Traditional role of the mountain dulcimer.
General mountain dulcimer or music discussions
A hundred years ago (1923) the mountain dulcimer was beginning to emerge from isolated communities in the southern Appalachian mountains. With the beginning of the settlement schools northern teachers began sending dulcimers north. At this time the dulcimer was pretty much an instrument played at home for one's own enjoyment. It may have been played at dances but was not a concert instrument. In other words people usually would not have played as a solo performer in a public forum. In 1935 the Galaxy Fiddlers' Convention began. I can't recall if a dulcimer contest took place that year or started later, but we can probably mark that contest as the beginning of dulcimer concerts.
You can find a good bit of information in the discussions Nate cited.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
Here in the U.S., Jean Ritchie is one person whose family story and travels spread awareness there was such a thing as a mountain dulcimer in the central/southern Appalachians. On Jean's album The Most Dulcimer , several different styles of music are represented and it is, perhaps, my favorite record of all the music we have in the house. To me, this album offers a great point of departure for exploring various traditions related to the Appalachian dulcimer.
. I had an aunt who had perfect pitch (and a Steinway piano worth about as much as my house!). When my uncle was learning a right-hand picking pattern for the banjo, she didn't mind the repetition of the picking, but she couldn't stand that he was always practicing in the same key. So he used a capo and would just change keys every few minutes.
Since I have some issues with my right hand, (think lousy Rugby player 50+ years ago) being used to strum so I used to always string up for left handed play. A bit frustrating and all that goes with it, such as chord charts etc. So............I learned to play Galax style.......4 d strings and a noter........makes no difference how you hold that critter, works just fine. So I recommend you give that a whirl and if it doesn't suit 'ya you can return to that "bac'ards ciphering." You can also finger pick a unison Galax stringed instrument and finger dance too. Listen to Phyllis Gaskins and you'll be amazed what that style of play can do. 
) we did a "quadrille." It reminded me of scenes from Jane Austen movies. We were one person short of two group of eight; I suggested calling someone in from the street, but instead they used a large balloon of Mickey Mouse as a place holder (but he couldn't go round the circle weaving between the "follows," aka the ladies. Actually I think Mickey was a follow, he would have needed to weave between the leads). 
