I know this may attract flak but for me there are few things more exciting than a well played bodrhan and I love hammer dulcimer ( am struggling to learn to play one and can't afford the other). But I think some of the enjoyment comes from the fact that I can't reproduce those sounds myself... it's a bit like learning a new song which obsesses you until learned.Once you have it down pat it loses some of it's magic....or is that just me?