History of the Appalachian Dulcimer

When you think of ingenuity combined with functionality in composition, consider an Appalachian dulcimer made from a cigar box and a broom handle running through the center with one to three strings for playing.

The musical ancestry of the Appalachian dulcimer is fashioned from the same hybrid stock as our own American heritage. Appalachia was predominately settled by early Irish and Scottish immigrants, the descendants of whom adopted the modified diatonic, fretted zither to celebrate their homespun, folkish culture and simple way of life. What began as anglo-celtic dance tunes readily accepted the influences of African rhythms introduced by the slaves.

Beginning with the very origin of the word dulcimer, "dulce" a Greek word meaning sweet and "melos" the Latin word for song, we begin to establish a sort of genealogy with the biblically referenced hammered dulcimer. The great links between this ancient reference and the Appalachian dulcimer are the "scheitholt" from the northern European cultures of Germany, Holland, and Sweden and the "langeleik" or Norway. The instrument is easily modified and embellished to assume flavor of local cultures, within countries and continents.

Blessed settlers in the late 18th century introduced the dulcimer to the Appalachia region witnessed a transformation or evolution of the instrument to fit the needs and natural talents of local players, most of them probably self-taught or playing by ear. Some rural musicians decided to simultaneously pluck or pick and fret the strings while others preferred to use a bow but mostly all sat face up and flat in the lap of the musician

Craftsmanship using hardwoods found within the Appalachian region, like maple, pecan, and walnut, created the Appalachian dulcimer, or mountain dulcimer. From the rustic no frills but functional to the ornately sublime with finely done patterned etching and attention to each detail.

Versatility of the Appalachian dulcimer allows for either three or four strings running the length of the fretting and instrument body. A wide variety of body styles with each producing a distinct and recognizable quality of sound. The lovely teardrop shape with a slightly stronger bass, the hourglass shape with less bass and more treble, the backpack similarly shaped to the hourglass but smaller with a "higher voice".

Clearly the Appalachian dulcimer, like the native folk songs of the settlers origin country, aided with what can only be described as a difficult transition to their new way of life. It allowed them to savor the good memories from the past while embarking on a greater journey to create the foundation for a new nation.