The harpsichord is different from the piano because
Answers
Here are 7 differences between the Harpsichord and the Piano.
#1 The piano is relatively newer instrument
Harpsichord was invented during the 15th century while the Piano relatively a new instrument built around the late 18th century.
#2 Harpsichord strings are plucked and not hammered.
Unlike the Piano, the strings of the Harpsichord are plucked and not hammered.
Harpsichord has a mechanism similar to the guitar plectrum that plucks the strings when the keys on the keyboard are pressed. Surprising the jack comes with a damper that stops playing the musical note when the key is released.
Watch this video for in-depth information about different parts of the Harpsichord and its working mechanism.
#3 A Harpsichord may pluck two strings at a time.
Another peculiar thing about a Harpsichord is that the key stroke plucks two strings one at a time. The string arrangement is somewhat similar to the twelve string guitar.
#4 A piano may always have a single keyboard while a harpsichord may not
Harpsichord may have a single or a double keyboard known as “manuals”. The stacked layer of keyboards is mapped to different sets of strings that produce sounds that have more treble and resembles more like a nasal noise.
This mechanism gives a great range of frequencies to write melodious compositions.
A typical harpsichord may have around 4 to 6 octaves, while a standard grand piano has around 88 keys with little more than 7 octaves.
#5 It is more painful to tune a harpsichord than a piano
The strings of the piano are always under tremendous pressure. This gives them the characteristic tone and the loudness that is required for a concert performance.
An ideal grand piano may have a combined pressure of around 30 tons on all of its strings. Hence, it is very less likely to tune the piano more often.
The Harpsichord strings being under very less tension keeps losing its tensile strength. Therefore, the strings are required to be tuned again and again.
#6 Harpsichord has a beautiful past. The piano is the future
The harpsichord was replaced by the Piano because of the richer and loud musical notes that may be required for a concert performance.
The baroque period (1600 – 1750) was the golden period for the instrument. However, with the invention of the Piano in the 18th century, the harpsichord started disappearing from the public performance scenes.
It was only until the 20th century that musicians started experimenting with this historical instrument again.
Listen to this cover song of Despacito composed by Luis Fonsi performed by Katarzyna Kowalik.