P.Lesson 1: The Invention of Early String-Keyboard Instruments

The modern piano was invented in

approximately 1700 by Bartolomeo Cristofori, an Italian instrument maker.

The piano is classified as

a string and percussion instrument.

Two of the piano’s closest predecessors are

the harpsichord and clavichord.

The harpsichord was invented in

the late Middle Ages, approximately the fourteenth century, in Europe. Though the instrument became widespread in the 15th–16th centuries.

Jack

a long wooden piece connecting the key to its corresponding string, which rises to assist in plucking the string.

The harpsichord is a

plucked instrument, which means that when you press a key, a jack rises, and a plectrum (often a quill shaped like a guitar pick) plucks the underside of its corresponding string. On the way back down, a pivoting tongue ensures it doesn’t touch the string again.

Regardless of how hard or softly the key is pressed on a harpsichord,

the string is plucked the same way, so the volume and tone are mechanically fixed for each note.

Displacement-sensitive

The keys only need to be pressed far enough to trigger the jack, after which the mechanically fixed volume and tone for that note will play.

Timbre

the tone or quality of a note. It's what makes the note sound different on every instrument, even if they're playing the same pitch at the same volume.

Velocity-sensitive

How quickly or forcefully a key is pressed affects the volume or timbre of the note

The piano is an instrument with

velocity-sensitivity.

Tonal centre

Also called the key centre, is basically the “home base” note or chord that a piece of music feels like it’s built around. Even if the music wanders through other harmonies or chords, your ear usually feels pulled back to that tonal centre.

Tonal Contrast

The juxtaposition of different notes to create a sense of variation and interest within a piece of music.

Harpsichords typically had a

single manual (keyboard), though double-manual versions were used in the 17th–18th centuries to allow a wider range and tonal contrast.

Pressing the keys too hard on a harpsichord can cause

the quill to catch on the string on the way down, break, or cause the jack to bounce or click—so performers were trained to play with a light, precise touch for control and to avoid damage.

The clavichord made its debut in

Europe in the late Middle Ages, approximately in the fourteenth century.

Both the harpsichord and clavichord gained

widespread popularity during the Renaissance (14th–17th century).

The clavichord, along with the organ and harpsichord, is regarded as

one of the first stringed keyboard instruments.

The harpsichord was an instrument that was

more frequently found in courts and larger settings.

The organ was a large instrument that was

designed to be played inside churches.

The clavichord was a small instrument that was

best suited for private practice and performance.

The clavichord consists of

a keyboard, tangents (small metal blades), and strings in a rectangular wooden box.

The clavichord is often a

compact and portable instrument with a small range of keys.

In the clavichord, a

tangent rises to strike a string from below when a key is struck. The clavichord's tangent remains in contact with the string as long as the key is depressed, producing a soft sound that is great for personal practice but not for performance playing.

In the piano, a

felt-covered hammer strikes a string and then immediately bounces back, allowing the string to vibrate unhindered. This creates a resonant, stronger sound that is best for concert halls and large settings.

With the clavichord, the musician has some control over dynamics and pitch thanks to

the direct and sustained link between the key and the string, which was unachievable with previous stringed keyboard instruments like the harpsichord or the organ. Though, this ability remained at a soft volume and was only made generally accessible with the development of the piano in the 18th century.

Bach mainly used

the clavichord and harpsichord. He did encounter early fortepianos later in life, but since the piano was not yet widespread, it remained secondary for him.

The clavichord can produce

Bebung—i.e. a light vibrato obtained by lightly repeatedly pressing the key after the initial sound has been produced

Clavichords built around

1600 were generally smaller and simpler than those made in the 1700s, which grew in size and range.

Clavichords could be double-fretted,

whereas harpsichords were not fretted at all. Instead, harpsichords often had two strings per note. Playing both strings of the same note simultaneously was generally not recommended, as the sound could be harsh and offered little control.