Clavichord
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- The clavichord is one of the oldest keyboard
instruments. Although instruments on the clavichord principle
were known in the fourteenth century, its invention is generally
credited in the middle 15th century, having developed out of
the medieval monochord, or manicordium, to which its name was
distorted. The keys of the clavichord are the direct descendant
of the bridges of the monochord. They are shaped like rods and
made of metal and not only strike the strings but also stop them.
The clavichord consists of an oblong box with a series of strings
stretched across it, parallel with its front.
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- The clavichord produces a pretty, delicate
tone by touching the strings with a metal tangent, usually brass.
Most often, it is configured so that the tangent strikes two
strings per note in unison. This divides the string into two
parts or lengths - one part is free to vibrate, while the other
is damped by a piece of felt.
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- Early clavichords equipped with two tangents
enabled the player to elicit two tones from one string, activated
by adjacent keys, rather than by only one key. When configures
as such, it was termed a "fretted" clavichord.
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- The double function of the tangents have
changed in time to a single function, sounding the strings alone
(this is called the "free" clavichord.) Later on, in
the early eighteenth century, they will develop the "unfretted"
clavichord with one string and one tangent for each note. Both
Bach and Beethoven will write a great deal of music for this
clavichord.
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- It is found in many of the wealthier homes
around town. In some parts, the clavichord is a sign of wealth
such as its modern relative, the piano. It is primarily used
for vocal accompaniment and is rarely used in concert ensembles
being used most often for private entertainment at home and practicing.
By the 16th century is will be little used in England but continue
in popularity in Spain, Italy and Germany.
- Joseph on the Clavichord
For the Mac (AIFF) 218K
or (SND) 218K
For the PC (WAV) 218K
For the Unix (AU) 218K
- RealAudio
(RA) 20K
- Clavichord (Germany, 1710)
(Original sound file courtesy of
Bradley Lehman at website Sounds
of Harpsichords and Related Instruments- see credits
- Picture courtesy of "The
Treasure Room: Hitorical Musical Instrument Collection"
at Vassar College)
References:
Baines, Anthony. European & American Musical Instruments.
Viking Press, New York, 1966.
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- Buchner, Dr. Alexander (translated by Iris
Urwin). Musical Instruments Through the Ages. Batchworth
Press Limited, London, England, 1961.
Haas, Karl. Inside Music: How to understand, listen to,
and enjoy good music. Doubleday, New York, 1984. ISBN:
0-385-18536-7
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- Hill, Jim. "Lark in the Morning".
http://www.larkinam.com/ (20 June 1996)
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- Hindley, Geoffrey (ed.). The Larousse
Encyclopedia of Music. Excalibur Books, New York, 1982.
Authors: The VirRen Team led by C.S.Marszalek & B.Panagakis
Created: 8 August 1996; Modified: 23 August 2004
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