Hurdy Gurdy (The medieval wheel instrument)

What is a Hurdy Gurdy? Where did it come from? How is it played? Tuned? Built? We sit down with a local Hurdy-gurdy expert to chat about this medieval instrument.

In a little while I'll put out a video and song with it. Hurdy Gurdy Metal maybe?

My guitar courses are available within the Guitareo membership :)
Also, my beginner course, GuitarQuest, is still available on it's own too

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Assistant editing by Amanda Sellers

Also...

[andrewhuang]

This is a wordy nerdy hurdy gurdy video

[goaltotroll]

The hurdy gurdy guy so excited to have someone who wants to listen about it

[SalaComMander]

This man has been waiting his whole life to talk about this, and I'm so happy he finally got the opportunity.

[BlitzAttacker]

I'd freaking love to see an "obscure" instruments band. Hurdy gurdy, sitar, theremin, glass armonica, lute chikuzen biwa, etc. The sounds that are on other sides of the planet but something in my brain feels they'd sound amazing together.

[luxford]

I like the hurdy gurdy. Mate of mine had one stolen in a burglary at his house in London. amazingly he got it back after somebody bought it in a flea market in Romania. Guy who bought it saw a sticker with my mate's name on it, Googled him and saw the Facebook post about his instruments getting stolen and got in touch. he got it back in time for a gig he was due o play with it, the last gig I went to before the Covid lockdown.

[WastelandBowman]

> has opportunity to play historic instrument
> plays Slayer

Rob is a good man.

[augusonictheracoon]

What a nicely advanced instrument from medieval age, each age had its advanced tecnologies.

[lemongreed]

Jim is so passionate about hurdy gurdy, I'm glad you got him as a guest, it's so wholesome 😭

And shredding riffs on a medieval box-like instrument is not something I ever expected to see but it's so cool

[TarksGauntlet]

"You're crankin'!"
This dudes been at it long enough to have Hurdy Gurdy dad jokes. Bless him.

[namuh]

Can we just appreciate this kind and wholesome man happily explaining everything about his hobby and instrument to a fellow musician and playing with him and genuinely praising him that hes got a talent and it was fun with no envy or sarcasm because rob learns so quick.
This man is humanity+

[peggyhemenger]

Wow, I'm Catholic and I never knew that. I'll have to spring this on our music director/pipe organist and see if he knows this bit of musical history. Hard to believe you two have never played together, well done!

[ApproximatelyCee]

Holy crow! I have never in all of my many years seen someone pick up a musical instrument for the first time and play so beautifully. Bravo! C’est magnifique.

[MorrowSind]

Every town should have a hurdy gurdy guy.

[Zearo]

man, that guy must've been just so chuffed to see this young guy interested in and actively playing this medieval instrument

[phonicalnotion]

This has become one of my new all-time favourite instruments. The sound, the feel, the entire reverberation from it is just so welcoming. Just like bagpipes for me.

[feralbluee]

when i was a kid in the early ‘50’s, we’d visit my mom’s parents in Chicago. there was a really old lady who did have a big hurdy gurdy that she’d take around on wheels - sort of a smaller player piano in size. she’d play it on the streets for handouts. only i think she played it on her own, turning the crank and playing it with her other hand. i had no idea till a week ago that there were hand held instruments. i like hearing the old ballads from medieval times. very rich sound. 🌷🌱

[poshrat]

"Newer instruments, and i mean renaissance and baroque-"

[Snuusnuu]

"I've never played with another Hurdy Gurdy player". That was an amazing complement and a heartfelt statement, I'm sure he was pleasantly surprised and very happy in that moment playing together with you.

[meganh]

I just heard a classical piece with this instrument in it and now I've gone down a rabbit hole. I think this might be one of my favorite-sounding instruments ever

[dAdpool-ltzh]

This guy is simply “the Hurdy Gurdy Man”

I loved this video !