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Appalachian Dulcimer: History, Types, and Playing Techniques

Learn about the history, different types, and playing techniques of the Appalachian Dulcimer, a traditional folk instrument known for its rich bass sound and sweet tones. Discover famous musicians and find answers to common questions.

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Appalachian Dulcimer: History, Types, and Playing Techniques

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  1. The Appalachian Ducilmer T.J. Garrison Jeff Vitols Jarrod Hunt

  2. Different Types • Appalachian • 3 to 8 strings • Usually 4 strings • Hammered • Bass

  3. Shapes • Different shapes • Most Popular • Hourglass • Rich Bass Sound • Tear Drop • Lighter Tone (Bluegrass)

  4. How to Play • Tuning • Ionian • Mixolydian • Dorian, Aeolian • Playing • Lap • No-armed chair • Strummed, Picked or Fingered • Chords, single notes

  5. History • Ancestor the scheitlot • German descent circa 1618 • Appalachian Dulcimer circa 1830 – 1871 • Oldest folk instrument of American creation

  6. More History • Belongs to Fretted Zithers class of instruments • Latin prefix means “sweet sound” • Traditionally played with a quill, which is a feather

  7. Jean Ritchie • Born 1922 in Viper, Kentucky • Album None But One won Rolling Stone Critic’s Choice Award in 1977 • Started what is now known as the “Dulcimer Revival” • Unique style of performance • Strumming the main beats toward herself • Singing Style

  8. Other Musicians • Joni Mitchell • Bought Joellen Lapidus’s first made dulcimer • Joellen Lapidus • Idolized Joni Mitchell • Ruth Barrett • Dianic high priestess • Dwain Wilder • Mountain Dulcimer maker

  9. Questions • How many strings does the Appalachian dulcimer usually have? • How does the musician normally hold the Appalachian dulcimer? • What does the word dulcimer mean in Latin? • How long has the Appalachian dulcimer been around? • What was traditionally used to play the dulcimer?

  10. Answers • 4 • Laying the instrument in his/her lap • “sweet song” • Mid 19th century • A feather quill

  11. References • http://mama.essortment.com/whatisadulci_rkfn.htm • www.sci.edu/classes/ellertsen/dulcimer2.html • www.gilamountaindulcimers.com • www.templeofdiana.org/ruth.htm • http://www.pbs.org/ket/jrs/ • http://www.museum.appstate.edu/christmas2002/pages/dulcimer.shtml

  12. References • http://www.jonimitchell.com/jonihome.html • www.bearmeadow.com

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