Characteristics:
1. Action: The harpsichord employs a plucking mechanism. Each key is connected to a small lever called a jack. When a key is pressed, the jack plucks a metal string, producing sound.
2. Keyboard: Harpsichords typically have one or two manuals (keyboards) and a set of pedals to change registers or add/subtract stops (sets of strings).
3. Stops: Stops modify the tone of the instrument by engaging different sets of strings. This allows for changes in pitch, volume, and overall timbre of the sound.
4. Strings: Harpsichord strings run parallel to the keyboard and extend the length of the instrument. String lengths vary to create different ranges of notes.
5. Soundboard: The soundboard is a thin wooden panel under the strings. When the strings are plucked, vibrations are transferred to the soundboard, amplifying the sound.
Usage and Repertoire:
- Harpsichords played a crucial role in solo performances, chamber music, and accompanying singers and other instrumentalists.
- Well-known Baroque composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederic Handel, Domenico Scarlatti, and Francois Couperin wrote extensively for the instrument.
-Harpsichords excelled in intricate and ornamental passages and provided a crisp and clear sound that complemented the textures and dynamics of Baroque music.
Modern Revival:
In the 20th century, there was a revival of interest in early music and historical instruments. This led to the revival of the harpsichord, with contemporary harpsichord builders crafting new instruments and performers studying the original techniques and musical styles.
While the harpsichord may not be as widely seen as the contemporary piano, it remains an essential instrument in the study and performance of historical and Baroque music, providing a means to experience the authentic sounds and musical expressions of the past.