Where did the Hurdy Gurdy come from?
The hurdy gurdy first appeared in Europe sometime between the 10th and 12th centuries. It was originally called the oraganistrum. In its earliest form, it was a two-man instrument consisting of 3 strings, a wheel turned by a crank, and a series of rotation buttons that were turned like door keys to stop the stings at different lengths. One person turned the crank, and the other turned the keys with both hands – a rather cumbersome operation! It was usually played in church to accompany the chants of the choir. The current sliding button action came into being about the the 13th century, allowing the instrument to be played more quickly, and by one person. It then became popular as a secular instrument among beggars and street musicians, and even enjoyed a brief stint in the royal court of Louis XIV. Although the hurdy gurdy was never accepted as a chamber instrument, it survives in France today as the “vielle a roue”, and is still popular among folk musicians. Most people are fascinate
