So, you’ve just picked up (or are dreaming of picking up) the magical, mysterious hurdy-gurdy. Congratulations! It’s an incredible instrument, but let’s be honest, it can also feel a bit daunting at first. Where do you start? How do you make that beautiful buzzing sound consistently? What are the “secrets” to really making it sing?

If you’re nodding along, then you’ll be excited to hear about a new resource that sounds like it was tailor-made to help you on your journey: “The Secret Life of the Hurdy-Gurdy: Field Notes On Playing” by Quentin Budworth.

Why This Book is a Goldmine for Newbies

Imagine having access to the distilled knowledge, reflections, and insights from a whole host of experienced hurdy-gurdy players – folks who have navigated diverse traditions and modern styles. That’s exactly what this book offers.

Instead of just one person’s perspective, “The Secret Life of the Hurdy-Gurdy” features a different player in each chapter. These musicians share their wisdom on crucial topics for anyone starting out, including:

• Musicality: Moving beyond just notes to making real music.
• Playing Technique: The nitty-gritty of how to physically play the instrument.
• Theory: Understanding the “why” behind the music.
• Practice: How to make your practice time effective.
• Pedagogy: Insights into how the instrument is taught and learned.
• Performance: Tips for when you’re ready to share your music.
• Social Context: Understanding the hurdy-gurdy’s place in music and culture.

The book promises to “delight, enthuse, enlighten and inspire,” and importantly, help you “become a much better hurdy-gurdy player and musician.” As the description wisely says, “The wheel is infinite and life is short. Take time to stand on the shoulders of giants and enter the secret world of the hurdy-gurdy.” For a new player, this means potentially skipping years of trial-and-error by learning directly from the pros!

Who Are These “Giants”?

The lineup of contributors is seriously impressive, featuring writing and interviews with over 30 leading players from around the world. This includes names like Bruno Andersen, Patrick Bouffard, Gilles Chabenat, Germán Díaz, Matthias Loibner, Michalina Malisz, Isabelle Pignol, Steve Tyler, and many, many more. You’re getting a panoramic view of hurdy-gurdy wisdom!

What Early Readers Are Saying:

Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what some early readers have said:

• ‘Hi, I just wanted to say thank you for the excellent book. It was really interesting to read about the philosophy and approach to playing the gurdy of such a variety of musicians, and it inspired me to play my gurdy, which is never a bad thing!’ – Wolfie Fiddler
• ‘It’s an excellent book. I learn something new from every chapter!’ – Kevin Holland, multi-instrumentalist.
• ‘A fascinating read. Not only for hurdy-gurdy players and other musicians, but with insights from 32 leading players from around the world, for anyone who likes people’s stories. Recommended! Nice one Q!’ – Lou Dufy-Howard

Get Your Copy & Support the Author!

“The Secret Life of the Hurdy-Gurdy” (ISBN: 978-1-0684248-0-9) is a paperback with 245 pages of gurdy goodness.

• Price: UK £24.99 / US $35.00 / EU €35.00 / AUS $45.00 / CAN $45.00
• Official Launch Date: May 1st, 2025
• Good News! Pre-launch copies are available RIGHT NOW directly from the author, Quentin Budworth.

Why order direct?

1. You increase the royalty paid to the author (and reduce Amazon’s cut).
2. You help Quentin build a database of readers for future publications.
3. And, as Quentin cheekily puts it, you “give a billionaire, Jeff Bezos, a little kick in the shin!”

How to Order Directly:
Email Quentin Budworth at quentinbudworth@yahoo.com with:

1. Your postal address
2. Your preferred payment method (PayPal or Direct Bank Transfer)
   He will then forward you the payment details.

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Starting a new instrument is an adventure. “The Secret Life of the Hurdy-Gurdy” sounds like an invaluable map and compass to help you navigate the exciting world of this unique instrument and accelerate your progress. Happy cranking!

New to the Hurdy-Gurdy? This Book Could Be Your Secret Weapon!