The lap dulcimer gets you thinking in modes. One of the reasons I've had a hard time learning to play it well is that I get so caught up with the dulcimer as a musical theory machine, that the theory and intellectualizing take over, and my fingers never get to feel how to play it. For instance, there is only ONE accidental on my duclimer (the 6-1/2 fret), but it's ALWAYS in the right place, no matter what key or mode I'm in. Why? Is that a zen koan or what?