For those unfamiliar with the hammered dulcimer, let’s begin there. The hammered dulcimer is an ancient predecessor of the piano. While it can also be “plucked,” it is typically played by bouncing hammers off the stretched wires to make different tones. The hammers are like drumsticks with a sort of spoon-shaped tip.
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The music produced on a hammered dulcimer resonates with beauty. That makes this the perfect instrument for the prologue from Beauty and the Beast.
The origins of the hammered dulcimer are murky, but most agree that it originated in the Middle East around 900 A.D. The instrument is related to the psaltery. In Ireland, the tympanon is similar to the hammered dulcimer and may have preceded other known versions of the instrument.
Evan Danforth is the musician playing the dulcimer. This young artist travels to Renaissance festivals to play his dulcimer, lending his talent and authentic music to events. He incorporates Celtic tunes and some modern adaptations to create a perfect blend of past and present. He likes to joke that he is a hammered dulcimer player, not a “hammered” dulcimer player.
Although almost forgotten in the United States, this instrument is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. People like Evan and other dulcimer musicians are helping to raise awareness about this incredible instrument. When people hear the amazing clarity of its tones, it is as if they are experiencing music in a new way.
To hear more from Evan, follow his social media on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok. Watching him play, it will amaze you at how he drifts into the music, feeling each note as if resonating from his very soul. Warning — you may find yourself lost in the music for hours.
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