Dulcimer (Hammered) — Lutherie Encyclopedia

Dulcimer (Hammered)Type: instrumentA trapezoidal stringed instrument played by striking strings with small hammers, related to the Persian santur and used in American and Celtic folk music.## History The hammered dulcimer belongs to a global family of struck-string instruments that includes the Persian santur, Chinese yangqin, Indian santoor, and Eastern European cimbalom. The instrument likely arrived in Europe during the medieval period via Middle Eastern trade routes. In America, the hammered dulcimer was part of the musical toolkit of early settlers and became particularly popular in New England and the upper Midwest during the 18th and 19th centuries. The instrument declined in the early 20th century but was revived during the folk music revival of the 1970s and 1980s. Today, a thriving community of hammered dulcimer players, builders, and enthusiasts keeps the tradition alive through festivals, workshops, and recordings. ## Construction The hammered dulcimer is a trapezoidal (or sometimes rectangular) box with metal strings stretched across the top. Strings pass over bridges that divide the playing surface into different sections—typically a treble bridge on the right and a bass bridge on the left. Each course consists of two to four strings tuned in unison. The soundboard is spruce or birch, with sound holes cut in various positions. The frame is hardwood, and the instrument rests on a stand or table at playing height. Standard dulcimers have 12/11 or 15/14 courses (treble/bass), covering two to three octaves. The player strikes the strings with a pair of small wooden hammers, which may have leather, felt, or bare wood striking surfaces. Damper mechanis…