How to Play Hammered Dulcimer

The hammered dulcimer is an instrument with an ancient history. In its varied forms, the dulcimer was played by the aristocracy of old England and France and was then adopted by the middle class. These early dulcimers were played by strumming with the hands. The hammered dulcimer has a 300 year history in America and is often used as an accompaniment to the fiddle.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Position yourself in front of the dulcimer that has been placed on a table at a comfortable height. You want your shoulders and elbows to be relaxed without having to slump over.

2. Hold the hammers between your thumb and index finger with enough tension to keep them from falling out of your hands.

3. Look down at the dulcimer. To the left you will see the treble bridge and on the right the bass bridge. Each set of strings along the bridge is a course and every 4th course is marked.

4. Play scales to practice the touch and feel of the hammered dulcimer.

5. Start with the left hammer on the D marked course and play the first 4 notes alternating hammers as you go up. Practice going up and down the entire scale this way several times.

6. Play the hammered dulcimer with your eyes and ears. You have to watch where the hammers are placed and played, so learning songs by ear may be easier than playing from music.

7. Use music that is marked with scale numbers for a hammered dulcimer until you get used to playing songs by ear or by chording.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your time when learning to play the hammered dulcimer. Getting the feeling for the instrument and going through the music slowly will help you learn accuracy. Speed up when you are comfortable and have learned the music well.