Hammered Dulcimer

A stringed musical instrument with the strings stretched over a trapazoidal sounding board, typically struck with hammers. Considered to be a member of the Zither? family. The instrument is typically set at an angle on a stand in front of the musician, who holds a hammer in either hand with which to strike the strings.

Versions of this instrument are recorded in Europe and the Middle East throughout recorded history. The instrument has seen somewhat of a revival in America in the Americal Folk music and Bluegrass traditions. It is also still played in Wales, Northumbria?, and the Middle East.

References:

http://www.rtpnet.org/~hdweb/

http://www.newrenaissance.ibs.ee/dulcimer/3_history/

http://publish.uwo.ca/~spederse/santur2.htm