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Thread: Help with a Dulcimer

  1. #1
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    Default Help with a Dulcimer

    OK, I know this is a mando forum, but I suspect someone here can help. My sister in law gave me a dulcimer. I tried tuning it up in DAD but the tuner on the A string can't hold the tension and it immediately goes flat. These are probably cheap tuners but I still want to be able to play it. Any ideas to help keep it from slipping? Here is what the tuners look like



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    Default Re: Help with a Dulcimer

    Those are friction tuners. There should be a screw on the end of the pearl tuner button, tighten it.
    THE WORLD IS A BETTER PLACE JUST FOR YOUR SMILE!

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    Default Re: Help with a Dulcimer

    Quote Originally Posted by pops1 View Post
    Those are friction tuners. There should be a screw on the end of the pearl tuner button, tighten it.
    Thanks for the advice. Worked fine.

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    Default Re: Help with a Dulcimer

    It wouldn't hurt to make sure all the hardware is tight, too. If you have a wrench thin enough, reach in and tighten the nuts holding the tuners in place. Don't overdo it.

    Dulcimers can be really cool. Joni Mitchell had a few songs on which she played some really nice stuff. Richard Fariņa was known for it, too. Fairport Convention used electric dulcimer to good effect - probably unique in rock.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

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    Default Re: Help with a Dulcimer

    Piano player Bruce Hornsby added dulcimer to his shows, though he holds it up like a guitar.

    (quiet clip, but includes mandolin)

    Last edited by jefflester; Jun-21-2021 at 11:55am. Reason: typo

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    Default Re: Help with a Dulcimer

    My current rock/pop fave dulcimer song:

    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

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    Default Re: Help with a Dulcimer

    Nice rendition of that song. I did not know Cyndi played the dulcimer. I thought she just sold psoriasis drugs

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    Default Re: Help with a Dulcimer

    Wow. Was that supposed to be funny?
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

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    Default Re: Help with a Dulcimer

    Quote Originally Posted by journeybear View Post
    Wow. Was that supposed to be funny?
    Yes it was intended to be funny. Sorry if it was off-base. There was a Cosentyx commercial running when I was typing in my response so I tossed that in there

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    Default Re: Help with a Dulcimer

    Oh, OK. Yes, I thought it was off-base and un-called-for. Cyndi is a wonderfully generous humanitarian as well as a very talented musician, and doesn't deserve derision. Thanks for owning up.

    Though I'll agree with anyone about getting driven a bit bonkers by big pharma ads. They're so long and obnoxious.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

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    Default Re: Help with a Dulcimer

    Here's one of my favorite dulcimer songs. Joni used it on a few songs on the "Blue" album. She was rushed onstage earlier than scheduled, so she was a bit jittery at the start. Kind of an odd angle, but it provides a good look at her technique.

    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

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    Default Re: Help with a Dulcimer

    Quote Originally Posted by journeybear View Post
    Here's one of my favorite dulcimer songs. Joni used it on a few songs on the "Blue" album. She was rushed onstage earlier than scheduled, so she was a bit jittery at the start. Kind of an odd angle, but it provides a good look at her technique.

    Just getting started with dulcimer I dont know if the "slap" technique she uses to create a percussive sound is a standard technique or something she came up with.

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    Default Re: Help with a Dulcimer

    Good question. I think it's more her style. It's most pronounced on this song. It serves the dual purpose of adding the percussive element and also stopping the ringing notes. I've seen her play less dramatically. Here, she's trying to command the attention of some 600,000 audience members. So whatever works, works.
    But that's just my opinion. I could be wrong. - Dennis Miller

    Furthering Mandolin Consciousness

    Finders Keepers, my duo with the astoundingly talented and versatile Patti Rothberg. Our EP is finally done, and available! PM me, while they last!

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    Default Re: Help with a Dulcimer

    For you dulcimer newbies check out Dave Haas playing "Starry, Starry Night" on YT. He's an amazing musician.
    Ratliff R5 2007, Capek A5 2003, Washburn M5S-SB Jethro Burns 1982, Mid-Mo M-2, Epiphone MM 30 Bk mandolins, Harmony Batwing 1970's, George Bauer bowlback early 1900's Philadelphia.


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    Default Re: Help with a Dulcimer

    Quote Originally Posted by DaveGinNJ View Post
    Nice rendition of that song. I did not know Cyndi played the dulcimer. I thought she just sold psoriasis drugs
    Which she does; Lauper's been battling psoriasis since 2012. Beyond being a spokesperson for a pharma company, she's gone public with her experience, and what treatments have and haven't worked for her. Here's a 2017 article where she discusses it.

    Should be all we need to say about the topic...
    Allen Hopkins
    Gibsn: '54 F5 3pt F2 A-N Custm K1 m'cello
    Natl Triolian Dobro mando
    Victoria b-back Merrill alumnm b-back
    H-O mandolinetto
    Stradolin Vega banjolin
    Sobell'dola Washburn b-back'dola
    Eastmn: 615'dola 805 m'cello
    Flatiron 3K OM

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