Special Effects Without Electricity (Instructional Video)
Through the years, I have come across many of these effects either on my own or by learning them from other players. After demonstrating them to many hammer dulcimer players, I was amazed to find how many players did not know that many of them even existed! Some of these effects may not be learned in typical workshop settings, so I thought it would be useful to share them here.
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I have broken down the effects into two categories, “Cool Tools” and “Dulcimer Onomatopoeia”. The descriptions of each effect are not meant to be complete but a supplemental guide to the instructional video.
Cool Tools
Bending
Strike or pluck a string, then use your finger to bend the string from the opposite side of the same bridge where the note was played.
Finger-Dampening
With one finger, dampen the string by pushing on the bridge directly on any course. With your other hand, strike or pluck the dampened course.
Harmonics
With one finger, gently touch the middle or fifth of a string. With your other hand strike or pluck the string. Harmonics will sound the best on the bass bridge.
Stops
Strike or pluck a string, then stop the sustain with your hand before it naturally fades. The effect is most prominent if you stop a note soon after striking it.
Octave With One Hammer
Played on the far left of your instrument, where the octave from the left and right bridges become adjacent to each other. May not be possible on all hammer dulcimers.
Dulcimer “Onomatopoeia”
Harp Dulcimer
Pluck the dulcimer in a way that the harp would be played. This is done with long, extended arpeggios.
Chimes
Find the middle of any string on the right bridge and pluck it. It should sound similar to a chime. (Remember! You can use the chime effect to make your dulcimer sound similar to a doorbell or grandfather clock!!)
Autoharp Dulcimer
Use one hand to mute the strings that you don’t want and with the other hand strum a chord.
Tags: bend, chime, chimes, dampers, effects, harmonic, octave, pluck, stop
Dampers
Mar 2, 2009 Opinions
After not having a hammer dulcimer with dampers for 13 years, I finally had my opportunity to acquire some on a Master Works Russell Cook Edition. I have been using them for quite some time, and I am going to come out with my opinion of dampers.
I will say it up front and right now. I like them! However, I think that there must be an appropriate understand of what dampers will and will not do.
What Dampers Don’t Do
- They will absolutely not make you a better player. Dampers do nothing to improve the essential skills.
- They do not improve the tone of your instrument. It is just different.
- They do not make your dulcimer easier to carry. Porting a peddle and accompanied strings or cables can be labor intensive.
- They do not make your instrument more durable. In fact, dampers are fragile and can be damaged if not properly taken care of.
- They do not make your instrument cheaper. Dampers can get expensive.
What Dampers Do
- They do create an alternative sound that is beneficial to arrangements.
- They do add the ability to stop the sustain, assisting in smooth transitions.
- They do add a desirable element of showmanship for performances.
The Bottom Line
As you can see there are quite a few elements involved in deciding if the pros outweigh the cons of dampers. Additionally, not all builders make dampers, so you may not find them teamed up with your favorite builder. Unless you have the cash or this is a serious hobby or career, I would advise to never, ever, ever purchase a dulcimer simply because it has dampers if you are not 100% satisfied with the instrument itself, independent of the dampers.
Dampers are a nice effect and can add some great groove and showmanship to a song. But, I would advise that you be cautious and make sure that you actually want them. Do not get computer geeks syndrome, which is wanting something better and faster simply because it is and not because you will need or use it.
Tags: dampers