• Registered: 2014-10-22
  • Posts: 2

Topic: Mountain Dulcimer

I am trying to find or learn how to convert guitar tab into mountain dulcimer tab   I can chord most things ok, but looking for something more specific.  Any help or ideas?

  • From: Western Oregon,US
  • Registered: 2008-07-22
  • Posts: 2,498

Re: Mountain Dulcimer

Hi Gertie and Welcome to Chordie!!

Don't know anything about your musical experience and education so far, but this might be of some use, especially if you are trying to dig a little deeper into the theory aspect of your instrument.   http://www.everythingdulcimer.com/artic … 0V1.01.pdf

By all means let us know a bit more about yourself and get to know the community, there are bound to be a few folks out here better able to address your questions.  Especially in the Music Theory and Other string Instruments sections..... but this is a good place to start.  Welcome aboard!

Take Care;
Doug

"what is this quintessence of dust?"  - Shakespeare
  • Registered: 2014-10-22
  • Posts: 2

Re: Mountain Dulcimer

Thanks, I have scoured their website too.  It should just be mind over matter lol.  Notes are notes right, there are only so many places on the fretboard to find them.  I will check the Music Theory section too.

  • From: Western Oregon,US
  • Registered: 2008-07-22
  • Posts: 2,498

Re: Mountain Dulcimer

You are correct!  Notes are notes, even though guitar Tab only references where on the fretboard the "note" is located, it indicates nothing about what note it is.  Perhaps a "cheat sheet" showing the notation on a guitar fretboard could get you around that and there should be something in Jerome's sticky (in Music Theory) that you could possibly print.

I did find it interesting to note that some chords of tension cannot be done on the Dulcimer (Maj7,7,9, etc.), but they are not essential, particularly when played in accompaniment with a wider strung instrument (such as guitar).

Thanks for Sharing;
Doug

"what is this quintessence of dust?"  - Shakespeare
  • From: Bellevue, WA
  • Registered: 2006-06-15
  • Posts: 3,336

Re: Mountain Dulcimer

Doug_Smith wrote:

I did find it interesting to note that some chords of tension cannot be done on the Dulcimer (Maj7,7,9, etc.), but they are not essential, particularly when played in accompaniment with a wider strung instrument (such as guitar).

That has to do with the number of strings vs the number of notes in the chord.  For example, it is impossible to play a dominant 13th chord of any sort on a guitar.  Reason?  Seven notes in the chord - six strings on the fret board.   

Most of us get by playing the "important notes"  (root, 3rd, 7th, and 13th) but you can't actually fit that many fingers into the "canonical" chord.   I spent a great deal of my youth playing a two valved G bugle.  You can't play a low D on it.   Not enough valves.   We got by.  :)

Someday we'll win this thing...

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