If you've been looking for a way to add some serious depth to your folk music, picking up a 6 string dulcimer might be the best move you make this year. It's one of those instruments that looks familiar at first glance—especially if you've played a standard three or four-string mountain dulcimer—but once you give it a strum, you realize it's a completely different animal. There is a richness there that you just can't get with fewer strings, and it opens up a whole new world of texture for solo players and group jam sessions alike.
I remember the first time I heard one in person. I was at a small festival, and someone was playing in the corner of a tent. From a distance, I thought I was hearing two or three people playing together. When I got closer, I saw it was just one person with a 6 string dulcimer across their lap. The sound was huge. It had this shimmering, chorus-like quality that reminded me of a 12-string guitar, but with that distinct, haunting Appalachian sweetness that only a dulcimer can provide.
What Makes it Different?
So, what's actually going on with those extra strings? On a standard mountain dulcimer, you usually have three strings (or four, if the melody string is doubled). On a 6 string dulcimer, you have three "courses" of two strings each. This means every time you press down a fret, you're actually pressing down two strings at once.
This setup changes the physics of the sound. Because it's almost impossible to get two strings tuned exactly to the same vibration—we're talking microscopic differences here—you get this natural "beating" effect. It creates a lush, swirling sound that fills up a room. It's not just louder; it's more complex. If a 3-string dulcimer is a clear mountain stream, the 6-string version is a wide, deep river.
The Learning Curve
A lot of people worry that doubling the strings means doubling the difficulty. Honestly? It really doesn't. If you already know your way around a standard dulcimer, you're about 90% of the way there. Your left-hand fingerings stay pretty much the same. You just have to get used to the feel of pressing down two strings instead of one.
Now, I won't lie—it does take a little more finger pressure. If you're used to a very light touch, your fingertips might complain for the first few days. But you'll toughen up quickly. The biggest adjustment is actually in your right hand. Whether you're using a pick or your fingers, you've got more "meat" to pull through. It feels a bit more substantial, and you have to be more deliberate with your strumming to make sure you're hitting both strings in the pair evenly.
Tuning and Maintenance
Tuning a 6 string dulcimer is where you'll spend a bit more of your time. If you think keeping a guitar in tune is a chore, wait until you have six friction or geared tuners to deal with on a smaller frame. Most players stick with the classic DAD tuning (D-A-D), where you have two strings tuned to D, two to A, and two to the high D.
One tip I always give people is to invest in a really high-quality electronic tuner. Because the "chorus" effect relies on the strings being just a tiny bit off, or perfectly in sync depending on your preference, you want to be precise. Also, changing strings takes twice as long. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's something to keep in mind when you're prepping for a gig or a recording session. You definitely don't want to be changing all six strings five minutes before you go on stage.
Why Choose Six Over Three?
You might be wondering why anyone would bother with the extra maintenance. It really comes down to the "vibe" of the music you want to play.
If you're into traditional "noter" style playing—where you slide a wooden dowel up and down the melody string while the others drone—the 6 string dulcimer is a powerhouse. Those double drones create a wall of sound that is incredibly hypnotic. It's great for old hymns, slow airs, and those moody, minor-key tunes that just need to feel "big."
On the other hand, if you like to do a lot of intricate fingerstyle work or very fast flatpicking, the extra strings can sometimes feel a bit "crowded." It's harder to get a clean, single-note snap when you're hitting two strings at once. But for most folk and Americana styles, that extra "jangle" is exactly what people are looking for.
Buying Your First 6 String Dulcimer
If you're looking to buy one, you won't always find them sitting on the shelf at your local big-box music store. Most of the time, you're looking at custom builders or specialized folk shops.
When you're checking one out, pay close attention to the "action"—the height of the strings over the frets. Because you're pressing down twice as many strings, high action will kill your hands. You want it low enough to be comfortable but not so low that the strings buzz against each other.
Also, look at the bridge and the nut. Are the slots for the string pairs spaced well? You want the two strings in a course to be close enough that your finger covers them easily, but not so close that they rattle against one another when they vibrate. It's a fine balance that a good luthier knows how to hit.
The Joy of the Sound
At the end of the day, playing a 6 string dulcimer is just plain fun. There's a certain physical satisfaction in feeling that much vibration against your lap. It feels alive in a way that smaller instruments sometimes don't.
I've found that it's also a great conversation starter. You take it out at a campfire or a folk club, and people are immediately curious. "Is that a 12-string guitar? No, wait, it's a dulcimer but it has too many strings!" It gives you a chance to talk about the history of the instrument and how it's evolved.
Is It Right For You?
If you're a beginner, I usually suggest starting with a 3 or 4 string model just to get the basics down without the extra finger strain. But if you've been playing for a while and you feel like your sound has plateaued, or if you just want something that can fill a room without needing an amplifier, the 6 string dulcimer is a fantastic investment.
It's an instrument that rewards patience. It takes a little longer to tune, a little more effort to play, and a little more care to maintain. But the first time you hit a full D-major chord and feel the whole instrument shake against your legs, you'll know exactly why people love them. It's a big, beautiful, jangly sound that's hard to beat.
So, if you get the chance to try one out, go for it. Don't let the extra strings intimidate you. Just sit down, get it in tune (as best you can!), and let it rip. You might find that those extra strings are exactly what your music has been missing all along. It's a unique experience that brings a lot of joy to both the player and whoever is lucky enough to be listening.