Tuning a Hammered Dulcimer

After not being played for a week, my dulcimer needs to be tuned! Here's how I do it.
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Music credits:
When I Was A Boy by Tokyo Music Walker
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[@recordman555]

FOR THE LOVE OF ... !!! Can just ONE of these KZbin tuning videos explain what NOTES are the target pitch for each string - OR - do dulcimers differ by model? This seems to a GREAT detail these content creators overlook.

[@aleedulcimer]

All dulcimers follow the same tuning pattern with some variation in the higher or lower notes. If you bought your dulcimer new, it should have come with a tuning chart that tells you which C (C4, C5, etc) is which and so on. If you bought your dulcimer used, go onto the maker's site. They should have it available there.. Of course, bigger dulcimers are going to have more notes which is something to keep in mind if you're seeing differences between videos.

[@destinylang810]

Thank you so much! I'm planning to learn how to play this wonderful instrument, but my aunt's dulcimer hasn't been tuned in years... I'll try tuning it tomorrow! Thanks again :)

[@aleedulcimer]

Have fun learning! It's really a fun instrument! Be patient with the tuning process. As you can see from this video, it can take a while, especially if the instrument hasn't been tuned in some time. Sometimes it can take me no time at all to get one note tuned up and then the next takes a minute or two. A hint I didn't put in the video-- Really keep track of which note you're tuning. With so many strings, it can be easy to think you're tuning one note and really be tuning another. That's how strings snap. I run my finger down the note I mean to tune to make sure I have the right peg.

[@caroleadams5050]

Mine has 72 strings. I hate tuning it. I use a pick to pluck each string. Fortunately it stays in tune pretty well. but I love playing and its worth it.

[@aleedulcimer]

Agreed! Now that my current dulcimer is a few years old, it holds tune for a while. Thank goodness! :) Definitely worth it when I take the time to tune it! (And it's time to do that. lol)

[@austinholloway2319]

Ok, so this is exactly what I was curious about. I got 10 seconds in and was like oh hell no...

[@aleedulcimer]

It takes so long.... haha

[@JohnnysComedyNetwork]

When you started at G# are both strings the same pitch ; both high G#?

[@aleedulcimer]

Yes! The thing that gives hammered dulcimers their cool sound is that two strings that are tuned to the same note are struck at the same time. Some professional dulcimers even have three strings tuned together for each note.

[@JohnnysComedyNetwork]

@@aleedulcimer The first time I heard the dulcimer was on a recording / video by an artist named Rich Mullins. The song is CREED. Check it out..!!!! My wife has arthritis and will have to stop playing guitar but wants to buy a dulcimer when we can afford to.

[@aleedulcimer]

I'll have to check that song out, thanks! I got my dulcimer from Craggy Mountain Music. It's a more affordable option than some of the bigger dulcimer companies. Songbird Dulcimers is another affordable option.

[@JohnnysComedyNetwork]

@@aleedulcimer Is yours made of laminate or a solid body?I was looking at some from Dusty Strings....Start at $550 without cade or stand..

[@aleedulcimer]

Mine's laminate. I'd like to get a Dusty Strings as my next instrument when I'm ready for a larger model. They make good quality products.