Hurdy-Gurdy is a musical instrument which not familiar to many of us. Here is a video on this unusual instrument, captured by Rob Scallon and explained by Jim Carrol. Hurdy-Gurdy is a medieval wheel instrument dating back to thousand years ago. The name literally means a String Instrument of the Wheel. Hurdy-Gurdy was replaced by the Pipe Organs later.
The instrument was initially used in the Catholic Church and its original function was liturgical (for worship) as explained by Jim. There are about 80 moving parts in the Hurdy-Gurdy instrument. There is a turning wheel, keys and tuning pegs to tune the strings to produce different notes. The wheel is turned by hand which produces vibration of the strings. The wheel acts like a bow.
Let us watch Jim Carrol explaining about this instrument.
