The cimbalom is a large, trapezoidal hammered dulcimer used primarily in the music of Hungary and Eastern Europe. While small hammered dulcimers have existed for centuries, the modern concert cimbalom was perfected by József Schunda in Budapest in 1874. He added a heavy frame and a dampening pedal, which allowed the instrument to function much like a piano in terms of sustain and dynamics. The player strikes the numerous metal strings with two beaters (mallets), which are tipped with soft or hard leather. The cimbalom is a hallmark of Romani ('Gypsy') music but has also been used by classical composers like Franz Liszt and Igor Stravinsky. Its sound is bright and percussive yet capable of haunting resonance. It remains a complex instrument to play, requiring the musician to navigate a dense web of strings to perform rapid-fire chromatic melodies and rich chords.