Mihály Vrábel - Galician Style Hurdy Gurdy
The 'hurdy-gurdy' is a mechanical string instrument that produces sound by a hand-crank-turned, rosined wheel rubbing against the strings. The wheel functions much like a violin bow, and single notes played on the instrument sound similar to those of a violin. Melodies are played on a keyboard that presses tangents?small wedges, typically made of wood?against one or more of the strings to change their pitch. Like most other acoustic stringed instruments, it has a sound board and hollow cavity to make the vibration of the strings audible.
This instrument is a rustic hand made 5 string hurdy gurdy with trompette, fully functional and keenly priced. The two melody strings gives this hurdy gurdy slightly more volume over the drone strings.
Suggested Tuning: E A A
melody string E x 2
trompette string A
bass string A
Alternative Tuning: G D g d d (more traditional)