dulcimer

dulcimer is a stringed musical instrument with a distinctive trapezoidal or elongated soundbox, played either by striking the strings with small hammers or by plucking them. It belongs to the zither family and is found in two primary forms: the hammered dulcimer and the plucked, or fretted, Appalachian dulcimer. With roots tracing back to ancient Mesopotamia and Persia, the instrument spread across Europe and Asia, evolving into diverse regional variants. Its name derives from the Latin "dulce melos," meaning "sweet song," reflecting its characteristic resonant and melodic tone.

Etymology and history

The term "dulcimer" originates from the Latin phrase *dulce melos*, via the Old French *doulemele*. Early ancestors include the Persian santur and the Mesopotamian psaltery, instruments depicted in reliefs from Nineveh. By the Middle Ages, similar instruments appeared in Europe, such as the German hackbrett and the Italian salterio. The hammered dulcimer was notably popular in Renaissance and Baroque music across the United Kingdom and Central Europe. The fretted Appalachian dulcimer developed much later in the United States, emerging from folk traditions in the Appalachian Mountains during the 19th century, influenced by earlier European settlers.

Construction and types

Dulcimers are generally constructed with a wooden soundbox over which strings are stretched. The hammered dulcimer features numerous courses of strings struck with lightweight mallets, or hammers, and is often trapezoidal, resembling the Hungarian cimbalom or the Chinese yangqin. The Appalachian dulcimer, or mountain dulcimer, typically has three or four strings and a fretted fingerboard, with a shape reminiscent of an elongated hourglass or teardrop. Other significant types include the Turkish kanun and the Greek santouri, which share similar construction principles. Materials commonly used include spruce for the soundboard, maple for the sides, and various hardwoods for the fretboard and bridges.

Playing technique

Performance technique varies fundamentally between the two main types. On the hammered dulcimer, the player strikes the strings with small, spoon-shaped hammers, often made of wood or bamboo, allowing for rapid melodies and chords; damping is achieved by touching the strings with the hands. The Appalachian dulcimer is usually placed on the lap or a table and played by strumming or plucking with one hand while the other frets the melody on a diatonic fretboard, often with a noter like a drinking straw or bone. Notable methods have been documented by institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and promoted through festivals such as the Winfield Dulcimer Festival.

Musical repertoire and cultural significance

The dulcimer's repertoire spans classical, folk, and contemporary genres. The hammered dulcimer features in the works of composers like Johann Sebastian Bach and is central to the folk traditions of Hungary, Romania, and the British Isles. The Appalachian dulcimer is iconic in American folk music revival, associated with artists like Jean Ritchie and featured in the soundtrack to the film Deliverance. Culturally, it holds significance in Jewish klezmer music, Middle Eastern classical music, and the Celtic music scene. Festivals like the Kentucky Music Week and organizations such as the Everything Dulcimer community help preserve and evolve its musical legacy.

Notable players and recordings

Prominent hammered dulcimer players include Hank Williams Jr. collaborator John McCutcheon, Hungarian virtuoso Kálmán Balogh, and American musician David Schnaufer, who taught at Vanderbilt University. Key recordings featuring the instrument range from Ritchie Family albums to Béla Fleck's crossover projects. For the Appalachian dulcimer, influential figures are folklorist Jean Ritchie, who recorded for Folkways Records, and contemporary artist Stephen Seifert. Notable recordings include the Anthology of American Folk Music and projects by the British group Pentangle. The instrument has also been used by popular artists like Joni Mitchell on her album Blue.

Category:Chordophones Category:Zithers Category:Folk music instruments