How a Harpsichord Works

HOW A HARPSICHORD WORKS / So how does a harpsichord work? If you want to see and hear exactly how a harpsichord produces sound, this is the video for you!

This video is essentially Harpsichord 101. You’ll learn what a jack and a plectrum are, as well as how harpsichords with one keyboard are different than those with two manuals. You’ll see harpsichords from several different countries and time periods and hear what some of these instruments sound like playing the music of Peter Philips, Azzolino Bernardino Della Ciaia, and Nicolas Chuaqui.

Hopefully this video can answer all of your questions and by the end you should definitely know how a harpsichord works!

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The photo of Wanda Landowska’s Pleyel revival harpsichord (which has been slightly cropped) comes from here:

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0:00 Intro
0:26 Inside a Harpsichord
1:04 Harpsichord Jack and Harpsichord Plectrum/Plectra
2:49 Harpsichord Jack Plucking a String
3:06 Harpsichord Tongue and Spring Motion
3:40 Harpsichord Jackrail
4:04 All About Single-Manual Harpsichords
5:38 All About Double-Manual Harpsichords
7:22 Harpsichord Buff Stop/Lute Stop
8:00 Parts of a Harpsichord/Harpsichord Interior Diagram
8:57 Differences Between Flemish, Italian, French, German, and English Harpsichords
11:09 Rivial Harpsichords (and Wanda Landowska)

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DR. ALICE CHUAQUI BALDWIN. For more about me, check out my website:


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#Harpsichord #Baroque #Keyboard

[harpsichord]

What do you want to know about the harpsichord that I didn’t cover here? Let me know with a comment below!

[tomlavelle]

The most comprehensive explanation of the double keyboard harpsichord I’ve seen! Thanks!!

[vertabun]

I was wondering how it plucks without also plucking on the way back down. What an ingenious design!

[WorthlessDeadEnd]

And to think that people, hundreds of years ago, made such finely detailed and specific moving parts with such tiny pieces. Astounding!

[KazzArie]

I’ve always wondered why a harpsichord sounds different piano. Fortunately today was the day I finally asked YouTube why. Thanks for this ✌️

[adamcolbertmusic]

Wow, 10:00 to 10:35 has similarities to the Stradella bass system on an accordion! The "unexpected pitches" relate to the 2nd row bass buttons moving in ascending and descending 5ths. The split keys relate to the 1st row bass buttons all being a major 3rd above their respective second row buttons! So as a rhythm section, you have your I-IV-V's and 3rds and 5ths all within quick reach!

[daveoelke]

This is the first time I’ve ever seen the insides and the workings of the harpsichord. Very interesting! Thank you! 🙂🎵

[LisaSimpsonRules]

I'm here because I've just finished the book The Piano Shop on the Left Bank by T E Carhart. i don't know a single thing about music but he showed his passion.

[claudialopes]

What a thorough video! I'm showing this video to my music students! Thank you so much for including examples of your playing too!

[monkeysplayingscrabble]

Great video! Thank you for sharing this

[loreleigoldman]

Thank you for explaining this, Alice. Many of my friends ask questions about my piano vs my harpsichord. You’ve covered all bases here. Well done!

[trinacondie]

I echo the sentiments of the other commenters on how informative this video is. I especially appreciated how the camera shots of the interior were remarkably clear and beautiful. Well done!

[LazerTurken]

This was interesting and helpful since I'm trying to learn how to play and care for a harpsichord. Thanks for sharing!

[RockStarOscarStern]

Bill Napier-Hemy made a Touch-Sensitive Harpsichord which is touch sensitive like a Piano because the action has been slightly modified. He swapped the original picks with much thinner ones so that it's possible to play at various dynamics like our modern day Pianos.

[loreleigoldman]

My husband and I attend the theatre quite often and we’re so lucky as it’s very close to where we live. We attend the opera, the 🩰 ballet as well as 🎭 plays. One conductor plays the pianoforte and conducts at the same time. I know you’re not discussing the pianoforte; but I still find it amazing to watch. Thanks again, Alice. ♥️ 🎹

[permacultureli]

excellent presentation of the instrument.

[MaxMalm]

Thank you, this was very interesting!

[janehankey]

This is so helpful. Answered questions that I’ve been carrying for 60 years or more. Thank you. Loved your playing!

[ou]

Wow! I always wondered how this instrument was made and how it worked! Thank you for the great description!

[stevepethel]

Thank God I found you and for such beautiful music and close up camera and working of the jack tongue and mechanisms.
This answers my question of how the.plectrum moves out of the way when returning to its original position. Great camera work and explanations.