Welcome to the Dulcimer Tip Page!
This page is for those dulcimer players that are beginning the mountain dulcimer.. this page provides information on dulcimer tips.. from competing with the mountain dulcimer to things such as putting a strap on your dulcimer! Hope you will find this page and blog very helpful in your dulcimer playing.. :)
**Dulcimer Slipping**
I am sure we all have had this problem in playing the dulcimer with it sliding off of your lap while you are strumming along to your favorite song.. This is one thing I don't like.. I like to have my dulcimer secure on my lap while playing. One trick that I learned to do when playing is put a piece of none slip shelf paper..
This is what the none slip shelf paper looks like: Place the shelf paper under the dulcimers widest part where it sits on your leg it really helps in keeping the dulcimer in place.
another thing that helps is putting a strap on your dulcimer.. This will be explained later on...
**Dulcimer and 6 1/2 Fret**
Most dulcimers have what is called a 6 1/2 fret, which is a small fret placed in between the 6 and 7th fret on the fret board.. then again, some dulcimers don't have that. What happens when you don't a have a 6 1/2 fret? some people just play the 6th fret (which doesn't sound that great when it does call for a 6 1/2 fret) the 6 1/2 fret is C# on the dulcimer.. this will complete the D major scale on the dulcimer which is tuned to an open D (D E F# G A B C# D)
without the 6 1/2 fret you would not have the C# in the D major scale, it would be just C..
But, if you want to play a 6 1/2 fret on your dulcimer, its simple. All you do is, take and place your finger on the 9th fret on the (A) string.. this will sound the same as a 6 1/2 fret C#... Now, take and play you dulcimer in the following on the (d) string:
But, if you want to play a 6 1/2 fret on your dulcimer, its simple. All you do is, take and place your finger on the 9th fret on the (A) string.. this will sound the same as a 6 1/2 fret C#... Now, take and play you dulcimer in the following on the (d) string:
Play this exercise that I have pictured here.. You will get the idea after awhile. :)
**Competing With the Dulcimer**
Competing with the dulcimer is fun!!!
these are the ribbons I won this year at two of the fiddlers conventions in my area. Dulcimer competitions are every where! they even have scholarships for the dulcimer that you can earn, and dulcimer camps! but if competing is what you want to do, do it! it does take time and effort... and lots of practice..
don't give up! even if you don't win , its still an experience. Choosing songs is the hardest part of the competition, before entering a competition check the rules.. some competitions don't allow certain songs. Also, check the time allowed to do a song(s). Some competition only allows one song.. Some allow two.. Most say to play one or two songs.. some allow you to have a back up player, so if you can get a clawhammer banjo player or guitar player to play along with you then that might add to you chances of getting a ribbon or money! Competition is competition you must remember.. ok, back to choosing a song(s).
Choose something that is old timey, that is at a medium pace or fast pace.. slow songs that drag on and on will not keep the judges attention. Keeping the judges attention is the main thing..
Choose a song that you like, for my first competition I chose Cripple Creek.. Which is a medium speed song.. For my second competition I chose Angeline the Baker and Sally Anne. These are both good songs to play.. Cherokee Shuffle is another good one.
Before you compete, keep your head together. Stay focused on the task ahead.. don't let other players distract you from what you are about to perform.. Check with the staff at the competition for a place to practice and warm up. Staff people are very helpful. Usually they have a big room to practice in. Listen carefully for your number when it is called, you don't want to miss your number!!! Competition is a great place to meet other dulcimer players and get tips. Fiddlers Conventions have other instruments involved; fiddle, banjo, guitar, bass, dobro, paino, ect.. but if you choose to compete in a just dulcimer competition, go for it! it will be a tougher competition.. to start, go with a fiddlers convention competition.. these has separate classes.. When you get ready to walk out onto the stage, first ask for a chair before you enter the stage area.. then wait for the announcer to announce your name and the place your from. After that, look at the judges and smile.. then, Show time!!! don't look out into the audience, if you do; you will 99% out of 100% mess up.. this distracts you from your playing. Stay focused.. that's the main part!!! and have FUN!!! when you get down.. look at the audience and the judges, smile and exit the stage. :)
**Whats in Your Dulcimer case?**
Its very important to know what you have in your dulcimer case.. First, of all is a case.. This can be anything from a hard shell case to a cloth gigbag. I have a very nice Dulcimer Gigbag, which I got from Craggy Mountain Music located here in NC (they are online) they have an assorted case at a reasonable price! you want one that will protect your dulcimer from bangs, drops, kicks and anthing else it may encounter on your journey.. If you travel a lot with it, I would suggest a hard shell case. If you some what travel with it, a gigbag will work just fine for going to competitions, nursing homes, jam sessions and etc.. ok, now.. what do you want in your case? Pictured below is what I keep in my case: I keep a pack of dulcimer strings in my case, you never know when you might need to change a strings.. Two, a keep a note book in my case.. Why? you never know when you might have to write down information for some one or from someone.. for me, it is very important. Three, I keep a pen handy.. can't use the notebook if you don't a pen. Four, I have a tuner in my case.. Five, I keep a microfiber (or 100% cotton Cloth) Cloth in my case for touch ups. Six, I have a needle nose pliers in my case for putting a string on and cutting the strings. Seven, picks!! I keep all my picks in a pick pouch that I made. You can use anything, they sell pick pouch key rings that you can put picks in. And that's about it.. :) you can add anything you like to put in your case. Its up to you!
** Tuners**
Lets talk tuners, this is very important.. since its easier to use then to try and tune by ear.. I love these tuners they are Snarks, I have had two in my years of playing! they are great.. they clip on to the head of your dulcimer and tuner very accurately. I find that the red snarks are the greatest since they have a switch on the side for mic or vibration.. the mic allows you to tune the dulcimer without it being clipped to the head of your dulcimer, the vibration is for when you have it clipped to the head of your dulcimer it only picks up the dulcimers vibration of the strings. There are many tuners on the market, some great and some just plain junk. The other good tuner is the Planet Waves Nano it is a very tiny tuner that clips on only and no one will ever know you have a tuner on!! Choose what is best for you, snarks run in price range from 10$ to 20$. my best bet would be for you to look on ebay before trying your local music shop.. :)
**Capos**
Yes, Dulcimers have capos too.. I get a lot of people saying they never saw a dulcimer have a capo! its a fretting instrument, right? then it will have a capo.. violins and upright basses don't have frets, so therefore they don't need capos.. this is what a dulcimer capo looks like, it is a piece of wood with a screw and a slot with a rubber piece to tighten and loosen on the dulcimer fingerboard.. they come in many different woods, you can also get this off of the Craggy Mountain Music website.. they usually run from 15$ to about 30$. but they come in very handy.. These capos work differently then regular capos, I mainly use it on the 1st and 3rd fret.. which would be the keys of Em and G.. when placing the capo, make sure it is tightly place against the fret board, you may have to press it with one hand and turn the screw with the other.. Making sure there are no buzzes or rattles.. it takes some time getting used to playing with the capo, another learning experience :)
**Straps**
Another solution to the dulcimer not slipping while playing, is a strap. Here is a picture of my dulcimer with a strap, very simple to attach. I used the planet Waves quick release extended strap closure for attaching it near the bottom (dulcimer may be different) and at the scroll I have a leather guitar head stock strap attached to the strap and around the scroll of the dulcimer. You can use one of these or anything else that might work.. NOTE: DO NOT stand and play your dulcimer like this. this is made for sitting and playing to prevent sliding of the dulcimer. Pictured below is the Planet Waves Quick Release Closure:
This comes in handy for un clipping it and clipping it.. How do you use it? well, you don't put it around your shoulder like you would a guitar. Take the dulcimer put it on your lap, if you have the planet waves quick release system unclip it.. Put the strap around your waist while sitting and clip it back together.. adjust the strap until its comfortable for you to use while playing. What strap should I use? any guitar strap will work just fine.. I have a purple nylon guitar strap. but any leather, nylon or suede strap will work.. you can also have guitar strap buttons installed on your dulcimer (I would not recommend you doing it yourself unless your good with instruments and wood) take it to your local music store and have them installed.. Making sure you have the installed in the proper position.. I did not do this done to my dulcimer, since my dulcimer was made in 1977.. But, that's all there is to it.. use this method if you don't want to use the non slip shelf paper idea, both works great! :)