I play mountain dulcimer (lap dulcimer), and one challenge of this instrument is finding new tunes to play. I play it tuned in D-A-A or D-A-G, and I prefer finger-picking to strumming.

Now that you have the background, I would like to share that I've found it rewarding to play ancient chant tunes. "Of the Father's Love Begotten" was my first, and it works quite well.

My second tune is the venerable "Salve Regina." I do it in the key of A, using the 6 1/2 fret and A chords instead of D chords.

This instrument originated an Islamic culture, perhaps the Moors. I have a friend who tells me that there are more references to Mary in the Koran than there are in the New Testament. When I hear how well "Salve Regina" sounds on my dulcimer, I think about that.