The dulcimer is a member of the string family. It is further categorized into
the Psaltrey family, a group of instruments that are comprised of strings
stretched across a frame and played by plucking or drumming. The only
difference, in fact, between the dulcimer and the psaltrey is the fact that one
is plucked and the other is drummed. The dulcimer family is divided into two
sections. The dulcimers with keys and dulcimers without keys. A dulcimer with
keys would be played by depressing a key which would move a mechanism that would
cause a hammer to strike the string. The most improved instrument in the keyed
dulcimer section is the piano. Dulcimers that are played without the aid of a
key are usually in the unusual shape of a trapezoid. Early descriptions of this
instrument, dating back to the Middle Ages, describe the instrument as a
rectangular box with strings stretched over two bridges. Both the single and the
double bridged dulcimers are common in traditional Irish music. It is played by
striking the strings with padded wooden hammer.
It is commonly believed that the dulcimer came to Europe from the East sometime
in the fifteenth century. This cannot be true. The dulcimer is closely related
to the yang ch'in from China. However, the yang ch'in was introduced to the
Chinese around 1800. A similar traditional dulcimer found its way to Korea in<...
, the greatest guitarist in rock history, revolutionized the sound of rock. In 1967, the Experience rocked the nation with their first album, Are You Experienced?. Hendrix's life was cut short by the tragedy of drugs in 1970, when he was only twenty seven years old. In these three years the sound of rock changed greatly, and Hendrix's guitar playi...
On April 15,I had the good fortune to attend Andrea Bocelli's concert at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim. Although I have attended classical concerts and operas in the past, this was my first since having begun voice classes. With my own experiences as a beginning voice student, I was able to observe things with a new awareness; details which I had...
Review Summary This PBS special documents the musical dance celebration of Ipi Ntombi -- a part of the black South African culture that was first performed in 1974. The video shows a live performance with a cast of 50 talented dancers and singers. The story begins in a small South African village during a cultural tribal dance filled with colorful...
My main interest in music has always been . When I go to record stores, I have a hard time finding . Unlike other music categories, hip-hop does not have its own category. Hip-hop artists can sometimes be found under the category of RAP music. In most cases, all you will find is rap artists like Master P, Puff Daddy, and other various rap perf...
I can truly appreciate all forms that today's music has to offer, but I do not accept the influence Hip Hop has on our youth. It establishes a false sense of reality and does not constitute what life is really all about. Some call it the most depressing music they have ever heard, but I say that is where it is. Today's Hip-Hop music consists mo...