Learn

In this video, I walk you through the layout of the hammered dulcimer in a simple, visual way.

Rather than jumping straight into note names, I focus on the patterns and shapes that naturally exist on the instrument. Once you see these patterns, the hammered dulcimer begins to make much more sense.

This video is especially helpful if you’re new to the hammered dulcimer or have ever felt unsure about how the layout works.

I include clear on screen diagrams so you can pause, study, and follow along at your own pace.

If you’d like to learn more about my music or explore hammered dulcimers, you can visit https://JoshuaMessick.com.

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Chromatic Possibilities

Here is a video where I explore and demystify the chromatic possibilities of the hammered dulcimer. I show how chromatic notes naturally emerge from the instrument’s diatonic layout and how players can discover and use them in a clear, intuitive way.

🎥 Watch the video:
https://youtu.be/WEGP0oGtsic

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Support the Channel

If you would like to support the channel, you can check out Master Works hammered dulcimers through my website, https://JoshuaMessick.com. I have also linked buyer’s guide resources below to help you choose the right instrument. Thank you so much for your support.

▶️ Top 5 Priorities for Choosing a Hammered Dulcimer
https://youtu.be/NT_0KoQSni8

▶️ Master Works: Comparison of Models
https://youtu.be/Z9GZb713CWQ

▶️ Pioneer vs. Ultralight: In-Depth Comparison
https://youtu.be/cdEHQTyZPEo

🔗 Learn more on the product page
https://bit.ly/4sGx3dR

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Layout Reference

This video shows the hammered dulcimer layout I learned in the United States. It is commonly used in the U.S., Japan, parts of Western Europe, and the British Isles. Other layouts do exist 9:50 Hammered Dulcimer Layout: Explained for Beginners

Hammered Dulcimer Layout: Explained for Beginners

The hammered dulcimer is a diatonic layout with chromatic possibilities. If finding chromatic notes has ever felt like guesswork, this video offers a clear, visual explanation of how the chromatic scale actually works on the instrument.

I hear two common misunderstandings all the time: one treats the dulcimer as too diatonic for accidentals, and the other treats it as fully chromatic in the piano sense and is surprised when dense chromatic writing feels awkward to play.

This video explains what’s really going on.

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⏱️ Chapters
0:00 Introduction
1:04 The Chromatic Scale as a Visual Map
4:19 Idiomatic Keys with Accidentals
5:21 Applying the Chromatic Map
7:58 Why This Layout Exists
9:05 Dulcimer Layouts with the Chromatic Option
10:18 The Theory Behind Why It Works

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What This Video Covers

• The chromatic scale shown as a diagonal across layers
• Why the hammered dulcimer naturally favors diatonic music
• How chromatic notes function as accidentals within primary keys
• Practical examples you can apply immediately
• What the chromatic option really means
• The theory that explains why this layout works

By the end, you will have a clear visual map of chromatic possibilities on the hammered dulcimer and how to use them musically.

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New to the Hammered Dulcimer?

If you are brand new to the instrument, some of this may feel a bit advanced and that is completely okay. Most dulcimer music is intuitive and approachable, and you are always welcome to come back to this video when you are ready.

If you are just getting started, I recommend watching this first:

▶️ Hammered Dulcimer Layout Explained for Beginners
https://youtu.be/dKG7WdstCbc

––––––––––––––––––––––
Layout Reference

This video shows the hammered dulcimer layout I learned in the United States. It is commonly used in the U.S., Japan, parts of Western Europe, and the British Isles. Other layouts do exist around the world.

––––––––––––––––––––––
Support the Channel


If you would like to support the channel, you can check out Master Works hammered dulcimers through my website, https://JoshuaMessick.com. I have also linked buyer’s guide resources below to help you choose the right instrument. Thank you so much for your support.

▶️ Top 5 Priorities for Choosing a Hammered Dulcimer
https://youtu.be/NT_0KoQSni8

▶️ Master Works: Comparison of Models
https://youtu.be/Z9GZb713CWQ

▶️ Pioneer vs. Ultralight: In-Depth Comparison
https://youtu.be/cdEHQTyZPEo

🔗 Learn more on the product page
https://bit.ly/4sGx3dR 14:33 Hammered Dulcimer Layout: Chromatic Possibilities

Hammered Dulcimer Layout: Chromatic Possibilities

Joshua Messick & Russell Cook present an in-depth comparison of the hammered dulcimer models handcrafted by Master Works. The video includes detailed specs, build technologies, design methods, & sound samples of the Pioneer, Ultralight, Russell Cook Edition, Russell Cook Edition Extended Range & DulciForte hammered dulcimers.

|| How to Order
Please help support this channel by purchasing from Joshua. Your instrument will ship brand-new from the Master Works workshop. To order and receive more information, contact Joshua at https://JoshuaMessick.com.

|| Download Buyer’s Guide
http://bit.ly/PDFBuyersGuide

|| Download Hi-Fi Sound Samples
http://bit.ly/SoundSamples

|| Pioneer vs. Ultralight: An In-Depth Comparison
https://youtu.be/cdEHQTyZPEo

The information in this video is cumulative. To learn the most about each model, please watch the entire video.

CHAPTERS
00:00:00 Intro
00:00:21 Buyer's Guide
00:00:50 Fireside Chat
00:01:58 Side-by-Side Sound Comparison
00:03:18 How to Order
00:04:33 Pioneer Information
00:08:49 Pioneer Sound Sample
00:09:47 Ultralight Information
00:17:17 Ultralight Sound Sample
00:18:23 Russell Cook Edition Information
00:25:39 Russell Cook Edition Sound Sample
00:26:31 Russell Cook Edition Extended Range Information
00:34:35 Russell Cook Edition Extended Range Sound Sample
00:36:01 DulciForte Information
00:44:07 DulciForte Sound Sample
00:46:34 Ordering Assistance 47:50 Comparison of Master Works Hammered Dulcimers | Presented by Joshua Messick & Russell Cook

Comparison of Master Works Hammered Dulcimers | Presented by Joshua Messick & Russell Cook

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