Finding the perfect Christmas songs for dulcimer is honestly one of the highlights of my year as a player. There is something about the way the metallic ring of the strings mixes with the cold winter air that just feels right. Whether you're sitting by a fireplace with a mountain dulcimer across your lap or standing over a hammered dulcimer ready to make it sound like a choir of bells, holiday music and this instrument are basically a match made in heaven.
If you've ever tried to play a pop song on the dulcimer, you know it can be a bit of a struggle sometimes. But carols? They were practically built for this. Most of them are based on old folk melodies that fit perfectly within a diatonic scale. You don't have to worry about weird accidentals or jumping all over the fretboard just to find one note. It's all right there for you.
Why the Dulcimer is Built for the Holidays
The dulcimer has this haunting, drones-and-all sound that captures the "old world" feeling of Christmas better than almost any other instrument. Think about it—most of the songs we love were written way before synthesizers and electric guitars. When you play The Holly and the Ivy or God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, you're tapping into a tradition that's hundreds of years old.
On a mountain dulcimer, that constant drone from the bass and middle strings provides a built-in accompaniment that sounds like a small bagpipe or a medieval ensemble. It fills up the room. You don't need a backing track or a band; you just need your fingers and a pick. For the hammered dulcimer players out there, the sustain you get from those long strings creates a shimmering "aura" of sound that mimics the resonance of a stone cathedral. It's pretty magical.
Great Beginner Songs to Start With
If you're just starting out, you don't want to jump into a complex arrangement of Sleigh Ride. You'll just end up frustrated, and nobody wants that during the holidays. You want songs that stay mostly on the melody string and don't require crazy finger gymnastics.
Silent Night is the gold standard for beginners. It's slow, it's graceful, and the intervals are very intuitive. In D-A-D tuning, you can play almost the whole thing on the melody string. It gives you a chance to practice your slides and maybe even a little bit of vibrato to make those long notes sing.
Another easy win is Joy to the World. This one is basically just a descending scale. If you can count down from the seventh fret to the open string, you've already figured out the first half of the song. It's a great confidence builder because it sounds impressive and "big" even if you're just strumming straight across all the strings.
The First Noel is another one that works beautifully. It has a repetitive melody that's easy to memorize, which is great if you're planning on playing for family and don't want to be glued to a piece of paper the whole time.
Moving Beyond the Basics
Once you've got the simple melodies down, you can start adding a little "flavor" to your Christmas songs for dulcimer. This is where the instrument really starts to shine. Instead of just hitting the melody note, try adding some double stops—that's just a fancy way of saying "play two notes at once."
For example, when playing Away in a Manger, you can hold down a note on the middle string that complements the melody. It adds a layer of harmony that makes the song sound much more professional.
You should also look into In the Bleak Midwinter. It's a bit more melancholic than the upbeat carols, but it sounds incredible on a dulcimer. It really leans into those minor-sounding tones (even if you're in a major tuning) and allows for a lot of expression. You can play it very softly, letting the notes fade out slowly. It's one of those songs that usually makes people stop talking and actually listen.
The Hammered Dulcimer Vibe
I know I've been talking a lot about mountain dulcimers, but we can't forget the hammered variety. If you're lucky enough to own one, Christmas music is your time to shine. The hammered dulcimer is essentially a "percussion-string" instrument, and that "hammer on metal" sound is exactly what people think of when they imagine Victorian Christmas scenes.
What Child Is This? (Greensleeves) is a must-play for hammered dulcimer. The way the notes ring out and overlap creates this lush, dreamy atmosphere. Because the hammered dulcimer has such a wide range, you can do some really cool things with the bass notes to give the song some weight.
Another fun one is Deck the Halls. It's fast, bouncy, and lets you show off your sticking technique. Just be careful not to get too carried away with the speed—those "fa-la-la-la-las" can get tricky if your hammers aren't landing exactly where they should!
Finding Music and Tablature
One of the best things about the dulcimer community is how generous everyone is. You don't necessarily have to go out and buy a bunch of expensive books (though there are some great ones out there by folks like Stephen Seifert or Joe Collins).
A quick search online for "dulcimer tabs" will lead you to a goldmine of free resources. Many players have uploaded their own arrangements of classic carols. Look for tabs that specify the tuning—usually D-A-D for mountain dulcimer—so you don't end up trying to play something meant for a completely different setup.
If you can read standard sheet music, you're even further ahead. Since most carols are in the public domain, you can find the basic melodies anywhere and just adapt them. The dulcimer is a very forgiving instrument, so don't be afraid to experiment with your own versions.
Tips for a Better Holiday Performance
If you're planning to play for friends or family this year, here are a few things I've learned the hard way:
- Warm up your hands. If your house is cold, your fingers won't want to move. Keep your hands warm before you start playing so you don't feel stiff.
- Check your tuning often. Changes in temperature (like a heater kicking on) can wreak havoc on wooden instruments and string tension. There's nothing worse than a sour note in the middle of O Holy Night.
- Don't overcomplicate it. People love these songs because they're familiar. You don't need to do a 10-minute experimental jazz version of Jingle Bells. Sometimes the simplest arrangement is the one that touches people the most.
- Embrace the drones. Don't try to mute the other strings. Let them ring! That's the soul of the dulcimer.
Bringing it All Together
At the end of the day, playing christmas songs for dulcimer is about creating a mood. It's about that feeling of nostalgia and peace that seems to settle over everything in December. Whether you're a pro or you just picked up the instrument a month ago, don't worry about being perfect.
Just sit back, pick a song you love, and let those strings do the work. The dulcimer has a way of making even a simple melody sound like something ancient and beautiful. And really, isn't that exactly what holiday music is supposed to do? So grab your pick, check your tuning, and get playing. Your family (and your ears) will thank you for it.