Origins and history. Although the Appalachian dulcimer first appeared in the early 19th century among Scotch-Irish immigrant communities in the Appalachian Mountains, the instrument has no known precedent in Ireland or Scotland.

When did dulcimer become popular?

Dulcimers of this sort began appearing in Europe during the 16th century and remained rather popular to the 18th.

How long has the dulcimer been around?

The ancient origins of the dulcimer are undoubtedly in the Near East, where instruments of this type have been made and played for perhaps 5000 years. Santir and psanterim were names early applied to such instruments and are probably derived from the Greek psalterion.