General advice for a potential southpaw beginner

[joshh]

I've been researching this site for awhile as I'm considering buying my very first mountain dulcimer, so I thought I'd go ahead and post! I have no background in string instruments, though I did play clarinet for several years in middle and high school. I'd say I'm definitely rusty, but I can at least read music and hopefully wouldn't be starting completely from scratch. Essentially, I'd like to pick up an instrument purely has a hobby and would like to teach myself dulcimer (at least until I feel I can go no further without more formal lessons).

I thought I'd take on the dulcimer because I love the sound and, from what I understand, it's a relatively good instrument for folks like me who don't necessarily have much of a musical background.

I'm a lefty, and from what I can tell, it looks like a lot of lefties learn to play dulcimer right-handed. As I'd be new either way, I figure this may be the case with me, as well.

I'm also debating what I should look for in my first dulcimer. As a librarian, essentially none of my income is disposable, but I'd like to get the most bang for my buck. I'm between a student model and a "middle of the road" instrument at this point. Since I'm not sure when I'd be able to afford to upgrade, my first notion was to invest a bit more in an instrument that could take me through my initial learning phases and that I could enjoy still as I improve. From what I've read, though, many well-made student models would fit this description, too. I don't think I'd want to fuss with used instruments since I just don't know enough about them to tell what I'm getting.

I live in southern Wisconsin and have found a store in Madison that carries Black Mountain instruments. I plan to visit them soon to get their impressions and see what they've got.

I don't really have any specific questions I guess, but does anyone have any general advice for a complete newbie like me? As with most new endeavors, I'm finding this one to be a bit intimidating -- there's so much to learn, including an entire dulcimer language that, as of now, I don't speak at all! I'm thinking it's time to take the plunge, though, while taking all the pointers I can!

[KenH]

Hi Josh; Welcome to our little corner of musical paradise.

First thing I'll suggest is that you read the article I wrote called I Just Got A dulcimer, Now What? It's an illustrated glossary of dulcimer terminology, plus answers to many of the beginner questions about tuning, playing, care and feeding of the dulcimer. The article began here at ED but some extensive renovations here had me move it to FOTMD so that would be available. It'll be back here soon.

I'm also debating what I should look for in my first dulcimer. As a librarian, essentially none of my income is disposable...
You're not the only one!

but I'd like to get the most bang for my buck. I'm between a student model and a "middle of the road" instrument at this point. Since I'm not sure when I'd be able to afford to upgrade, my first notion was to invest a bit more in an instrument that could take me through my initial learning phases and that I could enjoy still as I improve. From what I've read, though, many well-made student models would fit this description, too. I don't think I'd want to fuss with used instruments since I just don't know enough about them to tell what I'm getting.

Good thoughts. Student dulcimers are designed to take the beginner through learning both the beginner stuff and beyond. They go everything reasonably well. Once you decide on a playing style and other things, you'll have some ideas of what you want in your next dulcimer.

I'll put in a plug here for Harpmaker Dave Lynch's Student Model. I've been playing nearly 40 years, and I have one Dave made me a year or so back. Great instrument. As good or better than many highest priced instruments. And from what you mentioned about upgrading, the interesting thing is that Dave takes his Student instruments as trade-ins on an upgrade to a more custom dulcimer.

Rightie vs leftie - the disadvantage of having a dulcimer set up left handed is that the re-sale isn't as good. The advantage playing right handed is that your strong hand - the left one - will be doing the complicated important bits of getting the notes just right in whatever style to decide on, while your other hand simply sets the rhythm.

[jakstall]

I'm a southpaw. I play dulcimer "right handed" and it has never been an issue. I'm also living proof that you can learn the instrument pretty much on your own. Like anything worthwhile it takes effort, patience and perseverence, but it can be done.

Buying an instrument from someone you can go see in order to hold, play and listen to the instrument is always a good idea, especially if the vendor is knowledgable about the instrument. When I bought my first dulcimer the shop owner (Donna Ford at Cripple Creek in Manitou Springs, CO) took the time to not only help me choose an instrument but also to show me the basics. That was important for me since I lived in the Texas Panhandle and there were no other dulcimer players anywhere close to me. Conversely, much of the advantage of buying from a shop is lost if the vendor is not knowledgable about the instrument.

Ken is right about Dave Lynch's Sweet Woods Dulcimers being an excellent value. Dave is great to work with, a supremely skilled luthier and a really nice guy. His student model at $125 is a good instrument at a great price. With that you can be in business with a complete setup (instrument, case/gig bag, tuner, picks, extra strings, instructional material) for a couple of hundred dollars or close to it. Other quality builders that I can personally recommend include Gary Sager's Prussia Valley Dulcimers, McSpadden, and Folkcraft. Of course there are many more, but those are some I know whose instruments I have played or owned. Gary Sager also sells other brands of dulcimers besides his own. He's a great guy and good to deal with. I ordered somethnig from him last Tuesday and it made it to Louisiana by Friday.

Looking at the events section here at Everything Dulcimer I see that there is a dulcimer event August 25 in Milton, WI. Looking at Google Maps it looks like that is in southern Wisonsin, so maybe it isn't too far from you. If possible/practical I would strongly suggest you check it out. Stephen Seifert will be there for mountain dulcimer instruction and he is an excellent teacher. You might also contact the event chairman and find out if there are clubs, regular activities or other activities (or even other dulcimer players) in your area. This would also be a good chance to see some other instruments and dulcimer players. Teaching yourself is fine (I started that way) but getting someone to show you some things and or help encourage you is invaluable whenever you can get it. Any time you can get some help will give you a big boost in your learning.

..you could also come down to Louisiana next March for the Lagniappe Dulcimer Fete. It is just a short hike from chilly Wisconsin to balmy Louisiana and we'd love for you to come down and pass a good time with us.

Good luck and let us know how things progress for you.

Jak Stallings
Prairieville, LA

[joshh]

Thank you Jak and Ken for this wonderful advice! The Now What article is exactly what I was looking for to get going! I'll also keep an eye on the luthiers you mention. I think I'll go ahead and send a message to Mr. Lynch as I'm thinking his student model may well be the way to go. In the meantime, I plan to drive up to Madison next week to have a look at their instruments so I'll know what I'm in for! Thanks, too, for pointing out the event in Milton. I noticed that myself, and Milton is indeed a very short trip for me. Sadly, I'll be out of the state that weekend, so I hope they'll have another event soon. Perhaps I'll get lucky and my travel plans will get canceled!

Thanks once again, and I'll be sure to let everyone know what I end up with. I'm very anxious to begin my dulcimer-playing days!

[strumelia]

I'm left handed. I play all my instruments right handed. It's not a problem for me and I strongly recommend it. Especially helpful when buying/selling your instruments to not have to limit things to 'left handed' instruments.

[joshh]

Thanks to everyone for the advice! My student model from Dave "Harpmaker" Lynch just arrived yesterday, and I couldn't be happier! After an hour and half, I managed to play Amazing Grace and I'll Fly Away. Obviously, I skipped a few beginner steps that I'll need to start in on, but the tunes were at least somewhat recognizable . I'm so excited to be joining the dulcimer-playing community!

[KenH]

Hi Josh - glad to see you got a dulcimer. Congrats! Welcome to the family.

Now, as one family member to another, here's a bit of advice on "posture'. Firs thing is to use a chair without arms. They get in your way of strumming and moving up an down the fretboard. A plain ole kitchen chair works just about right, but you'll find what works best.

Then, rather than hold the dulcimer on your lap at right angles to your thighs, pull the tail end of the instrument into your hip so the dulcimer is angles across your lap and the 1st fret is just above your left knee. That's a much more stable position for playing rapidly.

Have lots of fun on your journey. Got questions? We make up really good answers!