The hammer dulcimer is capable of a range of tones from a sort of music-box sound to powerful and percussive piano-like effects which can stand out in any band. Although the plucked dulcimer also called Appalachian or mountain dulcimer shares the same name, the two instruments differ considerably in form, sound, evolution, and manner of playing. Both have strings stretched across a neckless soundbox, which identifies them in certain classification schemes as belonging to the zither form.
The plucked dulcimer relies on the shortening fretting or stopping of strings to produce many pitches with one or few strings. Guitars, banjos, and fiddles work in this way. The alternative is to have one string or course of strings tuned to each desired pitch, as in the harps, piano, psaltery, and hammer dulcimer. The name dulcimer comes from the Latin and Greek works dulce and melos , which combine to mean "sweet tune.
All evidence seems to indicate that the Appalachian dulcimer dates back no more than years and that Bibles refer to the hammered type. The true hammer dulcimer is a close relative to the psaltery, the chief difference being that the psaltery is usually plucked and the dulcimer is usually struck. Early varieties were rather simple, having relatively few strings which passed over bridges only at the sides. The versatility of the dulcimer was greatly increased by clever placement of additional bridges.
Treble courses pass over the side bridges and also over a treble bridge usually placed between the side bridges so that the vibrating lengths of the strings are divided in the ratio This results in two notes from each string in the ratio of a perfect fifth interval. Other ratios have occasionally been used. Many dulcimers have another bridge added near the right side to carry bass courses. The bass courses pass high over the bass bridge and low through holes or interruptions in the treble bridge.
Likewise, the treble strings are raised at the treble bridge and pass low through the bass bridge. Thus, the treble strings may be struck near the treble bridge without danger of hitting bass strings, and bass courses can be played near the bass bridge without running afoul of treble strings.
This arrangement triples the number of notes possible without any increase of size or consequent increase in distance from the player. Dulcimers of this sort began appearing in Europe during the 16th century and remained rather popular to the 18th.
The ancient origins of the dulcimer are undoubtedly in the Near East, where instruments of this type have been made and played for perhaps years. Santir and psanterim were names early applied to such instruments and are probably derived from the Greek psalterion. Today the dulcimer is known as the santouri in Greece and as the santur in India.
From the Near East the instrument traveled both east and west. Arabs took it to Spain where a dulcimer-like instrument is depicted on a cathedral relief from A.
Introduction into the Orient came much later. The Chinese version is still known as the yang ch'in, or foreign zither. Though its use in China is reported to date from about the beginning of the 19th century, Korean tradition claims association with the hammer dulcimer from about Although the early keyboard string instruments could have been derived from either psaltery or dulcimer, it seems logical that the dulcimer provided much of the inspiration for the piano. Explore the following activities with an adventurous friend or family member: Have you ever listened to dulcimer music?
If not, what are you waiting for? Learn more about the dulcimer and hear one played in this video from Folkcraft Instruments. Does the instrument sound like you thought it would? Why or why not? If you're like most kids, you probably haven't seen many dulcimers up close. In fact, you might not have ever seen one in person. Check out these hammer dulcimers and these mountain dulcimers.
Which ones fascinate you the most? Would you ever like to play a dulcimer? Discuss with a friend or family member. Ready to play some music? Why not make your own instrument? Find an adult who can help you build your own cardboard guitar , pan flute , or drums.
Then, have fun making up your own songs on your new instrument! Did you get it? Test your knowledge. Wonder Words pick peg tune notes instrument bow hammer zither hourglass Take the Wonder Word Challenge.
Join the Discussion. I thought it made a good sound. My Dad said that his 5th grade teacher used to play the dulcimer. He said that it made a beautiful sound. Are these still made today? How long does it take to make the dulcimer? How long ago was the first dulcimer made?
Wonderopolis Jan 29, TJ Jan 28, Sorry, I lied. Anyway, today's wonder was cool. I thought Wonder was about hidden gold in a treasure chest but I was wrong. The wonder was Why do pianos have 88 keys? I didn't have school today : because it was absolutely freezing here in Dublin, Ohio. In the morning, it was negative 14 degrees fahrenheit.
Pretty cold, isn't it? On that day, it will be teacher work day. Until then, goodbye, Wonderopolis! Happy late Marther Luther King Day! Candace Jan 28, I want to play it and it seems hard but, it does look like a lot fun. Do you know where I could get one? I think it would be cool to learn how to play the dulcimer.
Wonderopolis Jan 28, Evelyn L. Jan 28, The dulcimer has a very Beautiful Sound! It reminds me of a guitar mixed with a fiddle. It is sort of like a guitar except you put it on your lap while you play. It looks easy to play a dulcimer, but looks can be deceiving! Bianca T. Hi Wonderopolis, Today was a very interesting wonder. I was still wondering is it easy to play the dulcimer? Also can you make a dulcimer, if so can you tell me how.
I can't wait to wonder with you tomorrow!! Maggie Jan 28, I wanted to know. Did the person in the video learn to play the Dulcimer? Isaak Jan 28, I was wondering. I play the guitar, so does that make it easy to play the dulcimer? I love all the wonders on this website! I always learn something new! Tesa's Class Jan 28, Gabriela Jan 28, The zither family of instruments must make lots of beautiful music. Dulcimers are a relatively quiet instrument. Their sweet quiet sound is well-suited to personal relaxation or playing in a cozy environment.
Toddlers cannot hurt a cardboard-soundbox dulcimer and it cannot hurt them, so there is no harm in mixing the two. By age 3 or 4, children can strum with pick or fingers, or bounce chopsticks on the strings. We generally recommend dulcimers for would-be musicians aged 8 to Our instruments are used in schools, churches, colleges, community classes, summer recreation programs, elder hostels, and hospice programs.
Dulcimers are fun for musicians and non-musicians alike. If you play piano, violin, or French horn, you will quickly take to an instrument you can master with little practice, and take with you to the beach without worrying about it. Most players use dulcimers to play relatively simple tunes and to accompany singing. You can play melodies, harmonies, and chords.
It is much easier to play chords on the dulcimer than on the guitar! Advanced players can finger-pick complex arrangements including some classical music pieces and Beatles songs. You can even play some rock and roll riffs. Compared to most musical instruments, dulcimers are inexpensive. At Backyard Music, we cut materials cost and building time by using extra-strong corrugated cardboard for the sound box. It takes most first-time individual builders about two hours of total time on task to paint and assemble a Backyard Music Simplicity dulcimer.
In a school setting, seven 40 minute classes should suffice. In a group workshop, hours. No sharp or unusual tools are needed because all parts are pre-cut.
Our kits include photo-illustrated directions and extra strings. You furnish the paint, stain, wax, and tools. If painting is a hassle for you, we can prepaint your soundbox es for a modest additional charge: barn red, Shaker green, or royal blue. You do not need to read or understand all the options described below. Most people who order dulcimers from us are buying an inexpensive instrument for children, music classrooms, or for self-taught adult beginners.
For all these customers we strongly recommend ordering our best-selling model, the 3-string Simplicity dulcimer, either as a ready-to play-instrument or a pre-cut kit See photograph to right.
The options described below may be of interest to advanced players, accomplished musicians, or persons buying their second dulcimer. The soundbox is the hollow chamber underneath the fretboard the piece of wood that carries the strings. This hollow box amplifies the sound of the strings. Traditional dulcimers are made with a wooden soundbox.
If you buy a dulcimer with a wooden soundbox, we recommend that the top panel of the soundbox be made of spruce or cedar because these long-grained woods are accoustically responsive. Avoid dulcimers where this top panel is plywood, because it deadens sound. Fortunately, cardboard has good accoustical properities, which is why you will find a cardboard cone around the electromagnet in your stereo speakers!
Our Backyard Music beginner's dulcimers have soundboxes of durable lb strength corrugated cardboard, painted for protection against moisture and dirt. These cardboard soundboxes have several advantages:. For all these reasons, we recommend dulcimers with cardboard soundboxes for children, for adults trying dulcimer for the first time, for families and schools on a tight budget, and for anyone who wants an instrument they can take to be beach or strap on their pack without worrying about it.
Several grandparents who play dulcimer have ordered our cardboard dulcimers for their grandchildren, partly to encourage the youngsters's musicianship, and partly to keep their own prized wooden dulcimer out of the hands of babes.
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