Ionian
/ DAA
Ionian mode, commonly
referred to as DAA, is Dan’s favourite
tuning. Ionian / DAA allows Dan to play major
scale melodies and chords but also to play
minor chords to accompany a minor-scale song.
There are also other chord families, proving
the rich harmonic potential of the dulcimer
in Ionian.
Dan exploits this harmonic potential by finger-picking
chords to accompany his fine baritone voice
on folk songs. He also arranges songs as instrumental
airs in Ionian.
other tunings Dan
uses
The Dorian mode (DAG) conjures up a strong
sense of the medieval on the dulcimer, Bagpipe
tuning (AAA) gives a rich sound with either
a major (Ionian) or a Mixolydian scale and
the Aeolian mode (CAD) is sometimes used to
evoke a sense of the Elizabethan period.
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