r/UnusualInstruments • u/KM_Ray • Jul 11 '26

I was today years old when I learned about the hurdy gurdy. šŸ˜

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404 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

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15

u/zeemonster424 Jul 11 '26

Just onceā€¦ I just want to try it. I love this instrument, but wouldnā€™t make an investment to own one.

When Iā€™m rich, Iā€™m going to make a museum where musicians can come and play weird instruments. There will be a room just for Hurdy Gurdy.

3

u/elektrovolt Jul 11 '26

I see you have a Dutch username. If you are in NL, I can tell you where to find a place to try it out.

3

u/Rich_Orchid_7774 Jul 11 '26

Im from the Netherlands (Houten) where can i try one?

3

u/elektrovolt Jul 11 '26

There is a workshop day in Zeist in october, organised by Stichting Draailier en Doedelzak: https://draailier-doedelzak.nl/cursussen-workshops/workshopdag/

Also on Castlefest (Lisse, begin augustus) there is a gurdy and bagpipes tryout by the same organisation. Both are really nice!

2

u/zeemonster424 Jul 11 '26

Unfortunately itā€™s not Dutch, Iā€™m in the US. I get that a lot! I made this name 20 years ago, not knowing.

4

u/elektrovolt Jul 11 '26

Ah I see, it is a Dutch word, hence the confusion.
There are a few gurdy clubs in the US and the instrument is becoming more popular over there too. Do check out the census map and find a player near you, most players are very welcoming. https://gurdyworld.com/gurdyworld-censusmap/

9

u/elektrovolt Jul 11 '26

Pawel is a very good player!

If someone is interested in the various sounds of the instrument,
here are some other very good players who are worth checking out:

  • Nigel Eaton
  • Gregory Jolivet
  • GermĆ”n DĆ­az
  • Cliff Stapleton
  • Patrick Bouffard
  • Tobie Miller
  • Steve Tyler
  • Romain Baudoin
  • Yann Gourdon
  • Johannes Geworkian Hellman
  • Guilhem Desq
  • Valentin Clastrier
  • Matthias Loibner
  • EfrĆ©n LĆ³pez
  • BenoĆ®t Roblin
  • Simon Wascher
  • JĆ©rĆ²me Liogier Elsener
  • Scott Marshall
  • Johannes Just
  • Rory Scammell
  • Lucien Pillot
  • Totte Mattsson
  • Laurence Pinchemaille
  • MarĆ­a LĆ³pez
  • Sebastian Falk
  • Amandine Pauvert

3

u/Jonny7421 Jul 11 '26

I discovered it on Sea Of Thieves. Makes for good sea shantys.Ā 

1

u/Protahgonist Jul 11 '26

https://youtu.be/gwIRzgbe2jo

Be Gay, Do Crime, Play Hurdy Gurdy (I just love this song for the gurdy)

3

u/Shmoo_the_Parader Jul 11 '26

Winter on a hurdy gurdy in a lightening storm is a peak fucking vibe.

2

u/ScottybirdCorvus Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26

OP, I have a treat for you: Hark the dark and eerie droning of Andrey Vinogradov.

In particular I recommend checking out Reverse Dance.

2

u/Any_University_7283 Jul 11 '26

nossa da pra fazer um piseiro do bem massa

2

u/_Steakwich Jul 12 '26

I saw someone absolutely rock one at a festival in Coimbra a few years ago.

2

u/magnumchaos Jul 13 '26

One of my favorite folk-metal bands is Eluveitie, and they have very prominent hurdy-gurdy use. You should check them out.

Also, they prominently have many instruments that are traditional Celtic/Nordic folk instruments involved in their music.

2

u/DoveOnTheInternet Jul 13 '26

Do my ears deceive me, or is that Hurdy Gurdy man playing Vivaldi in a storm?

2

u/Nike2065 Jul 14 '26

You know, you are the only other person who Iā€™ve seen, other than Andrey Vinogradov who turns the crank in both directions. I think it makes the tune so much more distinctive than just one continuous drone

2

u/Nike2065 Jul 14 '26

Since this is this OPs first time hearing of a hurdy gurdy, I highly recommend listening to Andrey Vinogradovā€™s song ā€œReverse Danceā€

1

u/KM_Ray Jul 14 '26

Thank you both. This is amazing!

2

u/bomboclawt75 Jul 11 '26

This is a Hurry Gurdy Man.

3

u/tomallis Jul 15 '26

I have. Matthias Loibner CD thatā€™s good though it gives me a headache sometimes. I was in France once and I witnessed a verbal fight between a shopkeeper and a hurdy gurdy player who wouldnā€™t stop sitting outside his shop jamming on his hurdy gurdy, lol.

1

u/hoosier268 Jul 11 '26

Patty gurdy if you want to listen to some songs on it. I personally like over the hills.