"How does the Hurdy Gurdy work?"
When we turn a Hurdy Gurdy's crank, it spins the wheel that rubs against 3 types of strings: The melody strings (which are controlled by the keyboard), the low drones (which are always playing in the background), and the trompettes (which make a percussive buzzing sound when we tap patterns with the crank). Video demonstration here
"Where does the Hurdy Gurdy come from?"
Hurdy Gurdies are descended from the larger "Organistrum" which first appeared in the 10th century. It's unknown where the instrument originated - it was recorded throughout the Middle East and Europe.
"How difficult is the Hurdy Gurdy to play?"
All instruments have their unique challenges, but we would compare it most closely to the piano. It requires the same finger dexterity and hand independence. In our opinion, the most difficult part of the Hurdy Gurdy is maintenance. They are notoriously sensitive, require constant adjustment, and players have to learn to troubleshoot problems themselves. In some countries like France or Spain, you can go to your local Luthier for repairs, but that isn't available in the United States. It takes a lot of determination and persistence to be a Hurdy Gurdy player outside of Europe, but it's extremely rewarding!
"Where can I buy a Hurdy Gurdy?/ What kind of Hurdy Gurdy should I buy?"
It's extremely important to do your research before buying a Hurdy Gurdy! It's very common for people to get scammed and waste thousands of dollars on bad quality Hurdy Gurdies. If you're interested in buying one, please check out the excellent buying guide here. If you are seriously considering purchasing one, we can also provide some recommendations (Contact form below).
"Where can I learn to play the Hurdy Gurdy?"
Opportunities for lessons are limited in the United states, but there are several options! We offer in-person lessons in Frederick, MD - please reach out for availability (Contact form below). A student Gurdy is available to use during the lessons, so you can try it out without buying your own. We can also recommend some online teachers and highly recommend attending a larger Hurdy Gurdy workshop. The "local" ones are in Montreal (July), New Hampshire (August) and Indiana (September). See details here