Harpsichords

Hubbard 1967, 20 Even after harpsichords became self-encased objects, they often were supported by separate stands, and some modern harpsichords have separate legs for improved portability.

Multiple choirs of strings While many harpsichords have exactly one string per note, more elaborate harpsichords can have more.

Bach transcribed six of Vivaldi's concerti for solo keyboard, three for organ, and one for four harpsichords, strings, and basso continuo (BWV 1065) based upon the concerto for four violins, two violas, cello, and basso continuo ( RV 580).

Dearling 1996, 138 In a clavicytherium, the jacks move horizontally without the assistance of gravity, so that clavicytherium actions are more complex than those of other harpsichords.

Eventually, harpsichords came to be built with just a single case, though an intermediate stage also existed: the false inner–outer, which for purely aesthetic reasons was built to look as if the outer case contained an inner one, in the old style.

Gerald Fried and Robert Drasnin opted for a lighter approach in the second, employing harpsichords and bongos.

Harpsichords occasionally include a sixteen-foot choir (one octave lower than eight-foot) or a two-foot choir (two octaves higher; quite rare).

Harpsichords of this type of historically informed building practice dominate the current scene.

Historically, plectra were made of bird quill or leather; many modern harpsichords have plastic ( delrin or celcon ) plectra.

In England, the Kirkman and Shudi firms produced sophisticated harpsichords of great power and sonority.

In harpsichords, often there are two sets of strings of equal length.

Many harpsichords have a lid that can be raised, a cover for the keyboard, and a stand for music.

Many keyboard instruments dating from before the nineteenth century, such as harpsichords and pipe organs, have a keyboard with the colours of the keys reversed: the white notes are made of ebony and the black notes are covered with softer white bone.

Pedal Harpsichord: Occasionally, harpsichords were built which included another set or sets of strings underneath and operated by pedals which pluck the lowest keys of the harpsichord.

Some keyboards have two "ranks" of keyboards, one stacked above the other, with the two keyboards referred to as the lower and upper manual, such as the Hammond organ, pipe organs and some harpsichords.

Some period harpsichords and organs have split D /E keys, such that both E major C minor (4 sharps) and E major C minor (3 flats) can be played without wolf fifths.