Singleton Appalachian Dulcimer

Object Details

Singleton, W. C.

Description

This Appalachian dulcimer was made by William C. Singleton in Viper, Kentucky, 1939. It is a single-bout dulcimer, with a wood nut and bridge, 4 strings (1 melody and 3 done), 16 metal frets, 2 heart-shaped sound holes and 4 small round sound holes on body, 2 round sound holes on fretboard, carved out pegbox with 4 wooden friction pages, and rounded head. There is an index card taped to the back of the dulcimer with typed text:

C 7 single bout Smith D 60 p. 75
1 of 4 strings fretted on 16 frets, hearts turned up to xx
possibly played held up with pegs down

and (label inside right sound hole):

”Viper, KY, W. C. Singleton
No. of dulcimer 83/August 2, 1939, my age 79 years"
Contributed to the Anne Grimes collection by the New York
Public Library 1952
Singleton was a friend and neighbor of the famous Ritchie
family, traditional dulcimer players and singers who also
told Mrs. Grimes that "Will Singleton sometimes made large
box type dulcimers known in Ohio as "scantlin's" (also
included in Grimes collection)."

Anne Grimes (1912-2004) was an American journalist, musician, and historian of American (particularly Midwestern) folklore. Grimes studied voice and piano at Ohio Wesleyan and initiated graduate studies at Ohio State University. Following her education, Grimes was a music teacher, music and dance critic, and radio host. After WWII, Grimes began collecting and documenting folk songs throughout Ohio, as well as collecting Appalachian dulcimers and zithers. She would continue this work, performing, recording, and lecturing on instruments from her collection throughout the rest of her career.

Location

Currently not on view

1939

ID Number

1996.0276.16

accession number

1996.0276

catalog number

1996.0276.16

collector/donor number

D60

Object Name

dulcimer

Physical Description

wood (overall material)

Measurements

overall: 2 7/8 in x 6 1/4 in x 34 3/4 in; 7.3025 cm x 15.875 cm x 88.265 cm

place made

United States: Kentucky, Viper

Related Publication

Smith, L. Allen. Catalogue of Pre-Revival Appalachian Dulcimers

See more items in

Culture and the Arts: Musical Instruments

Music & Musical Instruments

Dulcimers

National Museum of American History

Record ID

nmah_608121

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a4-4ff0-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa