The harpsichord generates sound by plucking strings when keys are depressed, in contrast to the piano which strikes them.

At first glance, the instrument looks similar to a piano, but instead of deploying a hammer that strikes a string to produce a sound, the harpsichord is fit with feathers that pluck the string.

Listen to this effect in J.S. Bach's 'Badinerie' from Suite No. 2. The harpsichord made a short, staccato sound as the strings were plucked inside the instrument. If a Baroque composer wanted a ...

By adding keyboards and other devices to modify the sound, the harpsichord had become more versatile, but composers and performers were increasingly looking for ways to derive more expression in ...