Mountain Dulcimer advanced noter techniques

This video shows some of the more advanced techniques for using a noter when playing mountain dulcimer. The dulcimer in the video is a replica of an Ed Thomas model from around 1890 - it was made by John Knopf. The noter is a piece of river reed, cut from our local river. The dulcimer is fitted with piano wire for strings and fretted with broom wire staples in the traditional diatonic pattern.

[@juliaredifer2904]

Thank You for talking about the use of the noter and demonstration of techniques

[@karlschulte9231]

How beautiful

[@dawndare3949]

Thank you.

[@KorbyLenker]

great ideas here thank you

[@18betz]

Hi- Thank you so much for your video. You play beautifully.
You renewed my faith that its OK to play by noter.! I'm not alone! Thanks again.

[@arianemusic5763]

Thank you very much, Robin. Since I got a McSpadden few days ago I would like to also play in noter drone style since its sound is great! And with your very helpful video I can try to implement the various techniques.

[@birdrockdulcimers]

Thanks Ariane. Noter drone style is a wonderful way to play the dulcimer. If I were to give you one tip it would be to focus on the timing and flow of your melodies. When learning tunes, be they slow or quick, use a metronome regularly when practicing. This will help to make your melodies believable to a listener and carry you through the points in a tune where the drones and melody are in tension.

[@mikewoike9429]

I have not seen this before but I'm very new at this. Thanks

[@michaeljking]

I am being won over by your playing to the early dulcimer with simple staple frets and piano wire. ...I have to make one!

[@susanannmackenzie6321]

The Blackest Crow! This sounds great I'm going to get out the dulcimer and work on this. Thank you!

[@kitwells]

Thanks Robin for such valuable information. Very generous of you! Meilleurs voeux et bonne annee! Kit

[@rickmcnelly]

This was very educational, thank you!

[@lsamoa]

Another brilliant video! Thank you so much!!

[@michaeljking]

Thanks, I am making mostly Stick Dulcimers for customers but want to make a simpler Thomas style dulcimer with staple frets for myself when I get time, Thanks!!

[@SlateCreekDulcimers]

Excellent Robin! I added it to my site!

[@karlschulte9231]

Welcome to USA! Or has the dulcimer made it back to Gr Brittain? Love the video. Mostly do noter. Captures the old time style best. Karl

[@HUGSsandi]

THANK YOU! I found this HUGELY helpful!!!! I may master this thing yet... One day.... :)

[@michaeljking]

What tuning and stringing are you using on this? Its 15 years since I last made one of these.....

[@birdrockdulcimers]

Hi Michael - I'm using a 1-5-5 tuning - root on the bass and two fiths for the middle drone and melody string. I think I'm somewhere around E,B,B. The ionian scale starts at the 3rd fret, so mixolidian from the open string. Give me a call if you'd like to chat through the designs of these early dulcimers (there are many old designs to chose from!). My contact details are on the Bird Rock Dulcimers web site. Robin

[@johnknights9625]

what tuning do most noter players use ?
As I am trying to get a more mellow sound on my Dulcimer.

[@birdrockdulcimers]

+John Knights - I most often use a 1-5-5 tuning such as DAA (or a little higher or lower depending on the dulcimer and strings I have fitted). Mellowness can come from different right hand techniques as much as the tuning. The thumb strum, favoured by Jean Ritchie, is a good technique for slow tunes where a mellow tone is wanted.

[@Cj-uq3kv]

Thank You so much! Is your dulcimer all ebony wood? It sure is beautiful.

[@ianmathieson3755]

You play beautiful. What is the name of the song you are playing?

[@custerranch]

The Blackest Crow

[@danceswithtraffic8147]

It must be just me but I think of 'advanced noter' technique as a contradiction.,.lol