It is generally accepted that the mountain dulcimer is America’s oldest folk
instrument and a truly American creation. It originated in the southern Appalachian
mountains of the eastern United States in the mid 19th century.
The original Appalachian settlers were largely Scotch - Irish who immigrated in the
early 1700s. Followed by many other European immigrants from Germany England
Sweden & Holland.
The dulcimer evolved out of the instruments these early settlers brought with them,
either physically or from fond memories of those played at home. The German
immigrants brought with them the northern European Schietholt , the Dutch brought
the Humle, the Norwegian’s the Langlecand so on. These instruments all show similar
characteristics to the dulcimer as we know it today. They are all zithers, box shaped
with a fingerboard on top.
A member of the plucked zither family of chordophones, the dulcimer was hand made
by the mountain folk players in a variety of styles and out of indigenous woods like
walnut, pecan & maple. Often sold by traveling merchants off their wagons as they
traveled the hills and hollows of the Appalachians.
The dulcimers name may have been taken from the Biblical reference to the hammered
dulcimer - Daniel 3:5. The name dulcimer comes from the Latin words, Dulcis ~ sweet
and Melos ~song.The early dulcimer had three strings and often frets only under the
first two strings. The melody string is often doubled and played as one
instrument and a truly American creation. It originated in the southern Appalachian
mountains of the eastern United States in the mid 19th century.
The original Appalachian settlers were largely Scotch -
Sweden & Holland.
The dulcimer evolved out of the instruments these early settlers brought with them,
either physically or from fond memories of those played at home. The German
immigrants brought with them the northern European Schietholt , the Dutch brought
the Humle, the Norwegian’s the Langlecand so on. These instruments all show similar
characteristics to the dulcimer as we know it today. They are all zithers, box shaped
with a fingerboard on top.
A member of the plucked zither family of chordophones, the dulcimer was hand made
by the mountain folk players in a variety of styles and out of indigenous woods like
walnut, pecan & maple. Often sold by traveling merchants off their wagons as they
traveled the hills and hollows of the Appalachians.
The dulcimers name may have been taken from the Biblical reference to the hammered
dulcimer -
and Melos ~song.The early dulcimer had three strings and often frets only under the
first two strings. The melody string is often doubled and played as one