Adding extra frets to the traditional diatonic dulcimer fret pattern is nothing new. Most common are the 6 1/2 fret and the corresponding 13 1/2 fret an octave higher. These two frets are so common that one could say they have become standard issue on most dulcimers. These two frets are standard on the dulcimers I make unless someone requests otherwise.
I believe that it was Howie Mitchell who first added the 6 1/2 fret while teaching himself to play the dulcimer. Thanks to this innovation one can get a C sharp on the top and bottom string when tuned D-A-D. This also allows playing a G sharp on the middle string.
More recently many players are using a 1 1/2 (one and one-half) fret. In D-A-D a 1 1/2 fret will provide F natural on the top and bottom strings and C natural on the middle string.
Many years ago, before I used a 1 1/2 fret or even a 6 1/2 fret I added what I call a 1/2 fret to some of my dulcimers. I call this fret a 1/2 fret because it is placed between the nut and the first fret.
In D-A-D this adds both D Sharp and A Sharp to the fingerboard.
I found it very easy to adjust to having the 1/2 fret on the fingerboard because it was below all the other frets.
The combination of the 1/2 fret and 1 1/2 fret adds a lot of musical possibility to the lower position on the dulcimer fingerboard.
Here is the standard D Major Scale played in D-A-D:
With the addition of the 1/2 and 1 1/2 frets a chromatic scale can be played:
By using the 1 1/2 fret it is easy to play a G Major scale or a D Mixolydian mode in the lower positions while tuned D-A-D:
And here are a few chordal possibilities:
In the first measure are two inversions of a B Major chord. The second measure shows two inversions of a G minor chord and the third measure shows two inversions of a C Major chord.
These are just some of the possibilities. I often play B flat, E flat and other chords while tuned D-A-D using the 1/2 and 1 1/2 frets.
I offer the 1/2 and 1 1/2 frets and any other additional frets as options on my dulcimers.
I make chromatic dulcimers, it gives the instrument more versitility with having the sharps and flats , tradition is fine for those who want that but i think the evolution to chromatic is a plus there is so much more to be gained from it.
Hi Russell,
A lot of people are playing chromatic dulcimers these days for the reasons you mention. I personally have not missed most of the chromatic options though I like having a few extra frets. I’ll have to play one for a while and decided if I can’t live without all the additional notes! being able to make what you want is one of the advantages of being a luthier!
I have a Warren May dulcimer that I absolutely love, but I am limited when I play it at church. Other musicians very much like to sing/play music in the keys they are written. I’m preparing now for two solos in DAD, but would like to join in on the Christmas hymns that are in F. I can’t figure out how to make that work w/ out retuning.
Where can I get a chromatic dulcimer as a back-up?
Hi Laura,
One option is to have another standard dulcimer tuned differently.
I do make chromatic dulcimers and if you are interested please inquire.
All the best,
Doug
Isn’t it a 13+ not a 12+ extra fret?
You are right! Thanks for catching the typo. I’ve fixed it!
My wife had the 1/2 fret added to her fretboard, as per your suggestion.
Her instrument already had the 1 1/2, 6 1/2 and the 13 1/2 frets when she got it. But since we play together (I play guitar) we thought the addition of the 1/2 fret would expand the spectrum of cords available to her and would minimize the necessity of so many re-tunings. Which it has, however, we are now wondering about a source book or chart for chording on a chromatic dulcimer. Do you have suggestions? Thanks much for you helpful and educational website.
Sincerely, Joel
Thanks for the kind note. Here are two friends that teach and play chromatic dulcimer. They might have some information to offer:
http://stephenseifert.com/
http://www.darkstudios.com/
I hope this helps.
All the best,
Doug