Dr. Warner playing the hammered dulcimer.

David Warner, M.D., stands before his hammered dulcimer, which is set at an angle in front of him, right beside the baby grand in his living room. Using two light, wooden "hammers," he strikes the many sets of strings stretched across the bass, treble and short bridges on the trapezoid-shaped, wooden sounding board. Amazingly, 10 years ago, Dr. Warner, an anesthesiology researcher who directs Mayo Clinic's Anesthesia Clinical Research Unit, had never even heard of a hammered dulcimer. Today, he's a self-taught, accomplished hammered dulcimist--there can't be many researchers who can claim that title.

"I first heard a hammered dulcimer at a concert," explains Dr. Warner. "I was so taken with it that I immediately ordered a kit, put an instrument together and starting teaching myself how to play."

The Latin word dulcis means sweet; a good descriptor for the sound of the hammered dulcimer, which is both bright and light. It has a bell-like tone because there is nothing to dampen it, a quality that gives Dr. Warner a "sense of adventure" because any errant notes ring for a very long time.

Click here to hear "Carol of the Bells" played by Dr. Warner.

Being self-taught was a necessity in Minnesota where there are very few hammered dulcimer players and even fewer teachers. Although he pleads that, apart from being a bimanual instrument, the skill set necessary for playing a hammered dulcimer has nothing in common with a piano, Dr. Warner's musical background can't have hurt. His first career choice was to be a classical pianist.

"I had a very kind teacher who guided me away from that fanciful decision," he quips.

Among attributes that attracted him to the instrument are the pleasing sound, tactile satisfaction and its flexibility. He enjoys making his own arrangements.

"The action of striking with the hammers is very soothing," he explains. "It's fun to take a basic tune and arrange it in a style that suits this instrument. You can play everything from Bach to Broadway tunes to jazz, and it makes great wedding music."

Having moved on from his kit-produced hammered dulcimer, Dr. Warner now relaxes by playing on a beautiful, professional instrument. He also plays at weddings, and at Mayo Clinic's "Heritage Days" with other Mayo physician-musicians. And, if you're intrigued by the concept of an unusual summer parade that stands still while the spectators walk around it, visit Whalen, Minn.--you just might see Dr. Warner playing in person.

- Yvonne Hubmayr