House of Waters

Hammered dulcimer is both the name of a trapezoidal, struck zither and a repertoire-centered performance tradition built around it. The instrument’s strings are stretched across a soundboard and struck with lightweight "hammers," producing a brilliant, bell‑like tone with long sustain and shimmering overtones. In practice, the hammered dulcimer has repertories in dance music (jigs, reels, hornpipes, waltzes), lyrical airs, seasonal tunes, and arranged concert works. It thrives in folk and neo‑traditional contexts—especially Celtic and Anglo‑American music—while also appearing in early‑music, world‑fusion, and contemporary instrumental settings. Characteristic techniques include rapid rolls (tremolos), cross‑string melodies, drones, open fifths, and delicate damping for articulation and dynamic shaping.