The hurdy-gurdy is a string instrument that produces sound by a hand-turned crank, rosined wheel rubbing against the strings. The wheel functions much like a violin (or nyckelharpa) bow, and single notes played on the instrument sound similar to those of a violin.

A string instrument that was set up primarily for the purpose of making drones was the hurdy-gurdy; at least, that is the modern name for it. In the Middle Ages, it was known in Latin as the organistrum and the symphonia, and in French as the vielle à roue (the vielle with the wheel).

The hurdy-gurdy was first mentioned in the 10th century as the organistrum. It was then a church instrument played by two men, one fingering the keys, one turning the wheel. Secular , one-man forms, called symphonia, appeared in the 13th century.

A Short History of the Hurdy-Gurdy. The hurdy-gurdy is a fascinating instrument which dates back to medieval times, but which is today enjoying a popular revival in many countries, particularly France, both as a folk instrument and for the performance of medieval and 18 th - century music.

During the 18th century, the hurdy gurdy gained popularity as French court instrument. During this time, it's evolution took it to six strings, as well as the addition of resonant sympathetic strings. They also became much more ornately decorated. Pictured is an antique from the 1800's.

WHAT IS A HURDY GURDY? The hurdy gurdy, known in France as the vielle a roue or vielle for short, is an ancient instrument which is undergoing a modern renaissance in Europe and America. First, to dispel a popular misconception: the hurdy gurdy was not played by the organ grinder or his monkey. They used a large music box operated by a crank ...

The hurdy-gurdy dates back to the 10th century when it was a large, two-person instrument known as the organistrum. Later in the middle ages it developed a smaller, typically rectangular form known as the symphonia.

Feb 27, 2025 · Hurdy-gurdies have strings that are sounded by a disc that is turned by a crank held in the player’s right hand. Some strings are drones whereas others are depressed by keys played by left-hand fingers. Hurdy-gurdies differ from mechanical barrel organs (sometimes also called hurdy-gurdies).

Jan 20, 2017 · Here we also find information for anyone wishing to understand the mechanical workings of this complex instrument and facts about continuo playing, rhythmic inequality, ornamentation, and double-stopping as applied to the 18th-century hurdy-gurdy.

Apr 8, 2023 · Organistrum from portico de la Gloria, Galicia, Spain. The Medieval hurdy gurdy is the real origin, here you will find the early examples of instruments of the medieval period dating aproximately from the year 1075 to the 1400, an ancient instrument with many years of history.