What tunings are available or common for the hurdy-gurdy?
Almost all of the HG’s we build are tuned in G/C tuning, also called Auvernait because of its popularity in the Auvergne region in the center of France. This is the most common tuning used in North America. G/C tuning has the chanter or chanters tuned to g’, which gives a C scale on the bottom row of keys, just like a piano. The trompette may be tuned to c’ or more recently to g’, the mouche is g, the petit bourdon is c, and the gros bourdon is G. Another popular tuning is D/G, called Bourbonnais or Berrichon because of its use in the Berry region which is to the east of the the Auvergne. The chanters are tuned in octaves, to a high d” and a low d’. This tuning gives a G scale on the bottom row of keys. The trompette is tuned to d’, the mouche is g, the petit bourdon is d, and the gros bourdon is G. Other tunings are available simply by choosing the right strings so that the tension is correct. Trying to tune the chanter strings up a whole note can cause the strings to break because of
