Harpsichord with Variable String Plucking Position: Development and Practice of Use

The article is devoted to the description of the first development in the practice of harpsichord construction — a model of a single strung harpsichord with a variable position of the register block. Such an instrument makes it possible to obtain several timbre colors with a choir of strings, which was previously a property of harpsichords with two or more choirs of strings. The development of this instrument model is carried out within the framework of a new approach in harpsichord construction, announced by the authors of this publication in 2022. It is based on the application of new technologies and modern materials in combination with historical traditions, which makes it possible to produce instruments that meet the modern tasks of educational and concert practice. It is shown that a newly designed harpsichord with a moving register block supports the performer in achieving of several timbre colors in the thin walled and light body instrument. Such a budget model is relevant both for concert musicians and for the needs of the educational sphere. The stages and process of designing a new instrument are analyzed, several variants of constructive solutions for the organisation of flat-parallel motion of the register block are proposed. Characteristics of the string sound at different points of the plucking and recommendations for the performance of different stylistic keyboard repertoire are given. It is concluded that the practical use of harpsichords built on the basis of the new model allows us to speak about the suitability of this constructive idea and the prospect of its introduction into concert practice and educational work in the field of harpsichord performance.

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