Learning the Hammered Dulcimer - Scales & Modes

Learning to play the hammered dulcimer. Timothy discusses and demonstrates Major & Minor Scales, plus Dorian and Mixolydian Modes.
Hear more of Timothy's music at www.TimothySeaman.com.
The original tune "Spring in the Gap" Timothy plays here is recorded in two versions, found on the albums Here On This Ridge and Virginia Wildlife.

[@suburbohemian]

OMG, thank you for explaining the modes simply in English!

[@tommyhanlon8012]

i'v been playing trad music since i was a kid, (even before it was trendy, in fact quite the opposite!) in the main learning tunes by ear, Your description of scales & modes has opened my eyes to my ears ! :~) Thanks You.

[@dabinparb9474]

It was definitely an ahh-ha moment for me! Not extreme at all, I enjoyed your teaching! My first Dulcimer is on its way. Thank you so much!

[@lostinart]

Thank you so much! Very helpful! More please?

[@timothyseaman]

Thank you! More of any particular things? I do have hundreds of videos of one sort or another, and plan to make more as they are possible in my crazy schedule.

[@lostinart]

@@timothyseaman I’m a newbie and want to learn the happier up beat jigs and reels and such. Standards I can play with fiddlers etc. your the best dulcimer content !

[@amandas1270]

this is a nice clear way to see the BiG picture when talking about modal music... kinda gives ya an "ahh-ha" moment :)

[@carolepylant1015]

Thanks for taking the time to explain the different modes. Is music written in modes? A curious beginner in Texas

[@timothyseaman]

Music is just written in keys with designated key signatures of sharps and flats --- and I believe that all of these modes should be printed with the same key signature if they are using the same notes. But lots of people don't get that, and they make it more complicated by putting the wrong key signature and adding a special sharp or flat every time it's needed for the mode the piece is in --- strange but common....

[@timothyseaman]

Okay, maybe not all there is to know about scales! I think I was a bit extreme with that! But yes, this is the primary basis of scales and how they are basically laid out on the dulcimer. Chords and melodies are both completely made out of this setup you see right here.

[@deltafour1212]

What's the difference between the larger dulcimer's and the small ones? Just more octaves