Have you ever come across a musical instrument that’s like a blend of a violin and a guitar? Well, that’s the hurdy-gurdy!
A Hurdy Gurdy is a unique musical instrument that has been around for centuries, making beautiful melodies that can transport you to another time and place.
The hurdy-gurdy works by turning a crank which rotates a wheel, creating a buzzing sound. Meanwhile, the player presses keys to change the pitch of the notes, much like a keyboard. This creates a mesmerizing sound that’s both ancient and modern at the same time. If you are intrigued about learning to play the hurdy-gurdy, we have covered the basics for you in the post below.
How To Play The Hurdy Gurdy?
Much like other musical instruments, you need proper training to play the hurdy-gurdy. It’s like learning a new skill, and if you are just getting started, then follows the guidelines given below.
- First things first, position the hurdy-gurdy on your lap with the strings facing upward and angled slightly away from you. The keys should be at the far end, while the crank for the wooden wheel sits to your right.
- Rest your left arm on top of the instrument, with your left hand poised over the keys. Once you are in position, it’s time to start playing it.
- Before you dive into playing, select which strings you want to use by adjusting the levers. Begin rotating the crank to create a continuous sound. While you keep cranking, press down on a key to produce a note.
- Each key is connected to wedges via wooden arms. When pressed against the vibrating strings, they produce different pitches. These wedges change the pitch by altering the length of the vibrating string.
What’s neat about the hurdy-gurdy is the ability to add vibrato by repeatedly pressing the keys. If you connect a trompette string through the bridge, rotating the crank will create a buzzing sound. And that’s how you play a melody on a hurdy-gurdy.
Final Words
Learning to play a hurdy-gurdy requires time and patience. If you are playing the instrument for the first time, you should take lessons to master your skills.
