Tuning Time

[jt3d]

I've seen and heard a lot of discussion on the time that it takes to tune with a HD. So I thought I'd throw it out there:

How long does it take for you to tune your HD if it is totally out of tune throughout the soundboard?



I can tune my 15/14 for performances in about 12 minutes without interruption if it is totally out on each string. I have had it be a full step out (my D was a C, etc.) depending on the climate and how long it has been since I tuned.

[Dick Glasgow]

Well I must admit, I've never thought to time myself Jim, but as I only have a 12/12, I reckon I'm going to be quicker than 12 mins.

Of course I use an electronic tuner, but I have watched one player over here, Barry Carroll, just skip over his H-D, tuning up masterfully .... by ear!

But of course he's been playing for quite a while now. ...... & he must also have a good ear ............ or two!

Speaking of tuning. How do you tune?
Do you run up & down the bridges like me, or do you round robin each note, one after the other?

[jt3d]

I use my chromatic tuner and start on my lowest bass note - in my case, a "D" and go up each string from there, then come to my lowest right side treble string ("G#") and go to the top. I tune the left side of my treble bridge by ear as to not get the right side out. I can tune closer by ear on that side and do a better job keeping the right adjusted in. I have tuned it all by ear in a short time when I knew it wasn't very far off.

I was really curious as I had seen on the ED site where people were talking about it taking 30 minutes or more to tune, and that blew my mind.

[dulcimike]

jt3d said:

I was really curious as I had seen on the ED site where people were talking about it taking 30 minutes or more to tune, and that blew my mind.

Yes, I was in on that discussion. It takes me about 20 minutes to tune, usually, but then I have 90 strings on one and 80 on the other. My perception is that the dulcimer, and the person both have something to do with the tuning time, as does the tempertaure and humidity. Some days I have a terrible time getting certain courses in tune, and other days they go very quickly.

As for how I tune, and I know you've seen this discussion, I've started tuing around the circle of fifths - all Ds, then all the As, Es, Bs, F#s, C#s, G#s, D#s, Bbs, Fs, C, and Gs. That gets them all. The rreasoning behind it is this - the fifth (not the litre) is the strongest overtone, so I figure that's a good way to get everything tuned faster. It seems to make my tuning go faster and turn out better.

As I said, I think the time to tune and the particular pattern of tuning depends some on the dulcimer one has.

[cooper]

I currently have a 12/11 and it takes about 10-15 minutes depending on how humid it is that day (even less if it is mostly in tune with itself and I am not playing with anyone that day).

The weather here in Oklahoma (in the middle of the US) is very unpredictable, so I tune more than I need to (it really effects my Greek bouzouki more than anything). I use to own a "Masterworks" 16/15 c by Wood-n-Strings, and I made the mistake of getting the "ultra-light woods" option on it. I use to have to tune it almost every other day and it would shift the middle bridge around which caused more tuning problems. The only good thing I could say was it was the most beautiful hammered dulcimer I have ever heard (it was brighter than normal because of the light woods). I ended up selling it and I am going to get a Dusty Strings soon (I have a loaner right now).

I run a hammered dulcimer workshop (and Celtic Harp) at the Oklahoma City Traditional Music Association meetings every month and I have to say that it is always the tuning issue that makes more people quit the hammered dulcimer. That is why I feel it is very important to get a good and stable instrument from the start (and start with a small one to make sure you know what you are getting yourself into).

[Dick Glasgow]

That is why I feel it is very important to get a good and stable instrument from the start (and start with a small one to make sure you know what you are getting yourself into).

Yes Cooper, that sounds like very good advice.

I myself started with a 12/12, but am now looking at downsizing to a traveller, for sessions.

Heck, I have enough problems keeping the 8 strings of my Mandolin in tune during sessions. It's just the nature of the beast, but I would like to minimize my effort in this dept. during sessions - which would leave me more time for having fun! ;D

Cheers
Dick

[gypsy]

I've got the RCE Masterworks, which is basically a 16/15, with extras. Takes me about 10 minutes, to do a thorough tuning........i know the time, cuz my tuner goes to sleep after 10 minutes LOL! I tune daily, twice daily if the temperature changes, and during gigs at each break. My dulcimers are smarter that way........they tend to not need too major of tuning, cuz they are already there for the most part. I have gone to gigs 80 miles away on torturous mountain roads, and only had a couple of courses out of whack. I also find that people like me better when i am in absolute tune.

[Dick Glasgow]

Aye Gypsy, it certainly pays to have good quality instruments about you, especially if your expecting people to pay money to listen to you play.

I also find that people like me better when i am in absolute tune.

if anyone here is ever thinking of just playing OUT of tune, they should remember what happened to poor old Johnny McAfee! (see below)

[gypsy]

Oh yeah, you are right on that one! We have local tuning nazi's...........who tune incessantly, and drive me nuts. Then i started looking at the instruments......no wonder they tune all the time, the beasties they are playing are severely deprived instruments. My dulcimers cost more than most of my cars. On the other hand, they also have lasted longer LOL!

[Dick Glasgow]

Ah Ha, I think this might be your present car, is it Gypsy?

In fact, isn't that you at the wheel?



Mind you, you could get quite a few 5 Octave, fully Chromatic, Hammered Dulcimers in that boot. ( trunk? )

But joking apart, an instrument which is constantly needing tuned is surely more bother than it's worth.
OK maybe for learning on, in the comfort & even temp. of your own home, but not for taking out & inflicting on others.
I'd say, once you go out to play with other folks, you really should have a 'good' instrument. that stays in tune!

[dulcimike]

gypsy said:

Oh yeah, you are right on that one! We have local tuning nazi's...........who tune incessantly, and drive me nuts. Then i started looking at the instruments......no wonder they tune all the time, the beasties they are playing are severely deprived instruments. My dulcimers cost more than most of my cars. On the other hand, they also have lasted longer LOL!

Ah, the tuning nazi's! Yes. Recently, I talked with Leslie Bingham who doesn't play dulcimer, but does play flute quite well, and has been playing for a good while. He doesn't like the incessant tuning either, and he's a veteran player!

[dulcimike]

admin said:

But joking apart, an instrument which is constantly needing tuned is surely more bother than it's worth.

Makes you wonder how well those Sheitholts stayed in tune since the name seems to mean firewood!

But cereally, even a good dulcimer that holds its tuning in "normal" (though not necessarily completely stable) conditions can be pushed to its tuning limits by a pub session. I was in one session in Drumshanbo last year that last about 4 hours or so, and the place was packed with people! The temperature and relative humidity increased drastically in that place, and by the end of the session, I could hardly stand to play it, myself, and probably should have quit, based on the recording I made of it! Of course, I've never been in one like that in the North of Antrim. ;D

[Dick Glasgow]

I could hardly stand to play it, myself

But Rick, you usually sit down to play anyway, don't you?

Of course you do realise you were in a crowded pub, in the wettest county (Leitrim), of the wettest country in the World, so what did you expect?

[dulcimike]

admin said:

I could hardly stand to play it, myself

But Rick, you usually sit down to play anyway, don't you?

Of course! I was sitting down! No wonder. I feel better about it already!

admin said:

Of course you do realise you were in a crowded pub, in the wettest county (Leitrim), of the wettest country in the World, so what did you expect?

So, Co. Leitrim sells the most drink of any county in Ireland? Amazing! I'm certainly glad to know Ireland, and Co. Leitrim in particular, is not dry!

[gypsy]

admin said:

Ah Ha, I think this might be your present car, is it Gypsy?

In fact, isn't that you at the wheel?



Mind you, you could get quite a few 5 Octave, fully Chromatic, Hammered Dulcimers in that boot. ( trunk? )

But joking apart, an instrument which is constantly needing tuned is surely more bother than it's worth.
OK maybe for learning on, in the comfort & even temp. of your own home, but not for taking out & inflicting on others.
I'd say, once you go out to play with other folks, you really should have a 'good' instrument. that stays in tune!

WHAT are you doing with my truck! That is the one i learned to drive stick on.........you could put that hummer in third, and it would still go. Amazing old beast..........you could see the highway thru the floorboards. May it rust in piece, er, peace.