Just What I Needed - Dulcimer

“The cars on a dulcimer” conjures up every musician’s nightmare of splinters and tragedy, but playing The Cars on a dulcimer is a lot of fun. In fact, it’s “Just What I Needed.” Covered on electric dulcimer by Sam Edelston.
When I demonstrate the dulcimer to people, I like to ask them, “What kinds of music do you love?” And then I play something down their alley. One time, I was giving someone a little intro-to-the-dulcimer lesson, and she said she loved The Cars, so I improvised a bit of this song and decided that I should arrange the whole thing. Because of the prominent synth on the hit record, I took this opportunity to feature a couple of synth pedals in the video.
The song was written by band member Ric Ocasek and recorded on their eponymous 1978 debut album.
Though usually associated with old folk songs and tunes, the mountain dulcimer is a natural rock (and pop) instrument. In fact, I call it a more logical first stringed instrument than guitar -- with fewer strings and (usually) fewer frets, it just seems to me that there ought to be millions of people wanting to play, if only they realized it was relevant to their music.
I do these videos to inspire more people to play and listen to dulcimer music, in diverse, non-traditional styles.
If you like what you hear, please "Like" it, Share it, and check out more of my videos.
Also, Subscribe to me on UA-cam or "Like" my Facebook fan page, so you'll find out about future videos and more. / sam.edelston.music .
Website: www.SamTheMusicMan.com
Technical details: Folkcraft electric 3-string chromatic dulcimer, tuned CGC, played in key of C. It uses the 4+ fret quite a bit. Two channels of output, Channel A uses an Octave pedal beginning in the middle of the first verse. Channel B has a bit of fun, with an Electro-Harmonix Synth9 pedal (emulating an OB-X) for the first interlude and the outro, and a Boss SY-300 (Touchy AnalogSYN preset) for the big instrumental break, plus some flanger at the amp.

[@melodygleek34]

I feel so lucky to have found this video. Thank you Sam!!

[@ContemporaryDulcimer]

Thanks, Emma - I'm glad it was just what you needed! 😉

[@eskovich]

What an incredible rendition to wake up to!

[@ContemporaryDulcimer]

Thank you! I really enjoyed putting this on together. 😀

[@melissadsings]

Just what i needed 😂 thank you 😊

[@ContemporaryDulcimer]

Let the good times roll! 😀

[@richardash548]

How did you know I was a Cars fan? Great job, Sam!

[@ContemporaryDulcimer]

@Richard Ash - Thank you! I do what my dulcimer tells me. 😉

[@dongrundy5136]

Happy Sunday morning!!!!

[@ContemporaryDulcimer]

Thanks, @Don Grundy -- and happy Sunday morning to you, too! 😀

[@bullypopful]

That was amazing! I absolutely love your renditions

[@ContemporaryDulcimer]

Thank you! As you might imagine, I have a lot of fun doing it. 😀

[@stimmeunderfolg]

This is so cool. Greetings from a beginner from Germany 🎶

[@ContemporaryDulcimer]

Thank you! 😀 Dulcimers are great for many kinds of music.
Since you're in Germany, you may have a special appreciation for these two videos: The Zoo, by The Scorpions ua-cam.com/video/wzNLhXAxsN8/v-deo.html ... and Spinnliedchen (Spinning Song) by Albert Ellmenreich ua-cam.com/video/D64F64pVayk/v-deo.html

[@stimmeunderfolg]

@@ContemporaryDulcimer yes, I checked that out so far. AND, as a Led Zeppelin fan I was r e a l l y pleased to watch your version of Whole Lotta Love.
At the moment I'm enjoying to play Time after Time by Cindy Lauper.
But thanks, for giving an impression what is possible with this wonderful instrument.

[@ContemporaryDulcimer]

Wonderful! By the way, if you're ever curious about the pedals under the electric dulcimer in any of my videos, check the video's Description in UA-cam. On a song like Whole Lotta Love, a lot is happening down there.
Have fun with Time After Time. It's a fairly easy song to play.

[@pao_lumu]

Amazing, as always!

[@ContemporaryDulcimer]

Thanks, Evan. Whenever I do one of these arrangements, I try to do justice to the song.

[@sueaddo2180]

Just curious what woods are those and how many strings ?
Brilliant love your stuff !

[@ContemporaryDulcimer]

Whose woods these are, I do not know.
It has three strings upon it, though.
Of butternut is made the top.
Past that, my knowledge has to stop.
Thanks for loving it! 😀

[@joec.1030]

Fantastic!😊👍🏻✌🏻Thank You!

[@ContemporaryDulcimer]

Thanks for loving it, Joe! 😀

[@l.schwartz9085]

Where would anyone recommend buying a dulcimer from? In Scotland/UK?

[@ContemporaryDulcimer]

@L. - Thanks for asking. A good first step would be to check the Nonsuch Dulcimer Club's website, which has a page of links at www.dulcimer.org.uk/useful-links/
You might also reach out to English performer and teacher Dan Evans at www.english-dulcimer.com/

[@TREEHUGGAH1]

B R A V O ! ! ! !

[@onefamily8]

That was awesome, Sam! I love the cars.

[@ContemporaryDulcimer]

Thanks -- glad you liked it. They sure did a lot of great songs! 😀

[@TREEHUGGAH1]

''eve of destruction''?

[@ContemporaryDulcimer]

Thanks for the suggestion, TREE HUGGAH. It might need a bit of an update.

[@TREEHUGGAH1]

@@ContemporaryDulcimer sounds groovy maestro

[@davidferrara1105]

You even got the solo in there! wow

[@ContemporaryDulcimer]

Of course. It was just what the song needed. 😉