I think there are two general ways of playing the dulcimer, fretting the melody string and strumming all three or four strings like Jeane Richie, or creating chords with the left hand, and picking it like Howie Mitchel demonstrates on his book and record on playing the Appalachian Dulcimer, the one that the Patons sell, at Folk Legacy, www.folklegacy.com , the blickey screen doesn't seem to be working tonight.
Howie Mttchell
The Mountain Dulcimer, How to Make and Play It (BK29) booklet
The Mountain Dulcimer, How to Make and Play It (C5) cassette or the whole Monte,
The Mountain Dulcimer, How to Make and Play It(CBK29) Book and Cassette $ 16.95

You can do either, but you ought to give Howie's way a try and see which you like.

   Sandy, do you have these cassettes on CD yet?

   Dave