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Appalachian

Dulcimer

Trevor Bowling
Zach Buskill
Michael Cotten
Krystal Thomas

Construction
Usually made out of wood
Sound is produced is by air vibrating inside the body of this
instrument
Sound is changed with size and depth of the body.
Deep, Large = Louder, Lower
Shallow, Small = Quiet, Higher

Sound holes are considered ornamental and elaborate. Shape


does not manipulate sound, however, length can make a note
more responsive
Enhance sound radiation in lower octave by air resonance
Comparable to F holes on violins

Fingerboard/Fretboard
Long piece of wood that strings run down
Pressing strings down causes changes in pitch
Laid on lap and plucked like a guitar

Usually arranged in a Diatonic Scale


7 distinct pitches

Standard Sized Dulcimers


Strings 25-30 inches
Soundbox 6-8 inches wide; 2 inches deep

Shapes
Hourglass
Teardrop

Many parts are comparable to main


stream Western Classical string
instruments

Origins

First Appearance
The Appalachian dulcimer first appeared in the
early 19th century among Scotch-Irish immigrant
in Appalachia. There has never been a version of
the dulcimer found in Ireland or Scotland so
many factors of its origin are speculated.

Several diatonic fretted zithers exist in


Continental Europe that have a strong similarity
to the dulcimer.

Charles Maxson, an Appalachian instrument


maker, speculated that settlers were unable
to make the more complex violin because of
lack of tools and time. This in turn helped
lead to the building of the dulcimer, which
has less dramatic curves and design.

Factors that help this theory is that the


Dulcimer is tuned in a 5th, just like the
Violin.
The design of traditional Dulcimers varies
from very simple to the more complex
design that resembles a violin

Extra-musical Associations
Typically, the dulcimer is associated with
smaller, social ensemble settings (i.e.
string bands, "jam sessions")

The Dulcimer is too quiet to be an


instrument that can be heard over a band
in a performance setting, such as a dance.

Revival
Jean Ritchie's utilization of the dulcimer in the
1960s helped "revitalize" the popularity of the
instrument.
A common misconception encompassing the
instrument is that mountain people simply use
it for tragic Scottish and English ballads.While
the instrument is used to reminisce on British
balladry and hymnody, it is used in many
other musical contexts.

The instrument has its own set of repertoire (Hal


Leonard even has a method book devoted to it).
Some of the traditional repertoire includes:
dance tunes
party songs
show tunes
Gospel
Blues
Commercial hillbilly music (common in 20th
century).
With the rise of popularity in folk music and string
bands (such as artists like Mumford and Sons),
the instrument possesses roles in modern
ensembles.

Some stories exist from the earlier 20th century that


pertain to how couples would use it to get alone
time.

Apparently, younger couples would usually have to


stay under adult supervision when together.
However, if the chaperone heard the dulcimer being
played, the couple could achieve alone time (the
chaperone would assume nothing was happening
since the instrument was being played).

In 2001, the instrument was designated as


the official musical instrument of
Kentucky.

List of Sources

historythrougharts.org
statesymbolusa.org
Grove Music Online
Ritchie, Jean. The Dulcimer Book. Music Sales America, 1992.
Bailey, John. Making an Appalachian Dulcimer. English Folk Dance & Song Society, 1966
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/local-news/dulcimer-makers-goal-a-clear-ringing-voice
http://songofthewood.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/product_full/IMG_6528.JPG
http://www.cabincreekmusic.com/MountainDulcimers.html
http://www.songofthewood.com/product/mountain-dulcimer/walnut-creekhummingbird-mountain-dulcimer
http://dulcimerlessonvideos.com/
http://www.art-robb.co.uk/dulc.html
http://myorch.org/Violin
http://fineartamerica.com/featured/goffriller-violin-f-hole-corner-sam-hymas.html
http://fogsmoviereviews.com/2011/10/02/movies-that-everyone-should-see-2001-aspace-odyssey/

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