What is the hammered dulcimer used for?
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The hammer dulcimer is an instrument easily played by ear. Once the tuning is understood, finding melodies is not at all difficult. Playing a rapid tune up to speed may require some practice, however. The key to playing fast passages is to strike one note with one hand and the next note with the other hand, and so on.
What is a hammered dulcimer worth?
As a quick overview, our harps range in price from under $1,000 up to around $7,000. Our dulcimers range from about $700 to about $4,500.
Where was the hammered dulcimer played?
Hammered dulcimers and other similar instruments are traditionally played in Iraq, India, Iran, Southwest Asia, China, Korea, and parts of Southeast Asia, Central Europe (Hungary, Slovenia, Romania, Slovakia, Poland, Czech Republic, Switzerland (particularly Appenzell), Austria and Bavaria), the Balkans, Eastern Europe …
What kind of hammered dulcimer did Rich Mullins use?
Ragamuffin
Ragamuffin is a recent movie about the life of popular Christian musician Rich Mullins, who played a Dusty D25 and was responsible for inspiring a lot of other dulcimer players.
What is the difference between a dulcimer and a hammered dulcimer?
The difference between the two is how they are played. 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 a hammered dulcimer hard to play?
Hammered dulcimer is one of the most satisfying instruments to learn because it’s easy to make a pleasant sound right from the beginning. You can start at any age, and you can have fun with it even if you don’t know any music theory and have never played an instrument before.
What kind of music is played on hammered dulcimer?
Traditional Celtic music
Traditional Celtic music is a very popular genre for the hammered dulcimer, and mostly doesn’t require a chromatic instrument. However, much more variation becomes available when you have a larger range to work with (as well as dampers).
What should I look for when buying a hammered dulcimer?
If cost is a big factor, consider a 12/11 with a laminated soundboard. The best-known ones all sound similar, so all you really need to worry about is stability and price. The 15/14 is a good, all-around size for most dulcimer music. Starting at D below Middle C, it covers a range of 3 octaves.
How do you pick a hammered dulcimer?
Choosing a hammered dulcimer of your own
- size.
- weight.
- spacing between string courses (I think you can adapt to any spacing, really, though.)
- pitch range, which can vary from 2 1/2 octaves to 5 1/2 octaves.
- loudness.
- stability (how well it will stay in tune)
- whether it has extra chromatic notes.
Are dulcimers Irish?
The mountain (or lap) dulcimer originated in the Appalachian mountains by the Scotch-Irish settlers and is considered to be a distinctly American instrument. However, it may also be regarded as having Celtic roots, since it was born from Scotch-Irish immigrants.
Where are dulcimers made?
BEREA, Ky. – Berea is designated the arts and crafts capital of Kentucky, and Warren May has played the Appalachian dulcimer far longer than it’s been designated Kentucky’s state instrument.