“Is the Hammered Dulcimer Hard to Learn?” | FAQ | Songbird Dulcimers

👨‍🏫🙋‍♀️We are often asked if the hammered dulcimer is hard to learn. Some people believe they can’t learn, which sometimes becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. 🪄But in our experience, anyone who is interested and passionate about learning can do it, regardless of musical knowledge! To do that, finding the right resources can be key. For instance, finding a good teacher (like Brett Ridgeway YT videos or Rick Thum) who teaches patterns and shapes🔻▪️on the dulcimer rather than using musical jargon may be a better choice for those who believe themselves musically-impaired! If you followed along this video, you are already on your way to playing the hammered dulcimer! 🙋‍♂️Questions? Let us know in the comments! #hammereddulcimer #learntoplay #music #sharemusic #hammerdulcimer #believeinyourself #dulcimer #songbirddulcimers #musician #beginner

[@paca_bill4863]

Great, quick video! Now here's a rhetorical question - why is the bass bridge, and the bass notes, on the right side of the instrument? Progresses up the scale from bottom right to top left - what's with that? Does anyone make a "left-handed" dulcimer? (that actually started as a "joke" question, but after thinking about it, it makes more sense for a pianist whose left hand is playing bass notes)

[@Aakola]

Yeah as a right handed person who comes from violin to H.D., balance with the hammers is WAY easier with my right hand. I have to adapt alot because alot of the notes in the pieces I've been playing are on the left side of the treble bridge. It's interesting

[@songbirdhd]

Great question!! The reason for the current layout is because this is a long standing tradition of making them that way (even before pianos). We use the right hand to play harmonies on the bass bridge but this industry standard is actually tailored for the left handed person! There are some makers that will switch the bridges for custom orders (like James Jones). We did it once too. But the way we see it is that we learned it this way so we are used to it! It actually makes great practice for left hand motor skills 😂

[@thumbsup08]

Hi! I just bought a hammered dulcimer, and before it has even arrived I’m already wondering: how does the sheet music work for the different sizes? Because I can’t seem to find any sheet music that specifies the dulcimer size. I got a 10/9, and I’m curious as to whether or not the sheet music is universal among sizes. Do you perhaps have any information that could help me?

[@songbirdhd]

Sheet music will work the same for you as any other size. You have all the same basic notes that are universal in all dulcimers, so the sheet music is the same. Not sure which maker you are buying yours from, but you should be receiving a tuning diagram with your dulcimer that will show all the notes. We recommend sticking to songs that are in the keys of C G D and A when first starting out in order to avoid confusion. Bigger dulcimers than yours will have more notes, thus a wider range of songs they can play.

[@thumbsup08]

@@songbirdhd Thanks! I think I bought a Roosebeck DH10-9R-2 10/9.

[@songbirdhd]

@@thumbsup08 awesome! Wishing you all the best in your Hammered Dulcimer adventures!! :)