An introduction to the Hammered Dulcimer

[Dick Glasgow]

An introduction to the Hammered Dulcimer

The Hammered Dulcimer - an early history

The word Dulcimer is apparently Greek for 'Sweet Sound' and the hammered dulcimer probably originated in the Middle East, around Persia, about 900 A.D. and is related to the Psaltery.

It spread from there across Europe & North Africa, and throughout the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance period the dulcimer remained a popular instrument in both eastern and western Europe.

It was known by many different names in different countries: a "tympanon" in France; a "hackbrett" in Germany; and a "cymbalom" in Hungary.

For more detail on this subject you should check out:

A Short Natural History of the Dulcimer
by
Roger Frood {Dove Dulcimers}

You might also like to check out Wikipedia's interesting list of:

Hammered Dulcimer Players

Names for the Hammered Dulcimer in European countries include:

Austria - Hackbrett
Belarus - Tsymbaly
Denmark - Hakkebræt
France - Tympanon
Germany - Hackbrett
Greece - Santouri
Hungary - Cimbalom
Ireland - Hammered Dulcimer
Italy - Salterio
Lithuania - Cimbalai
Netherlands - Hakkebord
Romania - Tambal
Spain - Salterio
Sweden - Hackbräda, Hammarharpa
Switzerland - Hackbrett, Hachbrattli
Turkey - Santur
United Kingdom - Hammered Dulcimer

Answers.com/Wikipedia - Hammered Dulcimer

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Names for the Hammered Dulcimer in other countries include:

Brazil - Saltério
Cambodia - Khim
China - Yangqin
India - Santoor
Iran - Santur
Korea - Yanggeum
Laos - Khim
Lithuania - Cimbalai
Mexico - Salterio
Mongolia - Joochin
Russia - Tsymbaly, Dultsimer
Thailand - Khim
Ukraine - Tsymbaly
United States - Hammered Dulcimer
Vietnam - Dàn tam thap luc (lit. "36 strings")
Yiddish - Tsimbl

Answers.com/Wikipedia - Hammered Dulcimer

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