The mountain dulcimer is native to the United States. It is said that it was made in the Appalachian mountains - hence its name. The Appalachian or mountain dulcimer has a melody string (or strings) and two or more drone strings (like the drones on the bagpipes). While the old-time tuning is DAA, Cara-Anne plays in DAD - the more common tuning. The mountain dulcimer is also called a lap dulcimer in order to distinguish it from a hammered dulcimer. Cara-Anne's first instrument - the mountain dulcimer - was made from a kit by her parents. The dulcimer she currently plays was made in Georgia.
