How long would it take someone to get a basic idea of the scales and a simple tune or two?
GO • Is there a specific kind of dulcimer that a beginner should look for? GO Why do you hit the strings right next to the bridges? The bridges have markers to help me distinguish which strings I am striking. Also, since the strings cross one another between the bridges, I could end up striking the wrong string if I don’t stay close to the bridges. Why are there white markers on the bridges? The white markers help me to see at a quick glance where the various scales begin and end. How do you know which strings to hit? I use the white and black markers as reference points. It helps to have a good ear and a good memory for a tune! But, like many musicians, I memorize the tune and how to play it. When I know a tune very well, it’s really a matter of “muscle memory.” Can you pluck the strings? Sure, some musicians use finger picks, like the kind a banjo player wears, to pluck the strings instead of striking them. Another unique feature that some musicians use is a “damping pedal.” A dampin
