hammer dulcimer

In English-speaking countries, dulcimer (or dowcemere, dulcimor, dulcimur, doucemelle, doulcemelle, dolcimela, or dolcema, all from dulce melos, Greek for sweet sound) was the name given to the type of psaltery or box zither which had a trapezoidal soundbox and which was played by striking the strings with hammers.

Although these traditional names are occasionally still used, the common name for this instrument today is dulcimer after the Latin and Greek words dulce and melos, which combine to mean sweet tine or sweet melody. The term hammered dulcimer is often used since small mallets or hammers are used to create the sound.

Most traditional American hammered dulcimers have the major keys of F, C, G and D easily available, which works well for a variety of musical styles like old-time, bluegrass, hymns, Celtic tunes, and even some pop music.

Hammered dulcimer

Persia: Most commonly, it is believed that the hammer dulcimer originated in Persia around 900 A.D. The instrument is more than likely related to one of the early models of the psaltery of those days.

The major scales available on most dulcimers with the traditional tuning are D, G, C, F, and sometimes A and E. B minor, E minor, and other modes associated with those major scales can also be found.

The hammered dulcimer is a trapezoid-shaped stringed instrument played with wooden mallets called “hammers”. The hammers strike the strings that have varying diameters, tension, and positioning, creating different sounds. The sound resonates behind the wooden soundboard, making sweet, ethereal music.

The mountain dulcimer's range makes it a good instrument for many different types of music. You'll hear it in folk, classical, jazz, blues, ragtime, Cajun, gospel, and rock and roll. Some areas have special festivals for dulcimer music. This includes the annual Mardi Gras dulcimer music festival.

Yangqin | Chinese, Hammered Dulcimer, Percussion | Britannica.

Persia Persia: Most commonly, it is believed that the hammer dulcimer originated in Persia around 900 A.D. The instrument is more than likely related to one of the early models of the psaltery of those days.

History of the Dulcimer. The Mountain Dulcimer is a true American instrument. It dates back to the early 1800's, originating in the Appalachian mountains of southwest Virginia. Western Europe had many kinds of fretted lap zithers from the Norwegian Langeleik, the Swedish Hummel, and the French Epinette.

Surprisingly, the hammered dulcimer, which is an ancient ancestor of the piano, at one time enjoyed widespread popularity throughout this country. The hammered dulcimer probably originated in the Middle East about 900 A.D. and is related to the much older psaltery.