BanjoLemonade For 4 strings, I'd recommend using Ultra-Lights. My Chromatic Dulcimer is strung w/ Ultra-Lights because the braces have been thinned down to compensate for the lower tension. The other thing I did so I can get lower action w/ lighter strings w/o any buzz was to shave the frets down nearly flush w/ the fretboard.

BanjoLemonade The 5 string Dulcimer is called a MaxDAD which has 5 single strings tuned DADAD (2 Octave D Power Chord). The 3rd String acts as a "Pivot string" so you can change Octaves when playing music. Something super cool.

Hi !! I just purchased a beautiful handmade dulcimer!! I'm 63, and I've wanted one since I was 8. It's 3 string, and I'm so excited. But intimidated. Lol

God bless you for the good teaching

Thank U for your knowledge. I've picked a banjo since 1962..60 years as of today. Live in Johnson City TN ( Wagon Wheel ? ) 😎 The lady who taught me ...she and her husband use to travel with the Carter Family performing at schools, churches, and yes..barn dances until her husband got sick with tuberculosis in the early 1930's therefore the 2 of them had to stop performing so she could take care of him which was 90% incurable in the 1930's. She charged $3.00 for an hour and drew all her instructions out on her notebook paper, banging on her open back 1925 year banjo, dipping chewing tobacco or snuff as she taught. She was maybe 5 foot tall. She was always full of great stories about her, her husband, and other performers that they " opened for " such as Papa Stoneman and his family out of Galax, VA, as well as the great Jimmy Rogers as he performed in the East TN, Western N.C. and Virginia area before he became famous, etc. I still go to the Carter Cold Musical Barn located in Hilton's VA which was established by A.P. CARTER'S children Joe, Jenett, and Rita. This was the last place Johnny Cash performed...knowing his life was coming to an end and he had his son John Carter drive him from Nashville to Hilton's one weekend. Johnny died a few weeks later but he wanted to perform one more time in the location where it all started. As I recall my teacher...Mrs. Mary Myers said it took most the day for the Carter to drive 19 miles from Hilton's to Bristol for the Ralph Peer big bang recordings of the Bristol Sessions. In closing several of the songs I learned as a 12 year old were Carter's songs which Mrs Myers know we're popular...Will the circle be unbroken, Wildwood Flower, and others. WHAT A MARVELOUS TIME BACK IN THOSE DAYS😁 U take care and again thank u for what u do to help others learn music. Joe Reed Johnson City TN 423.367.4478 Phone anytime if u want to hear ole time music stories that I can fill u in on Thanks Again !

thank you

BanjoLemonade For 4 strings, I'd suggest tuning down a couple of semitones like instead of DAD, try BF#B

just decoration wise by the way, that dulcimer is absolutely beautiful. The sound holes and engravings are really cool, I've always found the little heart shaped holes to be a quite charming feature of many dulcimers

This was information I had been trying to find for a few months now. Thanks!

For 4 strings it makes sense to use the lightest gauge of strings.

If you do go w/ 4 strings, I'd suggest tuning a step lower so maybe CGC.

I like the sound of both 3 and 4. I have a 3 string. And it is pretty old school with simple scroll head and friction tuning peg. As such I really can't switch from 3 to 4 without adding another tuning peg. But for folks ordering a dulcimer I would always recommend ordering the 4 string and getting both the 3 and 4 string nuts/bridges (as you point out). It just allows for more options. As for finger pain... I never had any issues with that with a dulcimer. It's far more prevalent with an acoustic guitar. That said, indeed there are many styles of playing. Strumming with droning, finger style, pressing the strings with your fingers or even using a "slide". I tend to do a mix of these.... though not lately. I am refinishing and revitalizing my dulcimer at this very point in time. Dulcimers are such an overlooked and underused part of Americana and music. But they are super portable, and I love playing "modern" songs on them as well as the classics. Mix it up! Keep playing and keep the videos rolling! Cheers!

I play with 3 strings, but if I wanted to occasionally play with 4 I think I’d add a parking peg for the 4th string. I’m enjoying your videos, thank you.

More to learn Thank You

Thank you for this video. Like you, I feel I get better sound with only the three strings so I removed my fourth.

For 4 strings I'd maybe tune down a half step to Db, Ab, Db

I wondering about this same thing this morning. I just ordered a dulcimer from backyard music and had the 4th string put on. I kinda wished I knew this before I had ordered.

BanjoLemonade If you do add the 4th string, I would suggest maybe lowering that action.

Love your videos, can you please do a series on 5 string dulcimers

Mystery solved thank you .

I've been searching for a strictly diatonic dulcimer besides my cardboard one. I've contacted several builders and haven't had any luck.

BanjoLemonade For 4 Strings you need to switch to the lightest gauge of strings.

The smallest Dulcimer is called Dulcimette

For me I found removing the 4 th string made it less frustrating and it sure sounded cleaner. Awesome video!💕💕

Mandy, which string would you recommend I remove - the one closest to me or the other one? I never even heard of a mountain dulcimer until our trip to Tennessee this past spring. I walked out of a store with one and have love it ever since. Your course has been so helpful. No instructors anywhere in my state in the midwest so than you so very much for helping us beginners!

Interchangeable Nuts & Bridges? That's something you don't hear every day.

Mandy, I can I use Baritone strings on a "normal' Dulcimer