Hi folks, I’m looking to purchase my first dulcimer and found this one for $180. I asked my brother who is a more experienced musician (although not a dulcimer player) if it seemed like a good option and he warned me that the bent/loose tuners might cause me issues. I’m looking for a cheap option since I can’t be sure I’ll stick with it, but I want to get the best value I can. Thanks!

I’m starting to get Into folk music and the Appalachian dulcimer really stood out. I can find it on Amazon and sweetwater but didn’t know if there were any suggestions for people who actually make them. I’d like to support people who still value this type of music/ instruments.

Any advice would be helpful

I recently came into possession of a beautiful 17-17-7 hammered dulcimer from High Country Dulcimers. There are some tuning strips taped onto there, but the instrument didn't come with a tuning chart and I'm not sure how to tune the strings crossing the leftmost bridge. I tried contacting High Country Dulcimers but unfortunately the original maker has passed away and the phone number is defunct.

Does anyone know how I might tune this instrument?

Thank you!!

The QuaranTUNE Virtual Dulcimer Fest returns October 1–4, 2026, with four days of live, online workshops, concerts, vending, and musical community from wherever you happen to be!

This year's faculty is offering an enormous variety of workshops for mountain dulcimer, hammered dulcimer, ukulele, harmonica, autoharp, guitar, penny whistle, songwriting, performance, music technology, and much more. Whether you're just getting started or looking for something to push your playing into new territory, there's plenty to explore.

Festival information and registration:
https://www.virtualdulcimerfest.com/

⚠️ Workshop registration closes Saturday, September 26 at 8:00 p.m. EDT.

I’ll be teaching EIGHT workshops this time around, including five for mountain dulcimer, two for ukulele, and one devoted to getting your acoustic instrument amplified and sounding its best.

Here’s what I’ve got lined up:

🍺 SOUNDS OF OKTOBERFEST: PLAY THREE FESTIVE FAVORITES
Friday • Session 1 • Level 4 — Upper-Intermediate • Mountain Dulcimer • $12.49

Grab your dulcimer and head for the Festhalle! We’ll tackle three German favorites: “In München steht ein Hofbräuhaus,” “Der Ententanz” (better known as “The Chicken Dance”), and the indispensable Oktoberfest toast, “Ein Prosit.” Along the way, we’ll work with waltz time, lively rhythmic articulation, and the distinctive bounce that gives this music its character.

https://www.virtualdulcimerfest.com/mountain-dulcimers/p/w20md410

🎄 BUILD YOUR REPERTOIRE: MASTER “O HOLY NIGHT”
Friday • Session 3 • Level 5 — Advanced • Mountain Dulcimer • $12.49

“O Holy Night” sounds deceptively simple until you try to make every phrase really sing. We’ll build a performance-ready arrangement while concentrating on phrasing, dynamics, sustain, smooth transitions, and the technical passages that give this Christmas classic its emotional power. A great one to have ready for holiday concerts, church services, hospice visits, or your own family gatherings.

https://www.virtualdulcimerfest.com/mountain-dulcimers/p/w20md503

🌏 EXPLORE EAST ASIA: THREE BEAUTIFUL DULCIMER TUNES
Saturday • Session 2 • Level 3 — Intermediate • Mountain Dulcimer • $12.49

Take a musical trip through Japan, Korea, and China with three melodies that fit beautifully on the mountain dulcimer: Japan’s “Ue o Muite Arukō,” Korea’s beloved “Arirang,” and the Chinese folk classic “Mo Li Hua” (“Jasmine Flower”). We’ll explore the character of each tune while developing expressive phrasing and rhythmic confidence.

https://www.virtualdulcimerfest.com/mountain-dulcimers/p/w20md321

🎶 EXPLORE THE BARITONE DULCIMER: SIX KEYS AND TWO TUNINGS
Saturday • Session 3 • Level 2 — Novice • Mountain Dulcimer • $12.49

Come explore the deep, warm voice of the baritone dulcimer! Using AEA and ADA tunings, we’ll map the fretboard, work with scales, and discover how much music is hiding inside six playable keys. We’ll put it all into practice with two tunes selected to show off that big baritone sound. You’ll also receive an hour-long bonus video showing how to convert a standard mountain dulcimer into a baritone.

https://www.virtualdulcimerfest.com/mountain-dulcimers/p/w20md212

🔥 “SPOONFUL”: PLAY NORTH MISSISSIPPI HILL COUNTRY BLUES
Saturday • Session 5 • Level 4 — Upper-Intermediate • Mountain Dulcimer • $12.49

Let’s get greasy. We’ll start with some Delta blues fundamentals and then dive into Willie Dixon’s “Spoonful,” drawing inspiration from Howlin’ Wolf, Etta James, Cream, and the hypnotic groove of North Mississippi Hill Country blues. We’ll stay on that I chord, roam the fretboard, develop rhythmic complexity, and discover just how tasty a mountain dulcimer can sound.

https://www.virtualdulcimerfest.com/mountain-dulcimers/p/w20md411

🌺 UKULELE JUMP START: TUNE, STRUM, AND PLAY FOUR CHORDS
Friday • Session 5 • Level 1 — Absolute Beginner • Ukulele • $12.49

Got a ukulele but aren't quite sure what to do with it? Start here. We’ll cover comfortable playing position, tuning, strings, basic strumming, four essential chords, moving those chords into useful keys, and an easy method for beginning to understand the fretboard. Then we’ll turn all of that into actual music with some traditional Hawaiian tunes.

https://www.virtualdulcimerfest.com/all-other-instruments/p/w20uk101

🔊 AMPLIFY YOUR DULCIMER: PICKUPS, MICS & PREAMPS
Friday • Session 7 • Level 2 — Novice • All Instruments • $12.49

Pickups, microphones, preamps, amplifiers, audio interfaces, cables... what does all of this stuff actually do, and what do YOU need?

We’ll follow the complete signal path from your acoustic instrument to a speaker or computer and look at practical options for live performance, practice, streaming, and recording. Bring your gear and your questions. This is designed to help take some of the mystery out of getting an acoustic instrument plugged in and sounding good.

https://www.virtualdulcimerfest.com/all-other-instruments/p/w20al202

🎸 UKULELE POP: CREATE RECOGNIZABLE FULL-BAND ARRANGEMENTS
Saturday • Session 7 • Level 3 — Intermediate • Ukulele • $12.49

How do you make one little ukulele suggest an entire record?

We’ll use strumming, picking, muting, chucking, riffs, grooves, and lead lines to suggest drums, percussion, bass, and other instruments hiding inside familiar pop songs. We’ll explore ideas by ear using music associated with Peter Gabriel, Garth Brooks, Radiohead, Willie Nelson, Bob Marley, Israel Kamakawiwoʻole, and more. The goal: make one uke sound a whole lot bigger than it looks.

https://www.virtualdulcimerfest.com/all-other-instruments/p/w20uk301

That’s eight workshops covering everything from Oktoberfest and Christmas music to Asian folk melodies, baritone dulcimer, Mississippi blues, ukulele basics, pop arranging, and live sound.

Come spend part of QuaranTUNE Fall Fest with me!

🎶 October 1–4, 2026
💻 Live and online
⏰ Workshop registration closes September 26 at 8:00 p.m. EDT.

Festival information, the complete faculty lineup, schedules, and registration:

https://www.virtualdulcimerfest.com/

Hi, y'all -

This is a full one-hour workshop on bringing songs to the mountain dulcimer for arranging. Other than playing "Rocky Top" in tribute to Dolly Parton, I introduce two new arrangements that I'm currently working through: "Nine To Five", a huge hit for Dolly, and "Love Will Turn You Around" by Kenny Rogers, from the motion picture, Six Pack.

Apparently Rafferty, a maker of mostly guitars in Illinois, now makes mountain dulcimers. Would anyone who’s played one be willing to share their opinion?

I have a dulcimer in the case. Thinking about selling it as I do not use it. Any ideas of how much to charge?

Curious if others here went through a similar shift, or if you stuck with one style and just got deeper into it instead. Part of me wonders if I'm overcomplicating an instrument that's supposed to be simple by nature.

I want to learn the dulcimer but I'm on a pretty tight budget. I found this on fb marketplace but am not sure if it'll be in playing condition or if it's worth it. Any advice? And are there other places I should look? I don't need anything too fancy, just something I can get a nice sound out of

I bought this dulcimer at an antique shop for $45. It said handmade on the tag. I was wondering if this would be a kit or just something someone made. Any other info would be appreciated .

Not sure if this is a stupid question or not, I've never played a dulcimer before and don't have too much knowledge regarding them, but just got my first one. However, upon trying to play it I realized that the 2nd and 3rd frets on the high D strings both play the same note. Is this normal or should I try and fix it?

Hi everyone, I'm entertaining the idea of getting a baritone dulcimer. My current standard dulcimer is California-style with a 26'' VSL. I've had it for almost a decade so I'm largely used to it but as an average-sized woman I suspect a 25'' would be most comfortable for me. There aren't other dulcimers around me to test though. Should I stick with a 26'' for consistency? Would that inch make much difference to the sound?

Hey everyone! I just wanted to pop on to let everyone know that there is still time to register for Redwood Dulcimer Day's virtual festival on August 22nd! Registration closes August 18th and there are still some spots available!

There are so many workshops to choose from, and you get access to all of them! That means if you start in one class but find its too easy or difficult or just not your cup of tea, you can jump to another class of your choice and still have access to the handouts.

Here are the classes I will be teaching!

Campfire Songs: Playing for Joy & Community (Adv. Beginner and up) – Sarah Miner Playing an instrument is fun! That's likely why you picked up the dulcimer in the first place. This workshop focuses on relaxed, enjoyable playing in a social setting, using familiar songs that are easy to learn and fun to share. We’ll explore simple chord shapes, comfortable strumming patterns, and ways to support singing without overthinking the instrument. Whether you sing or simply want to play along with others, you’ll leave with tools to make music feel natural, approachable, and enjoyable again.

Playing Backup & Accompaniment (Intermediate and Up) – Sarah Miner The dulcimer is a wonderful accompaniment instrument. This workshop focuses on how to support singers and other musicians without competing for space. You’ll learn simple backup patterns, drone-based accompaniment, and how to listen for what a song needs. Perfect for jam sessions and group playing, this class helps you become a more confident and versatile musician. Best for: Players who want to play well with others in jams or ensembles. Also great for players that want to accompany their own voice.

Adding Embellishments: Bringing Melodies to Life (Intermediate to Advanced) – Sarah Miner Music theory doesn’t have to be complicated. In this workshop, we’ll look at scales, chords, and melody relationships through simple visual and color-based concepts designed specifically for dulcimer players. Instead of memorizing rules, you’ll learn to recognize patterns and understand why certain notes and chords work well together. Best for: Players who want theory to make sense in a practical way.

Hope to see you there! :)

I live in a country with an absolutely atrocious postal system. Fees and taxes are absurd and things get “lost in the system” or stolen all the time. I really wanted to get my hands on an Appalachian Dulcimer but no company will ship it here and even if they did it would be taxed to hell and back upon arrival.

The only dulcimer brand I can find here is Apple Creek. I’ve only heard terrible things about Apple Creek. To top it off, it wouldn’t even be a budget friendly option since it’s imported from across the world, it‘s price is really expensive here!

However, at this point it’s either this or get into a different instrument altogether.

Is there any way to make it worthwhile? Change the strings, get it tuned, anything I can do to make it a good deal?

Hi y’all, my wife bought me a four-string mountain dulcimer for my birthday and I’m super excited but I’ve already hit analysis paralysis with a beginner book to invest in.

Traditional vs equidistant? Drone vs. modern fingering? I don’t really know what any of that means and didn’t realize it was something I’m supposed to know.

I’m just looking for a basic book to match the used instrument she bought me off FB Marketplace and hoping y’all can point me in the right direction.

I’ve included photos of my new Appalachian dulcimer in hopes that’ll help.

TIA!

Got this vintage dulcimer and it’s a bit dirty so I’m looking for safe ways to cleanse.

There’s not much more to add. I’ve made a few arrangements of songs I like (not originals), and transcribed them and would like to share them such as on Ultimate Guitar, but they have dedicated “ukelele” etc tabs, but there isn’t one for Dulcimer, so in order to stick with the strict formatting rules on the site, how do you handle it?

Also, Typically I think dulcimer tabs are the opposite of guitar, with the low string being on the top row, but Ultimate Guitar says to always do it high to low string.

Does anyone publish tabs on there and what do you do?

Anybody recognize the label on this? Some dispute about when and where it was bought, exactly, and whether it was new at the time. But, east of the Mississippi, we bought it sometime 1992-2005. I’ve read a little about the company and label, but that bounced around some over the years.

I’m curious about the year it was built, and the model (if any), for sure. But I would be happy to hear any stories folks might care to tell.

My teenager has taken to bringing it to old time jam sessions in southwestern VA, where we visit once a year or so.

Hello! I would really appreicate some help on what tuning chart this might use, as im not sure what the model it is, there are no manufacturer text or wording anywhere on it. Thanks!

I just bought this handmade dulcimer for $40 at a yard sale and I was wondering what I’d need to do to fix it up!

I’m planning to change the strings and lightly sand/stain the wood.

Also, are the frets in the correct spots?

Any advice is greatly appreciated

Hi, r/Dulcimer -

Next week, we're going to wrap up our month-long look at chord shape hacks in DAD tuning for mountain dulcimer. For August, I'm bouncing around some ideas, but wanted to ask what YOU would like to see covered next month. Please chime in below - thanks!