A stringed instrument rubbed by a wooden wheel rather than a bow, the hurdy-gurdy is held horizontally on the knees.
The number of strings can vary, there are usually several drones and one or two melodic strings called chanterelles. A rhythmic string called the dog is often found on the hurdy-gurdies which, thanks to an ingenious system of rocking a small bridge, gives a pulsation linked to the movement of the right hand.
The wheel is turned with a crank in the right hand, while the left hand plays the melody on a keyboard.