Hammered Dulcimers & Accessories, Hammered Dulcimer Books. Folk Notes Dulcimers

Quality Hammered Dulcimers for
Beginners to Advanced Hammered Dulcimer Players!

The history of the hammered dulcimer began in the middle eastern area formerly known as Persia. Hammered dulcimers in that part of the world are called Santoors. Hammered dulcimers were brought to europe in the 12th century by the moors or the crusaders. A type of hammered dulcimer has been played in Ireland since the beginning of the 12th century. The earliest known mention of a hammered dulcimer in America was in 1717. Hammered dulcimers were built in small shops in America during the 19th century, and even sold in mail order catalogs, such as Sears Roebuck and Montgomery Ward. By the middle of the 20th century though, hammered dulcimers had practically disappeared in this country, probably due to the popularity and availability of pianos. The folk revival period of the 1960's brought about a renewed interest in hammered dulcimers and now there are builders and clubs in many parts of the country. I often call hammered dulcimers, 'a piano without the gearbox', because instead of having mechanical links from the keys to the hammers, you have to pick up the hammers and hit the strings yourself. A hammered dulcimer, which has the strings mounted on top of a soundbox instead of inside the box like a piano, has a similiar, yet different sound. The hammered dulcimer player has direct control over the volume, sustain, and other elements that go into the sound of a hammered dulcimer, by varying how and where they strike the strings and the hammers they use.

We stock hammered dulcimers built by three different hammered dulcimer builders. We carry Rick Thum dulcimers, Songbird hammered dulcimers, and dulcimers from TK O'Briens'. Folk Notes carries all three models of SongBird hammered dulcimers by Chris Foss. The Songbird Phoebe hammered dulcimer (Above right) has a laminated birch soundboard which can withstand changes in temperature and humidity and hold up well in less than ideal conditions such as Rendezvous', or Renaissance Fairs, which go on regardless of the weather. The Phoebe compares favorably to full sized hammered dulcimers costing much more, and has been used by players to place at or near the top in several regional and national competitions. The 16/15 Phoebe (above right) package is a great buy for budget conscious first time buyers wanting a full sized hammered dulcimer that will meet their musical needs for years to come.
The Phoebe and all hammered dulcimers we sell, comes with wooden hammers and a tuning wrench, as well as a nylon padded case with large pocket and shoulder strap. The Phoebe hammered dulcimer package also includes a hammered dulcimer teaching book with an instructional CD, electronic tuner, tuning clip, and can be purchased with or without a dulcimer stand. We now carry Phoebe Hammered dulcimers that are stained dark brown and then lacquered, which really brings out the grain of the wood, and also makes the strings easier to see.

Songbird Whippoorwill 16/15 Hammered Dulcimer

The Songbird Whippoorwill hammered dulcimer (right) is the same size as the Phoebe and has a solid Douglas Fir top, and a big voice equal to dulcimers costing hundreds more. The Whippoorwill, Wood Thrush, and Phoebe have 3 extra chromatic courses at the top which gives the ability to play in a couple other keys on the upper range of the dulcimers. Whippoorwill w/nylon padded gigbag, hammers, wrench - $670.00

NEW for 2008, the Wood Thrush Dulcimer, a 16/15 Walnut stained Poplar, solid wood dulcimer with a big voice at a budget price. $599 package price, with dulcimer, case wrench, hammers, tuner, tuning clip, book and CD.

Both the Whippoorwill and the 3 1/2 octave 17/16/8 fully chromatic Warbler hammered dulcimer now have Douglas Fir tops, and a bigger sound, with sweet treble and solid bass. The Warbler (left) has a chromatic extended bass range. You can spend double the cost of a Songbird to get a hammered dulcimer of equal value and sound from many other makers. We are not stocking the Warbler, but can order one for you. CALL for advance order pricing!

This instrument has full string spacing and plays just like a regular 15/14. It is missing the lowest string on the treble bridge (the G# and the F#) and the highest string on the bass bridge(the C above the B flat, also on the treble bridge). Scales for the keys of A, D, G, C start on the treble bridge and D, G, C, F on the bass side.

Each Traveller comes with a padded case, a pair of hammers, "L" tuning wrench, electronic tuner, table top playing leg, walnut soundhole rosettes, and a 1/4 x 20 insert on back to fit a camera stand. An exceptionally good value. Clear, balanced, full tone at a great price.

Folk Notes Best Buy Meadowlark Hammered Dulcimer Package!

Rick Thum Meadowlark 13/12 HD

Our best selling hammered dulcimer built by nationally known performer and builder, Rick Thum, has more features than most student models, with 3 extra chromatics at the top, they have a 2 1/2+ octave range. With baltic birch soundboard and back, walnut rails, and hard rock maple pinblocks, they weigh 9 lbs, are 35¾" wide, and have a two year warranty. Priced at $310 with hammers, tuning wrench, electronic tuner, book/cd, tabletop playing leg, and padded nylon cordura bag w/large pocket.