HOW TO MAKE AND PLAY A HAMMERED DULCIMER

(Page 4 of 4)

September/October 1983
 
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A TUNE TO PLAY WITH

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Scales and chords are important, but most people are eager to play a tune on their new instrument, so here's a familiar one to get you started. The numbers over the words indicate which strings to strike (check the tuning chart again). Hit each string at a point fairly close to the bridge (one or two inches away is about right).

Once you've got the hang of it, you'll be playing tunes by ear ... and wondering how on earth this wonderful instrument ever left the limelight!

RESOURCES

There are some excellent mail-order sources for dulcimer building supplies, books, records, and playing instructional materials ... among them Andy's Front Hall, Dept. TMEN, Drawer A, Voorheesville, New York 12186 (catalog free), and Jean's Dulcimer Shop, Dept. TMEN, P.O. Box 8, Cosby, Tennessee 37722 (catalog $1.00, refundable). A magazine dedicated to dulcimers is The Dulcimer Players News, Dept. TMEN, P.O. Box 2164, Winchester, Virginia 22601. Finally, a good mail-order source of wood is Craftsman Wood Service, Dept. TMEN, 1735 West Cortland Court, Addison, Illinois 60101 (catalog $1.50).

Tuning wrenches for dulcimer-sized pins (they're usually called zither pins) can be found at most music stores: Ask for an autoharp wrench (those instruments use identical pins). The same music store, or your local piano tuner, may also be a good source for tuning pins and music wire.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The author himself has instruction tapes and books available for interested players. For more information, write to him at Dept. TMEN, Route 2, Box 140, Williamsburg, Kentucky 40769 ... and please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope with your inquiry.

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Comments

  • hhunt 4/28/2009 11:49:47 AM

    The figures are in the Image Gallery at the top of the article. - Mother

  • Tracy Flanders 4/25/2009 6:04:53 AM

    Please let me know where I can find the figures (as others have asked).
    Thank you.

  • Billy 2/11/2009 9:33:59 PM

    Where are the figures??

  • Brent 4/27/2007 8:48:08 PM

    the article on building a hammered dulcimer referred to figures but
    I didn't see any. Also I was wondering if you had a supply source
    for the tuning pins and such. Thank You

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