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Why does a piano sound different from a harpsichord?
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stringed instrument
A Japanese musician plucking the strings of a koto with the right hand to generate a pitch and pressing the strings with the left hand to alter the tone.
The primary reason a piano sounds different from a harpsichord lies in the mechanical method used to initiate string vibration, which fundamentally alters the instrument's timbre and dynamic capabilities.1
- Sound Production: In a harpsichord, the strings are set into vibration by plucking them with a plectrum (often made of quill or leather) attached to a mechanism called a jack. In contrast, a piano uses felt-covered hammers to strike the strings.234
- Dynamics: The harpsichord is generally incapable of producing dynamic gradations (crescendos or decrescendos) based on the player's finger pressure. The piano, however, was specifically developed to allow the performer to play soft or loud depending on the pressure applied to the keys.23
- Tone Quality: Plucking a string with a sharp point emphasizes higher overtones, creating a "bright" tone quality. Conversely, the soft felt pads of piano hammers emphasize the fundamental pitch. Additionally, the piano's ability to use a damper pedal allows for sympathetic vibrations that further modify the instrument's loudness and tone.1