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Are you ready to join the melodious community of dulcimer players? This traditional instrument has captivated audiences for centuries with its unique, one-of-a-kind sound.
Whether you’re a novice musician or an experienced guitar player, there’s a dulcimer out there that’s perfect for you. With this guide, we’ll take you on a journey through the various types of dulcimers, their designs, features and more.
So come along and let’s explore the world of dulcimers together!
Key Takeaways
- There are different types of dulcimers originating from various parts of the world, with the Appalachian Dulcimer being the most well-known in Western music.
- There are two popular designs of Appalachian Dulcimers: Guitar-Style and Traditional, with Traditional dulcimers typically having more frets and strings.
- The Seagull Merlin SG is a great option for beginners and guitar players, as it has a guitar-style body with 4 strings, including a doubled melody/treble string.
- The Roosebeck Grace Mountain, Roosebeck Wildwood Series Dulcimer, and Applecreek Hourglass Dulcimer are unique and high-end dulcimers with various features such as solid wood construction, extended fretboards, and unique body designs.
Different Designs
When it comes to Appalachian Dulcimers, there are two popular designs: Guitar-Style and Traditional.
Guitar-Style dulcimers have a separate body and neck, and usually come with 3 or 4 strings. Traditional dulcimers have a merged body and neck, and usually come with 4 to 5 strings.
Guitar-Style dulcimers are more beginner-friendly, while Traditional dulcimers are more versatile.
The materials used to make dulcimers vary, but popular materials include spruce, mahogany, and walnut.
Each design has its pros and cons, so it’s important to consider which one is best for your playing style and needs.
Beginner & Guitar-Style
Two great options for beginners and guitar players are the Seagull Merlin SG and the McNally Grand Strumstick.
The former is a guitar-style dulcimer with 4 strings and a doubled melody/treble string, allowing for a similar playing style as a 3-string dulcimer.
The latter is a compact and lightweight option with a long neck and a 3-string design.
When comparing the two, it’s important to consider the pros and cons of each, as well as the best accessories for each.
The Seagull Merlin SG is great for those looking for a fuller sound due to its extra string, but it can be more difficult to play for beginners.
The McNally Grand Strumstick is easier to play, but its sound is more limited.
Accessories such as picks, stands, and tuners are important for both of these instruments.
Portable & Affordable
If you’re looking for a portable and affordable dulcimer, the McNally Grand Strumstick and Seagull Merlin SG are great options.
The McNally is compact and lightweight, while the Seagull has a guitar-style body and 4 strings, including a doubled melody/treble string.
McNally Grand
The McNally Grand Strumstick is an ideal choice for those looking for a portable and affordable dulcimer. It has a long neck and a three-string design, allowing for a variety of playing techniques.
The sound quality of the McNally Grand Strumstick is comparable to other portable dulcimers, providing a warm tone with plenty of resonance.
It’s lightweight and easy to transport, making it a great option for beginner musicians on the go.
Additionally, the McNally Grand Strumstick is an excellent choice for guitar players looking to switch to a dulcimer, as the three-string design allows for a similar playing style.
Seagull Merlin
If you’re looking for a portable and affordable dulcimer, the Seagull Merlin SG is an excellent choice.
This guitar-style dulcimer features 4 strings, including a doubled melody/treble string, allowing for a similar playing style to a 3-string dulcimer.
The doubled string offers great tonal options and makes playing techniques like hammer-ons, strums, and fingerpicking easier for beginners.
Compared to a traditional dulcimer, the Seagull Merlin SG has fewer frets and strings, but that doesn’t mean it can’t produce a beautiful sound.
It’s perfect for guitar players who want to explore the world of dulcimers and for those looking for an easy-to-learn instrument.
Unique & High-End
If you’re looking to splurge on a dulcimer, check out the Roosebeck Grace Mountain, Wildwood Series, and Applecreek Hourglass.
These high-end models are known for their superior sound quality, beautiful designs, and extra features like vaulted fretboards and extended fretboards.
Roosebeck Grace
You can add a unique, high-end look and sound to your dulcimer collection with the Roosebeck Grace Mountain.
This 5-string dulcimer features a solid wood construction, vaulted fretboard for increased resonance, and extended fretboard with additional frets for more melodic options.
Compared to other high-end dulcimers, the Grace Mountain offers superior features and specifications. With its extended fretboard and additional fret, it also offers more tonal options beyond a diatonic scale.
For those looking for a unique and high-end dulcimer, the Grace Mountain is an excellent choice.
Wildwood Series
You’ll love the Roosebeck Wildwood Series Dulcimer for its unique look and sound.
It resembles a mandolin, with its F-holes and round-hole bodies, and has an additional fret for tonal options beyond a diatonic scale.
This high-end dulcimer is constructed from solid wood, with a vaulted fretboard for increased resonance and extended fretboard for more melodic options.
With its unique design and features, this Wildwood Series dulcimer will add a beautiful sound to your repertoire.
It’s perfect for those looking to explore different tonal options and increase their musical repertoire.
Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, the Wildwood Series dulcimer is an ideal option for making beautiful music.
Hourglass Design
For those looking to add a unique and high-end instrument to their collection, the Applecreek Hourglass Dulcimer is a great choice. Notable for its beautiful design and sound, the instrument features double f-shaped soundholes and includes a protective case.
Its construction consists of solid wood for increased resonance and the fretboard is extended with additional frets for more melodic options. The hourglass design offers several benefits compared to other designs, including a longer neck for more tonal range and a sound that’s more focused and concentrated.
The Applecreek Hourglass Dulcimer is an excellent option for those looking to add a unique and high-end instrument to their collection.
DIY Build Kit
If you’re looking for an affordable way to build a dulcimer from scratch, then a DIY build kit is your best bet. DIY kits come with all the materials and instructions you need to assemble your own custom dulcimer.
The Benefits of building your own include being able to choose the type of wood, tone, and design that suits your style. Plus, you can customize your dulcimer with unique features like an extended fretboard or additional strings.
When building your dulcimer, it’s important to remember that the best way to ensure a quality build is to properly follow the instructions. Additionally, be sure to use the right tools and select the best materials for your project.
With a bit of patience and practice, you can build a customized dulcimer that you can be proud of.
Playing Tips
Learning to play the dulcimer is a rewarding experience that takes patience and practice. Playing styles vary depending on the type and design of the instrument, but there are a few basic techniques that apply to all dulcimers.
A key factor in learning to play the dulcimer is the use of a pick, which is used to strum the strings. To help produce a pleasing tone, the pick should be held lightly and used with a gentle pressure.
It’s important to be aware of the way the strings are tuned and the notes of each string, as this will help to inform the way you play. Different playing styles such as strumming, flatpicking, and fingerpicking can be used to create unique sounds.
With practice, you can gain an understanding of how to combine these techniques to produce beautiful music on the dulcimer.
Conclusion
Now that you know all about dulcimers, it’s time to find the perfect one for you! Whether you’re looking for a beginner or guitar-style dulcimer, something portable or high-end, or even a DIY build kit, there’s an option out there that fits your needs.
With the right instrument and tips, you can start enjoying the unique sound of the dulcimer and create beautiful music.
So don’t wait any longer – get started today and explore the world of dulcimers!
I’m thrilled to be able to share my passion for music with others through this audio blog, and I can’t wait to connect with fellow music lovers from all around the world. Let’s rock on!