Watch This Before You Buy A Mountain Dulcimer

[@BanjoLemonade]

For lessons, tabs and so much more - www.banjolemonade.com/join

[@slowrunner3737]

Thank you for video, I have been so confused about all the different options that I have been paralyzed with the fear of purchasing the wrong one. I feel so much more informed. ❤

[@Inarode]

Thank you. I've been interested in dulcimers for a while, and I have a chance to get one at an estate sale I plan on going to. Knowing how to match the instrument to my hand size alone is going to help so so much :)

[@jayemier3764]

Just ordered my first Folkcraft FolkRoots dulcimer a few minutes ago. Went with a 24' because I'm an average sized female but have a previously broken left hand. Richard Ash recommended the 24'. Going with a Hickory top with Black Walnut everything else. I can't imagine that it will be anything but gorgeous. Went with the three string but with a four string extra bridge and nut that I saw you recommend. Thanks for these videos...so much I wouldn't have known was important if I hadn't watched!

[@BanjoLemonade]

Well that’s great Jaye! I’m sure you will love it.

[@jayemier3764]

@@BanjoLemonade It just arrived today but I haven't opened it yet...letting it acclimate to my house and it's driving me crazy that I can't see/play it yet. Changed from the hickory/walnut to cherry/cherry and went with Folkcraft instead of Folkroots after watching your comparison video. I really really want that old time Kentucky sound. At least, this time...I'm sure someday I'll go back to my original hickory/walnut Folkroots model idea.

[@manuelarichter586]

Thank you for your important Informations🎶 🌺

[@ron.v]

Excellent video. I own and play several string instruments. My wife wanted a dulcimer so I bought her one on a whim. It isn't very easy to play (strings too high) but it sounds fine and I can make music with it. I wish I had seen your video before purchasing it. This is a great video. Thanks.

[@montycraig5659]

Thanking the Lord for you Mandy! I am just starting to look, and live about 3 hrs from Folkcraft. I have already learned so many things about the dulcimer from your videos. Thank you!!

[@BanjoLemonade]

Thank you, God bless you! Have fun, and yes get yourself a dulcimer. You will love it!

[@davehoward4970]

Just subscribed, I am english but live in SW France and its fantastic to find somebody easy to listen to ( My wife bought me a 5 string banjo which I am starting to learn! I find your videos so easy to follow and you are very calm and encouraging. ) It looks like you have a great home life there and you clearly have your faith and family. I hope you prosper in every way, and thank you so much for your hard work producing these videos, they must be so time consuming! God bless and good luck with all them dulcimers!!............ Dave👏😀

[@sharoncorbin5466]

With small arthritic hands I bought a 23” VSL as my first dulcimer last year. I am definitely glad I did! Eventually I want to get a 25”or maybe 26” inch chromatic (after I learn to play). My impression is that some purists don’t think of the smaller VSL instruments (I could be wrong) as true dulcimers, but if I had gone longer on the VSL it would be extremely painful for me to try to learn. Very glad I got the 23”. You putting out this video will help many get started properly and be more successful learning and sticking with their instruments.😊

[@BanjoLemonade]

Don’t ever worry about what another person thinks. You deserve to get the joy of playing like anyone else, I’d stick with 23” if I were you. You can put thicker strings on it if you’d like.

[@knogues]

I always learn something from your videos. Only been playing about a month but really having fun as I get better at it. Wish I could find others to play with near me.

[@badgimp4577]

Bought my first dulcimer from amazon. When it came and the box was destroyed and it had a big sticker in red letters saying to pack it in a shipping box, this box is NOT strong enough for shipping and my dulcimer looked like it spent 3 days in the projects of Detroit wearing the wrong colors. Returned it, and it's replacement wasn't going to show up for a month. I ended up buying a dulcimer kit instead. It will show up in 3 days. It's small but it's a starter one. I already found a dulcimer group to play with and I can play pretty good already, I grew up in a musical family but I was never good at reading sheet music. Numbers makes it so easy!!! I am really good at woodworking though, and I'm already planning on making my own dulcimers.

[@sparebearsar]

THANK YOU Mandy!!! I was set to buy a 28” McSpadden until I saw this video. I’ve test played three dulcimers so far (a 28” vintage Folkcraft, an unnamed vintage, and a 26” cheap one off Amazon). I was paying so much attention to the fancier dulcimers that I didn’t even realize that the VSLs were different. The Folkcraft sounded the best by far, but it wasn’t comfortable to play. Thank you for helping me realize that I needed to size down to the 26” VSL!

[@RidesTheRain]

Thank you! I'm wading through information trying to buy my first dulcimer. This was a big help. Nowhere locally I can go shop for one so videos from someone knowledgeable really helps!

[@BanjoLemonade]

Glad it was helpful!

[@suemacias667]

Excellent advice, Mandy! Especially #1 went through this with guitars, in guitar class. I have short, stubby fingers, and it’s difficult to chord the longer scale length guitars. I make modest instruments with dulcimer scales, including the banjo style instruments, which love. I just love dulcimers. So user friendly! Longer videos are fine. You are an excellent teacher! I like your channel. God bless! 🌺🌺

[@BanjoLemonade]

Thanks!

[@marypolk9820]

Wow. This video was very good. I really needed all the information. I am a small lady with small hands. I think i need the smallest size and i didn't know beforehand. Thanks so much.

[@antonellovanni]

Really useful thanks from italy

[@susansuits8001]

Thanks for the great information! I play lever harp and piano and have always wanted to learn the dulcimer too. I've got small hands and it's really a stretch for me to hit a full octave on the piano so it helps to know that dulcimers come in "sizes". I know nothing about them, just starting to do some research. I know, with the harp, that cherry wood has a nice warm sound too.

[@margaretinva7754]

Thank you for this video! I am recovering from back surgery so looking for a shorter instrument so that I don’t have to spread my knees so far!

[@LynnKsCouture]

I just went to a local store and picked up a Mc Spadden hourglass dulcimer.

[@BanjoLemonade]

Yahoo!!! Have fun

[@juliaredifer2904]

Thanks, in the process of purchasing a second dulcimer. Important tips to keep in mind.

[@aprettyman7965]

Mandy -- Thank you for your advice. I have already bought a dulcimer and you are correct...VSL is the most important feature to consider...the voice of experience speaking...my hand span is short and I wish that I had known this beforehand. Anyway...still glad I bought a dulcimer to learn and wish that I had dived in the deep in before now. THANKS!

[@heatheralice1974]

Great video - I'm the kind of person who doesn't have the attention span for 15 minutes - but you're a good teacher and you kept me engaged and when it was over I was like "wow that didn't feel like 15 min". The time between me and a dulcimer depends on kits. I used to build lasers and now I'd like to try my hand at building an instrument. I am looking at ukulele and mountain dulcimer kits - but I would have definitely picked something uncomfortably long if I hadn't seen your video. I see you have shared plans for a box dulcimer design you created - that's awesome. I was wondering if your plan can be scaled down for smaller hands? Or if Folkcraft has any kits appropriate for small hands? If not I will try to build a uke and save up for a dulcimer in the future. If I could try to build one small enough for my hands I would prefer a dulcimer. But not worth forcing a bad fit. I play viola as my main instrument and my reach with my arm in that position is much longer, for some reason, than in banjo playing position. I also pantomimed on my lap and I definitely don't want to reach too far with a dulcimer. You saved me with this video!

[@lanceriffle4841]

I know this is a little old but I agree with #1. I have said before that I think all dulcimers sound good. I say if it sounds good to you then go for it. For shape I would recommend the hourglass. That’s what 😅the majority play. Kind of like if you want a play bluegrass you want a dreadnought shape. I have a teardrop but the next will be an hourglass. Anyway keep up the good work. Oh and if anyway possible go to shop that has an inventory. We are lucky to able to get to Mountain View in 3 hours. And look for a local jam group. Have fun.

[@satyashaw8102]

hey, this was a genuine service - thanks for the tips they've were really useful.

[@BanjoLemonade]

Glad to help!

[@catherinelittlebear9863]

Thank you! This is all really important!

[@donnaku594]

Hi Mandy! So glad I found your video. I am considering buying a dulcimer and now I know what to consider. I am being cautious because I have made several attempts to play the guitar without success (at least in my opinion). Because I can look down at the instrument while playing it I think will make it easier for me. Again thank you for this information!

[@marypolk9820]

Same here. I so wanted to play the guitar and couldn't. Hands so small that I couldn't do it. And yeah see what I was doing. I am playing on a friend's. So now I know that I should get a smaller one.

[@MercyHawkWomyn]

Awesome info * Thanks❣️

[@MattinLancaster]

I have played guitar with a pretty good mountain dulcimer player for the past 40 years or so, and the distance between the nut and the bridge on a stringed instrument is usually referred to as the "scale." On a guitar the scale is typically about 25", give or take. I helped my friend pick out a dulcimer once upon a time, and as always with acoustic instruments, the choice was best made with our eyes closed, or turned away. It's the sound that really matters. Wood ages toward better sound, and the dulcimer she ended up choosing was the one that had been hanging on the wall for a year. It had a small nick in the scroll, and they hadn't gotten around to fixing it. So we got a discount on the best-sounding dulcimer in a place full of all different shapes and woods.

[@BanjoLemonade]

Potato - Po-tat-o. Yes I play a lot of instruments, and as I’m sure you know things are referred to differently on different instruments. On a dulcimer it’s called a VSL. And if you haven’t played a 28” or 29” inch dulcimer before vs a 25” there is a gigantic difference in fret spacing. Sound really doesn’t matter if the person cannot play at all. In the style I play (where I play chords also) it’s impossible for most women to play chords on long VSL instruments. If you are playing drone style and not any chords, then of course go for the best sound. I mention this in the video. Guitar scales are not nearly as large a difference either. And you aren’t thinking that the dulcimer is mostly diatonic (doesn’t have all the frets to be chromatic). So those stretches are farther. Where you play a G on a Guitar you are playing on the 2nd and 3rd frets with zero gaps. (on a 25” scale) On a dulcimer a G chord spans the distance of what would be 3 frets on a chromatic instrument. (on a 28” or 29” scale that’s hard).

[@MattinLancaster]

@@BanjoLemonade Yeah, I get that. I'm a writer too, so a single five-letter word that accomplishes the same thing as three words and 19 letters appeals to me for its succinctness. I also found the option of raising the dulcimer off one's lap interesting, since the person I've been playing with does not do that. She always uses a strap around her waist to keep it from sliding away during some of the heavier strumming.

[@LBaker1061]

Esthetics is important as is sound. I love all your tips and appreciate that you mentioned esthetics. I purchased a dulcimer online form a reputable builder and received what I ordered but there are several blemishes in the wood. I have never seen a dulcimer with this type of fault. I recognize that wood does have different grains and blemishes. However I do not think McSpadden could have sold this in their shop. So, I believe they sent it to me, an online purchaser. If you buy online….please call the seller and ask to see the instrument they are sending. I have purchased numerous instruments online….djembes, Congos, frame drums, handpans……I have never received a blemished instrument…..until now. 600 dollars is too much to invest in something that you are not comfortable with.

[@jazzcatt]

Personally, I don't care about a blemish or two as long as it doesn't affect the playability or the tonal quality of the instrument. What type of Dulcimer did you get, meaning standard, baritone or bass, what type of wood on the top and body, what shape is the body and what type of wood is the fretboard, and what fretting does it have? Does it have at least the 6 1/2 fret? I might consider buying yours if you'd give me a deal, then you could get one you are happier with. I have seen a couple dulcimers that have knots on the top wood that are being used as sound holes.. I thought it looked pretty cool!

[@Wobbz9413]

Do you mean aesthetics?

[@Moonlightdance58]

This is JUST what I needed! Thank you!

[@quillofthegoddess]

Thank you for this video! I'm a petite-sized woman with smaller hands, so I'm glad I watched this before making a purchase. I will check out FolkCraft.

[@BanjoLemonade]

Glad it was helpful!

[@douglasownbey656]

😮Thinking about getting a Dulcimer. The scale is a really good point, many people run into the same problem with guitars. Comfort is key, especially if you want to play for long periods of time. I would probably go for the 25 as well. Glad you pointed that out, and will also look for an hourglass shaped one, I want a little extra tone. The next thing to look for are woods that will give me a bit of a brighter tone, that's what I usually like. I also have to get more familiar with my mandolin. Plenty to keep me busy, as well as learning Travis picking on my guitar.

[@BanjoLemonade]

Yep, you’ll love it. Have fun!

[@estrojen8867]

Very informative, thank you!

[@mollygarrett8382]

thanks so much , your videos are so good ---I play ukulele and thinking about getting a dulcimer to learn in my retirement --so wonderful that you share this info , watching some of your lessons too. i'll be joining you soon on you tube for your amazing lessons ----thanks again, Molly

[@BanjoLemonade]

If you haven’t ordered one yet I do recommend 2 different cardboard ones. They sound great and are easy to build. There’s one at Folkcraft and Backyard Instruments. Both are inexpensive and have great fretboards!

[@awesomekip311]

Hey Mandy! I'm considering going with one of Bill Berg's chromatic dulcimers (mountainmademusic) as the other options for fully chromatic are a bit more steep. The only thing i have mixed feelings on is the VSL - they are 26 3/16". I'm a guy with slightly above average hand size and I'd be a little worried about sacrificing tone compared to the longer VSL options. Is that a valid concern? However, if it has a great tone, then undoubtedly the shorter VSL is a win for doing more complex chords or melodies. I'm planning on using it for personal, gig, and studio work. We are a country music outfit and I just really want a nice full dulcimer sound out of it. Also - it's all cherry - do you have any thoughts on that impacting the sound?

[@nicholasrickfordpavlovic-g2886]

Nice video. VSL is really important as a bad fit can really diminish one's desire to play. I am a big guy with big hands, and so everyone assumes that I'd want the longest VSL I can get. But when I play a 26" VSL, it feels so easy. . .so right. And yet when I play my McSpadden 28.5"....ouch. My hands just don't work that way. I like McSpaddens though, so I am going to try one of their 26" VSL models when I make my way up there later this year. Wood too. . .wow, people sure give different advice on that. For some people it is all about volume, and so I got plenty of recs to go with spruce. But spruce is just painful to listen to - so bright and loud and sharp....as if the dulcimer was yelling at me, not singing. Voted no on those!

[@BanjoLemonade]

when you combine walnut and spruce - I love that sound. My main dulcimer is walnut spruce.

[@williamtilton8138]

My dad makes dulcimer I made one myself but now that saw this video I have questions for me thx

[@MartynRavensdale]

Thank you, really helpful.

[@kathysheeran6589]

Shorter VSL - thanks. I’m really trying to figure out an instrument I can start to play in my retirement years. My husband plays guitar and I would love to chime in with something sometime and just have fun.

[@BanjoLemonade]

You can do it!

[@emilsonlim8240]

Hi mam thank you very very much for this video. Saves me money as I never considered this beforehand. I got small to medium fingers. Blessings

[@BanjoLemonade]

yes pay close attention to that vsl. 🙏

[@flashmaster57]

24 to 25 vsl small 26 for medium 27 or higher are for big hands

[@Cheesus4jesus]

Happy 4th of July Mandy. Thank you for all you do.

[@clairerichardson3283]

Where do you get a 25” VSL mountain dulcimer? Is this the overall length of the instrument.

[@BanjoLemonade]

@@clairerichardson3283 VSL and s the scale length, the distance from nut to bridge. Folkcraft is who I would purchase from.

[@catherinelittlebear9863]

Loved the pop ups!

[@BanjoLemonade]

Thanks!

[@peek-a-boo7877]

The land you live on is heavenly. 😍 Are you related to the Presley girls? You remind me of them. 🥰

[@BanjoLemonade]

No not related. They don’t live too far from where I do though.

[@Darelle-Marie]

Thanks so much 😊

[@happycamper8707]

Love your channel!

[@denisenadeau5243]

thanks mandy very good video

[@isidoug]

You need to come to the national dulcimer festival in Evart Michigan. Every kind and style of dulcimer is available to see, hear and play. Lots of shows and jam sessions going on all the time. I play guitar and there are lots of other instruments including banjo; violin, horns and flutes etc but the heart of it is dulcimers, hammer, lap etc. evartdulcimerfest.org

[@barbarastudt2858]

Very informative. Thanks for the information

[@BanjoLemonade]

Glad it was helpful!

[@barbarastudt2858]

@@BanjoLemonade definitely was. Am very interested in the instrument and want to learn, and gather as much information as I can, before shopping.

[@carolagneessens]

Wonderful info. 🙏

[@mikebadilla6970]

A lot to learn Thank You

[@rongildea1211]

Very good!

[@Cheesus4jesus]

Wondering if you ever found a shop close to Tennessee where you can hear several different dulcimers before buying?

[@BanjoLemonade]

Nope, but whew I was at the Black Mtn Music Festival and saw and got to play as many as I like!! You can see those over on the Folkcraft channel. I got footage of several for them where I’m demo’ing them.

[@Cheesus4jesus]

@@BanjoLemonade thank you, I'll check it out

[@DeannaWillistonOFS]

There is a shop in Gatlinburg in the Arts Lopp as well as one in Towsend along the River Trail (both near GSMNP).

[@patnutter8243]

Thank you

[@belkyhernandez8281]

I'm just starting with this instrument so I don't know much about it. But regarding hands and size.... would certain piano techniques be helpful? I'm thinking of rotation from the elbow and movement origination from the shoulder. My dulcimer is a Woodrow Old-timer not a lap dulcimer. Playing something with a neck is foreign to me. I wonder if a lap dulcimer would have been an easier adjustment.

[@BanjoLemonade]

I don’t know about piano.

[@belkyhernandez8281]

@@BanjoLemonade Thank you.

[@anonymousperson4363]

I am looking to make a hybrid one, but I can't find a person in my area that would makes custom parts that I am not able to do.

[@BanjoLemonade]

what kind of hybrid?

[@anonymousperson4363]

@@BanjoLemonade A dulcimer and a lap steal, similar to the courting dulcimer.

[@BanjoLemonade]

That will be neat!

[@wack8589]

Very informal

[@BanjoLemonade]

Glad it was helpful!

[@UATU.]

Thanks Mandy! I think I would still have chosen the same dulcimer if I had watched this before buying. The only thing I regret about the one I purchased is that the pegbox is impossible. I have relatively small hands and visual impairment but it was a fiasco even getting help. Also, the inner channel was raw and unsanded and gave me splinters trying to get the strings started in the pegs. Accomplished it finally but it looks like a hot mess. If I were to give advice to other noobs it would be to check the pegbox with your hands before buying!

[@BanjoLemonade]

Great tip!

[@janetfitzgerald9752]

What is the smaller dulcimer called ?

[@flashmaster57]

Dulcimette mini dulcimer or higher octave dulcimer