Pt. 2 Creed Rich Mullins Instructions Hammered Dulcimer

[JustJat1]

Thanks for this! What is the minimum spec for a dulcimer which this could be played on? I'd like to learn but realistically I don't want to spend a lot on the instrument - I may not be very good! Can you use a 12 + 12 or will there be missing notes? Or do I hold out for a good 2nd hand one ;-)

[MartinMooreMusic]

@JustJat1 - Rich played on a Dusty String 15/14. I don't know if you can play the whole song on a 12/11, but you can always use modifications if needed. I always tell people to buy as big of an instrument as they can afford. A lot of folks that stick with playing a hammered dulcimer find themselves running out of room on a 12/11 after a few months of playing. Feel free to e-mail me directly at MartinMooreMusic@gmail.com. Thanks and God bless!!!

[JustJat1]

@MartinMooreMusic Got my first dulcimer - second on its way ;-)

I picked up a second hand TK O'Brien Backpacker - its only 9/8 but good for learning patterns etc. Dusty Strings 16/15 being shipped from the US

[JustJat1]

@MartinMooreMusic Thought I'd update you-I was going to get something cheaper but I ended up buying a Dusty Strings D45 :-D

I have learned to play Creed now,and I think I can answer my own question-to play Creed you need a 16/15 -although Rich Mullins played a 15/14, the top note of Creed is a tone too high- it is possible to tweak the tuning- it is well known that Rich Mullins tuned his dulcimer down a tone- if he had left the top 2 strings at their original tuning,then Creed becomes possible!

[PeggyinOhio]

Here is what we came up with since we're using a guitar instead:

GCDG

GBDG

ADEB

ADEA

ACEG

ACEF#

DAGD

DAGC

[hypernika0]

Thank for the video, what a great time. A suggestion though, at times its difficult to see which strings you are striking, notes would be helpful

[MartinMooreMusic]

Thanks for the kind words. I would love to get a better angle, but I do not own a tripd or anything of that nature. I actually had my camera on a music stand and this was the best angle I could get without getting someone to actually hold the camera.

I hope that you find the video(s) helpful nonetheless!

God bless. :)

[PhantomMooseFilms]

Hey, this is very cool, but one comment...

I watched all your videos, and it's really difficult to tell which string you're hitting. It would be easier to see if the video was a top view of the dulcimer.

Otherwise, though, this is very encouraging to a dulcimer-loving teen who's just getting started.