MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS— THE PIANO-FORTE, 475 



Tlie first instrument of the string family with finger-keys was 

 the clavicytherium, or clavitherum, which the Italians produced 

 about the thirteenth century. This was a form of harp with gut 

 strings in which a key-board was employed with finger-keys to 

 move the mechanical leather plectra used for plucking the strings 

 in lieu of the fingers. 



The clavichord, an instrument used up to a recent date, came 

 into existence about the same period as the foregoing, and was an- 

 other step toward the piano. 

 This, like the two instruments 

 mentioned, derived its name 

 from Claris, a key. For the 

 first time gut strings were 

 set aside for wire, which were 

 thrown into musical vibra- 

 tion by a tangent moved by a 

 key, thus forming a rude an- 

 ticipation of the first piano- 

 action mechanism. Sebastian 

 Bach used the instrument in 

 his home for purposes of in- 

 spiration and practice, while 

 Mozart is said to have carried 

 one on his musical journeys. 

 Beethoven was also partial to 



the instrument. It had very many advantages over the harpsi- 

 chord, the only popular instrument of the Mozart and Bach era. 

 For instance, it was possible to produce rude -piano e forte effects 

 — which results, first attained in the piano, gave it its title — while 

 it had the faculty of action repetition, and a pleasing attribute of 

 being able to simulate human feeling, such as a violinist or vocalist 

 can produce by sliding from interval to interval. As compared 

 with the piano, however, or even the improved harpsichord of the 

 last century, it was a mere toy. 



The first mention of the instrument discovered in England 

 goes back to 1500, when William Cornish, in his work, A Treatise 

 between Trouth and Informacion. says : 



" The clavichorde hath a tunely knyde 

 As the wyre is wrested high and low." 



It may have been known previously, however, in that country. 

 Meanwhile, the Germans were generally esteemed as leading 

 clavichord makers at that period. 



The virginal and spinet, both forms of the clavicytherium, 

 came next. In these instruments brass-wire strings superseded 

 gut. Instead of a leather plectrum for plucking the strings, a 



Fig. 3. 



-Procession of Triumph, siio\vi>-( 

 Dulcimer. 



