From the Clavichord to the Modern Piano - Part 1 of 2

Summary

The video presents a fascinating comparison of historic and modern keyboard instruments, including a clavichord, harpsichord, an 18th-century piano, and a modern Steinway grand piano. It explores the evolution of keyboard design, sound, and size, highlighting how each instrument produces music differently—from the intimate, delicate tones of the clavichord to the plucked strings of the harpsichord, and finally to the dynamic range of the classical and modern piano. The narrator demonstrates the unique mechanisms, historical context, and musical capabilities of each instrument, providing a rich, auditory journey through several centuries of keyboard craftsmanship and innovation.

Takeaways

• 🎹 The video showcases four keyboard instruments: a harpsichord, a late 18th-century piano, a small double-strung clavichord, and a modern Hamburg Steinway piano.
• 📏 The comparison emphasizes the relative size growth of pianos over time.
• 🪗 The clavichord is the oldest stringed keyboard instrument, popular from the late Middle Ages to around 1800, primarily for private use.
• 🔑 Some clavichords use a 'Fretted' design where multiple notes share the same string, reducing tension and making tuning easier, but limiting simultaneous note play.
• 🎼 The clavichord produces a delicate, intimate sound suitable for solo playing or small audiences.
• 🎵 Harpsichords pluck strings using a mechanism called a jack with a small plectrum (plectrum), offering more expressive control than the clavichord.
• 🪙 Harpsichords date from the late 15th century to the 1790s, with brass strings and varied sound intensity depending on design.
• 🎶 A specific harpsichord shown is a 20th-century reconstruction of a 1617 French design, made by Willard Martin in Pennsylvania.
• 🎹 The historical piano, used by composers like Mozart and early Beethoven, has fewer keys (58 notes) than modern pianos (88 notes) but covers the Classical repertoire.
• ⚙️ The video demonstrates differences in action between the clavichord, harpsichord, and piano, highlighting their unique playing mechanics and sound qualities.

Q & A

What are the different keyboard instruments displayed in the video?

The video showcases three historic keyboard instruments: a harpsichord, a late 18th-century style piano, and a small double-strung clavichord, as well as a modern Hamburg Steinway piano.

What is the clavichord and when did it become popular?

The clavichord is the oldest stringed keyboard instrument, popular from the late Middle Ages through to the 1800s. The instrument shown in the video is a 1600 German clavichord replica.

How does the clavichord produce sound?

The clavichord produces sound by striking the strings with tangents, which are small metal pieces that make contact with the strings when a key is pressed.

What is a 'Fretted clavichord' and how does it work?

A 'Fretted clavichord' is an instrument where multiple notes share the same set of strings. For example, F, F#, and G can all be produced by the same string. This allows for fewer strings to tune and less tension on the resonating box.

Why was the clavichord considered a private instrument?

The clavichord was never meant for public performance, but rather for private use or small gatherings, as its sound was quiet and intimate.

What are the key differences between the clavichord and the harpsichord?

The clavichord strikes strings with tangents, while the harpsichord plucks its strings using a mechanism involving a flexible tongue and a pleum (guitar pick). The harpsichord also has two independent strings for each note, unlike the clavichord.

What is the history of the harpsichord?

The harpsichord dates back to the late 15th century and was widely used until the 1790s, after which it fell out of favor until its revival in the 20th century.

How does the action of a harpsichord differ from a clavichord?

On the harpsichord, each key activates a jack that plucks the string, while on the clavichord, the key strikes the string directly with a tangent. The harpsichord's action results in a different sound and playing technique.

What is unique about the construction of the harpsichord shown in the video?

The harpsichord in the video was built in 1997 by Willard Martin based on plans from the year 1617. The design of this harpsichord is a reconstruction of a French instrument, which may not have been built in the 17th century.

How has the modern grand piano evolved compared to early keyboard instruments?

The modern grand piano has grown significantly in size and range compared to earlier keyboard instruments like the clavichord and harpsichord. For example, the modern piano has 88 keys, while the historical pianos shown in the video had only 58 keys.