Description: This instrument, is usually a three or four stringed musical instrument. Having its origins in Germanic and French zithers. The original assesment of how the instrument was introduced was assumed to be by Scottish settlers in the Appalachian mountains. But also German for example the hackbret' and French zithers have influenced this instrument including the Norweigian Leinglik also tuned diatonically. Other examples although may or may not be directly related is the Swedish Hummel. Also the Hungarian Citera is also found in this family of instruments. It is my belief that this dulcimer came from specific altough some "scattered" regions and times through out history which allowed the Appalachian dulcimer to evolve in the instrument that it is today.

The appalachian dulcimer; is a diatonic zither in how its frets are arranged and spaced from one another.

Tunings: D-D-A-D standard, and many alternates.

Citations: online and offline media.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_dulcimer ~ Wikipedia article for Appalachian Dulcimer

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Ritchie - Jean Ritchie (American folk singer, author, composer and Dulcimer Player).

http://www.asza.com/ - Randy Rane Reusch aslo playes this instrument.

http://www.jeanritchie.com/ - Official site for Jean Ritchie.

Luthiers and makers of dulcimers:

http://www.appalachiandulcimers.com/appdul.htm- Appalachian Dulcimer maker Keith Young