Here, you’ll find out about some of the most popular dulcimer tunings for 3, 4, and 5 string dulcimers. There are additional notes on the dulcimer below the octave and a few above it. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Usually, though, you can tune your dulcimer at home without any professional help. So, if the strings were tuned to EBE, it would still be a mixolydian tuning but in a different key. DAC (Aeolian): DAC has the bass string(s) tuned to D, the middle string tuned to A, and the melody string(s) tuned to C. It allows the player to use the minor scale starting on the first fret. For DAA, the third fret of the bass string will give you A. DAC, for instance, means the bass string is tuned to D, the middle string is tuned to A, and the melody string is tuned to C. "Strings" in this context may actually refer to courses of 2 strings that are played together (e.g., the melody string is doubled on most dulcimers). On newer dulcimers, there is an "extra" fret after the third fret. It has been used for a variety of tunes, including. A dulcimer is a fretted, plucked musical instrument. Chords for DAA Tuning Plays in the KEY of D 48 Notes on the Fretboard. This may not be a D note, but it will come close enough for most purposes. The fact that there are multiple diatonic scales available means that each scale also has some chromatic notes, which it borrows from other scales. There is not really a set standard tuning. Now it … Also, some dulcimer players use G tuning so you may not have to change anything. The tuning you use with your dulcimer can change a lot about how you play it and what you can play on it. This dulcimer guitar from Seagull has a scale designed to be used in G tuning (usually DGD). That actually means that you can press the other string on the third fret and tune the string you want to tune to the same tone. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 47,005 times. This sound is the A note, and it is also the same sound produced when you pluck the bass string after pressing the bass string down to the left of the fourth fret. A three-string dulcimer has one bass string, one middle string, and one melody string. I found that by improvising I was able to get quite a lot of music out of this dandy. If in doubt, adjust the knobs carefully and observe which string is tightened or loosened as you make the adjustment. The Aeolian Mode scale begins at the first fret and runs through the eighth fret. Always tune up to a note, it helps you keep in tune for longer. If you've never tuned a dulcimer before, you might think that only a professional can do it. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Match the string to the note you hum. For the more experienced, who need only to hear the notes, select the “quick-tune” option. Most people use DAA, DAD, or DGD tunings on their dulcimers. It seemed like a nice introduction to a fret-board and more. When the front of the dulcimer faces you, the knob or knobs on the left are usually your middle strings. I have a 5 string dulcimer and was told in a shop that I would need to change the strings for a different sort if I wanted to change the tuning. DAA tune. If you do not have an instrument to tune the bass string to, hum a note with your voice that feels as natural and comfortable as possible. Similarly, the melody string is usually referred to as the "first" string even though you work on it last. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. If you do not have an instrument that you can use when tuning this bass string, use your voice. Then tune the melody string to that same note. By using our site, you agree to our. DAD is similar: find the A on the bass string, tune the middle string to that, then tune the melody string to the bass string. On a guitar, the D below Middle C is the same note as the open fourth string. Chords for DGD Tuning Plays in the KEY of G 47 Notes on the Fretboard. Hum a note that feels as natural and comfortable as possible and tune the string to that sound. Electronic tuners are cheap and easily available. A pitch pipe will give you the right tone but not which D to choose; be careful not to over-tension the string, they can snap. It has a tendency to "weep" and "wail," and it works well with many traditional Scottish and Irish songs. You can play additional notes both below and above this scale on your dulcimer. Tune the third fret or bass string to the D below middle C on the piano (or to the open fourth string of a guitar). I bought this Merlin G-tuning Dulcimer as a gift. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6d\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-1.jpg\/aid4585607-v4-728px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/1\/1f\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/1\/1f\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-2.jpg\/aid4585607-v4-728px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a2\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-3.jpg\/aid4585607-v4-728px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/74\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-4.jpg\/aid4585607-v4-728px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/42\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/42\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-5.jpg\/aid4585607-v4-728px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/07\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-6.jpg\/aid4585607-v4-728px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/22\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/22\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-7.jpg\/aid4585607-v4-728px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-8.jpg\/v4-460px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-8.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/65\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-8.jpg\/aid4585607-v4-728px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-8.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-9.jpg\/v4-460px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-9.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/ae\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-9.jpg\/aid4585607-v4-728px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-9.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a3\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-10.jpg\/v4-460px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-10.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a3\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-10.jpg\/aid4585607-v4-728px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-10.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b2\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-11.jpg\/v4-460px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-11.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b2\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-11.jpg\/aid4585607-v4-728px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-11.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>


\n<\/p><\/div>"}, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-12.jpg\/v4-460px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-12.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c7\/Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-12.jpg\/aid4585607-v4-728px-Tune-a-Dulcimer-Step-12.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"