Harpsichord
The harpsichord was the most popular of the early keyboard instruments. The strings were made of metal and plucked with quills. The metallic sound was not pleasing to musicians’ ears, but Mozart figured out a way to make music sound more beautiful on the harpsichord.
Clavichord
The clavichord was basically a simpler and smaller version of harpsichord that people played at home.
Fortepiano
The name means “loud-soft.” Its strings are struck by a covered hammer so the sound can be loud or soft. The fortepiano sounded much more pleasing to musicians and composers than the harpsichord. It also was the first instrument with levers that were worked by the feet. This, too, produced a richer sound.
Spinet
The spinet was a tabletop version of the harpsichord with fewer octaves and the same quality of sound.
Organ
The organ usually has two keyboards and pedals which play extra notes. Most music written for the organ is for church services. The huge sound is produced by air moving through pipes of different lengths. |