So I have been intrigued by the diatonic fret system but have never seen one in person before or had the chance to play one. I'm considering doing this style of fretting on my next build but I have one question. I play a lot of blues scales with "grace" (accidental) notes. I understand that these notes are not fretted but I wondered if it would be possible to bend them from a lower fret. Simple question but any help would be appreciated. I scoured YouTube and google but could not find any examples.
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I've made and played several diatonic fretted dulcimer type instruments and when I need a note that's not in that major scale I simply bend the string to get the note just like bending for notes on any other instrument. I'll see if I've got any vids demonstrating this.
Sorry, only part of the message was sent. My comment was to check out Bing Futch on YouTube since he does several genres of music on the dulcimer, and contact him, David Beede or Steven Seifert if the sounds you're looking for aren't apparent. Most dulcimer people are glad to help.
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As others have pointed out, Bing Futch is a good resource for playing blues on a dulcimer.
Here is a link to me playing one of his blues songs, it has several bends in it:
http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/blues-on-mountain-dulcimer
Bing sells a Blues 101 book for dulcimers as well.
http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/pallet-on-the-floor-on-biscuit-...
Ah, here's one with a little bit of note bending on a diatonic fretted one.
I've made and played several diatonic fretted dulcimer type instruments and when I need a note that's not in that major scale I simply bend the string to get the note just like bending for notes on any other instrument. I'll see if I've got any vids demonstrating this.