The clavichord is a rectangular keyboard instrument that was invented in the 14th century and was played during the late Middle Ages, as well as the Baroque and Renaissance periods. In this article from Saed News, we will explore the clavichord in detail.
The clavichord is a rectangular keyboard instrument that was invented in the 14th century and was played during the late Middle Ages, as well as the Baroque and Renaissance periods. This instrument was primarily used as a practice instrument and as a tool for composition, as it lacked the volume needed for large-scale performances. Although the clavichord resembles the piano and harpsichord in appearance, its internal mechanism is completely different. Unlike those instruments, it does not assign individual strings to each note. Instead, it uses a fret system similar to that of a guitar, allowing each string to produce multiple notes. This reduces both the number of strings and the overall size of the instrument.
The name "clavichord" is derived from the Latin word clavis, meaning "key," and the Greek word chorda, meaning "string." The clavichord was popular from the 16th to the 18th centuries, especially in German-speaking regions, Scandinavia, and the Iberian Peninsula. In England, the first recorded buyer of a clavichord was Elizabeth of York, Queen of England and wife of Henry VII. Although the instrument fell out of popularity in the 1840s, it was revived in the 1890s by Arnold Dolmetsch.
The clavichord is shaped like a rectangle, typically measuring between 110 and 170 centimeters in length. It has a keyboard and a soundboard where the strings are stretched lengthwise. One end of each string is fixed with a hitch pin, while the other is attached to a tuning pin. When a key is pressed, a small metal blade known as a tangent strikes the string, causing it to vibrate and produce sound.
Originally, clavichords had only one keyboard. Later, pedal clavichords were developed, featuring an additional pedalboard that allowed for playing lower notes. These were often used by organists to practice their repertoire.
Historically, the clavichord was used mainly for practice and solo performance, as its sound was not powerful enough for larger venues—a limitation that was later addressed in the mid-20th century with the invention of the Clavinet.
Sound is produced on a clavichord by striking brass or iron strings with small blades called tangents. The vibration is transferred to the soundboard via a bridge. The clavichord was first invented in the early 14th century.
Over the past several decades, around 400 gramophone recordings of clavichord performances have been made. Today, clavichords are being built in various parts of the world. While most clavichord players are enthusiasts of Renaissance and Baroque music, the instrument has found a place in other musical genres as well. Its modern cousin, the Clavinet—essentially an electric clavichord—is now used in contemporary styles like electronica. Unlike the traditional clavichord, the electric version is sometimes used in concerts to amplify sound.
The clavichord is a type of struck string instrument, categorized under string instruments in the science of organology. At the same time, it is considered a keyboard instrument due to its method of play.
