The Instruments
The Hammered Dulcimer, a member of the board zither family, is basically a large, trapezoid-shaped box with many strings strung across the top, these being struck by the player who holds a pair of small, carved sticks called hammers. It is thought to be at least 1,000 years old, and has its origins in the Middle East, where it remains an important traditional instrument to this day. Santur, cimbalom, yan chin, hackbrett, tsmbaly, tiompan, tympanon..it has been called by many names in many countries across the Northern Hemisphere (India, China, Viet Nam, the U.S., Bavarian Germany, eastern Europe, Iran, Greece, England, France…).
The dulcimer enjoyed popularity in the U.S. at the turn of the last century, having been brought here perhaps 100 years earlier by German immigrants to the Ohio Valley. Research I have done says that this instrument was popular in English parlors in the 18th century, suggesting to me that it may have been brought to New England in the Colonial days.
The dulcimer enjoyed popularity in the U.S. at the turn of the last century, having been brought here perhaps 100 years earlier by German immigrants to the Ohio Valley. Research I have done says that this instrument was popular in English parlors in the 18th century, suggesting to me that it may have been brought to New England in the Colonial days.
The sound of the dulcimer, so distinctive and arresting, has been described as watery, invigorating, and meditative, among other qualities. It is equally at home in the concert hall, the pub, the yoga studio, the campground or the church.
Many dulcimers in the U.S. are built by artisans in their homes. Mine was designed and built in the mid-90s by Phil Thorne, of Norwich, Vermont. It features asymmetrical dimensions, two extra bridges at top and bottom to add lower bass notes extra bass bridge and high chromatics. It is a large, concert instrument, with 13 treble courses and 14 bass courses.
Many dulcimers in the U.S. are built by artisans in their homes. Mine was designed and built in the mid-90s by Phil Thorne, of Norwich, Vermont. It features asymmetrical dimensions, two extra bridges at top and bottom to add lower bass notes extra bass bridge and high chromatics. It is a large, concert instrument, with 13 treble courses and 14 bass courses.
The Accordion is a “CBA”, or continental button accordion... a fairly large instrument played in Europe. Loved by jazz players, musette dance bands, film music composers and thousands of amateur squeezers, the instrument is fully chromatic over a 2 1/2 to 3 octave range and boasts two settings: a single reed, and a “wet-tuned” two reeds, which gives the sparkly warble so typical of Parisian street music. My CBA is a mid-sized Weltmeister with 5 rows of buttons in the right hand , melody side, and 78 buttons on the left hand, Stradello bass side.