This is a great resource for those of us who are new to the dulcimer, but not new to music theory. This gives accurate definitions of music terms, but what makes it valuable are the examples of how each term applies to the mountain dulcimer. I found the interval placements and chord shapes especially useful.
Hey Jim, Bought my 1st dulcimer in 79' and several more since. This is easily the best theory lesson I've encountered and I know it will inform my playing. Very, very well done!! - special big thanks for helping to clarify modes and the valuable circle of 5ths.
Thanks for posting this. I'm new to the dulcimer but a guitarist of 30+ years. It's helped me figure out this great little instrument quite a bit. Cheers from Texas.
This is a fabulous lesson! I just got my mountain dulcimer today, and this has helped me understand the instrument in relation to piano which I can play by chords. Thank you!!
I saw some on here that are chromatic with 6 strings.. now I am more confused about this.. if someone has a chromatic one is it more versatile? What is the difference in how they are tuned? Jeez.. what to do..
Mountain Dulcimers are traditionally tuned diatonically. Chromatic instruments are a relatively new addition to the dulcimer world and are tuned DAD just like diatonic ones. They are more versatile because a player has all of the notes of the chromatic scale available. This video is intended solely for diatonic instruments.
Erin May, a performing and teaching dulcimer player, has said, “in a chromatic dulcimer, you have more notes possible. This means you also have more wrong notes possible”
This is a great resource for those of us who are new to the dulcimer, but not new to music theory. This gives accurate definitions of music terms, but what makes it valuable are the examples of how each term applies to the mountain dulcimer. I found the interval placements and chord shapes especially useful.
Thank you - just starting dulcimer and this nicely offers possibilities!
Hey Jim,
Bought my 1st dulcimer in 79' and several more since. This is easily the best theory lesson I've encountered and I know it will inform my playing. Very, very well done!!
- special big thanks for helping to clarify modes and the valuable circle of 5ths.
Thanks for posting this. I'm new to the dulcimer but a guitarist of 30+ years. It's helped me figure out this great little instrument quite a bit. Cheers from Texas.
Saved this to watch several more times. Great demonstration. And, the sound is beautiful.
thanks jim
Hello Jim. Thank you very much for this wonderful lesson. I've been looking for the theory side for a long time. I'll be reviewing it often.
Greetings, very clean and concise. And very, very,very useful. Thank you. pax, PL
This is a fabulous lesson! I just got my mountain dulcimer today, and this has helped me understand the instrument in relation to piano which I can play by chords. Thank you!!
Sure packed a lot into 17 minutes. Great job!!
Great video, thanks for the lesson
This is way above my head?
Hang in there, it will start to make sense after playing for a while.
Debra Beck you are not alone. I got this instrument so I wouldn't need to think about theory.
I've had my dulcimer for13 yrs. Been trying to understand modes but just a lost as ever. Still trying though.
Just now getting to this, guitarist here.. tell me everything! How much to buy a decent one, where to get it, tell me everything!!
Check out www.everythingdulcimer.com or Dulcimer Players News at www.dpnews.com
OK thanks Jim.
Is it possible to play a-flat songs on mountain dulcimer?
Not tuned DAd. The best way to accomplish playing in A flat is to tune the instrument down 1/2 step to Db - Ab - db and put a capo on the 4th fret.
6 1/2 fret? Not original dulcimer then?
Right.
I saw some on here that are chromatic with 6 strings.. now I am more confused about this.. if someone has a chromatic one is it more versatile? What is the difference in how they are tuned? Jeez.. what to do..
Mountain Dulcimers are traditionally tuned diatonically. Chromatic instruments are a relatively new addition to the dulcimer world and are tuned DAD just like diatonic ones. They are more versatile because a player has all of the notes of the chromatic scale available. This video is intended solely for diatonic instruments.
Erin May, a performing and teaching dulcimer player, has said, “in a chromatic dulcimer, you have more notes possible. This means you also have more wrong notes possible”
@@jimiller5 or, traditionally in DAA. Everyone forgets that Tuning, lol