Harpsichord vs. Spinet — What's the Difference?

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.

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

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.

A small, compact upright piano.

A keyboard instrument whose strings are plucked by means of quills or plectrums.

A small, compact upright electronic organ.

(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. Harpsichords originated in late medieval Europe and is one of the most important instruments used to perform Baroque music.

A small harpsichord with a single keyboard.

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 It is now superseded by the piano.

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

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

(obsolete) A spinney.

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.

A spinny.

Small and compactly built upright piano

Early model harpsichord with only one string per note