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You Can Teach Yourself Dulcimer
by Madeline MacNeil

Singing with the Mountain Dulcimer

I've been singing with instruments since I was in high school, just because it was fun. I grew up singing along with Peter Paul and Mary, and John Denver. The messages in their music spoke to me. The traditional songs were the stories of everyday people who lived in earlier times, under different circumstances, but shared the same hopes and dreams that we have today. The contemporary folk songs that I like to sing paint similar pictures with words and inspire us with messages of hope in the human spirit.

Very early on, I realized that my instrument is my singing partner. I sing the melody, and let the instrument "back me up" so to speak. When I'm singing important words, I keep the accompaniment very simple, or just strum chords. When I am holding a long note, I try to fill in a little harmony line to add interest. Sometimes I'll play the melody or a variation as an instrumental break between verses.

If you are inclined to sing with your dulcimer, by all means, give it a go! It doesn't have to sound great at first, but you'll get better. And if you're having fun, that's the most important thing, and it doesn't matter how you sound. Here's one of my favorite quotes: "How quiet the forest would be if only the birds that sang best, sang at all!" So, let's start making some noise!

Step One:

When people are new to singing with the dulcimer, the first thing I suggest is to sing along with the melody of the song. Sing along with what you are playing. It will sound nice and your voice will be happy for the support it gets from your instrument. You won't feel so alone and exposed.

I've chosen a simple song that I hope most people know. Play it several times to get familiar with how to play it. Keep your arrangement simple so you don't have to think too hard about too many things. Singing the song is your goal!

Listen to Susan sing and play Melody of "Michael Row the Boat Ashore"

Step Two:

Once you are comfortable singing what you are playing, and your voice is strong on the melody, try singing the melody and playing only the chords. In this case play the first chord of each measure and continue strumming the rhythm, but don't play the melody notes. For example, in the first full measure - strum 4-0-0 for the whole measure, omitting the 5 at the end. Just strum the 4-0-0 chord. Your voice will sing the notes you are leaving out, and the chords will still be supporting your voice.

Listen to Susan sing and play Chords for "Michael Row the Boat Ashore"

Step Three:

Now comes the fun part!

You have been using chords that have the same note on the melody string as the melody itself. Let's try finding chords that have a different note on the melody string and play those while you sing the melody. You can use the chords in the example below. Just play the chord that is indicated in the beginning of each measure, except in the next to the last measure where you will play a D then and A chord as you sing. Remember to strum the rhythm as you did before. Play the first two notes as written to get you started on the right notes.

This should start to sound like a harmony!

Listen to Susan sing and play a Simple Harmony for "Michael Row the Boat Ashore"

Step Four:

Now you are ready to play a few single notes to connect the chords. And we'll add a few notes while you are holding the long notes on the "Alleluias" just to make it sound more interesting. Just play it as written and enjoy. Sing it out and have fun!

Listen to Susan sing and play a Fancier Harmony for "Michael Row the Boat Ashore"

Finding Your Range

Most of us tune our dulcimers to D-A-D, putting our singing voices in the key of D. If this seems a little too high for you to sing along with comfortably, you may need to tune your instrument down to C-G-C. Likewise, if it's too low, you may want to tune to E-B-E. You may need to set up your dulcimer with heavier or lighter strings depending on where your vocal range lies.

If it's really hard to sing along you may try singing in the key of G. Put your capo at the 3rd fret, and then add "3" to each of the numbers in the tab. Remember to use the 6th fret and not the 6 1/2 when you are playing in this key. Your ear will confirm this for you. You may also want to try a baritone dulcimer tuned A-E-A, or G-D-G, and just play regular D-A-D tab. You'll be playing in the keys of A or G, so won't be able to play along with other dulcimers tuned D-A-D, but if you're solo, you'll do just fine!

Notes on the Tablature

In my tab, a single number means to play a single string. Strums are indicated by a stack of numbers, ex. 4-0-0.

If there is no rhythmic indication above a fret numbers, or if it pays a chord means it is a quarter note.

The double arrow means to strum out and in, two eighth notes, or a "ditty" if you learned the bum-ditty method.

The bracket over the two notes in measure 5 indicates two eighth notes.

You can take your cues from the rhythmic notation in the written music.

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