BlackDog, seems the foot stomper would be easy to come up with on your own, it is a good idea. Lisa I do like the tambo on the shoe thing too. 
Back up rhythm devices
Lisa, You may have invented a new shoe style. 
But seriously, this is a neat idea. I wish I had saved all the little percussion "toys" from when my boys were little...
I really want to learn how to beat out rhythm on my dulcimer while playing....
This is more expensive but leave it to the cigar box guitarists to come up with something interesting! On the C.B. Gitty site there is info and a You Tube video of their spokesman stomping it out. https://www.cbgitty.com/cigar-box-guitars/shane-speal-foot-stomper-active-foot-percussion-instrument-standard-model-1/
If nothing else, it may serve as inspiration. Barb
That is just "too cute"!!! Love it!
One of our members here on FOTMD has some fun ways to provide percussion. Check him out you may get a lots of ideas and he and his pal are really enjoyable to watch. Enjoy!
I really like the idea of stringing bells to your shoes.
I use two different foot rhythm devices- both are 'low tech' though:
I made an ankle percussion strap that closes with Velcro. I sewed various rattling/jangling things on it. When I tap my foot with my heel, it works well but obviously does not sound like a drum, more like rattles. But when combined with the stomp of a hard heel on my shoe, it works nicely. This doesn't work as well if you are a toe-tapper rather than a heel tapper.
Same thing with putting a tambourine under my foot- I put the tambo on the floor with the skin side down. Then I put my toe into it and that lets my heel rest on the rim edge that's nearest me. I then tap my heel down on the tambo rim and that creates the rhythm. There's a percussive quality if you use your heel assertively.
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Those irritated by grain of sand best avoid beach.
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Paula, I have not used any of these devices. You can do a search for drum machines which are devices that create drum sounds/rhythms and are connected to amplifiers. Usually they come in the form of pedals. Looking at stores like Elderly Instruments or Sweetwater, you can find many options. Another way of doing it, I think, is by using an iPad/tablet or computer or phone, with some app on it that produces rhythms. I think the latest Dulcimer Geek podcast at DPN talks about pedals for use with dulcimers. Check it out at the Dulcimer Players News website. Sequencers and samplers may also produce rhythms for accompaniment.
Ken
"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."
They are generically called Rhythm Boxes, and run from $60 up. Some have an optional foot pedal. Korg (the same folk who make electronic tuning devices) makes several versions.
A lot of professional musicians have something that provides rhythm... drums sounds etc. They use Some sorts of pedals and whatever... Can anyone enlighten me on what you need to provide rhythm? Are they using a keyboard that is programmed to provide rhythm? but I do see them using a pedal... I am totally lost on this one!
what do they use?
