The Mountain Dulcimer seems to be a truly American instrument. I thought they came over on the boat with early pioneers, but it looks like the pioneers created them as a simpler instrument and easier to play than the classic violin of European origin. The Appalachian region is known for their Scotch-Irish melodies and dances; the dulcimers were someone's attempt to produce an instrument that took less formal training to play. Family and community groups adapted the traditional melodies, and a new musical tradition was born. The dulcimer was traditionally a parlor instrument because of it's softer sound and ease of transport, unlike the piano.
J. Edward Thomas of Knott County, Kentucky began building and selling them about 1880. Others took up the craft and a new American tradition was born. There are not many still in existence that were built before about 1880--at least it would be a rarity--and possibly very valuable. Jethro Amburgey made dulcimers that were distributed by his relative Jean Ritchie, a Kentucky musician, and her partner George Pickow. Jean and George were performers who participated in the folk music revival of the 1950's and 60's. They eventually began producing and selling instruments, too. Jethro was a woodworking instructor in the Hindman Settlement School. The instrument became familiar to audiences during the Folk Music Revival. Other influential builders of mid-1960s included Homer Ledford, Lynn McSpadden, A. W. Jeffreys and Joellen Lapidus. Michael and Howard Rugg formed a company called Capritaurus, the first to mass produce dulcimers. They introduced a system of geared tuners making the instrument easier
for players to tune.
The Mountain or Appalachian Dulcimer is similar in tone and potential to some Middle Eastern instruments and even some ancient ones, such as the zither and lute, but it is a distinctly American creation. I hope for a return to softer sounds of music in which the melody is still distinct without the harsh and grinding sounds common in modern music.
The dulcimer has acquired a following worldwide and now festivals are held in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada.
More information about Dulcimers:
McSpadden Duclimerss
Warren A. May, Wood Worker
J. Edward Thomas of Knott County, Kentucky began building and selling them about 1880. Others took up the craft and a new American tradition was born. There are not many still in existence that were built before about 1880--at least it would be a rarity--and possibly very valuable. Jethro Amburgey made dulcimers that were distributed by his relative Jean Ritchie, a Kentucky musician, and her partner George Pickow. Jean and George were performers who participated in the folk music revival of the 1950's and 60's. They eventually began producing and selling instruments, too. Jethro was a woodworking instructor in the Hindman Settlement School. The instrument became familiar to audiences during the Folk Music Revival. Other influential builders of mid-1960s included Homer Ledford, Lynn McSpadden, A. W. Jeffreys and Joellen Lapidus. Michael and Howard Rugg formed a company called Capritaurus, the first to mass produce dulcimers. They introduced a system of geared tuners making the instrument easier
for players to tune.
The Mountain or Appalachian Dulcimer is similar in tone and potential to some Middle Eastern instruments and even some ancient ones, such as the zither and lute, but it is a distinctly American creation. I hope for a return to softer sounds of music in which the melody is still distinct without the harsh and grinding sounds common in modern music.
The dulcimer has acquired a following worldwide and now festivals are held in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada.
More information about Dulcimers:
McSpadden Duclimerss
Warren A. May, Wood Worker
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