Learning To Play The Chord Stick

[@bellevans]

You had me from "how to hold it"! I have a Seagull stick dulcimer, and change the tuning to need. This is great for chords. Learning.

[@evandeangelis]

How do you have this tuned? Because I have a 3 stringed diatonic one by McNally and I think I need more fingering it seems.

[@-jank-willson]

Do you have any links to a picture of a historic example of this one-string pickin' stick? Is a 'canjo' pretty much the modern version of it? Also, did Bob McNally base his instrument of the pickin' stick as well?

[@cedarcreekdulcimers5054]

The pickin' Stick I saw was actually brought to me about 40 years ago. I have never searched to find other photos personally. Maybe check the Smithsonian, they actually have an Ozark section I've been told. The McNally strum stick would be closer to the look and play of the Pickn' stick, then our Chord Stick, because He uses the tiny body and the diatonic fretboard as the pickin' stick. Thanks for the comment! Troy

[@cedarcreekdulcimers5054]

Also, yes, the Canjo is another version as well!

[@-jank-willson]

@@cedarcreekdulcimers5054 Thanks so much, i am trying to do research on these types of traditional appalachian/ozark instruments. While historic dulcimer examples (and their sub-variants like the 'tennessee music box' and 'hog fiddle')are very well documented, it is virtually impossible to find a historic example of a pickin stick or walking/walkabout dulcimers that date back to before the folk revival of the 1960's. Some people are of the opinion that walking dulcimers and musicsticks/pickinsticks were only invented in the 1960's and 70's, and are not historic instruments. They point to Homer Ledford and Bob McNally as the inventor of these instruments, and also the fact that historic examples can be seemingly non-existent. However, the research I have done does not align with this. I have emailed some dulcimer museums, or museums that have a large dulcimer collection, about this, but I have gotten no responses. (Another example of an old mountain instrument almost lost to time is the 2 string ladle mandolin, made from a large ladle used to scoop water from wells) Sorry about the long comment lol.

[@travisg2303]

Hey that bridge is way up there by the sound hole. What's the scale length on your chord stick? I've got one of those, but in a 4 course, 4 string variant; it's scale length is 27".

[@cedarcreekdulcimers5054]

The chord stick in this video has a 27 3/4" scale length. The bodies on our chord sticks are longer and wider at the bottom than most builders. I wanted something that would not only make a bolder, fuller tone but would carry better when playing with other instruments. Thanks for watching!

[@clairerichardson3283]

How are the frets labeled. Open is a G chord. Is the next fret G#

[@cedarcreekdulcimers5054]

@@clairerichardson3283 you got it! Since it's chromatic, all the half steps are there as well.

[@stphn44]

Hi. Wot. Price. Are they I'm from. UK. Great. Learning. Video

[@-jank-willson]

blimey. Gob'nah.

[@austinbogle8795]

So the time has come to change my strings but unfortunately I live a clear couple of states away. I'd like to ask what gauge strings strings do I use?

[@cedarcreekdulcimers5054]

Austin, glad to hear from you! The 3 small strings are all the same size- a .010 & the bass can either be a .018 or a .020 wound string. If you are going to keep your dulcimer in G all the time, I would use the. 018.(Easiest on your fingers)But if you think you might want to tune back to a lower pitch sometimes, then the .020 would work better for that. If you have trouble finding strings locally, give us a call & we can mail them to you.(it only takes a couple of postage stamps) 417-334-1395 Also just to let you know, the first chord-melody lesson will be coming out soon and I'm teaching this one in G as well. So you'll be ready to play right along! Troy

[@cedarcreekdulcimers5054]

Austin, so sorry, were you talking dulcimer or chordstick? The first answer was for dulcimer. But the 4 string chordstick strings would go: (Bass D).020 wound (G).018wound (B).012 (D).010 A 3 string chordstick: .018 wound (bass)G .012(middle) B .010 (1st string) D

[@austinbogle8795]

Thanks! Always a pleasure I found you guys a couple years back just kinda wondering around on my honey moon and ever since then I've wanted to go back just to come back to the store haha.

[@austinbogle8795]

That's the one 4 string chord chord stick.

[@-jank-willson]

@@cedarcreekdulcimers5054 Is Chord stick the historical name of these (3-string) instruments? Or is it your own personal name for your own design, just like the strumstick is a trademark of mcNally? Would 'music stick' be the generic historic name for them then? I saw somewhere a museum picture of one of these 3-string instruments that was made in the 50's in west virginia exactly like in this video (3-string, diatonic), but it had a small cigar box as a sound box instead

[@suemariemusic]

What tuning is this please? 😊

[@cedarcreekdulcimers5054]

On my chordstick, I use an open G tuning. 4 string: D G B D. 3 string: G B D. Also, at the very end of this video, there is a tuning tutorial. Thanks for watching!

[@walteryoung2025]

Could you play melody on it at all?

[@cedarcreekdulcimers5054]

Hey Walter, good to hear from you! In answer to your question, you sure can play melody just like the old pick"n" stick! We always put the numbers under the first string so you can play right out of a dulcimer book. Then, in the spots where your melody number and chords line up, you can also throw the cord in along with your melody note. Thanks! Troy

[@walteryoung2025]

Cool, I'd like to see a few more videos featuring this on here.

[@KimTerry-zi1wl]

I bought one today. .

[@clairerichardson3283]

How do you play E minor

[@clairerichardson3283]

E minor on chord stick

[@cedarcreekdulcimers5054]

@clairerichardson3283 3rd fret on the first string, 1st fret on middle, 2nd fret on bass. On that lesson I mentioned in my other text you will learn G C D E Em A Am Bm F F#m chords witch allows you to play in the keys of G A C D and E Em Am Bm!

[@cedarcreekdulcimers5054]

So sorry, I was talking Dulcimer not chord stick! Em on chord stick I 2nd fret on first and last string!

[@slq3263]

Love this

[@MasterK9Trainer]

I hate that you're calling it a chord stick. I bet it's because of a certain someone that claims that he created the instrument when in fact it was created by people in the Appalachian Mountains many years ago