Amazing Grace Blues -- Mountain Dulcimer

A blues variation of Amazing Grace.

I've got banjo stings on this dulcimer, so I can tune it lower. This is in G# - D# - g#.

I recorded separate sound and video, and then put them together. The sync is a little off. I've learned to do a better job of that since I made this.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Amazing
• Grace
• Blues
• Mountain
• Dulcimer
• acoustic
• instrumental
• hokd

[tjm3]

Tuning is G# D# g#. The dulcimer has banjo strings to allow for the lower tuning. Nope, no tab, but it's based a beginner's arrangement. I just added the shuffle beat and the turnaround chord at the end of each verse. Can't post a link here, but find the Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer website and search "How I play blues on mountain dulcimer" for a more discussion. You may still have questions; feel free to ask.

[PureZOOKS]

@tjm3 wait, how can it be tuned G# d# g# if it has four strings?

[tjm3]

@PureZOOKS There are only three strings. I used to have four on this instrument, but I took one off. (Hence, the extra tuner). When I had four, the two highest strings were very close together, and were tuned the same. That's customary on dulcimers. The idea is to make the melody louder by doubling that string course. Doesn't work well for me, as I play melody notes on all three strings. Even if I had 4, most would still say I was tuned to G# d# g#, but some might add the last g# for clarity.

[missiramey]

Love this! My hubby ordered me a dulcimer for valentine's day and cant wait to get it! Does it take a really long time to get as good as you?

2 people are tone deaf!

[tjm3]

@missiramey Thanks for watching! You can start playing right away and do OK. I did this arrangement using my very first beginner book, and just chopped up the regular strum pattern a bit.. Unlike a guitar, everything is right side up and you can see what you are doing. I don't read music, either. I'd suggest joining the Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer website to get started. See you there.

[OldWriter205]

Either you have a good mike up close, or that thing is hooked up electronically. Comes through really clean sounding.

[tjm3]

@OldWriter205 Thanks, and good ear! You can just see the pickup if you look closely, and the cord trailing across my leg to a laptop just out of the frame.

[MrDutchjake]

hey, what's your tuning for this? and what strings do you start on? and then finally do you have this song in a book, or written down, or did you just make up this variation of it? thanks, please reply

Jake

[missiramey]

Love this! My hubby ordered me a dulcimer for valentine's day and cant wait to get it! Does it take a really long time to get as good as you?

[tjm3]

@wryguy007 This was a kit, cost me about a hundred bucks. Google 'cardboard dulcimer' and find inexpensive kits, too. I started with one of those, upgraded when I was sure I liked to play. Thanks for watching!