Fit for the Fiddler I: Fast & Easy Dulcimer Chords
Chord Finder
(Playing pattern with open dot at indicated bridge position will produce the chord in table)
TREBLE BRIDGE
BASS BRIDGE
pattern
1
C
G
D
A
E
F
C
G
D
Dm
C
Am
G
Em
D
Bm
A
pattern
2
G
F
Em
D
C
Bm
A
G
F#m
E
D
C#m
B
pattern
3
pattern
1
Gm
F
Am
G
Dm
C
Em
D
Am
G
Bm
A
Em
D
F#m
E
pattern
2
C
Bb
Am
G
F
Em
D
C
Bm
A
G
F#m
E
pattern
3
Bb
Dm
C
F
Am
G
C
Em
D
G
Bm
A
A
D
(1st
inversion)
(2nd
inversion)
(1st
inversion)
Standard I-IV-V chord progressions for
dulcimer-friendly keys:
(2nd
inversion)
Striking Chords:
(with accompanying minor chords)
Boom-Chick
key of:
I
IV
V
D
G
A
C
F
D
G
A
C
F
G
C
D
F
Bb
A
D
E
G
C
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vi
Bm
Em
F#m
Am
Dm
Page 1
ii
Em
Am
Bm
Dm
Gm
iii
F#m
Bm
C#m
Em
Am
Strike: 1, 2+3
emphasize the
CHICK - "snap" it!
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Fit for the Fiddler I: Fast & Easy Dulcimer Chords
Using Chords in Tunes
Reel de Montreal
//: G G G G
D D G G
//: D D D D
A A D D
G
D
D
G G G G
D D D D
D D G G
A A D D
://
://
A
Reel de Montreal
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Fit for the Fiddler I: Fast & Easy Dulcimer Chords
No-Panic Chord Strategy
1. Look at key signature & then find I-IV-V chords
2. Any related minor chords?
3. If any other chords figure out easiest place to play them
Fisher's Hornpipe
//: D G D G
D G D A
//: A A D D
A A E A
D G D G
G G D D
D A D D
G A D D
://
://
repeat
1st 4
chords
D
G
A
D
D
G
A
D
E
G
A
D
G
A
D
D
G
A
A
D
D
Other Common Progressions
1) Addition of a minor vi (6th) chord
G
Em
C
Lady of the Lake (G)
Colored Aristocracy (G)
Flowers of Edinburgh (G)
B part:
Temperance Reel (G)
Spootiskerry (G)
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D
G G Em Em
GGGG
CCDD
Em..Em
G G Em Em
CCGG
CCDG
AADD
GGDD
C C Em Em
GGCC
GDGG
//: G G G G
//: Em..Em
GGGD
Em Em D D
GGGG
G Em C D
GGGG
Em..Em
GGGG
Em Em D G ://
EmEm D G ://
C Am D G
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Fit for the Fiddler I: Fast & Easy Dulcimer Chords
2) Addition of a minor ii (2nd) chord
D
Em
A
Swinging on a Gate (G)
St. Anne's Reel B part (D)
Galopede (G)
G G AmAm
D D G Em
GDGG
GGDD
AADD
AmAm D D
G G AmAm
D D G Em
GDGG
AmAm D G
AADD
Am D G G
Big John McNeil (A)
Mason's Apron (A)
AAAA
AAAA
A A Bm E
BmBmBmBm
AAAA
AAAA
ADEA
D Bm E A
3) Modal (flatted) 7th
D
C
G
A
Over the Waterfall (D)
LaBastrange B part (D)
DADD
DDCC
DADD
DDAD
DADD
DDCC
CCGG
DDAD
Cuckoo's Nest (D)
Top of the Hill (A)
DDDD
AAAA
CCCC
GGGG
DDDG
AAAA
DADD
EEAA
4) Minor key (simple)
Am
G
Growling Old Man and Grumbling
Old Woman (Am)
AmAm G G
AmAm G Am AmAm G G
AmAm G Am
Swallowtail Reel (Am)
AmAmAmAm
GGGG
AmAmAmAm
G G Am Am
Old Grey Cat (Em)
EmEmEmEm
DDDD
EmEmEmEm
D B Em Em
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Fit for the Fiddler I: Fast & Easy Dulcimer Chords
5) Minor key with i & v (1st & 5th minor) chords
Am
Em
G
Tenpenny Bit (Am)
Swallowtail Jig B part (Em)
Rory O'More B part (F#m)
AmAmEmEm
AmAm G G
AmAmEmEm
EmEmEmEm
EmEmEm D EmEmEmEm
F#mF#mBmF#m F#mF#m E E ...
G G Am Am
Bm D Em Em
6) Ascending progressions
D
G
Bm
Em
G
C
Paddy on the Railroad (D)
Em
Am
A
D
DDDD
D BmEm A
DDDD
D DA D D
7) “Pachelbel Canon” progressions
or
D
Em or A
Top of Cork Road B part (D)
Bm
F#m
G
A
DDAA
BmBmF#mF#m
GGDD
GADD
Bouchard's Hornpipe (D)
//: D G A D
//: D D EmEm
EmEmA A
BmBmF#mF#m
GGDD
G Em D D
G A D D ://
G A D D ://
Pachelbel’s Canon (D)
D A Bm F#m G D G A
Other Suggestions:
 play "on-the beat", not after it!
 Not all the notes? – play 2 note pseudo-chord using flams (often for B chord)
 Just play dragged 1st and 3rd notes together for emphasis (Joys of Quebec)
Other chording resources:
 Captain Fiddle chord books - www.captainfiddle.com/chordencyclop.html
 The Hammered Dulcimer A-Chording to Lucille Reilly - www.dulcimerlady.com
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