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Post by fatfingerjohn on Nov 6, 2013 15:26:47 GMT
I'm rethreading this so as not to Hijack the previous thread about Mountain Dulcimers.
I've never really considered this but having looked at the thread and Dave's instrument (!!) I spent some time on youtube listening and watching and it can sound lovely. Can anyone help with a bit more info
1. As a guideline, for someone who say is an intermediate acoustic guitar player what is the learning curve on the mountain dulcimer. I know this is a pretty open ended question, but it 'looks' relatively straight forward and no doubt isn't! Could I expect, with reasonable practice 2 or 3 times every week, to be sounding OK in say 3 months? 6 months? Longer??
2. I've looked quickly on the web at prices (don't want to kit buy) and they seem to start at around £100 and then go to £350 plus for nicer models. Is it worth considering the cheaper ones at all?
Sorry if this is very generalised.
FFJ
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davewhite
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Luthier
Aemulor et ambitiosior
Posts: 3,544
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Post by davewhite on Nov 6, 2013 16:07:09 GMT
I can only address your first question. They are relatively easy to master as they are tuned usually with roots and fifths with effectively only three strings (one or more can be paired). So you have something like DD A D as a tuning - note it's "upside down" with the highest pitched strings closest to you. You tend to be fretting using only one or two fingers at a time. If you go for the shorter scale length ones similar to a guitar at around 25.5" the stretches are similar to on a guitar. If you already play guitar (especially in open tunings) you'll sound fine on it very quickly. Best use/example I use to illustrate is always Joni Mitchell's case of you:
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Nov 6, 2013 18:00:52 GMT
Thanks Dave, that's encouraging. Its a case of finding the right instrument at the right price now in time for a xmas pressie! (I wouldn't dare ask for another guitar!!
I saw the Joni piece when I was searching around; some of her stuff is a little bit weird!
This was one of the pieces that caught my eye as being nice as a solo.
FFJ
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davewhite
Luthier / Guitar Maker
Luthier
Aemulor et ambitiosior
Posts: 3,544
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Post by davewhite on Nov 9, 2013 12:32:45 GMT
FFJ - you may have already found this site but if not there's lots of stuff there to help learn to play one: Everything Dulcimer
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Post by Deleted on Nov 9, 2013 13:20:08 GMT
They're great little instruments. With the modal tunings you can actually sound great in a few minutes if you limit yourself to playing the tune on the first string(s) with a drone.
Playing chords on them can take some getting used to, as it doesn't seem natural to play on a horizontal fretboards at first, plus the best method of producing them happens to involve using the side of the thumb, which can be painful. It should be said that chording can also go too far in any case, as it puts limits on the very sound that gives character to the instrument. I tended to "sketch in" the most important chords at certain points whilst keeping strings open wherever possible.
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