[CAUT] clavichord

[Laurence Libin]

Laurence Libin
Editor-in-Chief
Grove Dictionary of Musical Instruments
Oxford University Press
lelibin at optonline.net
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Fred Sturm 
  To: caut at ptg.org 
  Sent: Friday, February 11, 2011 11:56 AM
  Subject: Re: [CAUT] clavichord, laminated soundboard


  On Feb 11, 2011, at 9:38 AM, Laurence Libin wrote:


    1. Clavichords with a sustaining stop (called a 'pantalon' stop) were produced in the 18th century. The device consists of a second set of tangents that remain in contact with the strings after the striking tangent falls away, allowing the strings to continue vibrating.


  How is that physically possible? The tangent from the key both sets the string in motion and stops its length (determines the speaking length). The second tangent would have to be in precisely the same place, hence the moving tangent couldn't set the string in motion. Or am I missing something? 

  The pantalon tangents, affixed to a hinged rail below the keyboard, rise between the key levers and touch the strings slightly to the left (usually) of the striking tangents. Therefore pitch drops very slightly when the striking tangent descends, allowing the strings again to contact the pantalon tangent. Importantly, when in operation all the pantalon tangents (or bass and treble if the rail is so divided) touch the strings all the time except when strings are lifted by the striking tangents, hence all the strings vibrate sympathetically with the played notes.


    Laurence
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