Sam Rizzetta
Encyclopedia
Sam Rizzetta is a hammered dulcimer
player, builder, and designer originally from Chicago
, and now living in Inwood, West Virginia
.
Rizzetta discovered the hammered dulcimer while working in the repair of guitar
s and illustrated books in the 1960s to put himself through graduate school. His first exposure to the instrument was hearing the traditional player Chet Parker
. Sam and his wife Carrie moved east around 1968, and he took a job with the Smithsonian Institution
. Within a few years he transitioned to playing and building instruments on a full-time basis.
In 1974, Rizzetta and Paul Reisler formed a string band called Trapezoid
, along with Pete Vigour and Paul Yeaton. The group's trademark was hammered dulcimer quartets, which included soprano and bass models designed by Rizzetta. Rizzetta performed with the group until 1978, when he decided to pursue solo playing, and concentrate more on building and composing. As a performer he is best known for his hammered dulcimer playing, but his recordings often feature the Appalachian dulcimer
as well. He was active in teaching the dulcimer at the Augusta Heritage Center
at Davis and Elkins College
for many years starting in 1981. Rizzetta has also been a regular columnist in Dulcimer Players News, writing the Technical Dulcimer column.
Rizzetta is particularly noted for a number of innovations in hammered dulcimer design. These include bridge markers (a standard feature of modern instruments), chromatic designs, extra bridges, damper pedals, and many more. Rizzetta has collaborated closely with the Dusty Strings Company of Seattle, Washington
; they have produced a "Rizzetta series" of chromatic models for many years.
Hammered dulcimer
The hammered dulcimer is a stringed musical instrument with the strings stretched over a trapezoidal sounding board. Typically, the hammered dulcimer is set on a stand, at an angle, before the musician, who holds small mallet hammers in each hand to strike the strings...
player, builder, and designer originally from Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, and now living in Inwood, West Virginia
Inwood, West Virginia
Inwood is a census-designated place in Berkeley County, West Virginia, United States, located south of Martinsburg. The population was 2,954 at the 2010 census. It is located on U.S...
.
Rizzetta discovered the hammered dulcimer while working in the repair of guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s and illustrated books in the 1960s to put himself through graduate school. His first exposure to the instrument was hearing the traditional player Chet Parker
Chet Parker
Chet Parker was a hammered dulcimer player from Michigan.Chet Parker was born the son of a blacksmith. His first instruments were the snare drum and the fife. He also learned to play the fiddle and to read music. He was introduced to the hammered dulcimer by a friend, who loaned him one, in 1900...
. Sam and his wife Carrie moved east around 1968, and he took a job with the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
. Within a few years he transitioned to playing and building instruments on a full-time basis.
In 1974, Rizzetta and Paul Reisler formed a string band called Trapezoid
Trapezoid (band)
Trapezoid is an American folk music group led by Paul Reisler. Founded in 1975 by Sam Rizzetta, they began as a quartet of hammer dulcimer players. Two of the four played the traditional hammer dulcimer, while the other two played baritone and treble hammer dulcimers specially designed by Rizzetta...
, along with Pete Vigour and Paul Yeaton. The group's trademark was hammered dulcimer quartets, which included soprano and bass models designed by Rizzetta. Rizzetta performed with the group until 1978, when he decided to pursue solo playing, and concentrate more on building and composing. As a performer he is best known for his hammered dulcimer playing, but his recordings often feature the Appalachian dulcimer
Appalachian dulcimer
The Appalachian dulcimer is a fretted string instrument of the zither family, typically with three or four strings. It is native to the Appalachian region of the United States...
as well. He was active in teaching the dulcimer at the Augusta Heritage Center
Augusta Heritage Center
Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins, West Virginia, is a non-profit organization which fosters the scholarly study and practice of traditional arts in music, dance, craft, and folklore....
at Davis and Elkins College
Davis and Elkins College
Davis & Elkins College, also known as D&E, is a small residential liberal arts college located in Elkins, West Virginia, United States. The school was founded in 1904 and is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church. It was named for Henry G. Davis and his son-in-law Stephen B. Elkins who were both...
for many years starting in 1981. Rizzetta has also been a regular columnist in Dulcimer Players News, writing the Technical Dulcimer column.
Rizzetta is particularly noted for a number of innovations in hammered dulcimer design. These include bridge markers (a standard feature of modern instruments), chromatic designs, extra bridges, damper pedals, and many more. Rizzetta has collaborated closely with the Dusty Strings Company of Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
; they have produced a "Rizzetta series" of chromatic models for many years.
Discography
- Trapezoid (self-titled), 1975 (reissued, 1998)
- Bucks & Does, 1982
- Seven Valleys, 1987
- When You And I Were Young, 1989
- Christmas In The Air, 1991
- In The Garden, Hymns For Hammer Dulcimer, 1992
- Ocean's Edge', 1993
- Flowing Waters, 1993
- Saving Trees, 1999
- Dulcimer Boogie, 2000
- Peace Of Christmas, 2003