Hammered Dulcimers

Still doing this still building still giving lessons

2010-10-19T07:54:00.001-07:00

BUT in a new location now. I can be reached via email at dulcimerdan@gmail.com..Then we can set things up for a visit..I have three students working with me now and hope to add several more. Building dulcimers and drums..and enjoying life ... So drop me a line if you want a lesson, dulcimer or drum...

Have a great day

Mattoon St Festival September 2008...

2008-02-03T07:41:00.000-08:00

The photo was taken last year when we exhibited some of our instruments at the Festival.. We have been invited back and look forward to a much more exciting presentation of our work in 2008! Watch for more information as the date gets closer.

Photo's of the 2008 dulcimer..

2008-01-11T07:15:00.000-08:00

This one is going to be a BEAUTY in every way. The sound board is a beautiful piece of curly redwood..it has mahogany banding around the edges and around the sound holes.. Can't wait to hear the "voice"....

Hammered Dulcimer built by one of my students

2007-12-03T06:27:00.000-08:00

The hammered dulcimer seen here is an example of the quality instrument people can have after completing a building class with me. The classes run approximately 5 weeks, one hour or longer each week. The students are provided with a "dulcimer kit" which I have made. I guide them step by step in the process of building and in the end they have a beautiful instrument to enjoy for years! Contact me if this is something you might want to try.

Hammered Dulcimer for Christmas

2007-12-02T07:15:00.000-08:00

The gift of music is the gift of love. My hammered dulcimers start at a very reasonable price. I have cases available as well. For custom built dulcimers with special hardwoods, inlays etc the cost would adjust accordingly.

Something else to consider would be a hammered dulcimer kit or sign your woodworker up for a session of classes with me which will include a kit and hands on instruction in the building of a hammered dulcimer. The cost for this package is $500.00.

Hammered dulcimer players..

2007-11-30T14:19:00.001-08:00

Aside from building these amazing instruments one thing that I enjoy is hearing someone play, and what is absolutely the best is being able to play music with someone. In January we will be hosting a concert with the group Wintergreen. This dynamic trio is multi talented. Jared Polens is very well known as a hammer dulcimer player and I cannot wait until the concert happens so I can meet him and perhaps play some tunes together after the concert.

The second photo was taken at an after party in November.. Heidi Cerrigione from Ellington Connecticut was in attendance and came to our party.. It was such fun playing tunes together. Her approach to the instrument is delightful to hear. So much so that we have invited her group( The Harp Breakers ) to be a part of our concert series next season

Hammered Dulcimers..what are they, where did they come from?

2007-11-29T06:44:00.002-08:00

Dulcimers may have originated in the Middle East, probably during the first millennium A.D. If so, the instrument could have been brought to Europe from the Middle East during the Crusades or into Spain with the Moors, or both. Then again, maybe not. Other research puts the origin near the end of the Middle Ages, in Europe, holding that the earlier medieval paintings and statues probably depict psalteries or dulcimer-like instruments without a central bridge. Psalteries are plucked rather than hammered, and in some of the old pictures and statues it is impossible to tell how the instrument is being played. Earlier 19th Century theorists, now largely discredited, put the origin in Assyria ca 800 BC, based largely on a bas-relief now in the British Museum. Whatever the historical origins, similar instruments have spread around the world. It is a direct ancestor of the pianoforte.

Dulcimers have many names in many lands: dulcymore, salterio, tsimbal, tsimbaly, santour, yang q'in, hackbrett and cymbalom. * The name "dulcimer" is derived from Latin, meaning "sweet sound". Hammered dulcimers were popular in England during the reign of James I, when the Bible was translated into English as the King James Bible. The dulcimer was mentioned in the Book of Daniel 3:5 among other instruments "..the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick..." The word in the original Hebrew text is now known to mean something other than "dulcimer"; and it is believed the King James translators were doing the best they could with knowledge available to them at the time.

Here in the United States there were actual factories that turned out these instruments during the westward migration. Allowing people to carry with them an instrument which could produce sounds similar to the piano. Dances and parties throughout the west, mid-west, south and east were home to the hammered dulcimer for generations.

Dulcimers..who can play them, how and why..

2007-11-28T13:34:00.000-08:00

Over the years I have found that just about anyone can play and enjoy beautiful music with these instruments. Children quickly take to them and with encouragement and guidance can easily figure out nursery rhymes and classic children's tunes.

My most recent student had researched extensively trying to find an instrument that would suit her needs. Living with a spinal cord injury, she is wheel chair bound and has limited use of her hands. Her love of music sent her on a search for an instrument she could play and enjoy.. and led her to my door. I have since developed a special set of hammers which she can comfortably hold and have designed a stand that will work with her chair. Within one hour she was able to play the lovely "Margaret's Waltz" and the smile it brought to her face was a high point for me! ..

These beautiful traditional instruments have a harp like sound and quality. They adapt will to any kind of music. Please consider one you won't be sorry!

Playing at The Rollobay Fiddle Festival on Prince Edward Island..

2007-11-28T13:19:00.000-08:00

One day I will always remember was the first time I performed at this festival. It was a hot sunny July day and the crowd was enormous. Being a "fiddle" festival I wasn't sure how my music would go over.. The people loved it and I have continued to attend every summer and most summers I make my way back onto the stage. I had the pleasure of becoming very good friends with the members of the Chaisson Family, on whose land the festival is held. Through the years we have invited members of the family down for concerts at our place. They are a great bunch of people and tremendous fiddle players..

Greetings to everyone

2007-11-28T11:27:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to get some information out about my musical instruments. I have been building and playing Hammered dulcimers for over 30 years. I offer several different models which will soon be pictured here on the blog. Hope to make contact with folks who are looking finely crafted dulcimers.