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.
Who made the first dulcimer?
They’ve seen use all the way back to the early half of the 1800s. The mountain dulcimer is an invention of Scottish and Irish pioneers . These pioneers settled in the Appalachia area of North America. It’s from this place that the instrument gets its name.
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 did the dulcimer get to Appalachia?
The Appalachian dulcimer was forged in the melting pot of the wagon roads and river routes of the frontier . The Scots and Irish settlers could hear the drone of the pipes in this sturdy and easily constructed zither and the English found it to be an appropriate accompaniment to their ballads and laments.
Is the dulcimer mentioned in the Bible?
The dulcimer is mentioned in the Bible in the book of Daniel 3:5, 10, and 15 where King Nebuchadnezzar used the dulcimer “in symphony” with other instruments to command Shad’rach, Me’shach, and Abed’-Nego to worship the golden idol he had created.
Is a violin a fiddle?
Western classical players sometimes use “fiddle” as an affectionate term for the violin , that intimate companion and workmate. But in the United States, most often “fiddle” means the violin as used in Irish-Scottish-French traditional music and all the descendant American styles: Appalachian, bluegrass, Cajun, etc.
Is a dulcimer?
Dulcimer, stringed musical instrument , a version of the psaltery in which the strings are beaten with small hammers rather than plucked. ... The player’s right hand strums with a small stick or quill, and the left hand stops one or more strings to provide the melody.
What is the difference between a dulcimer and a hammered dulcimer?
The hammered dulcimer is a multi-stringed trapezoidal instrument that is struck to produce music. ... The strings of the psaltery are plucked with the fingers, while dulcimer strings are struck with small mallets or hammers. Technically, both instruments are from the same family of instruments called board-zithers.
Is it easy to play the dulcimer?
What is a dulcimer? The lap dulcimer is a stringed folk instrument that evolved in the Appalachian mountains in the 1800s. Dulcimers are the easiest stringed instrument for beginners to play , ideal for children and non-musicians who want to play tunes or accompany singing. Dulcimers are a relatively quiet instrument.
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. ... Of course, it’s a good idea to keep a small store of spare strings.
Can you play a dulcimer like a guitar?
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. The first fret is “1”, the second fret is “2′′, and so on. ... All you have to do is push down the string at the fret corresponding to the number and strum the strings with the other hand.
What is the meaning of a dulcimer?
1 : a stringed instrument of trapezoidal shape played with light hammers held in the hands . 2 or less commonly dulcimore ˈdəl-sə-ˌmȯr : an American folk instrument with three or four strings stretched over an elongate fretted sound box that is held on the lap and played by plucking or strumming.
How old is the Appalachian dulcimer?
Origins and history. Although the Appalachian dulcimer first appeared in the early 19th century among Scotch-Irish immigrant communities in the Appalachian Mountains, the instrument has no known precedent in Ireland or Scotland.
Why is it called a sackbut?
“Sackbut”, originally a French term, was used in England until the instrument fell into disuse in the eighteenth century ; when it returned, the Italian term “trombone” became dominant. In modern English, an older trombone or its replica is called a sackbut.
What is a Sackbut in the Bible?
Bible. an ancient stringed musical instrument .
Are autoharp and zither the same?
An autoharp or chord zither is a string instrument belonging to the zither family. The term autoharp was once a trademark of the Oscar Schmidt company, but has become a generic designation for all such instruments , regardless of manufacturer. ...
