Why Do Harpsichords Have Two Keyboards?
The Two Keyboards, or "Manuals", Control Different Sets of Strings. in Some Designs, the Second Manual Might Control Strings Tuned a Fourth (Four Notes) Down...
The two keyboards, or "manuals", control different sets of strings. In some designs, the second manual might control strings tuned a fourth (four notes) down from the main keyboard. This allows the harpsichordist to switch to a lower register when required, which frees up the higher registers for a vocal accompaniment.
Do all harpsichords have two keyboards?
One set of strings may sound an octave above normal pitch. Some 18th-century German harpsichords had a set of strings sounding an octave below normal pitch. Harpsichords often have two keyboards, or manuals, which can usually be coupled or used separately, allowing further variations of tone color and volume.
What is the difference between the two keyboards on the harpsichord?
Harpsichords with more than one keyboard (this usually means two keyboards, stacked one on top of the other in a step-wise fashion, as with pipe organs) provide flexibility in selecting which strings play, since each manual can be set to control the plucking of a different set of strings.
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