Mountain Dulcimer vs. Hammered Dulcimer

Subject: RE: Fwd: dulcimer questions
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 2004 09:46:18 -0600

Greetings Pat,

Thanks for your answers. Now to completely change directions, I have some questions regarding Hammered Dulcimers. I had originally wanted a hammered dulcimer, but the practical side of me took over and thought mountain dulcimer would be easier. After sleeping on it, though, I am reconsidering.

Yes, the mountain dulcimer is far easier to learn and lays out simply in one key...most songs on the mountain dulcimer are played within a few keys...and usually, with only one tuning such as D A A...now, on what is required for dexterity on a hammered dulcimer, is somewhat simple...learning to hold the hammers properly and learning to properly strike the strings and estimate their distance along with learning where each note falls...can be simple enough. Tuning one of these does require a chromatic tuner...and does require some patience...even so, the hammered dulcimer offers more dimension than a mountain dulcimer and does offer more possibilities in many keys...

If you're looking for an instrument to pursue as a hobby, I'd say to stay with the mountain dulcimer; if you're looking for a instrument that offers up infinite possibilities in many other keys, and you're willing to devote more practice time, my suggestion would be to go with the hammered dulcimer.

How much more difficult is the learning curve of a hammered dulcimer over a mountain dulcimer? Is it an instrument that can be self taught?

Sure, you can teach yourself...I highly recommend getting a video on whatever you decide to start out on...this way you'll have a solid road map...instructional videos offer a visual approach to learning of which ensures that you gain a solid foundation in proper positioning...and, there's nothing like seeing how a piece is performed before attempting to play it yourself....

Hope this gives you the info you need...Mickey

Again, thank-you for your time and patience.

Pat Finch

Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2003 07:50:40 -0500

Hello, we would like to get a dulcimer for our son for Christmas. I am not well acquainted with them and am not sure which one to purchase. I would also like to play it and would like it to last a lifetime...therefore not wanting to purchase a "Beginners" dulcimer and upgrade later. Should a 15/14 be better or 12/11. Please forgive my ignorance. Thank you so much for your time, Lynn Murray

Greetings Lynn,

I believe Folkcraft is offering the best value, and the most amazing craftsmanship, for dulcimers today...

First, you'll want to consider which type of dulcimer to purchase:

1. A Hammered Dulcimer...with the string configuration listed in your e-mail: 15/14 or 12/11...
The 15/14 is a chromatic dulcimer offering more keys than the 12/11...the 12/11 still offers most keys played in...and adds a littl more portability over the 15/14. A hammered dulcimer is played with two hammers that are tapped on the strings which then will emit a tone.

2. A Mountain Dulcimer played in the lap style fashion in the Appalachian tradition...
Mountain Dulcimers are far more common...and quite a bit easier to learn. They're played with a flatpick...and are mostly strummed...with the melody line falling in within the strum.

Anything Folkcraft makes will last a lifetime...guaranteed...they're superbly made without compromise.

Hope some of this helps...let me know how I can assist you further with any dulcimer questions...

Mickey