i could listen to you all day long. love your voice. and thanks for the video. i recently discovered hammered dulcimers and fell in love with them. i play a lot of instruments already, but this one just hits the right spot. going to save up for one :)
Thank for the crash course in hammered dulcimers. I know I commented on your last video about my love of this instrument but I never really dove into the types. Good information... and you are dead on about those low notes.
Yes, the low notes become much more useful than you would expect, especially when you start playing chords and harmonies! I love the portability of the smaller version but I adore those low notes 😅
Hiya Molly! I started learning on a 12/11 (Folkcraft) hammered dulcimer just a few years ago and it has been a really excellent beginners instrument. I was pleasantly surprised by just how much music can be played on a 12/11. And if you're willing to indulge in some octave-swapping exercises, you can arrange a lot of music that would normally require a larger instrument. But I did eventually outgrow my diminutive 12/11 and now have a Masterworks DulciForte nearing completion. Your point about the size of the instrument and its timbre/resonance is really important for folks to understand, especially if they are looking for an instrument to use in a typical live performance setting. Most 12/11 hammered dulcimers do not produce sufficient sound for a live venue; however, they can be perfect for a living room. Or even a recording studio! Just to see if I could do it, I modified Bach's Toccata (from Mark Alan Wade's excellent book of classical music for HD) to fit on my 12/11 and it actually worked! Of course, once my new instrument arrives, I'll have to re-learn it properly so I can finally get all those gorgeous low notes. Even with the DulciForte, I'll keep my 12/11 to bring with me when traveling. Thank you for sharing this excellent comparison!
I own a 12/11 myself that I picked up from a music vendor at the Dickens' Faire (SF Bay Area) a few years ago. It's a plywood model that weighs more than most modern hammered dulcimers. It was made by someone in Grass Valley, CA and not really much more is known about it. I've spoken with Rick Thum about maybe getting one of his 15/14 travel dulcimers, but it's a bit out of my budget right now. I also own Dr. Wade's book and think it's a great resource, although I have questions for him about it. I've taken classes from him in online festivals both in hammered and mountain dulcimer, along with taking a music theory class from him. I have to remind him (and other instructors) when they play on G I can't follow them. ;) Otherwise, I'll just play a fourth up from them an be happy about it. :)
Very cool! I have seen a 'hammered mbira' with metal tubes instead of strings, arranged in the same tuning as a hammered dulcimer. It's advertised as a travel dulcimer since it won't lose tune and is smaller and easier to carry. I'm definitely thinking about getting one made!
Please help me I want to buy small 12 /11 hammered dulcimer Or 9 / 9... I mean small hammered dulcimer so I can easily carry while travelling and mostly my requirement of higher Octave playing so which model should I buy and from where can I get with Best Buy option.. I am living in India Gujarat Ahmedabad
I recently bought one but I spoke to a music shop & they said it was a santoor but It still looks very similar to your ones....my question is where can I find the notes it should be tuned in , as its not tuned ?
Hi, if you never got an answer, here are a couple of tips. First, it's "size" and by that I mean the configuration like Molly talks about. Is it close to 12/ 11 or 13/12 or 14/13? Most santoors are smaller compared to the larger hammered dulcimers. So you can find tuning schematics on line for free for any of the sizes I mentioned and tune yours accordingly. Santoors use many variable tunings that you change in order to accommodate the modes used in Persian music, most of which use quarter tones. So you should be able to tune it to the western tunings. One other thing to consider is the bridge positions on the santoor. Unlike the hammered dulcimer where the bridges are one solid piece, the santoor uses individually positioned bridges that look like chess pawns. Since they are free floating, is important that they have not been moved over time. If they have you will need someone who has knowledge of the instrument to put them back in their proper places to accommodate the western tuning.
@@taurotar thanks for yr detailed reply , I think id just like to bypass all the frustration & pain of trying to tune it my self & give it to someone who knows what they are doing . im no stranger to tuning an instrument but this is far more difficult than a 12 string guitar.
@@mrman8342 There is no way around the fact that tuning these takes time. I have a 16/15 and it generally takes me 20 minutes, sometimes up to 30, to tune it. And you'll have to retune regularly with temperature and humidity changes. The payoff is how magical they sound but it takes dedication to the instrument.
I need to get a dulcimer again. I built a church dulcimer in high school but traded it for another instrument. But my budget is limited. What do you recommend?
Personally I think Songbird Dulcimers are very high quality and among the more inexpensive beginner options available. songbirdhd.com/product/chickadee-hammered-dulcimer/ If you join some hammered dulcimer facebook groups, you can often find a used one for a great price too! :D
Great question! A little of both? Honestly I think whoever made up the instrument classification system was gearing it more towards traditional, symphonic Western instruments. A lot of folk instruments like this, or instruments of other cultures, are hard to classify according to that system 😅
It is considered to be both, exactly like a piano would be. If you think of how a piano actually works, it is the same as the dulcimer, in that hammers strike the strings, (just instead of pressing the keys to activate the hammers, it is you, directly that strikes).
That really depends on what music you want to play, and how good you are at transposition. If you're into pop music, it's likely you'll eventually run into music that you want a chromatic dulcimer for. If you're mostly playing folk music of European countries or America, you likely will almost never need the chromatic notes! :D
i could listen to you all day long. love your voice.
and thanks for the video. i recently discovered hammered dulcimers and fell in love with them.
i play a lot of instruments already, but this one just hits the right spot.
going to save up for one :)
Thank for the crash course in hammered dulcimers. I know I commented on your last video about my love of this instrument but I never really dove into the types. Good information... and you are dead on about those low notes.
Yes, the low notes become much more useful than you would expect, especially when you start playing chords and harmonies! I love the portability of the smaller version but I adore those low notes 😅
@@MusicalMollyKhan As someone who's first instrument was bass... I'm a big fan of the low notes. :-)
Hiya Molly! I started learning on a 12/11 (Folkcraft) hammered dulcimer just a few years ago and it has been a really excellent beginners instrument. I was pleasantly surprised by just how much music can be played on a 12/11. And if you're willing to indulge in some octave-swapping exercises, you can arrange a lot of music that would normally require a larger instrument. But I did eventually outgrow my diminutive 12/11 and now have a Masterworks DulciForte nearing completion. Your point about the size of the instrument and its timbre/resonance is really important for folks to understand, especially if they are looking for an instrument to use in a typical live performance setting. Most 12/11 hammered dulcimers do not produce sufficient sound for a live venue; however, they can be perfect for a living room. Or even a recording studio! Just to see if I could do it, I modified Bach's Toccata (from Mark Alan Wade's excellent book of classical music for HD) to fit on my 12/11 and it actually worked! Of course, once my new instrument arrives, I'll have to re-learn it properly so I can finally get all those gorgeous low notes. Even with the DulciForte, I'll keep my 12/11 to bring with me when traveling. Thank you for sharing this excellent comparison!
That is so exciting! I hope you love it, those are gorgeous instruments 😊
I own a 12/11 myself that I picked up from a music vendor at the Dickens' Faire (SF Bay Area) a few years ago. It's a plywood model that weighs more than most modern hammered dulcimers. It was made by someone in Grass Valley, CA and not really much more is known about it. I've spoken with Rick Thum about maybe getting one of his 15/14 travel dulcimers, but it's a bit out of my budget right now. I also own Dr. Wade's book and think it's a great resource, although I have questions for him about it. I've taken classes from him in online festivals both in hammered and mountain dulcimer, along with taking a music theory class from him. I have to remind him (and other instructors) when they play on G I can't follow them. ;) Otherwise, I'll just play a fourth up from them an be happy about it. :)
Very cool! I have seen a 'hammered mbira' with metal tubes instead of strings, arranged in the same tuning as a hammered dulcimer. It's advertised as a travel dulcimer since it won't lose tune and is smaller and easier to carry. I'm definitely thinking about getting one made!
@@MusicalMollyKhan I’ve thought about it as well. I saw Ken Kolodner play one in an online concert. The thought of not having to tune appealed to me.
Ordered my Phoebe chromatic last week through Jess Dickinson. Should be here by Thursday. Cannot wait!
Oh exciting! I hope you love it, Songbird makes beautiful instruments! 😊
Does it have flats and sharps?
What is the technical name for a hammered dulcimer solid sound board with no hole soundboard and open back?
How much does a good dulcimer cost?
Please help me I want to buy small 12 /11 hammered dulcimer Or 9 / 9... I mean small hammered dulcimer so I can easily carry while travelling and mostly my requirement of higher Octave playing so which model should I buy and from where can I get with Best Buy option.. I am living in India Gujarat Ahmedabad
OK I have a 13/12 what is the difference between this and 12/11
I recently bought one but I spoke to a music shop & they said it was a santoor but It still looks very similar to your ones....my question is where can I find the notes it should be tuned in , as its not tuned ?
Hi, if you never got an answer, here are a couple of tips. First, it's "size" and by that I mean the configuration like Molly talks about. Is it close to 12/ 11 or 13/12 or 14/13? Most santoors are smaller compared to the larger hammered dulcimers. So you can find tuning schematics on line for free for any of the sizes I mentioned and tune yours accordingly. Santoors use many variable tunings that you change in order to accommodate the modes used in Persian music, most of which use quarter tones. So you should be able to tune it to the western tunings.
One other thing to consider is the bridge positions on the santoor. Unlike the hammered dulcimer where the bridges are one solid piece, the santoor uses individually positioned bridges that look like chess pawns. Since they are free floating, is important that they have not been moved over time. If they have you will need someone who has knowledge of the instrument to put them back in their proper places to accommodate the western tuning.
@@taurotar thanks for yr detailed reply ,
I think id just like to bypass all the frustration & pain of trying to tune it my self & give it to someone who knows what they are doing . im no stranger to tuning an instrument but this is far more difficult than a 12 string guitar.
@@mrman8342 There is no way around the fact that tuning these takes time. I have a 16/15 and it generally takes me 20 minutes, sometimes up to 30, to tune it. And you'll have to retune regularly with temperature and humidity changes. The payoff is how magical they sound but it takes dedication to the instrument.
I would rather pay someone to tune it & observe how its done
I need to get a dulcimer again. I built a church dulcimer in high school but traded it for another instrument. But my budget is limited. What do you recommend?
Personally I think Songbird Dulcimers are very high quality and among the more inexpensive beginner options available. songbirdhd.com/product/chickadee-hammered-dulcimer/
If you join some hammered dulcimer facebook groups, you can often find a used one for a great price too! :D
@Musical Molly Khan - Is this a String Instrument? Or is this a Percussion Instrument?
Great question! A little of both? Honestly I think whoever made up the instrument classification system was gearing it more towards traditional, symphonic Western instruments. A lot of folk instruments like this, or instruments of other cultures, are hard to classify according to that system 😅
It is considered to be both, exactly like a piano would be. If you think of how a piano actually works, it is the same as the dulcimer, in that hammers strike the strings, (just instead of pressing the keys to activate the hammers, it is you, directly that strikes).
Stringed. But it is played with little hammers
Should I buy a chromatic dulcimer?
That really depends on what music you want to play, and how good you are at transposition. If you're into pop music, it's likely you'll eventually run into music that you want a chromatic dulcimer for. If you're mostly playing folk music of European countries or America, you likely will almost never need the chromatic notes! :D
13/12 chickadee