The Prelude is the perfect setup for a beginning hammered dulcimer player. Built with a laminated Finland birch soundboard and finished in a striking black, the Prelude is exceptionally sturdy and stable and offers a sweet, balanced sound. The 2½ octave, 12/11 arrangement corresponds to all the well-known instructional materials. The Prelude has 2½ octaves of range; the lowest note is the G below middle C. There are 12 courses of strings on the treble bridge and 11 courses on the bass bridge. This configuration is often referred to as 12/11. Easily available keys are G, D, C and F, along with their relative minors. There are a variety of chromatic notes available in each key. Price includes C10 transport case, 28-inch and 5-inch leg, tuning key, single-sided wooden hammers, note guide strips and manual.