ClavichordHistory, Facts and interesting information about Medieval music, specifically, Clavichord Definition and Description of the Clavichord Definition and description of the Clavichord: The Clavichord can be described as an early stringed instrument like a piano but with more delicate sound. Family of Instruments: The Clavichord belongs to the family of String instruments. The Clavichord History of the Clavichord The history of the Clavichord. As the Greek modes formed the basis for the musical system of the church, so the Greek monochord is the type from which the monks evolved what they called the clavichord. The monochord has a movable bridge, therefore some time is lost in adjusting it in order to get the different tones. To obviate this inconvenience, a number of strings were placed side by side, and a mechanism inserted which, by pressing a key (clavis), would move the bridge to the point at which the string must divide to give the note indicated by the key. This made it possible to use one string for several different notes, and explains why the clavichord or clavicembalo needed comparatively few strings. This instrument became obsolete toward the end of the eighteenth century. Medieval Music - Clavichord The Medieval Times website provides interesting facts, history and information about the musicians and styles of music which scatter the history books including Clavichord. The Medieval Life and Times Sitemap provides full details of all of the information and facts about the fascinating subject of the lives of the people who lived during the historical period of the Middle Ages. The content of this article on Clavichord provides free educational details, facts and information for reference and research for schools, colleges and homework for history courses and history coursework. |