Harpsichord stringed keyboard instrument, came much before the piano

The Harpsichord is among the earliest keyboard instruments to have existed, and came before the modern piano was invented. Lots of beautiful music exists for the Harpsichord (and its definitely an underrated instrument).

Like the piano, even the harpsichord is a keyboard instrument and most of the physical features (from the outside) are similar – shape, keyboard layout, strings. However, its the internal sound producing mechanism which is a bit different.

Watch: Video that shows how a Harpsichord work

• The harpsichord is also known as cembalo in some languages.
• Harpsichord originally had two sets of keyboards (known as manuals), while piano has only one.
• People preferred the piano (when it was invented) over the harpsichord because of its dynamic features – ability to play loud and soft. The harpsichord had one volume level (forte) and was limited in expressive features.
• Unlike the piano, a harpsichord has strings that are plucked by small wedges called plectra (in a piano the strings are struck with a hammer).
• You now get harpsichords that are single-manual or double manual

The Cembalo/ harpsichord was widely used during the Renaissance and Baroque period (from the 1500s – 1700s). However, it was replaced by the piano (called the pianoforte), which caught the attention of keyboard players and composers because of its unique feature in dynamics. The harpsichord started becoming less significant, although its slowly gaining attention due to emphasis on the performances of historical music in recent times.

Music for harpsichord
A great body ow interesting work exists for the harpsichord. Several harpsichordists composed for this historical instrument.

• Johann Sebastian Bach has composed the most number of pieces for the harpsichord.
• George Frederic Handel and Wolfgang Mozart have also created wonderful compositions, written specifically for the harpsichord.

Watch: Harpsichord Performance: Comparone Plays Scarlatti

More information on Wikipedia.