Playing Back-up on Dulcimers Part I: Walking the Bass by Steve Eulberg
M
usic played on both kinds of dulcimer is sometimes characterized as being melody-focused. In fact, there are some styles of music where our instruments are not welcome to play in the jam circle because in those musical communities trading or sharing the melody is the value, and people take turns playing the melody then step back from leading to play back-up and make space for others to have a shot at it. Therefore, learning to play back-up effectively and harmoniously with the style or genre of the group, and moving between back-up and lead playing can help you be more equipped, feel more comfortable, and be welcome in the jam. An added bonus is that you can pave the way for future dulcimer players to be welcomed and not shunned! This lesson will be the first in a 4-part series on playing back-up on both kinds of dulcimer. Today we will introduce bass lines and a simple way to “walk between” chords in common, or 4/4, time. The benefits of knowing and playing BASS LINES The bass line is the lowest-pitched musical line in a song or tune, providing a solid foundation for the rest of the ensemble. If you have ever played in a jam or an ensemble in which a good upright bass player is thumping away, you’ve been able to keep the beat because the bass player plays ON the beat, (a.k.a the “downbeat” or the strong beat) on the 1 and the 3 (first and third beats in 4/4 or common time). (Sidebar: In bluegrass, old-timey or boom-chuck music, the bass is playing the BOOM. More on the “chuck” next time.) A solid sense of timing is an asset for anyone playing the bass line, and a metronome is a good 16 DPN
friend to have (and use!) to help develop your timing. The second benefit that you’ve received from experiencing good bass playing is a sort of premonition of when the chords will change AND what the destination chord will be! DULCIMERS and BASS Where do I find these low notes? The hammered dulcimer has a bridge named bass (the one on the right) and notes that reside on the bass clef. If your dulcimer is a 12/11 or a dulcimer with
“G” as the note on the lowest marked course on the bass bridge, this is the G below Middle C. [Fig A] If your dulcimer is a 15/14, 16/15 or other standard size, the lowest marked course on the bass bridge is usually a D below Middle C. [Fig B] Likewise, the standard mountain dulcimer has a string called the bass string (the thickest string that is furthest from the player when seated.) Its lowest note is usually tuned to the D below Middle C. [Fig C]