Multilingual Harpsichord Lexicon

Harpsichords fortunately came from days when it was possible to make up a sensible name for each and every part. With the knowledge explosion bringing new publications (and websites!) in our field each year, we offer this lexicon to encourage use of the correct descriptive terms and help increase general technical understanding of the harpsichord.

The word "lexicon" derives from the Greek λεξικόν (lexicon), neuter of λεξικός (lexikos) meaning "of or for words".

Lexicon source by permission of CBH: http://www.hpschd.nu/lx/lx-master.html

Flemish (Dutch: Vlaams) is a popular informal term to refer to Belgian Dutch (Dutch: Belgisch-Nederlands) and is derived from the name of the County of Flanders (Historical region in the Low Countries), from Middle Dutch vlamisch, vlemesch.

Muselaar         Flemish Virginals

Spinet            Clavicytherium

•  The virginal, spinet, and clavicytherium are all varieties of harpsichord that differ from it primarily in size, shape, and musical resources. Virginals and spinets usually have only a single set of strings and a single row of jacks. The clavicytherium is basically a harpsichord set upright so that its soundboard is vertical. 

   

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