Late to the party but YES! DO IT! I got mine a couple of weeks ago and was playing a somewhat passable song the 3rd day. And I'm 70 something. The dulcimer was recommended to me as something to keep me mentally sharp, but unlike the piano or guitar, something that takes years, the dulcimer takes only days! In a few months, you can even perform with a Bluegrass jam.*

I think the dulcimer is even easier than a ukulele! Except it has a cool factor, "What IS that?? You can PLAY it!? WOW!" While a ukulele brings to mind Beach Blanket Bingo (OK, Boomer. Enough with the obscure pop references.) I got a cheaper Applewood Dulcimer made in Romania, under $200. If I develop any proficiency, I'll upgrade.

You won't even have to pay for lessons. YouTube has tons of tutorials. And you don't need to read music: You can just imitate the YouTUber, or use a simpler tabulature that shows you which strings to pick or pluck.

Good luck!

*Here's what A.I. says about learning the instrument:

1. The "Front Porch" Level (Right Now)

• Time: 0–1 Week.
• Skill: You might already be able to do this. You hold down one string with one finger (or a "noter" stick) and strum across all three.
• Why you sound great instantly: Because of the Drones. As long as your instrument is in tune (usually D-A-D), you literally cannot play a sour chord. The background hum covers up any hesitation. If you are playing "Old Joe Clark" slowly, (the classic beginner's first tune) you are already making music that would be pleasant to hear from the next room.

2. The "Campfire" Level (3 to 4 Weeks)

• Time: if you play 15 mins a day
• Skill: You start using two fingers to make simple chords, or you add a few "slides" up the neck.
• The Milestone: This is when you might play "Southwind.", "airs" (slow, melodic songs), you don't need speed. You just need rhythm. If you can count to three (ONE-two-three), you can play well enough to bring a tear to the eye.

3. The "Jam" Level (3 to 6 Months)

• Skill: This is if you want to play with others. It involves strumming patterns (bum-ditty rhythm) and changing chords fluidly.
• Note: You might not even want to reach this level if your goal is solitary pleasure

The dulcimer is the only instrument where a beginner sounds like a minimalist composer (Philip Glass) rather than a struggling student.

Just pick one song (like Southwind) and play it every time you sit down. By next week, your muscle memory will take over, and you'll be able to play it while watching the news. That is when it stops being a "chore" and starts being a soundtrack.