I was browsing Loreena McKennitt´s web site and I took a look at the video The “Mummers Dance”; on the video, arond the 20 seconds mark there´s a guy sitting, cranking an odd musical instrument (I suppose), what is it?
P.S: I´m a big fan of Loreena´s music. 
couldnT view the video, but ut’s probably a hurdy gurdy.
Yeah… looks like it.
Now, how the heck is that played??? 
Quote from Mr. Blue Sky link:
That´s mostly Greek to me, trompette?, petit bourdon?? and a gross one to boot.
Is this some kind of musical instruments combo? :dubious:
Now I get the picture… but I´m not sure of how it sounds, could it be the dronning instrument at the begining of the song?
By the way, I just checked the booklet in the “Book of Secrets” CD and the hurdy-gurdy player is Nigel Eaton.
Very likely. This site has a link to a sound sample:
http://www.s-hamilton.k12.ia.us/antiqua/hurdy.htm
Good for playing while singing songs of love …
…and here’s a few more hurdy-gurdy sound files.
Why, thank you; this instrument sounds a lot like a strings bagpipe. I like it.
Wow! I had no idea this instrument existed!
If it’s called the hurdy-gurdy, how did that name come to be associated with the whole organ-grinder-and-monkey thing?
(Organ-grinders I only know from old Bugs Bunny cartoons, so is that a case of a stereotype that was dying even when the cartoons were made?)
(Loreena… :: swoons :: )
Build a hurdy gurdy for under $20.00
I’ve played one that a friend has. They’re fun!
Yabob,
“Motivation is the key”.
Unclviny
The organ grinder played a barrel organ, not a hurdy-gurdy. Though both are played by turning a crank, the hurdy-gurdy is a stinged instrument, while the barrel organ has a bellows that pumps air through reeds or pipes. Also, the barrel organ is limited to the songs stored on the barrel (like a music box), while the hurdy-gurdy is actually played by the musician.
A jack-in-the-box?
Did Sting have one at the Grammys (Grammies?)?
Yes
I didn’t see the Grammys, but he certainly played the hurdy-gurdy at the 2004 Academy Awards (aka Oscars).