i am in similar situation

[ but with 30 years guitar playing experience to apply to dulcimer]

i live in UK and have never known any dulcimer players in my circle of mates..

so i'm playing by ear
and working out finger/thumb method that feels comfortable
for playing chords and melodies..

cant play dulcimer without thumb, its essential..


[but not much use on strumsticks with thick necks]



i was working out chords for myself in DAA & DAG tuning

but then found this really useful cheap book on ebay

"Dulcimer chord book" Neal Hellman [Mel Bay]


i definitely recommend you check it out on ebay or amazon


btw.. its interesting learning to play dulcimer
and also at the same time
the same chord shapes mirror imaged on 'upside down'
strumsticks stringing..