# Trapezoid - Pocket Dulcimer — Authentic Hammered Dulcimer

> Pocket-sized virtual hammered dulcimer with authentic sound and MIDI support. (iPhone/iPad app by Michael Eskin.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trapezoid-pocket-dulcimer/id1069508662 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Michael Eskin](https://appshunter.io/developer/342739369)
- Category: Music, Education
- Price: $1.99
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 10.0 · 46 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2016-01-07
- Data updated: 2026-09-03
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trapezoid-pocket-dulcimer/id1069508662/reviews.md

## What is Trapezoid?

Trapezoid is an amazing Hammered Dulcimer that can fit in your pocket.

Written by an experienced Hammered Dulcimer player, this virtual dulcimer sounds and plays like the real thing!

This app has the full range of a standard 12/11 style (9/9 style for 4:3 format iPads)  instrument and supports both Standard and Michigan (octave) tunings.

12/11 means there are 12 bridges on the Treble (left) side of the instrument, 11 bridges on the Bass (right) side of the instrument.

To play, just touch the strings on either side of the left (Treble) bridge or the left side of the right (Bass) bridge just like on the real instrument.

To get repeated note "drag roll" effects, drag quickly horizontally across the strings. The sensitivity of the drag effect may be set on the settings screen.

Touch the "?" to show the note names for the strings.

Touch the "S" or "M" below the "?" to toggle between Standard and Michigan (octave) tuning.

Touch the "Shhh" icon on the upper right corner to quiet all the strings.

Touch the "i"  to bring up the settings screen where you can set the overall volume, enable or disable the drag roll feature, and set the roll sensitivity for how far you need to drag to get the roll effect.

The app also may be played from a MIDI keyboard connected to a hardware MIDI interface or other MIDI controller or MIDI file player apps.

On the settings page you may select the MIDI channel number.

When playing via MIDI, the app is velocity sensitive based on the velocity sent with the Note-on events.
 
Lowest note is A2 (MIDI note 45).   Range is full chromatic from A2 through D6.

The app will respond to MIDI volume messages on the selected MIDI channel.

To truly experience the full stereo spread of the instrument, plug in a set of headphones or amplified speakers.

Playing Hint for Smaller Phone Users: 
 
On the smaller screen phones the strings are pretty close together. If you are having trouble hitting the notes you want, show the note names by touching the "?" and then, when playing touch directly on the note names for best playing accuracy.

Audio samples of Wes Chappell's amazing dulcimer provided by Jesse Chappell from ThumbJam.com. The instrument was built by James Jones, from Bedford, VA.

I have played and taught the Hammered Dulcimer for over 20 years. This app sounds and plays as close to the real instrument as I'm capable of doing on a touch screen.  

Be sure to visit the AppCordions.com website to watch the demo videos!

## Key features

- Authentic hammered dulcimer sound
- Standard and Michigan tunings
- Drag roll effects
- MIDI keyboard compatibility
- Velocity sensitive MIDI input
- Note name display

## Recent user reviews (2 of 2)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/trapezoid-pocket-dulcimer/id1069508662/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Wow!

*2020-04-30*

I was a hammered dulcimer player for decades. This app brings back great memories!

### 5/5 — Best dulcimer app for iPhone

*2016-02-01*

The best dulcimer app for iPhone. A full 12/11 with good sound samples from a James Jones. Perfectly playable on my iphone6s. It has a bigger layout 15/14 on iPads.

I also have this app on my iPad. I bought 2 other iPad apps before I found this one. This is the best. Decent range and sound with some nice options.
Both versions are great for practice on the go!
It also has an option for 'Michigan' tuning which is octave bass and fun to try.

## Frequently asked questions about Trapezoid

### What is Trapezoid?

Trapezoid is a virtual hammered dulcimer app that accurately replicates the sound and playability of a real instrument. It offers authentic audio samples and supports various playing techniques.

### Does Trapezoid support different tunings?

Yes, Trapezoid supports both Standard and Michigan (octave) tunings. You can easily toggle between them using the 'S' or 'M' buttons on the interface.

### Can I use a MIDI keyboard with Trapezoid?

Absolutely. Trapezoid can be played from a MIDI keyboard connected via a hardware MIDI interface or other MIDI controller apps. It is velocity sensitive and allows you to select the MIDI channel.

### How do I create drag roll effects in Trapezoid?

To achieve repeated note 'drag roll' effects, simply drag quickly horizontally across the strings. The sensitivity of this effect can be adjusted in the settings screen.

### What is the price of Trapezoid?

Trapezoid is a paid app, available for $1.99. This one-time purchase grants you full access to all its features without any in-app purchases or advertisements.

### What devices is Trapezoid compatible with?

Trapezoid is supported on iPhone and iPod devices. It is designed to fit in your pocket, offering a portable musical experience.

### How often is Trapezoid updated?

The latest version of Trapezoid is 2.4, last updated on June 15, 2018. While not frequently updated, it provides a stable and complete hammered dulcimer experience.

### Does Trapezoid have ads?

No, Trapezoid does not contain advertisements. As a paid application, it offers an uninterrupted musical experience without any ads.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 2.4 — 2018-06-15

This update from Apple will improve the functionality of this app. No new features are included.

Added an overall volume slider on the controls page.

The app may now be played from a MIDI keyboard connected to a hardware MIDI interface or other MIDI controller or MIDI file player apps.

Added velocity-sensitive MIDI control. Lowest note is A2 (MIDI note 45).

MIDI range is fully chromatic from A2 to D6.

Set the MIDI channel on the controls page.

The app will respond to MIDI volume messages on the selected MIDI channel.

Performance improvements:

Works with more General MIDI player apps.

Added support for MIDI Volume messages when used as a MIDI sound module.

### 2.3 — 2018-06-13

The app may now be played from a MIDI keyboard connected to a hardware MIDI interface or other MIDI controller or file player apps.

Added velocity-sensitive MIDI control. Lowest note is A2 (MIDI note 45).

MIDI range is fully chromatic from A2 to D6.

Set the MIDI channel on the controls page.

Bug fixes and performance improvements:

Works with more General MIDI player apps.

More robust MIDI data parser.

### 2.2 — 2018-06-12

The app may now be played from a hardware MIDI keyboard connected to a hardware MIDI interface or other MIDI controller apps.

When playing via MIDI, the app is velocity sensitive based on the velocity sent with the Note-on events.

Set the MIDI receive channel on the settings screen.

Lowest note is A2 (MIDI note 45). Range is full chromatic from A2 through D6.

When playing via MIDI, the volume is based on the Treble bridge notes volume.

Bug Fix:

Fixed issue with MIDI Controllers that send Note-On events with velocity zero instead of sending Note-Off events.

### 2.1.2 — 2018-06-11

The app may now be played from a hardware MIDI keyboard connected to a hardware MIDI interface or other MIDI controller apps.

When playing via MIDI, the app is velocity sensitive based on the velocity sent with the Note-on events.

Set the MIDI receive channel on the settings screen.
 
Lowest note is A2 (MIDI note 45).  Range is full chromatic from A2 through D6.

When playing via MIDI, the volume is based on the Treble bridge notes volume.

### 1.3 — 2016-02-10

Minor bug fixes and performance improvements.

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## More apps by Michael Eskin

- [Concertina - Anglo Concertina](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/concertina-anglo-concertina/id343270484)
- [Regulators for Uilleann Pipes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/regulators-for-uilleann-pipes/id348529289)
- [JustDrones - Tunable Just Intonation Drones](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/justdrones-tunable-just-intonation-drones/id348861427)
- [Englitina - English Concertina](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/englitina-english-concertina/id349451473)
- [Uilleann - Pocket Irish Pipes](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/uilleann-pocket-irish-pipes/id353684178)
- [Canntina - MacCann Concertina](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/canntina-maccann-concertina/id360579654)

All apps by Michael Eskin: https://appshunter.io/developer/342739369

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-03.*