About the hammered dulcimer …

Most people are acquainted with the guitar, banjo and fiddle, but the hammered dulcimer is not quite as familiar a face in the group.  Although it shares a name with the more commonly heard Mountain or Appalachian Dulcimer, the two instruments differ considerably in form, sound, evolution and manner of playing.  

Hammered dulcimers were reasonably common domestic and concert instruments in the U.S. during the 18th and 19th centuries.  No doubt they were first brought to the colonies from England where they were used in the street music of the time.  Portability, affordability and simplicity made the dulcimer much more practical than the piano for many settlers.  These attributes probably led to its association with the lumber camps of Maine and Michigan, where it's sometimes referred to as a "lumberjack's piano".  Other amusing appellations include the "whamadiddle" and the German term "hackbrett" which literally translates to "chopping board."

Why the hammered dulcimer virtually disappeared during the first half of the 20th century is somewhat of a mystery, but possibly it was due to competition from the much more fashionable piano.  Fortunately, this beautiful instrument is now enjoying a revival, along with an increasing number of new players.