Música Brasilis

The clavichord was very popular between XVI and XVIII centuries, mainly in the countries of German language, Scandinavia and Iberian Peninsula.

How does it work?

Sound is produced by the percussion of strings, usually made of brass or iron. By pressing the keys, small metal blades called tangents strikes the strings, producing their vibration. The intensity of the sound produced by the clavichord is very delicate, which led this instrument to be more used for study in the domestic environment, and as an aid in composition.

A bit of history...

The clavichord was created in the late Middle Ages and one of the earliest references to the instrument dates back to 1502 in England in the reign of Henry VII. During the Baroque period, its use was widespread in German-speaking countries, especially as an aid to composers and as a home instrument for keyboardists. It is known that J. S. Bach (1685-1750) had affinity with the instrument.

During Classicism, the clavichord was falling into disuse and it would only reappear in the mid-twentieth century. In modern music, some composers and instrumentalists used the clavichord in their songs, amplifying the sound electronically. In the Beatles' song "For No One" (1966), Paul McCartney plays a clavichord.