The turkey has been carved, the pie has been demolished, and the house is finally quieting down.
For many of us, the holidays are a time to pause and reflect on what we are grateful for. This year, alongside family and health, I’m finding myself incredibly grateful for the music—and the community of players—that keeps this ancient instrument alive.
But why should the feasting stop at the dinner table?
If you are looking to feed your creativity this long weekend, I have something special for you. The Secret Life of the Hurdy-Gurdy: Field Notes on Playing is more than just a method book; it’s a gathering of wisdom.
Think of it as inviting over 30 of the world’s best players to your table to share their secrets. From the nitty-gritty of technique to the philosophy of sound, this book is packed with the kind of “insider knowledge” that usually takes years to learn on your own.
A Special Thanksgiving Treat 🦃
Email: quentinbudworth@yahoo.com to order your copy
Don’t let your playing get cold this winter. Grab a slice of wisdom, curl up on the sofa, and discover the secret life of your instrument.
As an experienced hurdy-gurdy teacher, I am a huge fan of the Nerdy-gurdy and can highly recommend it to anyone starting on their hurdy-gurdy journey! I’ve had several new students bring their Nerdy-Gurdy for lessons and have been really impressed by their playability and sound quality. They just work and play beautifully.
Congratulations on assembling your instrument—that’s a milestone worth celebrating! Now comes the exciting part: bringing it to life with music. If you’re discovering that playing the hurdy-gurdy involves more nuance than turning a crank, you’re in excellent company. The learning curve is real, but the right guide changes everything.
“Secret Life of the Hurdy-gurdy: Field Notes on Playing” is the book your Nerdy-gurdy wishes you’d read. This isn’t a dry manual—it’s a 245-page masterclass featuring 32 of the world’s leading players sharing their distilled wisdom, one insightful chapter at a time. For Nerdy-gurdy owners specifically, it’s pure gold:
Technique made practical
Troubleshooting and set-up advice that works.
Musicality from day one
The Perfect Christmas Present
Whether you’re treating yourself or dropping hints to loved ones, this book is the ideal gift for any Nerdy-gurdy owner. It’s the present that pays dividends in progress, confidence, and finally hearing the music you imagined during those assembly hours.
Why Order Direct?
Ordering directly from me at quentinbudworth@yahoo.com does more than get you a book:
More support for the author (and less for Jeff Bezos—every little helps!)
No import duties for EU, US, Canadian, or UK customers
10-14 day delivery—perfect timing for Christmas
Join the community: I keep a reader database for future updates and publications
How to Order
Simply email quentinbudworth@yahoo.com with:
Your postal address
Preferred payment method (PayPal or Direct Bank Transfer)
I’ll send payment details right back. Easy.
What Readers Are Saying
“I learn something new from every chapter!” – Kevin Holland, multi-instrumentalist
“It’s the missing manual. The difference between struggling and playing.” – Wolfie Fiddler
“A fascinating read… insights from 32 leading players from around the world. Nice one Q!” – Lou Dufy-Howard
Don’t let your Nerdy-gurdy gather dust. Give it (and yourself) the gift of music this Christmas.
Email quentinbudworth@yahoo.com today to secure your copy.
Warmly, Quentin Budworth
P.S. Gift vouchers available if you’d like to let someone choose their own musical adventure via zoom lessons or a hurdy-gurdy experience! Order by December 12th for guaranteed Christmas delivery.
Meet Quentin Budworth, a musician living on Skye He is a multi-instrumentalist, a highly skilled performer and composer, specialising in the hurdy-gurdy.
Quentin Budworth Musician 