Three Rivers

Tablature, or "tab," is a way of writing music. It shows positions on different strings so you know where to put your hands to get the sounds you want.

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In the sample above, the top part is traditionally written music with chords (the capital letters) above. The bottom part is the tab. Tab is divided into three lines, one for each string on the dulcimer. The top line represents the bass string, the one farthest from you when the dulcimer sits in your lap. The middle line is for the middle string. The bottom line is for the "melody" string that sits closest to your body.

Numbers on the strings are the "fret," or bar across the instrument that divides it into notes. Pressing your finger on the string behind the fret makes the note change.

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This sample above starts with no strings pressed then the melody string gets pressed behind the first fret, then the second fret...

Later, you see 0, 1, 3. Don't touch the bass string. Press behind the first fret on the middle string and the third fret on the melody string.

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