dulcimers

Dulcimer is a family of stringed instruments in which the sound is produced by strings stretched over a soundboard. The term encompasses two principal varieties: the hammered dulcimer, and the mountain dulcimer (also called the Appalachian dulcimer). A third, less common category includes electric or electro-acoustic variants.

The hammered dulcimer is a trapezoidal zither with many strings arranged in courses. It is played by striking the strings with two small mallets. The player glides the hammers to create legato melodies and ornaments; the instrument has a bright, ringing tone. Strings are tuned in sets and commonly in keys suitable for diatonic folk melodies; tunings vary widely.

The mountain dulcimer is a fretted, chordophone designed to be played on the lap or a table. It typically has three strings, sometimes with one or two drone strings, and is fretted to allow simple, diatonic melodies. It is usually played with fingers or a pick and is well suited to folk tunes in modal or major keys. Common tunings include DAD on the three strings, with alternate tunings used by players.

Historically, the hammered dulcimer has origins in Central Europe and the Near East and spread to Western Europe and North America, where it became associated with folk and traditional music. The mountain dulcimer emerged in the Appalachian region of the United States in the 19th century and has since become a standard instrument in American folk music.

Today dulcimers are produced in traditional and modern forms, including handmade wooden instruments and, for the hammered variety, electronic pickups. They appear in folk ensembles, educational settings, and recording studios.