Here’s some info I shared last night about the instrument I want to play. (Plus, a little extra. 
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The hammer dulcimer has a trapezoidal shape and strings are attached from one side to the other. And very similar to the piano, the shorter the string, the higher the pitch; the longer the string, the deeper the pitch; contrary to the piano, however, this instrument is not widely used…but it’s SUPER cool! The dulcimer has a rich, sweet resonating sound. In fact, “dulcimer” comes from two words, one Greek and one Latin, “dulcis” and “melos” together they mean, “sweet sound or song”.
To play the dulcimer, you position it somewhat diagonally and use two little hammers to hit the strings. There are a variety of hammers and all of them produce a different tone-whether richer, softer, or sweeter. Also, depending on the type of wood it’s made of, it produces a different tone, too.
This instrument is known around the world as a zither, hackbrett, santoor, etc. and has been in existence since before the 12th century; it’s believed to have originated in Persia. Interestingly, the dulcimer is mentioned in Daniel 3:5: “That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:…”
Here are some links to see pictures: Picture 1, Picture 2, Picture 3
Here’s a link to listen to a YouTube recording: Baby Dulcimer
