Tips for Tuning Heidi Muller

Because the dulcimer is a folk instrument, self-taught players and folks in different geographical regions have arrived at their own preferred keys in which to tune. Over the years, with more and more sharing of information, the key of D has emerged as a standard key used widely in books and with instructors and workshops. You will find players, however, who tune into the keys of C or G. Small dulcimers especially may sound best tuned into a key such as G.

Tuning to DAA or DAD
Let's assume you have a standard-sized dulcimer that is set up to be played in the key of D. First you'll want to tune your bass string to a low D note using a pitch pipe, piano, or other instrument as a reference. If you have no way of determining a D note, simply tune the bass string until it sounds good and the string tension is moderately tight. If it buzzes when you strum, it's too loose.

To tune the middle string, press the bass string at the fourth fret. This will give you an A note. Play it and try to match the sound of the middle string to the A. Turn the tuning key slowly, sounding the string as you do so to test how close you are. Do not crank the tuning key several times around to tighten the string without testing the sound! Doing so may break the string.

When you have successfully tuned your bass string to D and your middle string to A, you have achieved your basis for the four most familiar tunings in the key of D--major tunings DAA and DAD, and minor tunings DAG and DAC. These all start out with the D and the A as described, and only require adjusting the melody string to create the change (see Making Sweet Music / Tunings, Modes, and Capos).

To tune into DAA, you simply sound the A note of your open (unfretted) middle string, and tune your melody string(s) to match it. Strum across all the strings to see if they sound pleasing together. If not, repeat the process and see if you can match the sounds a little better.

To tune into DAD, you will need to press the middle string down at the third fret and sound it. This is the D note one octave higher than your bass string D. Tune your melody string(s) to match this D. (If by any chance you tune to DAA first, then to DAD, please note that you will be tuning the melody string higher, or tighter, to reach the D. To tune from DAD to DAA, you will need to loosen the melody string in order to drop the note lower.) Strum across and you should hear a pleasing, harmonious D chord.

Practice will train your musical ear to hear better and soon you will be able to tune up easily and quickly. If over time you feel that you just can't hear the notes or match them correctly, there are electronic tuners available at most music stores. Styles and prices vary, but you may expect to pay from $30 to $60 or more depending on the brand and model.

Heidi Muller is a musician and performer living in Seattle, Washington. Do you have comments or questions about her article? Contact Ms. Muller directly by e-mail. To learn more about her, see the Contributors section of Sweet Music Index.