dulcimer

The dulcimer is a stringed musical instrument in the zither family. The term covers two distinct instruments that share a name but differ in construction and playing technique: the hammered dulcimer, played with mallets on a trapezoidal soundboard, and the Appalachian dulcimer, a fretted, usually guitar-shaped instrument played by strumming or plucking.

Etymology traces the name to Latin dulcis, meaning sweet, combined with melos, meaning song, via medieval Latin. This naming reflects the instrument’s mellow, resonant character in traditional music.

The hammered dulcimer is a large, diatonically tuned instrument with many strings arranged in courses across a wide, trapezoidal soundboard. It is struck with light wooden hammers, producing a bright, ringing tone. Historically associated with European folk and classical traditions, it remains common in traditional ensembles and in some world-music contexts. Many hammered dulcimers are designed for diatonic play, though chromatic versions exist.

The Appalachian, or mountain, dulcimer is a smaller, lighter instrument held on the player’s lap or a table. It typically has three strings, though four-string models appear, and a fretboard that shapes the pitch. The instrument is plucked or strummed, often with one melody string supported by a drone or accompaniment pair. Tuning is usually diatonic, and the instrument is valued for its simple, singable scale and intimate timbre.

Construction and materials for both varieties are mainly wood, with metal strings on most models. The dulcimer occupies a niche in folk, traditional, and indie music scenes and is used by players ranging from beginners to professionals.