Well, that's purdy much what I've said... The more you play it the easier it gets... And if one allready plays other stringed instruments and has gotten the finger-picking down then you are half way there to being able to play a lap (church, Appalacian) dulcimer well... Now I do recommend using finger "picks" even though I finger pick guitars without them... They give you a little more favorable picking geometry with the thing on yer lap...

Yes, holding the sumabich on the lap is a problem and requires some work on the knee on the frtting hand... Also, I know it is a sin but you can cheat a little by placing yer picky finger down on the top of the dulcimer while figer picking it provides a little stability on the "stern" end of the instrument...

BTW, in case folks aren't aware of it being called a church dulcimer, it is because it was used as the only accompanyiing instrument in many rural churches where organs or pianos were not affordable...

B~