When was the first dulcimer made?

When was the first dulcimer made?

900 A.D.

When did the dulcimer first become popular?

Never widespread and found only in scattered pockets of tradition, the dulcimer since the 1950s has gained popularity outside the mountains and is today widely used by both amateur and professional musicians for primarily folk-based repertoires.

How old is the Appalachian dulcimer?

The little history that does exist suggests that the Appalachian dulcimer was developed during the late 1700’s to early 1800’s. Few early dulcimers survive to provide evidence of a first builder and it is likely that the instrument evolved over time with many Appalachian artisans making significant contributions.

What modern instrument is the dulcimer related to?

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.

Is the dulcimer mentioned in the Bible?

Those are three of the instruments that are found in the King James translation of the Bible, in Daniel, Chapter 3, verse 5: That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the King hath set up.

Can you use guitar strings on a dulcimer?

If you need stainless steel or wound strings and you’re not near a “dulcimer string” source, you might be able to use a guitar or octave mandolin string of the same or smaller gauge if it’s long enough. Guitar strings will have a small ball in the loop that will need to be removed first.

What is the best wood for a dulcimer?

Tonewoods used for dulcimer soundboards include spruce, mahogany, western red cedar, redwood and birch. Spruces are among the most used type of soundboard wood and the most commonly found species is Sitka spruce. This wood is tough, stable and produces a clear, loud, bright tone.

What is the best mountain dulcimer to buy?

8 Best Dulcimer Reviews and the Best Dulcimer Brands

• Seagull Merlin Mahogany SG Dulcimer Guitar Natural.
• Roosebeck Grace Mountain Dulcimer 4-String Vaulted Fretboard Spruce F-Holes.
• Applecreek ACD100 Dulcimer.
• Seagull Merlin SG Dulcimer Guitar Bundle with Seagull Gig Bag and Strings.

Is mountain dulcimer hard to play?

Easy to Play The fact that the dulcimer has only three strings makes it much easier to play than a guitar, banjo, mandolin, or fiddle. It is also not as hard to push the strings down as it is on a guitar. You do not have to be able to read music to play the dulcimer. Some people can pick out tunes by ear.

What’s the easiest string instrument to play?

1. Ukulele. Inexpensive to buy and super fun to play, the ukulele is one of the most accessible instruments out there. With just four nylon strings (instead of the guitar’s six), you can quickly pick up simple chords and play some of your favorite songs in just a few weeks.

How much does a mountain dulcimer cost?

As a quick overview, our harps range in price from under $900 up to around $6,600. Our dulcimers range from about $550 to about $4,000.

How do I choose a mountain dulcimer?

Finding and buying a mountain dulcimer is a matter of looking and listening carefully: ask around, listen to various players. Look for a solid wood instrument; ask about its finish, request geared tuners, check its action, and sight down the top of the fingerboard to make sure its dead flat.

What is the best dulcimer for beginners?

The 5 Best Mountain Dulcimers for Beginners

• Roosebeck Grace Mountain Dulcimer 4-String Vaulted Fretboard Spruce F-Holes.
• Professional European Cherry Mountain Dulcimer w/ Case.
• Appalachian APD-1 Dulcimer Pickin’ Pac.
• Seagull Merlin G Mountain Dulcimer Mahogany.

What makes a good dulcimer?

Wood. The best mountain dulcimers on the market are made from solid wood. The type of wood a dulcimer is made from is another thing you should check before making a purchase. Most dulcimers on the market are made from hardwood like walnut, poplar, cherry, and sassafras or soft wood like cedar or spruce.

Is a dulcimer?

Dulcimer, stringed musical instrument, a version of the psaltery in which the strings are beaten with small hammers rather than plucked. Dulcimers probably entered central Europe from Persia about the 15th century.

Is zither same as dulcimer?

is that zither is a musical instrument consisting of a flat sounding box with numerous strings, placed on a horizontal surface, and played with a plectrum and fingertips; similar to a dulcimer in the norwegian harpeleik and swedish cittra versions, the instrument is considered a chorded zither and usually has 7 ( …

What does the name dulcimer mean?

Origin of dulcimer First recorded in 1560–70; alteration of Middle English dowcemere, from Middle French doulcemer, dissimilated variant of doulcemele, from Old Italian dolcimelo, dolzemele, from Latin dulce melos “sweet song”; see dulcet, melic.

Can you play a dulcimer like a guitar?

Both instruments are considered traditional American instruments. The music is heavy on fiddle tunes, folk songs and sacred songs. You can play tunes the very first time you pick it up, even if you can’t read music. The neck of the dulcimer is fretted like a guitar.

How is a mountain dulcimer tuned?

There are two common tunings for mountain dulcimer, DAA and DAD. In DAA, the bass string is tuned to D with the middle and paired melody strings tuned to A. In DAD, the bass string is tuned to D with the middle string tuned to A. In this tuning, however, the paired melody strings are tuned to D.