The Enduring Charm of the Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer: Your Guide to a Folk Icon

The Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer is a truly special American folk instrument. What makes it unique is its fretboard, which is designed to leave out certain notes on purpose. This feature makes it surprisingly easy to play beautiful, traditional melodies. 

This isn’t just a neat trick; it’s the heart and soul of the instrument, first created by clever Scots-Irish settlers in the mountains of the eastern United States. 

If you enjoy the honest, moving sound of folk music, then getting to know the dulcimer is like unlocking its history. You’ll quickly find that its simple look hides a rich musical past. 

In this guide, we will explore what makes the dulcimer special and how it’s played. We’ll also cover its different tunings, what to look for when buying one, and its important role in music today. 

Join us on a journey into a sound that has shaped a region’s music and charmed listeners for generations.

What Exactly Makes the Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer Unique?

The first thing you might notice about an Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer is its shape. It’s often long and thin, with a graceful “hourglass” or “teardrop” body. Because it’s played on your lap, people often call it a “lap dulcimer.”

But the real secret to the dulcimer isn’t its shape, it’s the fretboard. Unlike a guitar or banjo that has frets for every possible note, the dulcimer is diatonic. This just means it leaves some frets out on purpose. Think of it like a piano. A piano has both white and black keys. A dulcimer mostly just gives you the white keys.

This smart design makes it very hard to play a “wrong” note. The frets are set up to match a musical scale, so almost any note you play sounds right with the other open strings. This is why many people say the Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer is one of the easiest stringed instruments to learn. 

This simple design came from the Appalachian Mountains in the 1800s. Settlers from Scotland, Ireland, and Germany used local wood and simple tools to create an instrument perfect for playing folk songs and hymns on their laps.

It’s easy to confuse the Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer with another instrument called the hammered dulcimer, but they are completely different.

A hammered dulcimer is a large, often trapezoid–shaped instrument that sits on a stand. You play it by tapping the strings with small mallets or “hammers,” much like a piano with strings.

The Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer, as we’ve seen, is smaller and sits on your lap. You play it by pressing the strings down on frets with one hand and strumming with the other. This big difference in how they are played gives them very different sounds and roles in music.

How Do You Actually Play This Thing?

Learning to play the Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer is quite simple. As its other name, “lap dulcimer,” tells you, you play it sitting down. Just rest the instrument flat on your lap. If you are right-handed, the tuning pegs will be on your left. 

The string closest to you is the melody string, and the one farthest away is the bass string. Most dulcimers have three or four strings. On a four-string model, the melody string is doubled to create a fuller sound.

There are two main ways to play. The traditional style is called “noter and drone.” You use a small stick called a “noter” to slide along the melody string to make the tune. At the same time, you strum across all the strings with your other hand. This creates a clear melody over a steady, humming drone from the other strings. This is the classic sound of old-time Appalachian music.

Modern players often use their fingertips instead of a noter. They press on several strings at once to form chords, much like on a guitar. This style is great for playing along while you sing. 

Another modern style is fingerpicking, where you pluck individual strings to create complex, harp-like sounds. The dulcimer lets you enjoy both old and new ways of playing.

Pro Tip: Start with the Noter When you’re new to the dulcimer, try the noter-and-drone style first. It helps you understand how the instrument works and connects you to its history. The sliding motion also makes a beautiful, smooth sound that’s hard to copy with just your fingers.

What Are the Common Tunings and How Do They Change the Sound?

Tuning gives the dulcimer its voice, and different tunings completely change its mood. While dozens of tunings exist, beginners only need to know two to get started: DAA and DAD. These letters name the notes for each string, from the bass string (farthest from you) to the melody string (closest).

DAA Tuning (The Happy Sound)

Often the first tuning people learn, DAA has a bright, cheerful sound. It creates a standard major scale (like “Do-Re-Mi“), making it perfect for upbeat tunes and simple folk songs like “Boil ‘Em Cabbage Down.” Because the middle and melody strings are both tuned to the note ‘A’, it makes a very strong and pleasant drone sound.

DAD Tuning (The Old-Time Sound)

This is perhaps the most popular and versatile tuning. It creates a “Mixolydian” sound, which is very similar to a major scale but with one flattened note. This small change gives the music a slightly bluesy, Celtic, or old-timey feel. It’s used for everything from fast fiddle tunes to modern folk songs.

Think of the tunings as different flavors. DAA is like vanilla sweet and classic. DAD is more like salted caramel, it has an interesting twist that adds a little something extra. Learning to switch between them will allow you to play a huge variety of dulcimer music.

Expert Insight: The “6+” Fret Controversy Many modern dulcimers come with an extra fret between the 6th and 7th frets, called the “6+” or “six-and-a-half” fret. This allows you to play a true major scale when tuned to DAD, which is otherwise impossible without that note. For modern players, it’s a godsend. However, some traditionalists argue it defeats the purpose of a diatonic instrument. Their view is that the “missing” notes are a feature, not a bug, forcing a unique melodic style. There’s no right answer, it just depends on whether you want to preserve the traditional limitations or expand your harmonic options.

What Should You Look For When Buying Your First Dulcimer?

Choosing your first Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer is an exciting step. Since many are handmade, there’s a great variety available. Here’s what to consider.

First is the wood. A dulcimer with a solid wood top will generally have a richer, warmer sound. An instrument made with laminate (a type of plywood) is more affordable and durable, and a well-made one can still sound very good. For beginners, either can be a great choice.

Next, look at the number of strings. Most dulcimers have three or four. A 4-string model simply doubles the melody string (the one closest to you). This creates a fuller sound that is often recommended for beginners. A 3-string dulcimer has a simpler, more direct tone. You can always remove the extra string from a 4-string model to try both sounds.

Finally, think about the size. The body shape, like “hourglass” or “teardrop,” is mostly a matter of personal taste. More important is the scale length (the distance from nut to bridge), as a shorter scale can be more comfortable for smaller hands.

Don’t get too hung up on details. The best advice is to buy a quality instrument that fits your budget from a trusted maker.

Who Are the Key Figures and Where Can You Hear the Dulcimer Today?

People are at the heart of the dulcimer’s story. No one did more to share this instrument with the world than Jean Ritchie (1922-2015). Known as “The Mother of Folk,” her beautiful voice and traditional playing style introduced the dulcimer to a huge audience during the American folk revival in the 1950s and 60s. Her albums are a perfect way to hear the instrument’s soulful sound.

But the dulcimer is not just a museum piece. Its sweet, simple voice has been used by famous artists like Joni Mitchell on her classic album Blue, and even pop star Cyndi Lauper. Today, skilled players continue to develop amazing new techniques, showing all the different things the instrument can do.

So, where can you hear this music today? Music festivals dedicated to folk instruments are a great place to start. You can also find countless tutorials, songs, and performances online, especially on YouTube. From old-time tunes to modern pop song covers, the Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer is a living tradition. It is loved by a worldwide community of musicians who keep its gentle sound alive for new generations.

FInal Thoughts

The Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer is more than just a folk instrument; it’s a piece of American history. With its special fretboard that makes melody easy to play and its simple tunings like DAA and DAD, it’s an instrument designed for everyone. 

As we’ve seen, it’s perfect whether you want to play the traditional noter-and-drone style or modern chords.

If you’re interested in learning more, just listen. Find a Jean Ritchie album or search for “Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer” online to hear its unique sound. You can also look up dulcimer makers or a local folk music group.

Taking that first step can start a wonderful musical journey. In our complex world, there is a special beauty in an instrument that proves you don’t need all the notes to make perfect music.

Just like the dulcimer holds deep cultural roots in Appalachia, the kemençe of the Black Sea carries the soul of a different mountain tradition.

FAQ: Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer

Cripple Creek – Mountain Dulcimer