Description: A stringed instrument, lute-like in shape, in which the sound is produced by the friction of a wheel turned by a crank at the end, instead of by a bow, two of the strings being tuned as drones, while two or more, tuned in unison, are modulated by keys. Synonyms: barrel organ, grind organ, hand organ and street organ 

Family of Instruments: The Hurdy-gurdy belongs to the family of String instruments.