Vielle à Roue
François le Jeune French
This guitar-shaped vielle came into use around 1730. A crank turns the wooden wheel which strokes all the strings simultaneously. A keyboard plays the melodies while the three strings on the sides provide a kind of harmonic drone. A fourth drone string on the very left side, called trompette, is calibrated by the tailpiece peg and produces a snarling sound that imitates a trumpet. The trompette-bridge is a later, non-functioning reproduction. In addition, on the right side are four resonance strings that add a sweet touch to the sound.
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