Harpsichord vs. Spinet

Harpsichordnoun

(musical instruments) A musical instrument with a keyboard that produces sound through a mechanical process. When the performer presses a key, a corresponding plectrum plucks a tuned string. The harpsichord originated in late medieval Europe and is one of the most important instruments used to perform Baroque music.

Spinetnoun

(musical instruments) A short, compact harpsichord or piano.

Harpsichordnoun

A harp-shaped instrument of music set horizontally on legs, like the grand piano, with strings of wire, played by the fingers, by means of keys provided with quills, instead of hammers, for striking the strings. It is now superseded by the piano.

Spinetnoun

(obsolete) A spinney.

Harpsichordnoun

a clavier with strings that are plucked by plectra mounted on pivots

Spinetnoun

A keyed instrument of music resembling a harpsichord, but smaller, with one string of brass or steel wire to each note, sounded by means of leather or quill plectrums or jacks. It was formerly much used.

Harpsichordnoun

a keyboard instrument with horizontal strings which run perpendicular to the keyboard in a long tapering case, and are plucked by points of quill, leather, or plastic operated by depressing the keys. It is used chiefly in European classical music of the 16th to 18th centuries.

Spinetnoun

A spinny.

Harpsichord

A harpsichord (Italian: clavicembalo, French: clavecin, German: Cembalo, Spanish: clavecín, Portuguese: cravo, Dutch: klavecimbel) is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. This activates a row of levers that turn a trigger mechanism that plucks one or more strings with a small plectrum made from quill or plastic.

Spinetnoun

small and compactly built upright piano

Spinetnoun

early model harpsichord with only one string per note

Spinet

A spinet is a smaller type of harpsichord or other keyboard instrument, such as a piano or organ.