The harpsichord and piano are two keyboard instruments that have played significant roles in the history of Western music. While both share a common lineage, they have distinct differences in sound production, timbre, volume control, and their role in musical history. The harpsichord, one of the earliest keyboard instruments, is different from a modern grand piano. If you’ve ever wondered how these two instruments compare, let’s explore their unique characteristics as we explore the harpsichord vs piano.
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Sound Production: Plucking vs. Hammer Action
One of the most fundamental differences between the harpsichord and the piano is how each instrument produces sound.
- Harpsichord: The harpsichord generates sound by plucking the strings with small plectra, traditionally made from quill or plastic. When a key is pressed, a mechanism called a jack lifts the plectrum, plucking the string and creating a bright, clear tone.
- Piano: In contrast, the piano uses hammers covered in felt to strike the strings. When a key is pressed, the hammer is propelled toward the string, producing a dynamic sound that varies depending on how forcefully the key is played.
This difference in mechanics greatly influences the expressiveness of each instrument. The harpsichord produces a consistent volume regardless of touch, while the piano allows for dynamic control.
Timbre: Crisp vs. Resonant
- Harpsichord: The harpsichord has a bright, metallic sound with little sustain. The plucked strings create a crisp and articulate tone, making it ideal for intricate Baroque counterpoint. However, because the sound does not linger, composers often wrote rapid note repetitions or used ornaments to create the illusion of sustained sound.
- Piano: The piano’s struck strings result in a more resonant and dynamic sound. The ability to control dynamics (soft vs. loud) gives the piano a greater range of expressive possibilities, making it suitable for various musical styles, from classical music to jazz.
Number of Keys and Keyboard Layout
The number of keys on both instruments can vary depending on their design and period.
- Harpsichord: Historical harpsichords typically have 49 to 61 keys (4 to 5 octaves). Some larger models extend beyond this range but rarely match the modern piano’s full spectrum.
- Harpsichord keys differ from piano keys in several distinct ways. Firstly, the action mechanism is different: when a harpsichord key is pressed, it triggers a jack equipped with a plectrum that plucks the string, whereas a piano key, when pressed, causes a hammer to strike the string. This fundamental difference results in varied sound production; the harpsichord produces a more delicate, brighter sound with less dynamic range, while the piano offers a fuller, more resonant sound with the ability to vary volume. Additionally, harpsichord keys are typically lighter and require less pressure to depress compared to piano keys, which are heavier and require more force. Moreover, the keytops on harpsichords are often narrower with shorter pivot lengths, contributing to a different tactile experience when playing each instrument. These differences highlight the unique characteristics and playing techniques required for each keyboard instrument.
- Piano: Modern pianos have 88 keys (7 octaves plus a minor third), allowing for a much broader range of notes. This expanded range contributes to the piano’s versatility in classical, jazz, and contemporary music.
Volume Control and Expressiveness
Dynamic control is one of the most notable distinctions between the harpsichord and the piano.
- Harpsichord: Since the strings are plucked, the harpsichord cannot respond to variations in key pressure. Whether you press a key lightly or forcefully, the volume remains the same. To create contrasts in volume, harpsichords often have multiple sets of strings (choirs) that can be engaged using stops, similar to the approach used with pipe organs.
- Piano: The piano’s design allows for full dynamic control, meaning that pressing a key harder produces a louder sound, while a lighter touch results in a softer tone. This capability revolutionized keyboard music, giving composers and performers greater expressive freedom with the piano’s powerful sound.
Playing The Instruments
Playing a piano versus a harpsichord involves distinct techniques and approaches due to the inherent differences in each instrument’s mechanism and expressive capabilities.
Harpsichord technique primarily focuses on finger agility and articulation. As the strings are plucked by a quill when a key is pressed, the performer cannot influence the volume through touch dynamics. Instead, expressive nuances are achieved through ornamentation, phrasing, and the use of stops to engage additional choirs of strings which can alter the timbre or slightly change the volume. Furthermore, harpsichordists often encounter the “short octave,” a tuning and keyboard layout adaptation where some notes in the lower register are retuned to expand the range without additional keys. You’ll find yourself needing to adapt a different technique when sitting at the harpsichord.
In contrast, modern piano technique emphasizes dynamic variation, where the intensity of the touch directly affects the sound’s volume. This allows pianists to convey a wide range of emotions through subtle and dramatic dynamic changes. The ability to sustain notes using the damper pedal adds another layer of expressiveness, differentiating it from the harpsichord. Pianists also benefit from a fully chromatic keyboard that expands musical possibilities without the limitations of the short octave, allowing for a broader repertoire and more complex compositions. Overall, the piano’s design offers greater expressive freedom, while the harpsichord requires a more intricate approach to articulation and technical precision.
General Construction
While both instruments have a similar overall shape, their internal mechanics differ significantly.
- Harpsichord: The harpsichord typically has a lighter wooden frame, thin soundboard, and a simple action mechanism. Many harpsichords feature two manuals (keyboards) to allow for different sounds and volume levels.
- Piano: The piano has a heavy cast-iron frame, which supports the high tension of the strings. It also includes a complex action mechanism with dampers, pedals, and a sustain system that allows for greater tonal variety.
Historical Use in Music
Both instruments have played crucial roles in music history, though their prominence differs by era.
- Harpsichord: The harpsichord was a dominant instrument from the Renaissance (15th century) through the Baroque period (17th-18th century). Composers such as J.S. Bach, Handel, and Scarlatti wrote extensively for the harpsichord. It was commonly used in solo music, chamber music, and continuo parts in Baroque ensembles. However, by the late 18th century, the harpsichord fell out of favor as the piano gained popularity.
- Piano: The piano emerged in the early 18th century, with its development credited to Bartolomeo Cristofori around 1700. By the Classical period (late eighteenth century), composers like Mozart and Beethoven embraced the piano for its expressive capabilities. The broader sonic reach of grand pianos make them excellent choices to fill the space of concert halls. Through its earliest roots and through the 19th century and today, the piano has become one of the most versatile and widely used instruments in classical, jazz, pop, and film music.
Today, we have the luxury of hearing baroque style music played on authentic instruments such as the harpsichord as well as today’s pianos. I am often struck with the stark difference when listening to J.S. Bach keyboard concertos played on modern instruments as contrasted to original instrument performances (e.g., harpsichord). The blend of a harpsichord with string players strikes me as organic and pleasing while piano recordings of similar works can sound more aggressive.
Which Instrument Should You Choose?
If you’re interested in learning or playing early music, the harpsichord is an excellent choice, especially for Baroque music and Renaissance repertoire. However, if you seek an instrument with more expressive capabilities and dynamic control, the piano is the better option.
Today, the harpsichord is primarily used in historically informed performances of early music, while the piano remains a staple in nearly all musical genres. Many keyboard players appreciate both instruments for their distinct characteristics and historical significance.
Final Thoughts
While the harpsichord and piano share similarities as keyboard instruments, their fundamental differences in sound production, timbre, volume control, and historical use make them unique in their own right. Exploring the variety of keyboard instruments produced over the century is a good idea to help understand the main differences of stringed keyboard instruments and how they influenced composition and performance. Whether you prefer the crisp articulation of the harpsichord or the expressive depth of the piano, each instrument has a rich legacy that continues to inspire musicians today.
Thanks for reading this article.
Arthur Dobrucki