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Hurdy-gurdies come in various shapes. Guitar-shape, lute shape and this shape known as a Bosch hurdy-gurdy as it is famously featured in a 15 th century painting called “The Garden of Earthly Delights: Hell” by Hieronymus Bosch.

My instrument was made by Chris Eaton. It is played by turning a handle which drives a wheel that bows the strings. There are up to four drone strings and one or two melody strings. These are stopped by little wooden tangents activated by a kind of keyboard played by the left hand. One of the drone strings, called a trompette, can be played with a rhythmic buzz because of a little hinged bridge for that string which acts like a snare.

My favourite keys are G and C, but can also play in A and D.

This excerpt is part of the medieval piece Macar Estampie.