UK's Leading Hammer Dulcimer Maker
It's easy to tune a Hammered Dulcimer
You may come across different Dulcimer tunings particularly with instruments from East Anglia and from other countries. The tunings shown here are a standard British tuning.
You should know the instrument you have and therefore find the tuning guide before you start!
To tune my instruments I use a chromatic electronic tuner available from most music shops or from me, from about £14.
Pluck the note that you wish to tune, the tuner will display the note you have just played, then compare that with the note you wish to tune.
Turn the tuning key to the right, (sharper) or left (flatter). The tuner will keep you keep you updated as to how the pitch is changing.
Usually I find that all the strings need to go in the same direction. You will get used to how much to turn the tuning pins. It may seem difficult at first but it soon becomes quite straightforward.
If you find that as you are tuning the pitch of the note is not changing stop immediately! You are tuning the wrong note. Sort that one out first before resuming where you left off.
Tim just about to run a Dulcimer workshop at Womad festival 1999
Tuning Charts
Hackbrett
