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dulcimer
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dulcimer

Musical instrument, a form of zither, consisting of a shallow open trapezoidal soundbox across which strings are stretched laterally; they are horizontally struck by lightweight hammers or beaters. It produces clearly differentiated pitches of consistent quality and is more agile and wide-ranging in pitch than the harp or lyre. In Hungary the dulcimer is known as a cimbalom, and is a national instrument.

Of Middle Eastern origin, the dulcimer spread into Europe about 1100 and was introduced to China and Korea about 1800. Examples include the Iraqi santir, Chinese yang shin, Russian chang, Korean yangum, and Swiss hackbrett.

It is also an oval-shaped stringed instrument of the Appalachian Mountains that is played in the lap or on a surface by plucking the strings with a quill or plectrum.



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? Mentioned in ? References in periodicals archive
 
Leah and Geoffrey Levitt of Lancaster had their dulcimers in cases by their side as they listened to performers on the festival's main stage.
PLAYERS AT FOLK EVENT SHOW PLENTY OF PLUCK by Daily News (Los Angeles, CA)
Students might learn to make traditional African drums or Appalachian dulcimers.
Epicurus at the food court by Reece, Erik Anderson / The Humanist
Mountain dulcimers are lightweight wooden instruments with only three or four strings; they look like guitars on a diet.
Songs Sweet and Simple : MAKING MUSIC WITH THE MOUNTAIN DULCIMER by AMATO, MARY / Mothering
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