The dulcimer is a stringed musical instrument comes in two main varieties: the hammered dulcimer and the mountain-dulcimer.

The hammered dulcimer is a trapezoidal instrument played with small mallets (hammers), striking the strings to produce a bright, percussive sound. It’s known for its complexity, both in structure and playing technique, and is popular in folk music traditions around the world.

The mountain dulcimer, often simply called the dulcimer, has a softer, more melodious tone. It typically has three or four strings and is played by strumming or picking, while the left hand frets the strings on the fingerboard.