A Mel Bay Publications, Inc. Webzine
August 2007 · Bimonthly
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In this issue: A Mexican Song for Mountain and Hammered Dulcimers: Cielito Lindo | A Classical Piece for Mountain Dulcimer: The Morning Song | A Duet for Hammered Dulcimer: La Luna Giubilante | Playing the Mountain Dulcimer Across the Strings in the First Position
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Playing the Mountain Dulcimer Across the Strings in the First Positionby Terry Lewis Most often in playing the mountain dulcimer we play linearly up the fret board. When we play the scale up the fret board in the key of D (DAD), we start with 0 (open D) on the first string. We play the scale continuing up the fret board with 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6+, until we reach 7(high D). I found that I could play smoother and faster if I found the same notes playing across the strings below the 3rd fret. Minimizing movement, especially in fiddle tunes, promotes fluidity. Using this "first position" on the dulcimer also allows you to play tunes an octave below what you normally hear. This adds another dimension to tunes. To accomplish this movement to a lower octave think of the scale that usually notes out like this: 
Then think of the scale looking like this: 
You can take tunes you already know and play them in the lower "first position" once you become familiar with where the comparable note is. Listen to "Whiskey Before Breakfast" played Below is the traditional tune "Whisky Before Breakfast" tabbed linearly and in first position. 
About the Author Terry Lewis began playing stringed instruments in grade school. He played guitar in rock and roll bands as a teenager and upright bass in bluegrass bands as an adult. He also plays banjo, violin, dobro, as well as the dulcimer. In the mid-Seventies Terry operated a dulcimer shop in Anderson, Indiana. Later he and his father built some dulcimers. Terry has been playing mountain dulcimer almost exclusively for the last seven years. He gives private lessons, group lessons, has conducted mountain dulcimer workshops around the country and has authored 5 dulcimer books. He enjoys working with children and often gives concerts in the local schools. Terry volunteers in the Cumberland Gap National Park giving concerts and entertaining in the visitor's center. He is now working to build the interest in mountain dulcimer in the Cumberland Gap area. Terry can be reached at his web page at: www.terrylewisdulcimer.com. [ top ]
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