Vielle à Roue (Hurdy-Gurdy), 1865-70. Jacques Decante (French, 1808-1884). Wood; mother-of-pearl inlay; In France, the hurdy-gurdy is known as the vielle à roue (wheel fiddle). This six-stringed musical instrument produces sound by a hand crank-turned wheel that rubs against the strings. The wheel functions much like a violin bow, and single notes sound similar to those of a violin. Melodies are played on a keyboard that presses small wedges against the strings to change their pitch.