coupler dog
Quick Summary
The term "coupler dog" refers to a specific mechanical component used in some keyboard instruments, particularly the harpsichord. These small wooden pieces are designed to connect the keys of two separate manuals (keyboards).1
In a two-manual harpsichord, coupler dogs allow the player to link the keyboards. When a key on the lower manual is pressed, the coupler dog attached to it can lift the corresponding key on the upper manual. This mechanism enables the playing of complex musical pieces, such as pièce croisée, where distinct musical lines cross within the same range. When the coupler is disengaged, the coupler dogs pass by the upper-manual keys, allowing for independent playing on each manual. This feature helps players utilize the different tonal qualities produced by various sets of strings on the instrument.1
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