The Harpsichord

Pictured as early as the 15th century, the harpsichord form (keys in line with strings) reached its peak in the period of Bach and Handel. This shape, pattern for the modern grand, increased tonal power by string length far greater than that of the spinet. To control additional sets of strings, builders developed multiple keyboards with couplers (devices enabling one key to pluck several strings at once) and stops (mechanisms producing different registers or qualities of tone.