On  Tue, 23 Jul 1996, Philip Jamison <mortier@newtech.net> wrote:

> Subject: Hurdy-Gurdy
>
> Remember: a Hurdy-Gurdy is not a barrel organ or a street organ. It's a
> stringed instrument played with a rosined wheel and keys.

I would like to add a few comments if I may:

As a side line to my rebuliding, I build  various kinds of  stringed
folk instruments.  Over the years I have made a few Hurdy-Gurdies and
have done a great deal of research on them.

By the 18th century, the Hurdy-Gurdy ( Vielle a Roue in Fr.) was  wide
spread though out Europe.  For  the most part it was the street music
of is day , the instrument of peasents, beggars, ant other itinerant
musicians.  In  the mid 1700s, a pastorial craze swept France, and the
Vielle became much favored by the ladies of the French royal court and
many fine instruments were made during that period.      Also, many
variations and additions were made.  First, was the floating bridge or
"Dogue", which obtained, by a special method of turning the crank, a
raspy rythmadic accompanyment to the played melody.   In the early 18th
century, some instruments were fitted with a bellows and a small rank
of stopped flute pipes.   I've seen one of this type with a pinned
cylinder to actuate the keys.   I can only surmise the next step was to
ditch the stringed section and go with the pipes, as the  Hudy-Gurdy
itself is  as fussy as any other stringed instrument.

So you see,   They are closely related

Brian (Goatboy) Thornton
Short Mtn. Music Works
109 North Cannon St.
Woodbury, TN 37190
615-563-5814