Mountain dulcimer tuner online
The mountain dulcimer preset opens in DAd: D3–A3–D4, from bass to melody. DAA uses D3–A3–A3, lowering the melody course to match the middle course.
String notes and frequencies
mountain dulcimer tuning, DAD (3 strings): D3 A3 D4, from 146.83 Hz to 293.66 Hz, with A4 = 440 Hz.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| String 3 | D3 | 146.83 |
| String 2 | A3 | 220.00 |
| String 1 | D4 | 293.66 |
How to use it
- Check the instrument and tuning in the list.
- Set A440 or the reference agreed by your ensemble.
- Allow the microphone and pick one open string in a quiet space.
- Make small adjustments and read the steady part of the sound.
- Check every string again, then compare octave or unison partners.
Help and explanations
This is the fretted Appalachian instrument, not a hammered dulcimer. A doubled melody course still has one target note for both strings. Count the courses and check the instrument size before assuming the displayed octaves suit a bass or baritone dulcimer.
Notice what the lower-case d is telling you
In DAd, the melody D is an octave above the bass D. The lower-case letter is a useful reminder of that difference; simply seeing D on the tuner does not establish the right octave. Pluck the bass, middle and melody courses separately. If the melody has two strings, damp one while measuring its partner so the pair does not create a restless reading.
Moving from DAd to DAA changes the relationship between the melody string and the frets used in a tune. Select the tuning expected by your tablature rather than trying to use unchanged fret numbers with a different open note. After adjusting the melody, revisit the bass and middle courses. The reference supports open-string tuning; it does not alter the fret layout or tell you which mode a particular arrangement uses.
Tips
- Check the octave number on both D strings in DAd.
- Tune a doubled melody string one partner at a time.
- Match the tuning printed on your tablature before starting the piece.
Frequently asked questions
What is DAd tuning on a mountain dulcimer?
It is D3 A3 D4 in this preset. The melody D is one octave above the bass D.
How is DAA different from DAd?
The melody course is A3 instead of D4. The bass D3 and middle A3 stay the same.
Does a four-string dulcimer need four different notes?
Not if the melody course is doubled. Both melody strings share its target pitch.
Can I tune a hammered dulcimer with this preset?
No: the preset is for the fretted mountain dulcimer. A hammered dulcimer has a different string and bridge layout.
Are the targets the same for a bass dulcimer?
Not necessarily. Instrument size and string gauges can require other octaves; check the maker’s stated tuning.