Making a Hammer Dulcimer

Smithsonian ^ | updated 10/97 | Sam Rizzetta

[kawhill]

Although the art of hammer dulcimer playing once appeared to be dying, a revival of interest has been slowly spreading in recent years. People unfamiliar with the dulcimer are pleasantly surprised by its clear, ringing tone and the animated dance of the player’s hands.

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TOPICS: History; Music/Entertainment; Science
KEYWORDS: dulcimer; hammer; playing

[Openurmind]

I think these are one of the coolest instruments ever invented... :)

[rlmorel]

My wife and I went to a fair some years ago, and there was a guy there playing a hammered dulcimer.

He was selling CDs of him playing, which was pretty cool.

But what I found amazing was, he was playing “Stairway to Heaven“. I have to say, it was the last thing I expected to hear playing on a hammered dulcimer.

But it was one of the most beautiful musical renditions I’ve ever heard, not just of that song, but of nearly any song.

What was almost as amazing was the crowd around this guy watching him and listening to him. It was huge, and it spanned all ages, all completely traced by this guy, the sound, and the version of that song that he was playing.

In retrospect, that Led Zeppelin song was perfectly suited to that instrument, but it never had occurred to me.

It sounded like angels playing it. And I wasn’t the only one who thought that apparently.

[tumblindice]

If I had a hammer dulcimer. I’d hammer in the morning.
I’d hammer in the evening. All over this land.
I’d hammer out danger. I’d hammer out a warning.

[missthethunder]

https://youtu.be/jx0YiOD5y-I?si=CWN5RO-eiOf9gjw3

[ConservativeMind]

I believe the wonderful Rich Mullens played this.

[1FreeAmerican]

It’s a stringed Xylophone.

I think easy to play. But super cool!

[Openurmind]

I am a drummer so I have had the chance to play one a few times. But I always wanted to make one for myself and get good with it. :)

[packagingguy]

It’s used a lot in Celtic folk music…back in the 90’s there was a musician from Nova Scotia who had a lot of hammered dulcimer folk music on her CDs. I wish I could remember her name.

[real saxophonist]

Lark in the Morning is a good source not only for instruments, but also sheet music and educational material.

[TomEd]

James Jones has a global reputation as a luthier, and makes hammer dulcimers — and a lot of other instruments — in his rural Virginia workshop. Great guy. I’ve purchased Christmas presents for grandkids from him.

https://www.jamesjonesinstruments.com/

[pingman]

I met a local guy who has and plays 7 of them at concerts and open-mic nights. Lovely sound! His home-made carbon-fiber hammers were the coolest!

[grey_whiskers]

You beat me to it, you scoundrel.

Rich Mullins - Creed

[AAABEST]

Natalie McMaster

Like her stuff a lot.

[sauropod]

Rizetta is one of the best (if not THE best) hammered dulcimer luthiers out there.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Instructions
First gather the parts:

• 1 hammer
• 1 dulcimer

[Dr. Sivana]

I had a college roommate who had a dulcimer. I knew it was a precursor to the piano. I thought it had limited range as what it could play, though.

[KingLudd]

“Hammered” is the past participle used as an adjective, describing the way the instrument is played — by striking the strings with small mallets (called “hammers”).

So it’s a dulcimer that is hammered, not a dulcimer made of hammers.

ChatGPT (lol)

[sgt_lau]

I’d hammer out the love between my brothers and sisters all over this land.

[rlmorel]

I was wondering as I wrote it, but I figured someone would correct me if I were using it incorrectly. I have only ever heard it referred to as a Hammered Dulcimer.

I do appreciate the correction- so, it is a “Dulcimer” whether played with hammers or not? Or do they call it a Hammer Dulcimer?