Hammered Dulcimers

Has anyone ever heard of the instrument the Hammered Dulcimer?
No? Maybe?
Well a few years ago I was on youtube looking up interesting videos and I came across this instrument that I thought was unique, and just incredibly beautiful sounding. It was unlike anything I had ever heard before. When the low notes play, it vibrates all around you and really makes a statement. As for the high notes, it could make a bump in the night sound cheery. Its a big trapazoid shaped instument with strings across the top. You hit it with two wooden hammer/malet things. There are so many strings that it must take years to master. The skill some of the people who play it on youtube makes it so captivating that I can't look away.

There are alot of different kinds of Dulcimers, I looked up alot of information about them (thats what I do when I am bored). There is also the mountain Dulcimer from America. Its played in folk songs near the appalachians. Bluegrass music, that is often played near the appalachians has roots in scottish and folk music. So does clogging, which is a dance there. Gotta love the appalacians, lots of culture, heritage, roots, etc. there.

At first I thought the Dulcimer originated in Ireland, because it made the kind of sound that I associated with their songs. Plus, all the videos I found were english, and irish folk songs. Oddly enough, its an instrument that is played all over the world, including America, and I never knew about it! Every few years I remmember this incredible instrument, and I look it up. I'm not sure what reminded me of it this time, but I spent a couple hours dancing in the living room to some upbeat songs. My feet seem to understand Irish and Scottish songs. They can dance those old country dances and pick up those weird celtic moves very well (at least I think so). So don't worry, I wasnt doing hiphop to Celtic songs, although I'm sure it could be done by a talented somebody out there (just not me).

So I tried to think of a couple ways of connecting this to my scottish heritage. It originates from somewhere near persia, so that didn't help. Then while I was looking at videos I found "Scotland the brave" and a couple of Celtic tunes one the Hammered Dulcimers. So here they are, aren't they really cool?

Hammered Dulcimers "Scotland the Brave"

Scottish tunes on the Hammered Dulcimer

Celtic tune on the Hammered Dulcimer

mideval girl on hammered dulcimer