LC Options
Standard marking option

The Standard marking still has all the white and black markers where they would be on a traditional dulcimer but adds the grey colored markers to indicate the additional added chromatic notes.The tuning chart above is for the 10/19/18/8 LC. The photo below gives you more detail as to how it would look.

The 10/19/18/8 Linear Chromatic with Standard marking above has a natural Redwood soundboard with a Birdseye Maple Frame and matching pin panels with Cardinal wood trim and bridges
Piano marking option


This new way of marking places the white marks on all the white keys of the piano and all the black on the accidentals just as it would be in a piano. You can also instead of white make the natural wood the black and add just white to indicate the white notes or vice versa. On the fifth interval treble1 bridge and treble 2 you would have the two colors indicating the note on either side of the bridge. Position dot markers would be as indiciated but are optional. This way of marking would confuse traditional hammered dulcimer players but may be more appealing to piano players who are used to just two colors (See photo below)


The instrument doesn't have to have the widened shoulders and large markings. I can just utilize the black, white, and a third color acetal rod for the split courses with a narrower bridge. See the photo at the top of this page for what that might look like. A black dot on the side of the accidental would indicate on which side they are located.


The other option is of course the Standard Marking scheme which is shown at the top of this page. This option usually is more understandable for those players who are already familiar with the traditional hammered dulcimer. If you are a new player without experience with either the piano or the traditional hammered dulcimer, you probably should consider using the piano marking. Read Neil Simmon's rational.

The instrument pictured in the above photos is a 4 1/2 Octave 10/19/18/8 Linear Chromatic with dampers and piano markings. This instrument has a redwood soundboard made black, birdseye maple frame and matching pin panels , paduak bridges, cardinal wood trim with paduak dampers. Only the courses on the main treble bridge, and both bass bridges are damped. Courses on the left most treble bridge are not damped. more information on dampers


Alternative bass (B2) tunings

Currently my standard is the 10 courses tuned to continue the chromatic progression down to G2. In previous versions of the instrument, I had the courses on B2 somewhat out of the chromatic progression making those bass courses more rhythm courses to include a low D2. If that is something you'd prefer contact me and we can custom tailor those courses to your needs.
Comparison Chart - Woods - LC Tuning Schemes - Accessories - Prices and Ordering
Return to Main LC page -- LC Dampers