The Harpsichord: The Most Important Keyboard Instruments In European Music History

The History of the Harpsichord
The harpsichord was the most important keyboard instrument in European music history from the 16th through the first half of the 18th century. It originated and evolved from the monochord, which is a primitive instrument invented in the sixth century BC by Pythagoras. Their precise origins are a matter of debate, although it is known that they have existed since the 15th century; there are clear references of the harpsichord in the literature of that period.
After several stages in the evolution of the monochord, including the organistrum, the bowed monochord, the chekker, and the keyed monochord, the clavichord finally came into existence. Other early string instruments were crucial contributors to its
Where expenses were not in the issue especially in French Courts they use silver and even gold strings in building a harpsichord. In the twentieth century they have been frequently strung with steel wire, but for historical performance, many reproductions of strings have returned to the traditional string materials.
One of the main features of the harpsichord instrument is its wide range of pitches covered which was one of the main reasons for development of the instrument. The highest and lowest strings on a harpsichord with multiple registers can have a six or even seven octaves. The sounding length of the harpsichord string is determined by the nut at one end and the bridge at the other, and the designer of the instrument is free to choose plucking points which are capable to imparting energy efficiently to many of the string modes, therefore harpsichord can produce a far greater volume of sound than the