Hammered dulcimer

The hammered dulcimer (also called the hammer dulcimer) is a percussion-string instrument which consists of strings typically stretched over a trapezoidal resonant sound board. The player holds a small spoons-shaped mallet or hammer in each hand to strike the strings and make music. This beautiful instrument has a long history and is enjoyed by people all around the world.

The word dulcimer means 'sweet song' and comes from ancient languages. The hammered dulcimer developed from an earlier instrument called the psaltery, where the strings were plucked instead of hit with hammers. Today, people play the hammered dulcimer in many countries, including Iraq, India, Iran, China, and parts of Europe and the United States.

In the United Kingdom, the instrument is especially loved in places like Wales, East Anglia, and Northumbria. In the United States, it became very popular again in the late 20th century as part of folk music. Whether you hear it in a traditional folk setting or a modern concert, the hammered dulcimer creates sweet, gentle sounds that touch the heart.

History

The santur, a type of hammered dulcimer, began in the Middle East. The oldest pictures of it come from Assyrian and Babylonian carvings from 669 BC, showing people playing it while hanging from their necks. Over time, musicians changed the design, creating many different musical scales and tunings. The early santur was made from wood and stone with strings from goat intestines. It influenced many other instruments, like the harp, yangqin, harpsichord, qanun, cimbalom, and modern hammered dulcimers.

Later, the hammered dulcimer appeared in Western Europe during the early 15th century. It was popular in many countries, including England, France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, and Spain, especially during the Middle Ages.

Strings and tuning

A hammered dulcimer usually has two bridges: a bass bridge near the right side and a treble bridge on the left side. The bass strings are played to the left of the bass bridge, while treble strings can be played on either side of the treble bridge. Playing treble strings on the left side of the treble bridge produces a note a fifth higher than playing them on the right side.

The dulcimer comes in various sizes, identified by the number of strings crossing each bridge. For example, a 15/14 size has 15 strings crossing the treble bridge and 14 crossing the bass bridge. The strings are usually found in pairs, with two strings for each note, tuned in unison to make the instrument louder and create a chorus effect. Tuning the dulcimer requires a wrench, similar to tuning a piano.

Hammers

The hammered dulcimer gets its name from the small mallets, also called hammers, that players use to strike the strings. These hammers are often made from wood like maple or oak, but they can also be made from metal or plastic. In some places, the hammers are stiff, while in others, they are flexible. The head of the hammer can be left bare for a bright sound or covered with materials like leather for a softer sound. Some hammers have two different ends—one side might be bare wood and the other covered in softer material.

Traditionally, some players have used unique hammers. For example, a player from upstate New York used hammers made from hacksaw blades with leather-covered wood, while an Irish player made hammers from old bicycle spokes wrapped in wool. Another player from Norfolk, England used cane hammers tied with wool. Just like a piano, the hammered dulcimer uses a hammering action to play its strings.

Variants and adaptations

The hammered dulcimer has many versions around the world, each with its own unique way of building and playing. Some of these include the santur from Afghanistan, the Hackbrett from Austria, the santoor from Bangladesh, and the tsymbaly from Belarus. Other examples are the hakkebord from Belgium, the salterio from Brazil, and the khim from Cambodia. Many countries have their own special version of this lovely instrument.