Clavicytherium

The clavicytherium as portrayed in Praetorius's Syntagma Musicum

A clavicytherium is a harpsichord in which the soundboard and strings are mounted vertically[1] facing the player. The primary purpose of making a harpsichord vertical is the same as in the later upright piano, namely to save floor space. In a clavicytherium, the jacks move horizontally without the assistance of gravity, so that clavicytherium actions are more complex than those of other harpsichords.

  1. ^ Schlesinger 1911, p. 468.

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