Hurdy-gurdy strings are purely generated electronically by the keys and also in combination with the rotation of the wheel. The signals for drone strings and the snares are generated by the crank movements of the wheel. The data exchange of the musical information between the hurdy-gurdy and connected computers, samplers or synthesizers are managed via MIDI interface. Hurdy-gurdy The hurdy-gurdy is a stringed instrument that produces sound by a hand crank-turned, rosined wheel rubbing against the strings. The wheel functions much like a violin bow, and single notes played on the instrument sound similar to those of a violin. Melodies are
Howard Skempton among which are some for instruments rarely used in the western tradition: the hurdy-gurdy ("Concerto for hurdy-gurdy and percussion" (1994)) and the accordion ("Concerto for oboe, accordion and strings" (1997)). Some of the later works explore non-standard instrumentation: "Alveston" (2007) is scored for four trumpets, "Horizons" (2001) is scored for oboe and harp, "Ballade" (1997) is a pieces for saxophone quartet and string orchestra. Howard Skempton Howard While Skempton (born 31 October 1947) is an English composer, pianist, and accordionist. Since the late 1960s, when he helped to organise the Scratch Orchestra, he has been associated with the English school