In the ninth century a stringed instrument was in use the mechanism of which, although not very perfect, evidently tended to an imitation of the key-board applied to organs: this was the _organistrum_ (Fig. 186), an enormous guitar pierced with two sound holes, and provided with three strings set in vibration by a small winch; eight movable screws, rising or falling at will along the finger-board, formed so many keys which served to vary the tones. In the first instance two persons performed on the _organistrum_--one turning the winch while the other touched the keys. When its size was decreased it became the _vielle_ (hurdy-gurdy) properly so called, which could be managed by one musician. It was at first called _rubelle_, _rebel_, and _symphonie_; subsequently this last name was corrupted into _chifonie_ and _sifonie_, and we may remark that even now in certain districts of central France the _vielle_ still bears the popular name of _chinforgne_. The _chifonie_ never found a place in musical concerts, and fell almost immediately into the hands of the mendicants, who solicited alms accompanied by the doleful and somewhat discordant notes of this instrument, and thence obtaining the name of _chifoniens_. Notwithstanding all the efforts which were made to substitute wheels and key-boards for the action of the fingers on the strings of instruments, still those that were played on by the hand only, such as harps and lutes, did not fail to maintain the preference among skilful musicians. [Illustration: Fig. 187.--Triangular Saxon Harp of the Ninth Century. (Bible of Charles le Chauve.)] [Illustration: Fig. 188.--Fifteen-stringed Harp of the Twelfth Century. (MS. in the Bibl. Imp., Paris.)]