How does a harpsichord produce sound?

The harpsichord produces sound through a mechanical plucking action rather than by striking strings, which distinguishes it from instruments like the piano.3

The Plucking Mechanism

When a performer presses a key, it activates a vertical strip of wood called a jack. As the jack rises, a small plectrum—traditionally made of quill or leather—protrudes from a pivoted tongue and forces its way past the string, plucking it to create sound.12

When the key is released, the jack falls back down. The pivoted tongue allows the plectrum to pass the string on the descent without plucking it again. Simultaneously, a cloth or felt damper attached to the jack touches the string to silence it.12

Amplification and Tone

The vibrations from the plucked strings are transmitted to a soundboard via a bridge, which amplifies the sound. Because the mechanism relies on a fixed plucking action, the instrument cannot produce sustained dynamic changes through finger pressure alone; instead, performers vary volume and timbre by engaging different sets of strings and jacks.21