The harpsichord is an instrument with a rich history and a unique sound. It has been important in music for a long time. This keyboard instrument was especially popular during the 16th and 17th centuries.
In this article, we’ll explore where the harpsichord came from, how it’s made, and how it produces sound. We’ll also look at its role in European music and how it influenced modern keyboards.
If you’re ready, we invite you to join us on this fascinating journey through 20 interesting facts about the harpsichord. Let’s get started!
1. The Harpsichord Has A Unique Origin
It began with the psaltery, a wooden instrument with strings stretched across its length. However, musicians could only pluck one string at a time to produce sound on it.
Then there came the keyboard. With it, musicians could create chords and more sophisticated melodies.
By adding a keyboard to the psaltery, musicians could use the keyboard’s versatility while keeping the psaltery’s unique, resonant sound. This clever combination led to the creation of the harpsichord.
2. The Harpsichord Is A Very Old Instrument
Historical records show that the first known mention of the harpsichord was in 1397, in the estate inventory of Hermann Poll, a citizen of Flanders.
However, the instrument probably existed before this time. It likely evolved from earlier stringed instruments like the psaltery and dulcimer.
The early harpsichords were quite different from those we know today. They were smaller and typically had only one string per note, but over time, the design evolved.
3. You Pluck To Produce Sound
Unlike the piano, the harpsichord produces sound by plucking strings using a mechanism called a jack and plectrum.
Each key is connected to a jack, which lifts when the key is pressed, causing the plectrum to pluck the string.
When the key is released, the jack falls back down. A small piece of felt or cloth, known as the damper, touches the string and stops it from vibrating.
4. It Lacks Dynamics
When a key on the harpsichord is pressed, a plectrum plucks the string to make a sound. The volume doesn’t change no matter how hard you press the key because the mechanism only plucks the string with the same strength each time.
This lack of dynamics creates both challenges and opportunities for musicians. It limits the instrument’s expressive range but also encourages players to find other ways to express themselves.
5. One Key Plucks Multiple Strings
Each key on a harpsichord usually plucks several strings, which gives it a unique sound. The mechanism lifts a jack that plucks two or three strings per key.
Players can adjust how many strings are plucked using stops; this changes the instrument’s tone. This was important in the Baroque era when composers wrote complex polyphonic music because the multiple strings emphasized intricate melodies.
6. Its Inner Parts Were Originally Made Of Animal Products
The harpsichord was first made using various materials, including animal products. The plectrum was often made from bird quills, especially crow quills because they were strong and flexible. The strings were usually made from gut, typically sheep intestines, known for their warm and rich sound.
Modern harpsichords keep many traditional features in their construction but with some changes. The plectra are often made of strong plastic now, while the strings are usually made from steel or brass.
7. Harpsichords Need To Be Tuned Often
Harpsichords are affected by changes in humidity and temperature, so they need to be tuned before each performance.
In the past, harpsichords used different tuning systems like meantone and well temperament. Today, the most common tuning system is equal temperament, where all semitones are evenly spaced.
Keeping the harpsichord tuned is important to maintain its unique sound, so it’s a regular task before performances. This helps preserve its rich history and distinctive sound.
8. It Was Popular During The Baroque Period
During the Baroque period, the harpsichord was popular in Europe as both a solo and accompanying instrument. It was a favorite of composers like Bach and Scarlatti.
It was also important in basso continuo, a type of musical accompaniment widely used in Baroque music. Here, it provided harmonious support for other instruments or voices.
Advancements in the 16th and 17th centuries improved the harpsichord’s sound and how expressive it could be.
9. There Is A Two-Keyboard Variety
Double manual harpsichords are more versatile and expressive. They have two keyboards stacked on top of each other, which can be played separately or together for a richer sound.
Building these instruments is challenging because of the precise tuning needed for both keyboards and the coupling mechanism that connects them.
Despite these challenges, their ability to play complex music makes them popular with musicians who perform Renaissance and Baroque music.
10. There Are Vertical Harpsichords
The clavicytherium, a vertical harpsichord, was created in the 15th century to save space. Its name comes from Latin, meaning “keyed string instrument.” The oldest one still around is at London’s Royal College of Music.
Although its design was innovative, having the strings arranged vertically made it tricky to keep the sound and mechanics consistent. Despite this, the clavicytherium is important historically for solving early space issues in keyboard instruments and paving the way for upright pianos.
11. There Are More Designs And Sizes
Besides the double manual and clavicytherium, there are many different shapes and sizes of harpsichords. The grand harpsichord, shaped like a grand piano with strings running parallel, gives a rich sound.
Rectangular, or “table,” harpsichords are smaller and have strings running perpendicular for easy moving, but they have a limited range of sound. Virginals, which can be rectangular or polygonal, are compact and have strings running parallel on one side.
There are also other types like the spinet, ottavino, pedal harpsichord, and archicembalo. Each one has its own mix of usefulness, portability, variety in sound, and good looks. Together, they make the history of harpsichord rich and interesting.
12. There’s A Dynasty Of Flemish Harpsichord Makers
The Ruckers family began a dynasty of Flemish harpsichord makers with Hans Ruckers the Elder in the late 16th century. Their instruments were famous for their special sound and craftsmanship, and everyone wanted one.
Hans made new designs like the double virginal. His sons, Hans the Younger and Andreas, kept their dad’s tradition going strong for a hundred years.
They made their dad’s designs better and made them look great with fancy decorations. Their great sound, skill, and artistry have made them some of the most famous harpsichord makers ever.
13. Playing One Takes Technique
One important skill in harpsichord playing is finger legato. Because there’s no sustain pedal, players must plan where to place their fingers and how to move them to keep the music smooth.
Articulation is also key in harpsichord technique. Since the player can’t change the volume of each note, small differences in when and how they press the keys can create the feeling of phrasing and dynamics.
Harpsichordists often use ornamentation like trills, mordents, and turns — quick changes between notes — to make their playing more expressive.
14. It Was Pivotal In European Music
From the 16th to the mid-18th century, the harpsichord was really important in European music. Its special sound and how it worked with keys made it the best keyboard for solo and group playing.
In the Renaissance and Baroque times, it was a big deal in music. People used it a lot in courts, churches, theater, and opera. The Baroque period particularly saw its use in contrapuntal music. The harpsichord’s clear sound made it easy to hear each one clearly.
15. It Was Widely Used By Prominent Composers
During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, the harpsichord was loved by many famous composers. One of the best-known composers who used the instrument a lot was Johann Sebastian Bach. His Well-Tempered Clavier, Italian Concerto, and the Goldberg Variations are now really famous harpsichord music.
Another composer who’s closely tied to the harpsichord is François Couperin. His four books of Pièces de clavecin have over 230 pieces that show his skill with the French harpsichord style.
Domenico Scarlatti also added a lot to the harpsichord’s music. When he lived in Spain, he wrote 555 sonatas intended for the harpsichord.
16. It Influenced Modern Keyboard Design
The harpsichord’s design had a big impact on today’s keyboards. Its layout of white and black keys, made for playing the diatonic scale, is still the same on modern keyboards.
When you press a key on a harpsichord, it makes a sound by plucking a string. This was the first step to how pianos work with their hammers. Harpsichords with two keyboards on top of each other also influenced how organs and some synthesizers were made.
17. Its Popularity Slowly Declined
When pianos came around in the 18th century, the harpsichord became less popular. Pianos let musicians change how loud a note is by how hard they hit a key, giving them more ways to express themselves. Harpsichords couldn’t do that — they had the same volume for each note no matter what.
This dynamic range made the piano more appealing. The piano’s crisper, longer-sustaining sound also contributed to its preference. By the Classical period, composers like Mozart and Beethoven favored the piano.
18. It Experienced A Revival In The 20th Century
In the 20th century, the harpsichord made a comeback. People got really into playing early music the way it used to be done. They wanted to recreate the music of the Renaissance and Baroque times.
Famous composers also wrote new music just for the harpsichord, which helped its fame. Changes in piano technology and how people liked music also got more folks interested in the harpsichord.
Especially in America, people started to appreciate the harpsichord again for how special it is and its historical value. This brought back a lot of interest in it.
19. There Are Many Famous Harpsichordists Now
A person who plays the harpsichord is called a harpsichordist. Recently, more musicians have gained recognition for their skill on this instrument.
Some well-known harpsichordists today include Gustav Leonhardt, known for his recordings of Bach’s music. Another is the founder of The English Concert Trevor Pinnock.
Richard Egarr, the Music Director of the Academy of Ancient Music, is also highly regarded. Pierre Hantaï is known for his interpretations of Scarlatti’s sonatas, and Andreas Staier, a German harpsichordist, is also celebrated in the field.
20. Many Popular Songs Feature The Harpsichord
Since its revival, the harpsichord has found its way into numerous popular songs. The Beatles’ “Fixing a Hole” is a well-known example, played by the band’s producer, George Martin.
Other popular songs featuring the harpsichord include “Lady Jane” by The Rolling Stones and “I Need You” by The Who. Even TV themes like “The Addams Family” have made use of this instrument, proving the harpsichord’s versatility and appeal across different genres.
Summing Up Our List Of Harpsichord Facts
The harpsichord is a fascinating instrument with a long history dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. It is also considered one of the most beautiful sounding and looking musical instruments.
Whether you’re a musician or simply curious about music history, we hope this exploration of the harpsichord has been enjoyable. Keep exploring, keep learning, and most importantly, keep enjoying the magic of music!
