My wife and I used to go to a Hungarian restaurant across the river, in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, called the Blue Danube. They had a young man that would play this instrument in the evening on the weekends. It wasn't a fancy place, but the owners were very nice, the food was plentiful and delicious, and the addition of the sounds of the hammer dulcimer made the atmosphere romantic and wonderful. This video brings back happy memories of me, and my young, beautiful wife, and later, our first little son. Unfortunately, The Blue Danube closed a few years back because the owner retired and his children didn't want to continue with the restaurant. I hope he and his wife enjoyed their retirement as much as we enjoyed their special restaurant.
I attended West Virginia University in the late 70’s. This instrument is found throughout Appalachia. One of my roommates was from Iran. He said the Persians called this instrument the “Santa”. I suspect that this type of instrument evolved in many places independently as it is a combination percussion and stringed instrument, the most primitive kinds of instruments.
I didn't know the carol was Ukrainian and I didn't know the hammer dulcimer can be traced back to ancient Egypt. So I've learned two interesting facts and listened to you play. The carol sounds divine on that dulcimer. Thank you. ❣️ Merry Christmas!
The tune originated from Ukraine not the song. The actual song translates to something like Bountiful, bountiful, a New Year’s carol, A little swallow flew and started to twitter, to summon the master: “Come out, come out, O master look at the sheep pen, there the ewes have yeaned and the lambkins have been born Your goods are great, you will have a lot of money, The good is good for you, you will have a measure of money. If not money, then chaff you have a dark-eyebrowed wife.” Bountiful, bountiful, a New Year’s carol, A little swallow flew.
@@jackjohnson291 I had been performing it for many years before that movie came out and still perform it in different iterations to this day. No, it isn't. I'm not saying John Williams didn't conduct a version for it, I'm saying it's not the most known version.
I sang in an ensemble choir a couple of years ago and we had a guest accompanist who played hammered dulcimer. About ten minutes into rehearsal, our director stopped everyone and said “Alright, we’re all just gonna take a break and spend 5 minutes watching the hammered dulcimer together, so when that’s over, I’ll have your focus again.” 😂 Truly a mesmerizing instrument, and so well-played. Such a pleasant lady too!
Years ago I had a coworker that taught himself to play the hammered dulcimer. He was a cancer survivor and would go to the cancer center to play for people firming chemo. He made pillow cases for all their pillows, and would bake cakes for them. What an amazing human!
Slight detail --- it's a Ukrainian *New Year's* carol, not a Christmas carol originally but a song about prosperity in the upcoming spring. Still, this is a lovely interpretation of a wonderful tune, and the percussive quality of the Hammered Dulcimer really suits it well. No wonder it's your favorite to play on this gorgeous instrument!
@user-jc8rz2jj9r I was also wondering the same. So I GTS. According to Wikipedia "Carol of the Bells" is a popular Christmas carol, which is based on the Ukrainian song called "Shchedryk.” The music to “Carol of the Bells” was taken from the original Ukrainian song written by Mykola Leontovych while the English-language lyrics were written by Peter Wilhousky. "Leontovych wrote "Shchedryk" in 1914, and in 1936 Wilhousky wrote English lyrics for it, creating "Carol of the Bells".[1] The Ukrainian music is in the public domain; Wilhousky's lyrics, however, are under copyright owned by Carl Fischer Music."
I did NOT expect it to make those sounds but this is HEAVENLY 😍 How is this not more known?? Also the perfect control of the volume and the little drill sounds is insaaaaane 😍
Those hammers bounce super easily off the strings. I've messed around with them in the past at craft fairs growing up in E. Tennessee, and they're something else altogether when you can hear them in person!
They're popular in the Appalachia region of the USA. There are a lot of hand crafters throughout the mountains, including linear versions and linear chromatic ones!
@@TWKPixelHeroThese instruments are one of my favorite parts of the NC State fair. Beautiful and unusual instruments, glad there are people keeping the skill of playing them alive.
We have a wonderful shop in Seattle where they let anyone play with them. They are so fun to play around with. Even if you have no musical talent whatsoever, somehow you still feel like you’re making beautiful sounds. If you’re ever visiting Seattle, the shop is called Dusty Strings. They have amazing harps they let you play too and the staff are friendly and passionate about sharing the love of these amazing instruments.
@@mtsanriI think the merry sound comes from all of the bells for which this was originally written. I've always thought of bells as being a merry sound also.
I first heard the hammer dulcimer while a student at West Virginia University... folks playing during Mountaineer Week. You're a great player of a soul touching instrument. Beautiful!!
When was this? I'm a old grad (1970) of WVU. Don't remember hearing the instrument while there, but I have a hammered dulcimer made in Virginia around 1980 by a friend. Time to get it out and learn some tunes!
I had a friend in the 1970s whose family was from Philippi, and an uncle of his there was one of three people in the whole country that made hammer dulcimers.
Nice to see some fellow Mountaineers. Spent a year there on the Ag Science campus studying landscape architecture but decided chemistry was my thing. Finished up at Marshall at home in Huntington, but love WVU and Morgantown. My brother and sister went there for dentistry and English. The PRT was useful but had a tendency to break down when I needed to get to class.
I have not heard a hammered dulcimer in ages. What a pleasant surprise to find this video on RU-vid. It has such a wonderfully rich yet light and delicate sound. Thank you for this.
Listening to this on my computer system with my wife and son, while aware that the same song on the same instriment were being heard centuries ago by my ancestors in small rooms across the old world. Timeless. thank you for sharing.
That was beautiful. Never seen, nor heard of that instrument. I have heard the song/Carol before on TV from Catholic Churches playing it. It is a beautiful song. My Christmas spirit hasn’t been around in six years. The loss of too many family members. My husband my heart is gone. My health is not good.
It's amazing the wide latitude for expression that the instrument gives you. The resonance from the strings with the capacity to play quickly that percussion allows... It's really mind blowing.
Carol of the Bells is by far my favorite christmas tune. I ve always been obsessed by how chilling and haunting the melody sounds. So serious, mysterious and dangerous, yet enchanting all the same. I picture a frigid landscape disappearing under a stormy blizzard, any remnants of light struggling to survive in midst of it all. It's like the bells warn you to not take the cold lightly and to not forget how unforgiving winters can be. Incredibly atmospheric!
If you would like to know, the original lyrics to the song are not about christmas at all, its about a Shchedryk ("Bountiful Evening") which is a Ukrainian shchedrivka, or New Year's song, known in English as "The Little Swallow". And about how the little bird is calling out for the master of the house to bring them bountiful luck and good crops
My family and I attended a music festival in Branson, Missouri, many years ago and were delighted by a young man playing a hammered dulcimer - my 5-year-old daughter told me that she thought that was probably the instrument the angels play in Heaven. I had to agree. Beautiful rendition of one of my favorite carols!
" The instrument is from the ancient Egypt..an Ukrainian christmas carol..". An amazing and inspiring woman- Merry Christmas for you and worldpeace for everyone 😍🥰🌻🌲🎁🎄☮
The algorithm somehow led me to your channel and I am glad it did. That was beautiful!!!!!! I’ve always loved the sound of the hammer dulcimer. Thank you for sharing this.
Perfect instrument for the carol of thr bells. Its crystal clear sounds and resonance evokes a cold snowy night, silent except for this music in the background.
Космически!!! ЗВУКИ планет нашего времени... СПАСИБО ВАМ ЗА ТРУД ВО ИМЯ МИРА! И У ВАС ЭТО ПОЛУЧАЕТСЯ НА ОТЛИЧНО!!! ПРОДОЛЖАЙТЕ РАДОВАТЬ ПРОСТРАНСТВО!!!
Cosmic!!! SOUNDS of the planets of our time... THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK IN THE NAME OF PEACE! AND YOU DO IT EXCELLENTLY!!! CONTINUE TO MAKE THE SPACE HAPPY!!!
Musicians never cease to amaze me. I have heard of the dulcimer before, but you rarely hear it these days. I’m so glad RU-vid recommended this…a definite holiday treat! Thank you for the lovely post, and I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season.
Dear Misses Tibbits 👍👌👏 Oh WOW, simply fantastic! A beautiful instrument played by a beautiful Lady. Thanks a lot for recording, editing, uploading and sharing. Best regards, luck and health in particular
This is beautiful! I've always loved the resonance of a Dulcimer's sound. It's pure magic. Well played - I hope your holidays are bright and full of joy this season!
Beautiful instrument, beautifully played. Thank You. While living in Maggie Valley NC I met many people who played bluegrass, folk, jazz and more. The dulcimer was a favorite of mine to listen to. 🪶 Have a very Merry Christmas 🌲 everyone!
What beautiful rendition of Carol Of The Bells... PERFECTION!!! I have found my go to artist when I want to hear this wonderful piece of music...such a great song. Thank you for sharing your magnificent talent. ....Merry Christmas love
That was so lovely! My Daddy made Appalachian Mountain Dulcimers, but they were strummed, not hammered. Wonderful memories, because of your spectacular music! Thank you for sharing!
That was just BEAUTIFUL!!! One of my favorite Christmas song! What a special person you are to be able to play such a beautiful sounding instrument! Thank you for sharing & God bless! 👏👏👏👏👏
My family is from GERMANY. I love this instrument. Bring my Heart MANY lovely memories ❤️ Thank you. One of my favorite songs. You can play this all year round. BLESSED CHRISTMAS Love hugs and prayers
Oh I haven't heard this since I was a kid back in the 1960s. There was a lady in our neighborhood who played that song every Christmas on one of those. I always thought it was beautiful 🥰 Thank you for the memory 😊
What a beautiful instrument, and it gave an enchanting sound to a wonderful carol. Thank you for playing it for us in celebration of the Christmas season! ❤
It is so Beautiful, tears fall as that was my momma's song she played piano, every Christmas music surrounded us. Thank You for the Beauty, and the memories of my Momma❤
This brought back memories from elementary school. My music teacher used to love playing this instrument. I was in awe of how she remembered what strings made what sound and how she made twinkle twinkle little star sound so magical.
It was because of her (and later on my mother) I decided to pick up band in middle & high school. However they've also given me the appreciation of all sorts of instruments, big & small. @@deedeetibbits
What a beautiful instrument and playing my favorite Christmas song. Blessings to Ukraine this Christmas and thank you to Ukraine for bringing us this amazing song, and thank you for playing it! Merry Christmas
I've never seen and never heard anyone playing the Carol of the Bells on such rare and beautiful instrument!.. 😃🤩 It was Manifique, Hypnotising and I would even say so touching! 🥲😌🥰🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 It made me feel indeed incredible by gifting me magical feelings!.... 😍 THANK YOU, DEAR LADY! 👑🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🌹💐🌺🎊🎄🎊
Very pretty. One of my very early exposures to life music was when my family visited a local fair. A woman was creating the most exquisite sound I'd ever heard. I asked her what the instrument was and she said it was a hammer dulcimer. I later learned that the song was the music box dancer. I would love to hear that again someday.
Fantastic playing! The hammered dulcimer is such an interesting, beautiful instrument in the right hands and your excellent playing really brings out just how beautiful it is ❤
Thank you so much for sharing this gem of a performance. Somehow the sound resonates perfectly in your music room. This is pure Christmas Joy. Glory to Ukraine 🙏🏼✨🇺🇦🌻🙏🏾🕊️🕯️ Pray for peace in 2024
You and I share similar ideas. Leading up to Christmas, and then also leading up to Easter, I start posting carols and hymns on different instruments to encourage people to focus on the reason for each season, through music. Thanks for sharing your talents.
Thank you for sharing. My brother sang with different choirs, and he loved singing this carol. Everytime I hear this carol I recall his enthusiasm in singing it. You did an awesome job in playing it. Thank you.
One of my favorite! I’ve was tossing and turning, and was dealing with loneliness. I stumbled across this beautiful piece which brought me to a deal sense of peace- thankful for you🙏
What a treat! I'm from Tennessee and we all love the music of a dulcimer. You did a fabulous job. Carol of the Bells is one of my favorites. Thank you for sharing your talent with us. Merry Christmas and Have a Blessed New Year.🍾 🥂
