What are the different types of harpsichords?

What are the different types of harpsichords?

Variants

• Virginals.
• Spinet.
• Clavicytherium.
• Ottavino.
• Pedal harpsichord.
• Other variants.

How are harpsichords different from pianos?

One can come across many differences between the piano and harpsichord. The main difference that can be seen between the piano and harpsichord is in the use of their strings. While hammers are used to strike the strings of the piano, the strings are plucked in a harpsichord.

Where did harpsichords come from?

The earliest surviving harpsichords were built in Italy in the early 16th century. Little is known of the early history of the harpsichord, but, during the 16th–18th century, it underwent considerable evolution and became one of the most important European instruments.

Do harpsichords have sustain pedals?

Harpsichords do not respond to velocity and they are not equipped with a sustain pedal. It is however possible to use the sustain pedal to emulate keys being held down, on our sounds.

Is it hard to play the harpsichord?

It’s not difficult to play harpsichord physically (though it does take different physical awareness and technique), but it is a completely different instrument that uses a musical “language” that is very different from the way we are accustomed to play on a modern piano.

Can you still buy a harpsichord?

Many of our harpsichords can be built for between $14,000 and $18,000, clavichords from $3,000. However, instruments can cost more depending on features and finish. Once your requirements for an instrument are determined we can determine the price before work commences on your instrument.

Are harpsichords made of wood?

Most of the harpsichord is made of wood including the case and the soundboard. Even the keys of most of these instruments are wooden. Another traditional material for keys is ivory, which has now been replaced by plastic like celluloid. The soundboard is often made of spruce, cypruss or cedar.

How are harpsichords made?

It is made of two pieces of wood for ease of installation and for sound properties. At the back of the instrument (from the lower belly rail to the tail), the grain of the wood runs lengthwise. From the front of the belly rail to the front of the harpsichord, the wood grain runs across the instrument.

Is harpsichord harder to play than piano?

It’s not. It is, as pianoman3 notes, easy enough to play the notes — one gets used to the different key size and spacing pretty quickly. However, the technique for harpsichord is quite different Not harder, just different. In order to bring out different voices one can’t use differences in volume!