Welcome, beginning bowed dulcimer players!

[Robin T]

Hello!
I got my Ken Bloom-built bowed dulcimer last April and, before that, was bowing a mountain dulcimer. I'm loving the journey of learning how to use a bow. If I live to 100, I'll not have learned all there is to learn about bowing.
all good wishes,
Robin T

[Ken Bloom]

I am very happy to see the way Dan and crew have revitalized the forum. I think this all makes so much sense! Thank you , you guys. I guess this is the place to ask questions that you thought you were afraid to ask about the bowed dulcimer. One of the most gratifying things about the bowed dulcimer is how quickly most people have gotten down the very basics.When you are just starting out, everything seems awkward. I remember when it was the same for me. I hope what we'll do in this part of the forum is to build up a nice reserve of questions and answers that will help all the recent converts make swift progress at the start. Nothing breeds success like success.

Ken Bloom
http://www.boweddulcimer.com

[dulcimer52]

OK... you said this is for beginning bowed players, so I shouldn't feel foolish asking this here:

Can I bow a regular mountain dulcimer? Or must it be one with the strings rounded up...?

[Ken Bloom]

First of all, there are no foolish questions! Yes, you can setup a mountain dulicmer to bow. You only need to raise the middle string up about an 1/8" by propping a piece of wood under it and also change the strings to heavier ones. Heavier strings are much easier to bow. I recommend using .013", .017", and a .026"wound.
If possible, use a teardrop shaped instrument as this will make it easier for the left hand to get to the frets. Plcuked instruments and bowed instruments are very different on the inside. Most mountain dulcimers are rather quiet and harsh when bowed as compared to a bowed dulcimer built for that way of playing. Still, you can try out the method and see if it's something you'd like to pursue. Let me know if you need more info.

Ken Bloom
http://www.boweddulcimer.com

[Robin T]

Hi, dulcimer52--
I bowed a regular mountain dulcimer and enjoyed doing so. That experience led me to get a dulcimer made especially for bowing and I'm having the time of my life playing it!

When I first wanted to try bowing a mountain dulcimer, I got an inexpensive fiddle bow from Stewart-MacDonald (I live not far from them). I changed string gauges on my MD and raised the middle string with a small piece of heavy writing stationery folded over a few times. It worked.

Have fun!

Robin T

[strumelia]

You only need to raise the middle string up about an 1/8" by propping a piece of wood under it and also change the strings to heavier ones.

Ken, where does this piece of wood go? Sitting over of the bridge slot? Or propped on the instrument top in front of the bridge, like a second bridge just for one string? Is the piece of wood slotted for the string?

[Ken Bloom]

Hi Lisa,

It sits on top of the bridge. That way the middle string is higher than the others. You can notch it if you like but pressure from the tightened string will hold it in place. Some people have just done as Robin described above, placing some folded cardboard over top of the bridge in the middle to raise the string up sufficiently.. You don't have to be very sophisticated about it.
If you want something more permanent, send me the saddle to the dulcimer you want to convert and I'll make a new saddle leaving the outside strings the same height and the middle string raised up. I usually do this for around $10.00 or $15.00 depending on the material.

Ken Bloom
http://www.boweddulcimer.com

[Judy K]

Oh no ... exploring new discussion areas can be dangerous.

First I find out that Stewart-McDonald is within fairly reasonable driving distance, and second, that a regular MD can be converted to a bowed MD. Not good -- not good at all! (At least for my bank account most likely.)

So, IF I convert a regular MD to a bowed MD -- just for test drive, I should probably pick a teardrop style, raise the center string ~ 1/8", and buy a violin bow (full-size or 3/4?)... and look where for more how-to instructions?

[Ken Bloom]

Hi Judy,

Welcome to The Dark Side of dulcimer playing! You will also need to up the gauges of your strings. I recommend .013", ,017", and a .026 wound. You can find cheap bows on e-Bay. Get a full size one. They are more available and a shorter bow just means you can only hold a note for less time.
For tips and info on playing you can go to http://www.boweddulcimer.com and check out things there. If you have more questions, just e-mail me and ask. There bowed dulcimer events all the time. The next one coming up is a doozy. I'll be doing a morning course at Dulcimerville in Black Mountain, North Carolina June 7-12. I am always happy to answer questions and help out those who are trying this for the first time. Welcome!

Ken Bloom
http://www.boweddulcimer.com

[Robin T]

Hey, Judy, it's fun!
I plan to be at the festival in Coshocton and at Harmony Harvest if you'll be at either of them. Please let us know what you think after you get a chance to, well, fiddle around with bowing a dulcimer.

Robin

[Judy K]

Thanks for the welcome, Ken & Robin! I'm sure I'll have more questions as soon as I get my hands on a bow.

Ken, could a baritone dulcimer be used as easily as a standard?

Robin, I plan to be at Harmony Harvest ... not sure about Coshocton, yet. Hope we can meet up again in Lancaster.

[Ken Bloom]

HI Judy,

Sure, you can use a baritone. Measure the string length, from the nut to the bridge. My instruments are 25". If your baritone is no more than around 26" it will work fine. If it's longer, write me back and I'll give you the approporiate string gauges for the strings to use. Happy bowing!!

Ken Bloom
http://www.boweddulcimer.com