RACELAND — Steve Justice holds and strums his dulcimer with a great and gentle love, his eyes closed, taking in the sound that is a comfort to him.

He plays a variety of instruments ’ banjo, guitar, autoharp, Indian flute, fiddle, harmonica ’ but the dulcimer is his favorite.

’It’s a different sound,’ the Ashland native said. ’It’s a soothing sound that’s different that your mind and heart can discern very easily.’

Justice, who practices the uniquely Appalachian instrument for about two hours each day, demonstrates the variety of styles of music that suits the flexible dulcimer. First, he plays a couple of weepy Irish folk songs, followed by the American folk song ’Shennandoah.’

’Ain’t that pretty?’ he said when it ended. ’Now, let’s do something different.’ He launches into ’Beautiful Star of Bethlehem’ and then the hymn ’In the Garden,’ all the while smiling, delighting in the peaceful sound of Kentucky’s state musical instrument.

Gradually, members of the Rail City Dulcimer Society trickle into the basement of Raceland Christian Church for their twice-monthly practice session. Justice is the founder of the group but much of the director during practice sessions is done by Ann Mullins, a retired high school music teacher who traded in her banjo for a dulcimer.

’My sister called and told me about Steve teaching dulcimer lessons,’ she said, explaining she stopped her banjo lessons to make time to be involved in the dulcimer society and she hasn’t regretted it. ’It’s a fun and relaxing activity.’

Justice, a five-year veteran of the dulcimer, said he learned from several teachers in the area: Dan Mahoney of South Point, Dave Haas of Cross Lanes, W.Va., and Larry Karate of Greenup County.

’I just wanted to find some instrument I had not played,’ he said. ’My wife suggested dulcimer and I didn’t know what it was.’

He said he believes it’s important for people in the area to learn to play and enjoy the dulcimer.

’This is Kentucky. It’s Appalachia, it’s Virginia, it’s Tennessee,’ he said. ’It’s just an Appalachian instrument. It’s instilled in us for us to beat on some type of wood or strings or make some kind of whistling noise. It’s carrying on culture.’

He sees the society as a way to educate people about the dulcimer and helping them to understand its flexibility.

’It can be very simple to play or you can play very complicated styles,’ he said. ’You can play it with clarity or in a knee-slapping bluegrass style.’

For beginners, it’s a simple instrument to pick up.

’It’s fairly easy to learn the old mountain way (of playing),’ Justice said. ’If you can whistle, you can learn to play a tune on the dulcimer in 15 minutes.’

He said he also wanted to start the group because of the happiness music brings.

’I know what it is to pick up an instrument and have the joy of being able to play a song on it,’ Justice said. ’It’s an opportunity to train other people to be a blessing to others who are lonely or bedfast or to a family member. It’s a wonderful opportunity for ministry.’

Once the initial greetings and warm-ups are done, Mullins begins to take the role as director, announcing which song musicians should turn to and counting off the beat so the group can start together. They launch into ’Boiled Cabbage’ and then ’Great Speckled Bird,’ two tunes the group seems to have a firm handle on.

The dulcimer society has had a few public performances in its four-year existence, mostly at nursing homes, senior centers and churches. Justice performs a solo about once a month at his church; the society’s next performance will be in May for a group of seniors at Bridges Christian Church.

Mullins said their audiences have been receptive. ’Even people who don’t like mountain music like the dulcimer,’ Mullins said.

The class averages eight to 15 students, each with a different reason for joining the class.

Nannette Stevens of Flatwoods said the historical significance drew her to class.

’I have always been intrigued by the dulcimer,’ she said. ’By the history and the culture for Kentucky. We need to keep it alive.’

Russell resident Ruth Hopkins mentioned the opportunity to socialize. ’It’s just fun to be with all these people. It’s fun and relaxing,’ she said.

Stevens agreed. ’It’s just a lot of fun and fellowship and I’ve met a lot of new friends.’

LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailylindependent.com or (606) 326-2661.