Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > March 2002 > 2002.03.27 > 04Prev  Next


What's a Hurdy-gurdy?
By David Smith

The Oxford Companion to Music describes a hurdy-gurdy thus:

  "A stringed instrument, somewhat of the violin type, played by
turning with the right hand, a handle which operates a rosined wheel
(in effect a circular bow), and by depressing with the left hand a few
finger-keys like those of a piano.  These latter operate an internal
mechanism functioning somewhat like the fingers of the left hand of a
violinist.  Two of its strings produce a continuously sounding low note
and hence resemble in function the drone of a bagpipe."

There is much more, but the entry concludes:

  "The vulgar application of the name 'hurdy gurdy' to the once popular
street piano arises probably from the facts (a) that the latter largely
superseded the former as a means of street entertainment and (b) that
both are played by turning a handle."

I have an excellent photograph of a busker that I saw playing a
hurdy-gurdy outside York Minster.

David S. Smith


(Message sent Wed 27 Mar 2002, 22:30:01 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Hurdy-gurdy, What's

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page