Virtual Mountain Dulcimer — Play Online
Pick, strum, or chord a virtual mountain dulcimer (also called a lap dulcimer) right in your browser. Tap a fret to play your melody note alongside two open drone strings — the signature sound of this American folk instrument. Choose from DAD, GDG, and AEA folk tunings, toggle reverb, and record your session.
Bright & singable — standard for folk, old-time, and bluegrass
🎸 Tap near a string to pick it · Tap between strings to chord all three · Drag up/down to strum
💻 Keyboard: A – K plays frets 0 – 7 · Chromatic mode extends to A – ]
Screen Recording
Record your performance and download it as a WebM video.
Ready to record screen.
✅ How to Use the Virtual Dulcimer
- Tap any fret zone on the fretboard — the melody note plays with both drone strings ringing together.
- Pick a Scale to explore different folk modes and open tunings (DAD, GDG, AEA).
- Use A – K on your keyboard for hands-free diatonic playing.
- Toggle Reverb for a warm, spacious room sound.
- Hit Start Recording, play a melody, then Stop and Download your performance as a video.
How It Works
Each fret tap triggers three voices simultaneously — the melody string plays the fretted note while the two open drone strings sound their fixed pitches based on the selected tuning. The result is the characteristic drone-and-melody texture of the mountain dulcimer (lap dulcimer). You can also pick individual strings by tapping near each one, or strum by dragging vertically across the fretboard. Audio uses the Web Audio API with high-fidelity dulcimer soundfont samples, a pluck transient, and optional convolution reverb. Fret positions follow the real 12-TET formula (1 − 2−n/12), so spacing narrows toward higher pitches exactly as on a physical instrument.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a mountain dulcimer (lap dulcimer)?
The mountain dulcimer — also called a lap dulcimer or Appalachian dulcimer — is a fretted string instrument from the American folk tradition. It typically has 3–4 strings (one melody string and two drone strings) and is played flat on the lap. The player frets only the melody string while the drones ring open, creating a continuous harmonic background unique to this instrument.
Why does tapping one fret play three notes?
On a real dulcimer the drone strings ring open while you fret the melody string. This virtual version mirrors that: each tap plays the fretted melody note plus the two open drone strings at their tuned pitches, creating the characteristic drone harmony.
What is D Mixolydian and why does it sound Appalachian?
D Mixolydian is a major scale with a flatted 7th (C natural instead of C#). This modal colour is central to Appalachian, Celtic, and old-time American music. It's the default modal tuning for many dulcimer players and gives the instrument its characteristic haunting quality.
What do the tuning labels (DAD, GDG) mean?
These are open-string tunings listed from bass to melody. "DAD" means the bass drone is D3, the middle drone is A3, and the open melody string is D4. Changing tuning shifts both the drone pitches and the fret sequence, opening different keys and modal colours.
What is the Chromatic scale option?
Traditional dulcimers are diatonic — they only have frets for the seven notes of a major scale. Modern chromatic dulcimers add extra frets for all 12 semitones. Chromatic mode here shows all 13 positions from D4 to D5, useful for contemporary and non-folk styles.
Why are the fret zones different widths?
The fret positions follow the 12-TET equal-temperament formula used on real fretted instruments. Lower frets are farther apart (wider zones), and higher frets compress together as you move toward the octave — exactly as they appear on a physical dulcimer or guitar neck.
Can I use a computer keyboard?
Yes. Keys A through K map to frets 0–7 in any diatonic mode. Chromatic mode extends the mapping to A through ] for all 13 positions. The key for each fret is shown in the label below the fretboard.
Scale & Tuning Reference
| Scale | Tuning | Fret Notes | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| D Major | D–A–D | D E F♯ G A B C♯ D | Bright, singable, old-time folk |
| D Mixolydian | D–A–D | D E F♯ G A B C D | Haunting, Appalachian modal |
| D Dorian | D–A–D | D E F G A B C D | Celtic, world music, jazz-folk |
| D Minor | D–A–D | D E F G A B♠C D | Melancholy, European folk |
| G Major | G–D–G | G A B C D E F♯ G | Warm, country, gospel, hymns |
| A Mixolydian | A–E–A | A B C♯ D E F♯ G A | Celtic, bluegrass |
| Chromatic | D–A–D | All 12 semitones, D4 – D5 | Modern, contemporary styles |
References & Notes
- Also known as: lap dulcimer, Appalachian dulcimer, mountain zither
- Fret positions use the 12-TET formula: position = 1 − 2−n/12
- Standard DAD tuning: Bass D3 · Middle A3 · Melody open D4
- Diatonic fret layout follows traditional mountain dulcimer practice
- Soundfont samples shared with the Virtual Santoor — both are members of the hammered/plucked dulcimer family
This is a simulation tool for learning and entertainment.