4 ms·
Unfretted clavichord also works very well for them. IMO even better than the harpsichord, the sound is less grating. There are a few bits that aren't playable o
by SAI_Peregrinus 4y ago
Unfretted clavichord also works very well for them. IMO even better than the harpsichord, the sound is less grating. There are a few bits that aren't playable on the fretted clavichords of Bach's day, but very few and it can be performed on these (and probably was given how common they were).
There's also an excellent performance on the organ[1].
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBQxfv7IZWA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBQxfv7IZWA
- jacquesm 4y ago> There are a few bits that aren't playable on the fretted clavichords of Bach's day Is that because of the nature of the placement of the frets that makes certain combinations silent on one or more notes?
- SAI_Peregrinus 4y agoThe strings in clavichords vibrate from the bridge to the tangent (the metal hammer that strikes the string), the remaining distance to the tuning peg is covered in damping felt and so does not contribute to the sound. On a "fretted" clavichord, several notes strike the same course (of two strings) at different positions. Only one note can play at a time on each course, so some combinations of notes aren't possible. Unfretted clavichords have a course for each note, but weren't at all common in J.S. Bach's time.
- jacquesm 4y agoThank you.
- shadowofneptune 4y agoClavicord was definitely the virtuoso instrument of the period. It allowed for a lot of control, more than a modern piano. Its biggest issue, lack of sound, made it great for students like the ones Bach addressed in Clavier.
- wrycoder 4y agoThere were even pedal versions, so you could practice organ quietly.