Shredding on an Electric Hurdy-Gurdy — Video
Although you might know the hurdy-gurdy as an ancient folk instrument, the creative musician in the video below decided to electrify it and make it sound more like something you might heard on a Steve Vai or Jeff Beck album.
The hurdy-gurdy is a stringed instrument that produces sound by a crank-turned wheel rubbing against the strings. Melodies are played on a keyboard that presses tangents—small wedges—against one or more of the strings to change their pitch. It has a sound board to make the vibration of the strings audible.
Regardless, we doubt that whoever built this intricate instrument had this in mind when he or she finished it.
Check out the below, and let us know what you think in the comments or on Facebook!
Get The Pick Newsletter
All the latest guitar news, interviews, lessons, reviews, deals and more, direct to your inbox!
Since 1980, Guitar World has been the ultimate resource for guitarists. Whether you want to learn the techniques employed by your guitar heroes, read about their latest projects or simply need to know which guitar is the right one to buy, Guitar World is the place to look.

“We set out to put our thoughts and musical ideas out there, hoping they’d be appreciated. That’s proved to be true”: Sampled by Grandmaster Flash, De La Soul and the Fugees, Cymande shaped the sound of hip-hop. Now they’re back to claim their legacy
![[L-R] George Harrison, Aashish Khan and John Barham collaborate in the studio](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VANJajEM56nLiJATg4P5Po-840-80.jpg)
“I got the impression that he needed to be quite forceful to get his songs onto Beatles records”: George Harrison orchestrator John Barham reflects on their shared love of Indian music and being conducted by Phil Spector