Coventry Carol on Mountain Dulcimers

This song is played with one dulcimer tuned G D Bb in a Phrygian tuning and two dulcimers tuned C G c in a Mixolydian tuning. The end result is the song is in Gm and the high note is a D. The Phrygian dulcimer provides more of the low base drone notes. Coventry Carol doesn't really fit either mode since the 6+ fret is used in both dulcimer tunings while playing the song. I added tab at the end of the song. I don't know if it is a good idea or will be readable on all user's computers but I will rely on comments as to whether it is helpful.
If the tab is unreadable and you would like a copy, you can email me at d_holeton@yahoo.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• christmas
• appalachian
• mountain
• dulcimer
• lullay
• thou
• little
• tiny
• child
• coventry
• carol
• phrygian
• mixolydian

[birdycatlady]

This is a very pretty version. I appreciated all the details about the tuning; didn't realize that dulcimers could be tuned to the different modes. Someday I would like to learn to play the dulcimer ... You have a nice voice too :)

[dholeton]

Thanks Birdy...I encourage you to not let someday be too far away.

Merry Christmas

Dave

[butnotthroughglass]

lovely, i adore this

[dholeton]

Thank you...It appears Coventry Carol has a wonderful history from where it began in the 1500's in England. It comes to me every year at this time.

Dave

[str8fellow]

Great job Dave. Can't wait to try this.

[dholeton]

Thanks Brian

[dholeton]

Thanks Nancy...It is a sad song but one I am drawn to play every holiday season. When I first started trying to play it on dulcimer, I couldn't play all of the notes. Tuning to Phrygian mode was an accident but it worked.

Dave

[dulcimerer]

more phyrigian yay!! Love it love it Your voice goes so well with this mode. Forlorn , innocent and mysterious all at the same time.

[dholeton]

Thanks Gretchenman...sorry the tab doesn't show up on YouTube but I think I know how to do it better the next time. You can send me an email if you would like a pdf copy.

Dave

[dholeton]

Thanks Tish...