Hurdy-gurdy, squat, pear-shaped fiddle having strings that are sounded not by a bow but by the rosined rim of a wooden wheel turned by a handle at the instrument’s end.
Is hurdy-gurdy a string instrument?
The hurdy-gurdy is a mechanical string instrument that produces sound by a hand-crank-turned, rosined wheel rubbing against the strings. ... Melodies are played on a keyboard that presses tangents—small wedges, typically made of wood—against one or more of the strings to change their pitch.
Is a hurdy-gurdy a Chordophone?
The hurdy-gurdy is a chordophone whose sound is often compared to the bagpipe, mainly because both have a bourdon or drone.
Is the Hurdy-Gurdy a medieval instrument?
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).
What family does the hurdy-gurdy belong to?
Definition and description of the Hurdy-gurdy: The Hurdy-gurdy was introduced to England during the 12th century – the bow was replaced by strings attached to a wheel which was cranked by a handle. Family of Instruments: The Hurdy-gurdy belongs to the family of String instruments .
Is the hurdy gurdy hard to play?
The hurdy-gurdy, like many other instruments is very easy to play some good sounding music on, but also provides years’ worth of learning if you want to delve deeply into it. It is easier than fretted instruments to get started on because you don’t have to learn to press down the strings.
How expensive is a hurdy-gurdy?
For a good hurdy gurdy, even a basic one, you should expect to pay at least $1,000 .
What country is the hurdy gurdy from?
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.
Why are hurdy Gurdys so expensive?
Why are hurdy gurdies so expensive? A hurdy gurdy is a complex machine , requiring heroic skill sets in both woodworking and metal working. ... Keep in mind that there are over 200 parts in a Hurdy gurdy (including over 90 moving parts). This means a building curve that is much more complex than other instruments.
What is the weirdest instrument?
- 1 The Great Stalacpipe Organ. ...
- 2 The Blackpool High Tide Organ. ...
- 3 The road that plays Rossini. ...
- 4 Musical ice. ...
- 5 The Cat Piano. ...
- 6 Aeolus Acoustic Wind Pavilion. ...
- 7 The Musical Stones of Skiddaw. ...
- 8 The Singing Ringing Tree.
How old is the Hurdy Gurdy instrument?
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.
How heavy is a hurdy-gurdy?
The size of an acoustic hurdy-gurdy goes around 7 x 17 x 10 In (17 x 43 x 25 Cm) and has a weight of around 5.2 Lbs (2 Kgs) which’s the size and weight of a violin.
Why is the hurdy gurdy important?
The most important role of the hurdy-gurdy was its function in secular music . During the early thirteenth century it had been completely transformed into a much smaller, portable device known as a chifonie (French) or symphonia (from Greek sym-phonos = harmonious sounds), played by a single musician.
Is the hurdy gurdy Irish?
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.
What era is the hurdy gurdy from?
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.
