The
next couple weeks we are looking at a brief history of the keyboard in
conjunction with the annual World Piano Competition taking place here in
Cincinnati next week. For more information on this competition, check out their
website. Last week we looked at an early
keyboard instrument, the clavichord. Today, let’s talk about the harpsichord, a
plucked keyboard instrument that originated during the 16th century.
Derived
from the psaltery, the harpsichord has plucked strings rather than struck
strings like a clavichord or dulcimer. What does this mean? When the performer
presses a key on the harpsichord, a quill plucks the appropriate string
producing a sound. At first, the instrument was rather small like a tabletop
clavichord but eventually grew in size and was given legs. The harpsichord has
the same shape as a grand piano and contains several rows of strings with 2–3
keyboards. The purpose of these separate keyboards was to help in producing
different timbres and dynamics that could not happen by pressing just one key.
Despite this ability to produce a sense of dynamics, the harpsichord was unable
to play crescendos or diminuendos, thus leaving the need for the future
development of the piano.
After
its development, the harpsichord gained popularity because it had a louder tone
production than the clavichord and could be used for both solo or ensemble
performance. Known for its ornamental style, performers were sure to play with
clean and precise attacks on the keys. This style was much easier on this early
keyboard instrument than on modern instruments.
Have
you ever heard anyone mention a virginal, clavecin, or clavicembalo? Do not let
these names confuse you. They are all a type of harpsichord named differently
depending on the country. Virginals existed in England, clavecin in France, and
clavicembalo in Italy.
Here
is a picture of a harpsichord. Notice like the clavichord, it is beautifully
decorated. This particular example has two keyboards. Have you ever seen a
harpsichord similar to this one?
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| Courtesy of wikipedia.org |
