Harpsichord Lessons

Learn to play the Harpsichord.

To buy a harpsichord, it is wise to visit various music stores that stock it and speak with several music professionals. They will advise you on the best quality to look for. Harpsichord dealers and players also give valuable advice on where to look for the best instrument. You should also decide on the price range of the harpsichord you would like to buy. The price of harpsichords varies depending on their condition, size and age. Though used harpsichords are cheaper, one may have to pay extra for maintenance and necessary initial repairs.

One should also consider the size of the harpsichord in relation to where it will be kept. A hand-made harpsichord is constructed with care and will have a better tonal quality. The harpsichord’s case should be checked for tight and solid joints. This is because destroyed case joints cannot be repaired.

Look for a harpsichord that is in good condition, is clean and has an orderly string layout. You can check the jacks re-set by playing a note twice in quick succession. You can also ask a professional tuner or technician to play the instrument. You should then finalize the buying arrangements by finding out the delivery charges and who will deliver it.

Harpsichord playing was popularized in the 18th Century. Before playing a harpsichord, it is a good idea to learn to play the piano. A few private lessons on the piano will familiarize you with keyboard notes. It is necessary to press harder when playing the harpsichord because of its more pronounced key resistance.

A room for playing the harpsichord should be constructed for its acoustics otherwise the sound will be lost. Harpsichord strings resonate longer than piano strings. When playing a harpsichord, you can only play one dynamic level. To make it louder, a set of strings need to added. One should practice playing the harpsichord by trying to alter the timing of the lifts. This creates a difference in the musicality.

A harpsichord needs maintenance on a regular basis as strings can weaken in humid or corrosive conditions. When a good harpsichord is working well, it only needs to be maintained annually by a professional. Regular maintenance prevents problems in the future, as they are more costly.

A harpsichord’s servicing depends on variables like environment and use. It will also depend on the quality of the instrument. If the harpsichord is well set up and working correctly. Initial service may involve a lot of labour but for your instrument to perform as expected, it is essential.

A typical service consists of:

Remove the keyboard and clean off dust from the key bed.
Adjust the level, tilt and space of the keys.
Change any sticking or sluggish keys before replacing the keyboard.
Check the strings and replace any that look like they are about to fail.
Inspect the instrument for damage generally.
Return all jacks their original position and check for and replace any broken plectra or tongues.
Adjust the dampers and key dips as necessary.
Check regulation and voicing of the harpsichord.

We hope you have found this free guide helpful and that you will get a lot of enjoyment from playing the harpsichord.

Other Instruments

Click this link to find prices for Harpsichord lessons.

Look for information on another musical instrument.

Search in our directory for a Harpsichord tutor.

Go to this link to become a Harpsichord teacher.