The hammered dulcimer is a stringed musical instrument that consists of a trapezoidal wooden box with strings stretched across it. Players use small mallets, called hammers, to strike the strings, producing a bright and resonant sound. The instrument is often used in folk music and can be found in various cultures around the world. Typically, the hammered dulcimer has a range of two to four octaves and is tuned in a diatonic scale. It features a series of bridges that divide the strings into sections, allowing for different pitches. This instrument is popular in traditional music settings and is often played solo or in ensembles.