Key Terms
This word means how loud or soft a sound is
What is dynamics?
Before 1700, this keyboard instrument was very common and sounded bright and metallic
What is the harpsichord?
The clavichord produced a very ____ sound (fill in the blank
What is soft?
The escapement allows the hammer to do this after striking a string.
What is fall back / escape?
In the 1800s, makers began using this stronger material for piano frames to handle thicker strings.
What is iron?
This part stops a piano string from vibrating when a key is released
What is a damper?
On a harpsichord, pressing the key stronger or softer changes this
What is nothing — the volume doesn't change?
The clavichord used metal pieces that struck the strings; these pieces are called this.
What are tangents?
Who invented the important escapement in the early piano design?
Who is Cristofori?
Sebastian Erard invented this improvement that allowed faster repetition of notes.
What is the double escapement?
The short word for the mechanism that lets a hammer fall back after striking a string
What is escapement?
The harpsichord makes sound by doing this to the strings (like a guitar)
What is plucking?
On a clavichord, holding a key down caused the striking tool to do this to the string, which muffled the sound
What is stay against / press against the string?
Why did Cristofori’s escapement improve sound compared to the clavichord?
Because the hammer fell back so the string could vibrate freely, not be muffled
Cristofori's invention led to this modern instrument we hear in concert halls
What is the piano / modern grand piano?
The small quill that plucks strings on a harpsichord is also called this
What is a plectrum?
Because its volume cannot change with touch, musicians could not add this to their playing.
What are dynamics?
True or false: The clavichord allowed wide dynamic contrast like a modern piano.
What is false?
In the early 1800s, a new version called the "double escapement" helped pianists do this action faster
What is repeat notes?
Name two major changes (one-word each) that transformed early pianos into modern grand pianos.
What are escapement and iron-frame?
Name the instrument that struck its strings with metal tangents and produced a very soft sound
What is a clavichord?
Compare harpsichord sound to piano sound: the harpsichord is often described as this kind of tone (one word)
What is metallic?
Explain briefly why the clavichord was quieter than later pianos
Because its metal tangents stayed against the strings and it produced only a soft sound.
Describe how escapement and dynamics together made the piano different from the harpsichord
Escapement let hammers strike and not stay on the strings, and combined with hammer striking method it allowed players to vary loudness — dynamics — which harpsichords could not do.)
Explain how thicker strings and a stronger frame together changed the piano's sound and use.
Thicker strings produced louder, richer sound; a stronger iron frame could hold the higher tension, allowing bigger volume and use in larger concert halls.