theMuse
A mountain dulcimer based instrument simplified and electrified ready to jam!
Six string tuned DD, AA, DD
26” scale length
Artec passive pickup
Made with beautiful woods like the roasted Maple fingerboard.
Solid body, fully electric, built for live play, studio session’s, looping, experimentation, and jamming with friends.
I’m currently working on the next batch of these, if you are interested and want to get updates, pictures and get first chance to buy one. . . .
A mountain dulcimer uses a diatonic fretboard, meaning the frets are spaced to play a major scale directly in a given key without needing to navigate sharps or flats (similar to playing only the white keys on a piano). Instead of chromatic semitones, fret spacing follows a repeating sequence of whole steps and half steps: W-W-H-W-W-W-H.Key Fretboard Features & PositionsFret Numbers: Traditional dulcimers use numbers instead of standard guitar notes. Frets 3, 4, 7, and 10 usually represent the major scale.The "1.5" Fret: Early dulcimers skipped notes, but modern instruments frequently include a "one-and-a-half" fret. This allows players to play in the Ionian (major) mode or mixolydian mode
Because the fretboard is diatonic, the "key" you play in depends on which open tuning you choose:
Ionian (Key of D): Tuned D-A-A or D-A-D. Starting your scale on the open melody string gives a standard do-re-mi major scale.
Mixolydian (Key of D): Tuned D-A-D. This is the most common modern tuning and provides a traditional folk sound. The 3rd fret marks the tonic, making it easy to play melodies.
Aeolian (Key of A): Tuned D-A-c or D-A-c (using a capo or different pitches). This tuning produces a minor sound. [1, 2, 3]
Past versions
Electric zither stick
I created this instrument for fun to have for sale at Fantasy in the forest art show. Su my wife vends there and it’s a lot of fun. I usually bring a couple of instruments to demo and play some live music on the main stage.
This year I thought it would be great to have something not too expensive, easy to play and I wanted to use up some old tuners and fret wire, but also a piece of art that has some of my signature art flare.
Anyways, It went so well that I am going to make more and also have them for sale on my website.
One thing I was very impressed with and anyone else that heard them was the tone. That’s due to the way I am setting up the pickup on it.
The final setup I have decided on, is a Mountain dulcimer tuning with a diatonic fretboard and four strings.
