By the end of the 17th century changing musical tastes demanded greater polyphonic capabilities than the hurdy-gurdy could offer and pushed the instrument to the lowest social classes; as a result it acquired names like the German Bauernleier 'peasant's lyre' and Bettlerleier 'beggar's lyre'. During the 18th century, however, French Rococo tastes for rustic diversions brought the hurdy-gurdy back to the attention of the upper classes, where it acquired tremendous popularity among the nobility, with famous composers writing works for the hurdy-gurdy. The most famous of these is Nicolas Chédeville's Il pastor Fido, published under the name Antonio Vivaldi. At this time the most common style of hurdy-gurdy developed, the six-string vielle à roue. This instrument has two melody strings and four drones. The drone strings are tuned so that by turning them on or off, the instrument can be played in multiple keys (e.g., C and G, or G and D).
by the end of the 17th century changing musical tastes demanded greater polyphonic capabilities than the hurdy-gurdy could offer and pushed the instrument to the lowest social classes; as a result it acquired names like the german bauernleier 'peasant's lyre' and bettlerleier 'beggar's lyre' during the 18th century however french rococo tastes for rustic diversions brought the hurdy-gurdy back to the attention of the upper classes where it acquired tremendous popularity among the nobility with famous composers writing works for the hurdy-gurdy the most famous of these is nicolas chédeville's il pastor fido published under the name antonio vivaldi at this time the most common style of hurdy-gurdy developed the six-string vielle à roue this instrument has two melody strings and four drones the drone strings are tuned so that by turning them on or off the instrument can be played in multiple keys (eg c and g or g and d)