Harpsichord

Definition

A keyboard instrument which looks like a small grand piano. The keys are laid out in the same way, as on a piano but are opposite in colour – the majority of the keys are black, and the raised ones are white. When a key is pressed, it causes a string to be plucked, which gives the harpsichord a 'twangy' sound.

The harpsichord was popular in the 15th and 16th centuries, which was around the time of the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

Examples

Here is a piece composed by Bach in the Baroque period.

The harpsichord here is playing the theme from The Addams Family.

Related concepts

• Baroque (N4)