clavichord

The clavichord is a stringed rectangular keyboard instrument that was used largely in the Late Middle Ages, through the Renaissance, Baroque and Classical eras. Historically, it was mostly used as a practice instrument and as an aid to composition, not being loud enough for larger performances. The clavichord produces sound by striking brass or iron strings with small metal blades called tangents. Vibrations are transmitted through the bridge(s) to the soundboard.

AI overview

The clavichord is a keyboard instrument with strings that produces sound when small metal blades strike them, transmitting vibrations through bridges to create sound. It was primarily used from the Late Middle Ages through the Classical era as a practice tool and compositional aid rather than for public performance, since it wasn't loud enough for larger venues.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Key facts

Instrument.name: Clavichord
Instrument.names: Clarichord
Instrument.image: Hillclavichord.jpg
Instrument.image_capt: 1977 unfretted clavichord by Keith Hill
Instrument.background: keyboard
Instrument.hornbostel_sachs: 314.122-4-8
Instrument.hornbostel_sachs_desc: Simple chordophone with keyboard sounded by tangents
Instrument.developed: Early 14th century

via Wikipedia infobox

~16 min read

Encyclopedic overview

13 sections

Contents

Etymology
History and use
Modern music
Structure and action
Fretting
Pedal clavichord
Repertoire
See also
References
Citations
Works cited
Further reading
External links

==Etymology== The name is derived from the Latin word clavis, meaning "key" (associated with more common clavus, meaning "nail, rod, etc.") and chorda (from Greek χορδή) meaning "string, especially of a musical instrument". An analogous name is used in other European languages (It. clavicordio, clavicordo; Fr. clavicorde; Germ. Klavichord; Lat. clavicordium; Port. clavicórdio; Sp. clavicordio). Many languages also have another name derived from Latin manus, meaning "hand" (It. manicordo; Fr. manicorde, manicordion; Sp. manicordio, manucordio). Other names refer to the monochord-like nature of a fully fretted clavichord (It. monacordo or monocordo; Sp. monacordio). Italian also used sordino, a reference to its quiet sound (sordino usually designates a mute).

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “clavichord” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.