square grand or is it clavichord?

[Conrad Hoffsommer]

At 05:34 1/21/2004 -0500, you wrote:
>Greetings,
>
>             What is the difference between a square grand and a 
> clavichord? I went to tune my first one and the customer called it a 
> square grand, however to me, it looked like a late clavichord.
>
>rookie,
>Julia Gottchall,
>Reading PA


The confusion probably lies in that the string/case orientation is the 
same, with a rectangular case/keyboard on long side/strings left to right.

A square has hammers and some kind action allowing let off.

A clavichord has what looks like old flat nails (called tangents) mounted 
on the ends of plain keysticks.  These tangents strike the strings at a 
carefully determined point. The tangent acts both as excitation device and 
determinant of vibrating length.  ONe side of where it strikes is a damping 
cloth and the other is the bridge. The sound lasts only as long as the 
tangent is in contact with the string. An tremulant effect called bebung is 
possible with the clavichord since you are in direct and constant contact 
with the string and uneven pressure on the key will produce uneven pitch of 
the string.



Conrad Hoffsommer - Music Technician
Luther College, 700 College Dr., Decorah, Iowa 52101-1045
Vox-(563)-387-1204 // Fax (563)-387-1076

- Education is what you get from reading the small print. Experience is 
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