Features of the Dulcimer

The dulcimer may come in different dimension of sizes and are usually identified by the number of strings that cross each of its bridges. A 15/14 for example, has two bridges (treble and bass) and spans three octaves (eight notes). A dulcimer’s strings are usually found in pairs, two strings for each note (though some instruments have three or four strings per note). Each set of strings is tuned in unison and is called a course. Just like the piano, the purpose of using multiple strings per course is to make the instrument’s sound more vocal, but since the courses are rarely in perfect unison, a chorus-like effect results. A dulcimer–same as the harp, requires a tuning wrench for tuning. Unlike the strings of a guitar, the dulcimer’s strings are wound around simple bolts (called tuning pins) with square heads.