![]() Tuning wrench: You must have a tuning wrench to adjust the strings of your dulcimer.Items You Will Need to Tune Your Hammered Dulcimerīelow is a list of the things you will need for hammered dulcimer tuning: Not all dulcimers will have the smaller, third bridge indicated in this photo. This is our Phoebe Chromatic Hammered Dulcimer. Here is the anatomy of the dulcimer to use as a guide as you go through this process: ![]() This is done by tightening or loosening the tuning pins. So let’s break it down: The main goal of hammered dulcimer tuning is to match the pitch of your string to the ideal note the string should be set to. Once beginners learn the basics and go through it methodically, it becomes pretty easy. And if you have tuned any other instrument, you will find that tuning the hammered dulcimer is really no different–just with more strings. Anyone can tune, even if you are brand-spanking new to the dulcimer world! Is it Hard to Tune a Hammered Dulcimer?ĭo not be deterred by any music jargon, learning how to tune your hammered dulcimer is not hard. If this all sounds Greek to you, not to worry newbies! We’ve made this article beginner-friendly so you can easily follow along. This will cause your hammered dulcimer to be what is called “out of tune.” Keeping it in tune will allow you to better identify pitches as well as produce a richer timbre to your music. Just as any stringed instrument does, when the tension on the strings changes, it changes the pitch of the notes played. The two-plus octaves of C are quite usable, but those of F are slightly awkward.Are you a hammered dulcimer newbie? Have you noticed your dulcimer just doesn’t sound as good as it did when you first started playing? Do people grimace in pain as you play? These may be signs your hammered dulcimer may be out of tune. G and A are not far behind in ease of access, but E requires more acrobatics, particularly at the upper octaves. The key of D is the easiest, with the four octaves drawn from just the Main Treble, and Bass 1 and 2 bridges. The physical layout of this instrument makes for easy access to most of the tonal resources. That chromatic scale extends beyond that C6 five notes to F6. Within the four-octave range there are three fully chromatic octaves from the C3 below middle C4 to two octaves above middle C4 (C6). Major scales C and F are complete for three octaves. A fourth, A, lacks the top three notes of the fourth octave. ![]() Three major scales, D, G, and E, extend the full four octaves. Six different and extended diatonic scales are available within this range. Thus the actual range is three notes beyond the four octave, D2 to D6. The range extends from a D2 an octave plus a seventh below middle C4 to an F6 two octaves plus a fourth above middle C4. This location naturally flows into the rest of the instruments capability. One of the unique characteristics is the location of the extended bass range on the right. ![]() In addition several fully chromatic octaves are available. My 3/16/18/10 Four Octave Chromatic Hammer Dulcimers offer an extensive range of pitches, and a variety of diatonic scales within this range. Musical Description of my Four Octave Dulcimers The Custom Performance 3/16/18/10 includes D#4/G#3 on Treble and 10 extra bass courses on Bass 2 for a full four octaves. If you need printable versions of tuning schemes along with the string gauges to go with it, go to this list of tuning charts. If you'd like to see a comparison of all my hammered dulcimers in chart form go to my comparative chart page. The instruments are more fundamentally diatonic but some of the models have additional chromaticism and added lower range. What appears below are what would be classified as traditional diatonic layouts for hammered dulcimers at least in the US. These marking schemes are only offered as options for the Linear Chromatic. Many of you are confused about Standard and Piano marking systems. Contact me if you have specific ideas The tuning charts and marking options for the Linear Chromatics are located on the page dedicated to that instrument. The tuning charts for the Tsimbls are located on their own page as well. This section is dedicated to a visualization and description of my various traditional tuning schemes.
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