History of the Bowed Dulcimer (by Ken Bloom):

The idea of bowing the dulcimer is a very old one and is easily traceable back to at least the 18th century. Before the Civil War, this technique was common. There are examples of older bowed dulcimers in the Mercer Museum in Pennsylvania with their original bows. I have also had reports of others hanging on walls in West Virginia. There are also accounts that tell us there were areas of the country where the instrument was only played with a bow. The evidence is still spotty but this manner of playing seems to have continued right down to the modern era. There is a picture in Jean Ritchie's first dulcimer book of a lady playing her dulcimer with a bow.

I was first aware of the technique back in the 70's and used to do it with some regularity on my first dulcimer. Since the bridge was flat, it was only possible to bow the low or the high string and so the technique was a pleasant effect but wasn't very versatile. When I used this old approach with some fiddle tunes, it occurred to me that I could certainly build an instrument that would make much better use of the bowing technique as well as have an instrument that would sound much better. This led me on what turned out to be about a four year quest In Search of the Bowed Dulcimer
 

Ken Bloom has given solo concerts all over North America since 1974. These have included appearances at many major Folk Festivals and clubs in the U.S. and Canada. In the past he has been a regular performer at the Vancouver, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Owen Sound, Philadelphia, and Mariposa Festivals as well as appearing in major venues across the country and appearances on A Prairie Home Companion. More recently, his appearances have been closer to home. His North Carolina presentations include: The Stokes Stomp, Hiddenite Center, Turkey Festival (Raeford), Red Springs Highland Games, Mt. Airy Storytelling Festival, and many others. These programs include the traditional music of this country as well as Celtic and Eastern European selections. He usually uses Concert zither, Northumbrian-smallpipes, guitar, clarinet, bowed dulcimer and Minstrel banjo, but he will often include other instruments and traditions as well. He tries to introduce audiences to unfamiliar sounds in an entertaining way and expand their musical view of our ever-shrinking world. Ken has been a featured instructor in a new venture coordinated by Lois Hornbostel, "PLAYING THE BOWED DULCIMER" for the past two years at the Western Caroline University Mountain Dulcimer Week which will also be offered in 2005.

Instrument Building:
For the last twenty two years, Ken has been building a wide range of instruments for people. These include those instruments not commonly available from other sources. He has done a tremendous amount of research on these and, wherever possible, has consulted with native builders and players. Click here for a list of instruments Ken has built.

Living History:

Ken also participates in 18th century Living History events, providing period music on period instruments, as well as acting as Sergeant for the Royal Highland Emigrants, 84th Foote. He has presented these programs at National battlefields, Living History sites, Highland Games, and schools all over North and South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Many of these presentations focus on the role of Scottish Highlanders in the 18th century. this interest in history has led Ken to go back and reconstruct many of the instruments of the time and research the music that would have been played on them. This includes the gourd banjo and a detailed study of early antecedents of the mountain dulcimer. Ken's bowed dulcimer is the result of some of these studies.

Click on the thumbnails for a larger view; double-click on the right arrow for more pictures

18th Century Living History Events

Ken Bloom provides music on period instruments

Ken and Border Pipes

This is a caribou legbone flute.

Another of Ken with the Hardanger

But he will play the Hurdy Gurdy

The instrument Ken is leaning over is a langeleik that he built. It's the Norwegian version of the scheitholt.

Ann Martin is checking out Ken's bagpipes - look out Richard, she may like it...

Pretty soon Ann will pass us all by, but that is all right because then she can teach us too.

I don't think this was to cover up the sound of music

I knew you would want to see those cute knees again

Ken Bloom and Rachel Sprinkle of York, South Carolina.

Ann playing Ken's Hardanger

And of course, Ken and his gun

Ken Bloom at Renactments as Sergeant for the Royals Highland Emigrants, 84th Foote

Ken with the hardanger (bowed dulcimer with standard top three strings and five sympathetic strings through a chanel in the fretboard)

Ken with the Hardanger again.

Playing the Border Pipes, a copy of a set from 1746 that Ken made several years ago out of wood from the firewood pile

Ken made the caribou legbone flute as part of a TV series for CBC North in how to make musical instruments with no wood

Another of Ken with the Hardanger

Ken playing the Hurdy Gurdy

The instrument Ken is leaning over is a langeleik that he built. It's the Norwegian version of the scheitholt.

Ann Martin is checking out Ken's bagpipes - look out Richard, she may like it...

Pretty soon Ann will pass us all by, but that is all right because then she can teach us too.

Spanish troops firing a volley

Ken with the Hardanger in his 84th uniform

Ken and Rachel Sprinkle playing duets. She is a very good musician. Plays pennywhistles, hammered dulcimer and bowed dulcimer. They often do duets at reenactments.

 

Ken giving Anne a bowing lesson

The crusty old sergeant ready for battle

.

Ken Bloom at Renactments as Sergeant for the Royals Highland Emigrants, 84th Foote