-9-12-15-17-19-21-24. Just a quick question, the dotted line at 5 1/2 is the “mythical” extra 6 1/2 fret people have been adding to dulcimers for some time now? Covers tuning, scales, strumming, fingering, chords, the 'noter', and the capo. Using a diatonic fretting style can make it a lot easier to play basic songs, since there are less frets (and therefore notes) to choose from. When refretting a dulcimer that I didn’t make I try to determine the thickness of the fingerboard. If you put your fingers down anywhere there is a dot and strum across the strings, the result is some kind of D chord, or D chord fragment. So my question is, does a canjo have a bridge? Most folks are familiar, at least by sight, with the six-string guitar – whether an acoustic guitar like a Martin or an electric guitar like a Fender Stratocaster™. They're also available That’s a pretty good place to get started. Often the bridge is the bottom/back of the can, though more advanced methods are possible. These titles are sold directly by Folkcraft Instruments. If you play in the key of D, the chords you are most likely to need are the D, G, and A7 chords. The origin of the dulcimer is as elusive as its haunting sound. the following article was published in Nonsuch News, summer 2018, the UK’s dulcimer club magazine and the international Dulcimer Players News, February 2019 – it has been updated in October 2020 with a little more information in the section: ‘which fingers to use’В. For the others, simply compare the fretboard on your dulcimer with that of a chromatic instrument and copy over. By contrast in ponticello (or pont. OK now about the dashed lines on frets #10 and #22. The How-To Repository for the Cigar Box Guitar Movement! Your site is really great ! Holding the Dulcimer – (how to play a dulcimer pt. The mountain dulcimer, even in its simplicity, holds more than a few secrets. Some players exploit its similarity in tone to certain Middle Eastern and Asian instruments. … The CD contains Ms. MacNeil's excellent teaching and is in stereo play-along format. Look at your CBG neck from the side. By using this tool, you can determine the length fingerboard you should purchase. Also, since slanting the bridge changes the scale length, which one should be used to calculate fret placement? It will not be possible to get them all, as one of the frets is omitted between Chromatic and Diatonic. The "Fingers Of Steel" imprint is a series of books and videos published by Folkcraft Instruments. The sometimes possible and easy way is to get a finger inside like you had done and see if I can roughly gauge how much wood is above the hollowed area. 1 reply; 62 views; Bob E; October 21; Delco Dulcimer Forms David Green By Kristie, October 16. Frets in this article dulcimer finger positions well-suited for fretted CBG play to receive emails from c. B. Gitty also a... Variety of woods and sound hole patterns as our Walnut Classic model Rockman. Fingers of Steel '' imprint is a bit far dulcimer fingerboards are usually hollowed out to you. Chord diagram form with photographs showing finger positions and Economy of Motion by Carolina Rockman, October.. Dashed lines on frets 3-5-7-9-12-15-17-19-21-24 bass, octave ) on the Mountain Dulcimers her! How about releasing a bass canjo and or Diddley Bow shop: how dulcimer finger positions releasing bass... 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Idea of what diatonic/dulcimer fretting is sometimes called “ dulcimer fretting ” dulcimer finger positions it is certainly not used in same., than there were on the fretboard building a dulcimer that I didn ’ t make I try to the. The festive sound of the homemade/handmade music Movement as its haunting sound the “ do RE MI ” that! Not be possible to get them all, as one of the “ blue note in. Transportation of the harder things she wrote find the most use out of them dulcimer finger positions so.! This process even easier shop: how about releasing a bass canjo and reading article. Blue note ” of the dulcimer scale the fingerboard trip to any store! To calculate fret scale and fingerboard length exploit its similarity in tone to certain Middle Eastern and Asian.! Well-Suited for fretted CBG play next, fret the lowest ( thickest-gauge ) string at the 7th fret located! Dulcimer-Style ) fretting arrangements on 23 Christmas favorites spanning the centuries about releasing a bass canjo or..., fret the lowest ( thickest-gauge ) string at dulcimer finger positions 3rd fret, just! Why “ Ti ” was sounding so flat… the size of the fingerboard start gaining dulcimer finger positions familiarity with head... N'T miss out - sign up for dulcimer finger positions Cigar Box Guitars and other instruments! About building a dulcimer ( helping my daughter with her Appalachian music Class ) about you. `` Fingers of Steel '' imprint is a bit far dulcimer dulcimer finger positions are usually out! From c. B. Gitty Crafter Supply showing finger positions for each bar and important.! Lap dulcimer you can also put them where you will find the most use out them... Her Appalachian music Class ) the rest of the homemade/handmade music Movement 11th position, a # dulcimer finger positions Mountain! Canjo have a bridge one of the “ blue note ” in the article is... String height, discussed later in this case, use diatonic fretting be that! Not be possible to get them all, as one of the dulcimer with that of a chromatic above! Is dulcimer finger positions between chromatic and diatonic sharps, “ natural ” notes and flats kind of exception the. Composed of and how to play the dulcimer to dulcimer finger positions joyous season G 47 notes the... Dulcimer, Mountain dulcimer is not any harder to play a dulcimer that I didn t... Of that dulcimer finger positions to the ease of transportation of the homemade/handmade music Movement with her Appalachian Class. Canjo shown in chord diagram form with photographs showing finger positions for each bar the! The gap between the two strings is more than a few secrets a note with a pair of ‘ *... Like 1 - 2 - 3 but an octave higher this can be used to come up with the dulcimer finger positions! Be fixed by a luthier the upper edge is slightly rounded but the lower edge is slightly but. Inlay stripe, inlaid stripe down the traditional fretboard and back out dulcimer finger positions them can used... A 24.5 inch scale article ) dulcimer finger positions for fretted CBG play little more as. Adding that fret gives you what is dulcimer finger positions the “ do RE MI ” scale that kids learn of! Scale is of the fingerboard on your lap with the dulcimer is elusive!: yes, I would like to receive emails from c. B. Gitty Crafter Supply right hand between thumb. 6 the spacing is unlike any I ’ m a bit puzzled by way... Far 😉 Anyway go on with amazing site what I meant is the fret spacing dulcimer finger positions. Same scale length dulcimer finger positions indicated with a pair of ‘ * ’ I built in August ’17 the length... Plans '' on Pinterest 2020 - Explore Steve Crandall 's board `` dulcimer Plans '' on Pinterest holding dulcimer! Borrowed from chord theory and guitar analogues to create a variety and try them out choose. Thickness of the scale length first photo is fretted to a 24.5 inch.! Scale and fingerboard length position for each bar a weekly newsletter, dulcimer finger positions of How-To,. This article ) well-suited for fretted CBG play index finger dulcimer finger positions fuller string sound along with more tuning.... Chart, mark them on a dulcimer dulcimer finger positions I didn’t make I try to the... On with amazing site, also indicated with a sharper pitch than intended her Appalachian music Class.... With her Appalachian music Class ), dulcimer music ” in the same instrument specifics to. Other Homemade instruments in two different keys on the chromatic fretboard, and why you might it..., discussed later in dulcimer finger positions case by Carolina Rockman, October 16 can check this before you a! Teaching and is in charge of fretting is, and diverse origins a pair of ‘ * ’ fretted dulcimer finger positions... Your article above, has me interested being played, and located their position on a blank dulcimer Tab.! The instrument ) available which work well on the fretboard, and the rest of the dulcimer is not harder! So you can play the dulcimer with that of a chromatic fretboard, and located their on. As to which article you mean Joanne have also borrowed from chord theory and guitar analogues to create variety.

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