Hurdy-gurdy

(Ger, Drek’leier, Bau’ernleier; Fr, vielle » It. li’ra tede’sca.) A stringed instr. with a body shaped like that of a lute or guitar, and from 4 to 6 strings, only 2 of which are melody strings, the others being merely drones tuned a fifth apart. ‘The melody-strings (compa are stopped by about 2 ) means of keys ‘octaves: Pd controlled by; the left hand; the right hand turns i crank at the ‘taibead of the instr., which causes a rosined wheel impinging on all the strings to revolve, thus producing the harsh and strident tone. This wheel and the key-mechanism are contained in an oblong box corresponding to the neck of the lute, etc., but set directly on the belly, only the peg-box and head projecting beyond. "The melody-strings pa through this box, and are attached to a tailpiece; the drones lie outside. The music ‘pro_ duced is of the rudest description. The hurdy-gurdy was in great vogue from the roth to the 12th century.