The dulcimer is a commonly used percussion instrument in China. It is of the same origin as the piano. Its timbre has distinct characteristics, with a large volume and a combination of hardness and softness. When played slowly, the timbre is like a ding-dong mountain spring, and when played fast, it is like a murmur of flowing water. The tone is bright, as crisp as big beads and small beads falling on a jade plate. It is extremely expressive and can be played solo, in ensemble or as accompaniment for qinshu, rap and opera. It often plays the role of "piano accompaniment" in folk instrumental ensembles and national bands, and is an indispensable main instrument.

The correct strike method is not only the guarantee of all performance skills, but also has an important influence on the maintenance of the dulcimer. It is important to have a dulcimer with a good sound quality, but if you strike the strings incorrectly, not only will it not make it sound beautiful, but it will also reduce its lifespan.

The first thing to do is to use the correct "string touch point", which refers to the position where the bamboo falls on the strings. Generally, it is better to be about 2 cm away from the piano yard. This is the best position for the strings to vibrate, and the tone is better. The rule is that the higher the pitch, the closer the touch point is to the bridge, and the lower the pitch, the farther the touch point is from the bridge. Using the correct "touch point" refers to the position where the strings touch the bamboo. Generally, the basic timbre of the dulcimer played by the middle part of the bamboo head is pure and melodious. If the timbre needs to be changed, it can be slightly adjusted up and down to obtain a bright and honest timbre. In addition, the incorrect angle and force of the strings will also cause uneven force on the strings, incomplete vibration of the sound, resulting in string running and noise.

The above content is some common sense of selecting and maintaining the dulcimer. With these common sense, we can better grasp the performance of the dulcimer when playing, and make it fully used and played.