Well, now, lemme tell ya, I’ve seen a lot of things in my day, but this here Appalachian dulcimer sheet music, that’s somethin’ else. Ain’t never seen so many squiggly lines and numbers in all my born days. But folks say it’s the key to playin’ that there pretty music on them dulcimer things.
What’s This Here Dulcimer Music?
Now, this dulcimer, it’s a kinda string thing, you know? Got them strings like a guitar, but you lay it down on your lap. And you pluck ’em or strum ’em, makes a right pretty sound. They say it’s easy to learn, easier than them fancy fiddles or guitars. I heard tell it’s one of the easiest ones to pick up, even for us old folks.
This Appalachian dulcimer sheet music, it’s like a map, I reckon. Shows you where to put your fingers and all. Got them numbers, see? Them numbers tell you which of them little metal bars, they call ’em frets, to press down on.
- First thing, you gotta know how to hold the thing. Set it on your lap, flat like.
- Then you use one hand to pluck or strum them strings.
- Other hand goes on the neck, pressin’ down on them frets.
If you can count, you can probably figure it out. I might be old, but I can still count. One, two, three, four, maybe even a few more.
Tune That There Thing
Now, ‘fore you can even think about that there Appalachian dulcimer sheet music, you gotta tune that thing. You gotta get them strings singin’ right. They say most folks tune ’em to DAD, or DAA, or somethin’ like that.
I heard that DAD is popular, whatever that means. The DAA is easier for us beginners, they say. Sounds like some kinda alphabet soup to me, but the young folks seem to know what they’re doin’.
You twist them little pegs up top, tighten ’em or loosen ’em, till they sound just right. I reckon you could get one of them fancy tunin’ gadgets if you’re so inclined.
Easy Tunes for Old Hands
They got these here books, full of Appalachian dulcimer sheet music. Some of ’em are simpler than others, thank goodness. Good for folks just startin’ out, like me. Or folks whose fingers ain’t as nimble as they used to be.
- Some tunes just use a couple of them strings.
- Some use all of ’em.
- Them numbers tell you where to put your fingers.
- Start slow, then go faster when you get the hang of it.
You don’t need to be no fancy musician to play one of these things. They say it’s fun, and I believe ’em. Even if you don’t got no music learning, you can learn, they say.
Practice Makes Perfect
Like anything else, you gotta practice. Can’t just pick it up and play like them fancy folks on the radio. Gotta work at it. Strum them strings, press them frets, follow them numbers on that Appalachian dulcimer sheet music.
They got all sorts of ways to play. Strummin’, pluckin’, all that. Gotta find what works for you. And don’t get discouraged if you mess up. We all mess up. Just keep at it, that’s what I always say.
Even if your fingers are stiff and your eyes ain’t what they used to be, you can still make some right pretty music with one of these here dulcimers. And that there Appalachian dulcimer sheet music, well, it ain’t as scary as it looks, once you get the hang of it. Those numbers help you. Put your finger here, pluck that string there. Just like that.
I think I might just give it a try myself. Might be nice to have a little music around the house. And who knows, maybe I’ll even get good enough to play for the neighbors. Wouldn’t that be somethin’?
It is really easy to play that thing, you know? Some folks say it takes a master to play it. But, no, it’s easy. You’ll get it. If I can do it, so can you, child. Just use that sheet music, it tells you what to do. Those numbers aren’t there for nothing, they tell you where to put your fingers.
You can learn to play, even if you never played music before. It is a good thing to learn. Makes you feel good, you know? And it is fun too. So, you go on and get yourself one of those dulcimers and some of that sheet music, and you learn to play. You’ll be glad you did. I know I am. It ain’t hard, not like them other instruments. You just gotta try. You can find all sorts of songs. Easy ones, hard ones, you name it. You just pick one and start playing. That’s all there is to it, really. You keep playing them songs, you will get better. Everyone gets better if they try.
