Appalachian Dulcimer
Trevor Bowling Zach Buskill Michael Cotten Kry Kr ystal Thoma Thomass
Construction Usually made out of wood
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Sound is produced is by air vibrating inside the body of this instrument •
Sound is changed with size and depth of the body.
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Deep, Large = Louder, Lower Shallow, Small = Quiet, Higher
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Sound holes are considered ornamental and elaborate. Shape does not manipulate sound, however, length can make a note more responsive Enhance sound radiation in lower octave by air resonance Comparable to F holes on violins
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Fingerboard/Fretboard •
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Long piece of wood that strings run down Pressing strings down causes changes in pitch Laid on lap and plucked like a guitar
Usually arranged in a Diatonic Scale 7 distinct pitches •
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Standard Sized Dulcimers •
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Strings 25-30 inches Soundbox 6-8 inches wide; 2 inches deep
Shapes •
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Hourglass Teardrop
Many parts are comparable to main stream Western Classical string instruments
Origins
First Appearance •
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The Appalachian dulcimer first appeared in the early 19th century among Scotch-Irish immigrant in Appalachia. There has never been a version of the dulcimer found in Ireland or Scotland so many factors of it’s origin are speculated. Several diatonic fretted zithers exist in Continental Europe that have a strong similarity to the dulcimer.
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Charles Maxson, an Appalachian instrument maker, speculated that settlers were unable to make the more complex violin because of lack of tools and time. This in turn helped lead to the building of the dulcimer, which has less dramatic curves and design.
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Factors that help this theory is that the Dulcimer is tuned in a 5th, just like the Violin. The design of traditional Dulcimers varies from very simple to the more complex design that resembles a violin
Extra-musical Associations •
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Typically, the dulcimer is associated with smaller, social ensemble settings (i.e. string bands, "jam sessions") The Dulcimer is too quiet to be an instrument that can be heard over a band in a performance setting, such as a dance.
Revival •
Jean Ritchie's utilization of the dulcimer in the 1960s helped "revitalize" the popularity of the instrument. A common misconception encompassing the instrument is that mountain people simply use it for tragic Scottish and English ballads.While the instrument is used to reminisce on British balladry and hymnody, it is used in many other musical contexts.
The instrument has its own set of repertoire (Hal Leonard even has a method book devoted to it). Some of the traditional repertoire includes: dance tunes party songs show tunes Gospel Blues Commercial hillbilly music (common in 20th century). With the rise of popularity in folk music and string bands (such as artists like Mumford and Sons), the instrument possesses roles in modern ensembles. •
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Some stories exist from the earlier 20th century that pertain to how couples would use it to get alone time.
Apparently, younger couples would usually have to stay under adult supervision when together. However, if the chaperone heard the dulcimer being played, the couple could achieve alone time (the chaperone would assume nothing was happening since the instrument was being played).
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In 2001, the instrument was designated as the official musical instrument of Kentucky.
List of Sources •
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historythrougharts.org statesymbolusa.org Grove Music Online Ritchie, Jean. The Dulcimer Book . Music Sales America, 1992. Bailey, John. Making an Appalachian Dulcimer . English Folk Dance & Song Society, 1966 http://www.knoxnews.com/news/local-news/dulcimer-makers-goal-a-clear-ringing-voice
http://songofthewood.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/product_full/IMG_6528.JPG http://www.cabincreekmusic.com/MountainDulcimers.html http://www.songofthewood.com/product/mountain-dulcimer/walnut-creekhummingbird-mountain-dulcimer http://dulcimerlessonvideos.com/ http://www.art-robb.co.uk/dulc.html http://myorch.org/Violin http://fineartamerica.com/featured/goffriller-violin-f-hole-corner-sam-hymas.html http://fogsmoviereviews.com/2011/10/02/movies-that-everyone-should-see-2001-aspace-odyssey/
