Their dulcimer-playing salesmen sold their instruments as far away as Missouri and parts of the South. Along the way, the hammered dulcimer acquired some interesting nicknames. Then there is the German word for the hammered dulcimer - hackbrett. Whatever name it goes by, this type of dulcimer is easily played by ear. The stringed instrument is believed to have evolved from the German scheitholt, which like the mountain dulcimer can be plucked, strummed, or played with a bow.
Similar instruments are also present in Dutch and Swedish culture.
The scheitholt probably reached Appalachia in the late 1700s where it was further modified to satisfy the needs of local musicians. Despite the Appalachian dulcimer moniker, the instrument was not as common in the region as once thought. Experts believe that at its most popular before its recent reintroduction, there were as few as 1000 of these dulcimers in Appalachia. This more recent type of dulcimer is easy to learn. Both the hammered and mountain dulcimer are alike in that they have strings stretched across a neckless soundbox and are experiencing renewed popularity.