Because Mixed-Up Strings began as a mountain dulcimer jam, all of our music features mountain dulcimers. The mountain dulcimer has a traditional diatonic scale making it difficult to change keys without re-tuning. Most players of mountain dulcimer use a standard sized instrument that is readily tuned to the keys of D and C. The most commonly used tuning is D and moutain dulcimer players can be pretty stubborn about staying in D and insisting everyone else stay there, too. It is not true, however, that we can't play in other keys without re-tuning. When the dulcimer is tuned to the key of D you can use a capo to get to Em, G and A. But a lot of players, especially beginners, don't know how to use a capo. So, most of the time we play in the key of D.
Modern builders are making moutain dulcimers in all shapes and sizes. There are bass ,soprano, baritone and alto dulcimers (which some of our club members own). There are also hybrid instruments such as banjmers and dulcibros (you just can't leave a mountain dulcimer alone in a closet with other instruments...) There are even electric dulcimers.
Our Music
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Our repertoire features traditional fiddle tunes, waltzes, hymns, ballads, jigs, Christmas Carols and some modern folk songs. We use vocalists occasionally (whenever we can find someone who can sing in the key of....you guessed it...D). Some of our club members write their own tunes. Click below for one of our favorites!
Warning: This slide show is 1.1 megs, so if you have a slow Internet connection - go to the bathroom, feed the cat, file your nails, eat lunch., practice on your dulcimer...
All of the music on our web site (so far) comes from our first CD, A Simple Life. All songs are traditional or composed by club members and the arrangements are our own.
Music quality has been reduced to the lowest acceptable in order to reduce file sizes for those with slow Internet connections. For those who MUST know this stuff, the files have been reduced to 20kbps 8000 HZ stereo. This is significantly lower than CD quality (translation: it sounds a lot better on the CD).
